19 Popular Festivals In O‘ahu, Hawaii

1. Haleʻiwa Arts Festival [Last event in 2019]

This one is for all the art buffs out there in this “pale blue dot.” And even if you aren’t an art person yourself, you can still please your eyes through varied artworks. Held every July, Haleʻiwa Arts Festival has existed for over 20 years and still celebrates the Hawaiian local art community. This event includes juried art shows, live musical shows, dance performances, workshops, fun activities for children, and more. Along with this, the event also features several displays of art and tents for food and drinks. This is a family-friendly event, perfect for all age groups, and should be on the “must-attend” list.

Haleʻiwa Arts Festival

Address: 62-449 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712, United States

Website: Haleʻiwa Arts Festival

Takes place: July

2. Narcissus Festival

A part of the Chinese New Year, Narcissus Festival was established in 1950. This Hawaiian celebration features Chinese heritage, art, culture, and traditions, along with narcissus blossoms that make up for the revitalization of the Hawaiian Chinese culture. This event features a beauty pageant - Narcissus Queen Pageant - food stalls, workshops, a parade, coronation ball, arts and crafts center, a fashion show, firework displays, several music performers performing Chinese music, and plenty more attractions.

Narcissus Festival

Address: O‘ahu, Hawaii

Website: Narcissus Festival

Takes place: April

3. New Year’s Ohana Festival

If you thought you would have to fly all the way to Japan to gobble up on fresh mochi, then we have some news for you. You can do all this at New Year’s ‘Ohana Festival. Now, this festival showcases what most festivals have. Food, arts and crafts, games, and more. But, all these attractions have a lot of Japanese flavors to it. For example, in the food stalls, you can find tasty delicacies such as okonomiyaki, which is a pancake filled with noodles and cabbage. These stalls also feature Japanese doughnuts and ice-creams. And you can shop for a plethora of stuff from the arts and crafts center including clothes, wood art, miniatures, and more, all of which are inspired by the Japanese-style. There is just something for everyone out there.

New Year’s Ohana Festival

Address: O‘ahu, Hawaii

Website: New Year’s ‘Ohana Festival

Takes place: January

4. Honolulu Festival

Celebrated for over 15 years now, Honolulu Festival is considered as the premier cultural event of Hawaii. It promotes and celebrates an exciting mixture of Hawaiian, Pacific, and Asian cultures of all the islands in Hawaii. Visitors attending the event get to witness displays of traditional art, parade, and dance shows that reflects on the rich culture, tradition, and heritages of state. This event is free of cost and is organized throughout Honolulu.

Honolulu Festival

Address: Honolulu – O‘ahu, Hawaii

Website: Honolulu Festival

Takes place: March

Price: Free

5. Cherry Blossom Festival

This festival is for you if you have seen the beauty and magic of the cherry blossom trees in Japan through social media and always craved to visit Japan just to create your very own cherry blossom moment. This three-month-long Cherry Blossom Festival promotes and celebrates the Japanese culture, along with improving the young lives of Japanese-American women. The festival to this day, even after 65 years, ensures it embraces the diversity of the Hawaiian community. Cherry Blossom Festival features several events focusing on Japanese culture.

Cherry Blossom Festival

Address: O‘ahu, Hawaii

Website: Cherry Blossom Festival

Takes place: January, February, and March

6. Hawaiian Scottish Festival & Highland Games [Last event in 2019]

“Hullo, mate!” Hawaiian Scottish Festival & Highland Games is a non-profit event organized by the Hawaiian Scottish Association that focuses on bringing all the Scottish communities from the Hawaiian Islands together, all under one roof. The two-day-event is known for celebrating the beautiful relationship between the Hawaiian and the Scottish community. Hawaiian Scottish Festival & Highland Games features rich Scottish culture and traditions by offering live entertainment, athletic competition, Scottish food stalls, hula hālau, dance and music performances, bagpipe performances, workshops, and plenty more.

Hawaiian Scottish Festival & Highland Games

Address: Kapiʻolani Regional Park, Honolulu, USA

Website: Hawaiian Scottish Festival & Highland Games

Takes place: April

7. Filipino Fiesta

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Attracting over 10,000 visitors every year from all around the world, Filipino Fiesta is one of the largest Filipino events in the Hawaiian Islands. At the event, you will find over 100 communities, organizations, and local and international businesses. Filipino Fiesta features a plethora of booths in arts and crafts, food and beverages, cultural stalls, live entertainment stages, and an area targeted only for kids. By attending this event, you would be supporting the Filipino community and their culture. This event occurs simultaneously with another famous event held in the Philippines, which is called Flores de Mayo, otherwise known as Flowers of May festival.

Filipino Fiesta

Address: 94-428 Mokuola St #302, Waipahu, HI 96797, United States

Website: Filipino Fiesta

Takes place: Usually held in May

8. Vietnamese-American Lunar New Year Festival

The only way to see the beautiful amalgamation of the two different cultures of Vietnam and America is right here. The Vietnamese-American Lunar New Year Festival is a family-friendly event held every year that includes a whole lot of culture, authentic food, several games for the kids, and musical performances among others. If you would like to spend quality and fun time with your family, this event right here checks all the boxes.

Vietnamese-American Lunar New Year Festival

Address: 3840 Paki Ave., Honolulu

Takes place: February

9. Pan-Pacific Festival

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The Pan-Pacific Festival is a three-day festival that is held on the streets of Hawaii and celebrates the Pan-Pacific region and Hawaiian’s several cultures and its people. The festival is celebrated near Waikiki with organized parades, food tents, music, dance performances, Taiko drummers, hula acts, parties on the streets, and so much more. This is the best place to learn and understand and also celebrate how different cultures form a beautiful friendship.

Pan-Pacific Festival

Address: 2270 Kalakaua Ave #1400, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

Website: Pan-Pacific Festival

Takes place: June

10. Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Festival [Last event in 2019]

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When it is Bon season in Hawaii, the US state makes sure they celebrate and celebrate with a big bang. And to partake in this season, all you have to do is head to the Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Festival either by yourself, with your family, or friends. This Japanese tradition attracts over 10,000 people both form local communities and tourists. In reality, Bon season is a Japanese festival where the Japanese folks celebrate and honor the dead ancestors’ souls. They even light lanterns that are hung through the festivals which are believed to act as a guide for the deceased spirits to reach their loving members of the family, who celebrate with some cheer, music, dance, food, and more. This street festival features a lot of cultural history and diversity, Bon dances, and lots more.

Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Festival

Address: 1100 University Avenue (old Varsity Theatre parking lot), O‘ahu, Hawaii

Website: Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Festival

Takes place: July

11. We Are Samoa Festival

Have you ever wondered what a Samoan tradition is or what happens in the Samoan culture? Then, heading to the We Are Samoa Festival is your answer. Organized by the Polynesian Cultural Center, this event is one of the largest Samoan cultural festivals in Hawaii. In this event, the festival highlights High School Samoan Cultural Arts Festival and World Fireknife Championships. A lot of cultural attractions are featured during this two-day-event including live dance acts, musical performances, food stalls, and so much more.

We Are Samoa Festival

Address: O‘ahu, Hawaii

Website: We Are Samoa Festival

Takes place: May

12. Korean Festival [Last event in 2019]

Having events that represent several forms of culture and traditions makes it easier for both locals and visitors to experience what a particular country’s culture would be like. And in this case, we are talking about Korean culture. And you would get to see it through the Korean festival being held in O‘ahu, Hawaii. Organized by the Hawaii Korean Chamber of Commerce, the Korean Festival is held annually where thousands of supporters, community groups, local and international businesses, and an ocean full of volunteers come together to make a single event a big hit. This festival features a plethora of things including authentic Korean food, dance performances, live entertainment, workshops, art, and more.

Korean Festival

Address: O‘ahu, Hawaii

Website: Korean Festival

Takes place: August

13. Okinawan Festival

Ever experienced or witnessed Okinawan culture and traditions? Here’s your chance. One of Hawaii’s most successful and famous ethnic celebrations, Okinawan Festival has been celebrating Okinawa’s traditions, culture, and heritage for over 30 years. Though it started as just a humble premier event, today Okinawan Festival attracts over 50,000 visitors from all across the globe. This event is organized to celebrate the Okinawan culture. It features lots of live cultural entertainment including lion dancing, game center for children, and yummy Okinawan food such as Okinawan-style corndogs and doughnuts.

Okinawan Festival

Address: Waikiki – O‘ahu, Hawaii

Website: Okinawan Festival

Takes place: September

14. Hispanic Heritage Festival [Last event in 2019]

Embrace the Hispanic heritage only at the Hispanic Heritage Festival. This family-friendly festival celebrates everything about Hispanic heritage, culture, and community. Attended by thousands of visitors every year, this event will have everything Latin in all its events. Live entertainment shows, dance performances, food centers, workshops, tents for drinks, arts and crafts center, games activity for children, and so much more.

Hispanic Heritage Festival

Address: O‘ahu, Hawaii

Website: Hispanic Heritage Festival

Takes place: October

15. Greek Festival [Last event in 2018]

It’s the month of August and you know what that means? OPA! The Greek Festival in Hawaii is one of the most anticipated festivals for both locals and visitors from all around the world. Attended by over thousands of visitors every August, the Greek Festival features nothing but fun, laughter, and celebrations and offers visitors some of the best musical performances and authentic Greek food such as gyros, souvlaki, and plenty more.

Greek Festival

Address: O‘ahu, Hawaii

Website: Greek Festival

Takes place: August

16. Prince Lot Hula Festival

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This right here is a real treat for all the hula lovers. Prince Lot Hula Festival is Hawaii’s largest non-competitive hula celebration which honors Prince Lot Kapuaiwa, who brought back hula on the Hawaiian Islands during the 1850s. And since then, the event has only grown stronger and bigger, and features both contemporary and traditional hula performances and dancers from different states. Besides, the Prince Lot Hula Festival is attended by over thousands of visitors and offers local drinks and food, cultural demonstrations, and craft fairs during the event.

Prince Lot Hula Festival

Address: Ala Mahamoe St, Honolulu, HI 96819, United States

Website: Prince Lot Hula Festival

Takes place: Usually held in July

17. Chinese New Year Celebration

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If you haven’t celebrated your usual New Year or haven’t kept up with your resolutions, here’s another chance to do so. And you can do it at the Chinese New Year - a symbol of wealth and the 12 zodiac animal signs. The Chinese New Year Celebrations in Hawaii is a must-visit. Held during the Lunar Calendar, the Chinese New Year Celebration features the true beauty of Asian culture and its rich history. Visitors attending this event will only see a sea of red all over. This vibrant, colorful, and traditional festival starts with the New Year parade, Kung Fu acts, musical performances, and lighting lanterns. You will also find authentic Chinese delicacies, fireworks, and so much more.

Chinese New Year Celebration

Address: O‘ahu, Hawaii

Takes place: January

18. Aloha Festivals

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One of the largest festivals of Hawaiian culture in the United States, Aloha Festivals is a month-long festival worth visiting from all across the world. Established in 1946, this festival celebrates the spirit of the Hawaiian culture, tradition, and diverse customs of the islands. This festival that is celebrated for a month, was once celebrated for just a week - “Aloha Week.” Locals and visitors from all islands get together in O‘ahu for a huge hoolaulea that features a floral parade and lots of games, local entertainment, and food.

Aloha Festivals

Address: 2250 Kalakaua Ave #315, Honolulu, HI 96815, United States

Website: Aloha Festivals

Takes place: September

19. Ukulele Festival

If you love to play the ukulele, want to just try playing the ukulele, or wondering what goes on in a ukulele festival, here’s your ticket! Founded in 2004, Ukulele Festival is a non-profit charitable event that promotes love, laughter, peace, and hope to people, both adults and kids from Hawaii and across the globe through the magic of ukulele music. The event is free to attend and celebrates the arts and culture of Hawaii through scholarships and education, and it also features several ukulele musicians playing their amazing tunes to the crowd.

Ukulele Festival

Address: 3555 Harding Ave #1, Honolulu, HI 96816, United States

Website: Ukulele Festival

Takes place: July

Experience the cultural side of O‘ahu

While exploring all the famous sites of O‘ahu, do ensure to make time to check out the cultural side of the island. And when you are planning to visit O‘ahu any time soon, make sure to refer to this list and plan your stay and things to do accordingly. Rest assured, you will have the best time of your life.