Aloha Festivals 2025

Aloha Festivals 2025 fills September on O‘ahu with protocol, pageantry, music, food, and community, anchored by three signature events that bookend the month in Waikīkī. The official schedule confirms the Royal Court Investiture and Opening Ceremony on Saturday, September 6 from 4–6 p.m. at Helumoa Gardens and The Royal Grove, the 71st Annual Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a on Saturday, September 20 from 6–10 p.m. on Kalākaua Avenue, and the 77th Annual Floral Parade on Saturday, September 27 from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. along a route from Ala Moana Park through Kalākaua to Kapi‘olani Park, with broadcast and livestream coverage presented by KHON for viewers statewide and beyond. Each event threads Native Hawaiian cultural protocols, mele and hula, island cuisine, and family-friendly experiences into one cohesive celebration of aloha—making September an ideal time to experience Honolulu’s living culture on the street, under the palms, and along the shoreline.

Key dates and venues

• Royal Court Investiture & Opening Ceremony: Saturday, Sept 6, 2025, 4–6 p.m.; Helumoa Gardens at The Royal Hawaiian and The Royal Grove at Royal Hawaiian Center; the evening introduces the Aloha Festivals Royal Court with oli, hula, and pageantry to open the month-long celebration.
• Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a (Hawai‘i’s largest block party): Saturday, Sept 20, 2025, 6–10 p.m.; Kalākaua Avenue transforms into a beachfront street festival of local food, artisan crafts, and multiple entertainment stages featuring top island artists and award-winning hālau hula.
• 77th Annual Floral Parade: Saturday, Sept 27, 2025, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.; route from Ala Moana Park through Waikīkī on Kalākaua Avenue to Kapi‘olani Park; pā‘ū riders, fresh-flower floats, bands, and cultural groups; narration at grandstands by Ala Moana Park, Prince Waikiki, Royal Hawaiian Center, and Moana Surfrider; KHON broadcast/livestream to follow.

What the events celebrate

Aloha Festivals began in 1946 as Aloha Week and evolved into Hawai‘i’s premier September cultural celebration. The Royal Court honors aliʻi traditions, ensuring the festival remains rooted in protocol and history. The Ho‘olaule‘a showcases contemporary and traditional performance, cuisine, and crafts along Honolulu’s signature beachfront boulevard. The Floral Parade, in its 77th year, closes the month with a spectacular procession that visually unites islands and communities in one procession of lei, pā‘ū riding, and music.

2025 highlights and updates

• The official site confirms dates, venues, and formats for all three signature events, including the return of the Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a and the Floral Parade route with narrated grandstands for better spectator experiences.
• KHON will again present the official broadcast and livestream of the Floral Parade, expanding access to those unable to attend in person; broadcast details will be posted by the festival as the date approaches.
• O‘ahu’s events calendars echo the dates, framing the Ho‘olaule‘a as one of Hawai‘i’s largest block parties, and the Floral Parade as a Saturday morning showcase of hula, pā‘ū riding, marching bands, and flower-bedecked floats.

How to plan each day

• Royal Court Investiture & Opening Ceremony (Sept 6): Arrive early at Helumoa Gardens to observe the Royal Court’s investiture with oli and hula, then move to The Royal Grove for performances. This is a protocol-forward evening — be mindful, give space to the procession, and enjoy cultural presentations in the heart of Waikīkī.
• Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a (Sept 20): Kalākaua Avenue is pedestrian-only during event hours. Walk from either end, graze on local classics, and catch rotating stage schedules announced by the festival. Families will find keiki-friendly spots near food courts and craft booths, while music lovers can map out stage-hopping between hula and contemporary sets.
• Floral Parade (Sept 27): Scout a viewing zone near a grandstand to hear narration explaining pā‘ū units, island representations, and float details. Ala Moana Park and Kapi‘olani Park anchors have more space; Royal Hawaiian Center and Moana Surfrider stands offer central Waikīkī vibes. Arrive before 8:30 a.m. to settle in; the pageant rolls 9 a.m.–noon.

Cultural etiquette and respect

• Protocol first: The Investiture is a time to observe respectfully. Let the Royal Court pass unobstructed, and refrain from flash photography during oli and sacred segments.
• Leave no trace: Block parties and parades draw big crowds. Use designated bins, pack out, and encourage keiki to help with kuleana to the space.
• Learn through narration: The grandstand commentary is a live cultural lesson — from pā‘ū’s historic equestrian arts to each island’s lei traditions — making it a great place for visitors new to Hawaiian cultural expressions.

Getting around, parking, and access

• Road closures: Kalākaua closes for both Ho‘olaule‘a (evening) and the parade (morning), with detours onto Kuhio and Ala Wai boulevards. Plan for extra time, rideshare drop-offs mauka of the parade route, and walking access to stages and viewing points.
• Transit and parking: Consider TheBus to avoid garage congestion. If driving, use structured parking at Ala Moana Center for the parade start or resort garages in central Waikīkī and walk in from Kuhio Avenue for the block party.
• Accessibility: Grandstands and curb cuts near crosswalks improve access for wheelchairs and strollers; arrive early to secure barrier-free lines-of-sight and avoid curb crowding.

Food, crafts, and stages

• What to eat: Plate lunches, poke bowls, shave ice, malasadas, and specialty items representing communities across O‘ahu fill the Ho‘olaule‘a’s food booths. Try modern twists on local favorites alongside classic Hawaiian fare in one easy walk.
• Crafts: Look for fresh lei, lauhala weaves, kapa-inspired prints, and artisan jewelry from local makers. Many vendors accept cards; bring small bills for quicker lines.
• Stages: The Ho‘olaule‘a schedules multiple stages with top local artists and award-winning hālau hula. Expect packed sets at prime hours; step between stages to balance crowd density and keep keiki engaged.

Make a weekend of it

• Pairing ideas:
• Sept 6 weekend: Combine the Investiture with a sunset stroll and dinner at a Waikīkī restaurant to reflect on what was presented at Helumoa Gardens and The Royal Grove.
• Sept 20 weekend: Ho‘olaule‘a on Saturday night, then a Sunday morning of beach time at Queen’s or Kaimana, with a museum visit at Bishop Museum or ‘Iolani Palace to deepen context around what you saw on stage.
• Sept 27 weekend: Morning parade followed by a Kapi‘olani Park picnic or Honolulu Zoo visit, keeping the day easy after an early start.

Key 2025 confirmations

• Dates and times come directly from the Aloha Festivals site, with staging details, locations, and the KHON parade broadcast/livestream listed in the official copy.
• The Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a’s description as Hawai‘i’s largest annual block party and schedule details for the evening are confirmed on the festival site.
• Island events calendars and travel media echo the dates and routes, reinforcing reliability for travel planning and accommodations.

Verified details at a glance

• Royal Court Investiture & Opening Ceremony: Sat, Sept 6, 2025; 4–6 p.m.; Helumoa Gardens (The Royal Hawaiian) and The Royal Grove (Royal Hawaiian Center).
• Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a: Sat, Sept 20, 2025; 6–10 p.m.; Kalākaua Avenue block party with food, crafts, hula, and live music.
• 77th Annual Floral Parade: Sat, Sept 27, 2025; 9 a.m.–12 p.m.; Ala Moana Park to Kapi‘olani Park via Kalākaua; narrated grandstands; KHON broadcast/livestream.
• Source confirmation: AlohaFestivals.com event pages with dates, places, and formats; GoHawaii events brief adds summary context for parade and block party scale.

September is the moment to be in Honolulu. Set dates for the Investiture and Opening Ceremony, clear Saturday night for Hawai‘i’s biggest block party, and claim a grandstand spot for the flower-filled finale. Book stays and tables early, ride share to Kalākaua, and arrive with an open heart — Aloha Festivals 2025 invites everyone to learn, listen, dance, and carry the spirit of aloha forward long after the last lei has been laid.