First Friday Honolulu 2025

First Friday Honolulu turns Chinatown and the Arts District into a monthly gallery walk and street party from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with late‑night music and dancing that keep the neighborhood humming well past closing time. In 2025, the tradition continues on the first Friday of every month, with anchors like The ARTS at Marks Garage, Capitol Modern: the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum, and a constellation of bars, boutiques, restaurants, and pop‑up markets that rotate exhibits, performances, and specials to welcome locals and visitors alike. The official FirstFridayHawaii.com hub carries month‑specific calendars, interactive maps, and newsletters, while venue pages confirm recurring First Friday evening programs, ensuring fresh reasons to explore downtown Honolulu throughout the year.

What it is and when it happens

• Core hours are 5–9 p.m. on the first Friday each month, when galleries and shops extend hours, street performers set up, and food and drink specials roll out; clubs and live‑music rooms then carry the vibe late into the night with themed First Friday parties.
• The official site describes First Friday as a free, self‑guided gallery walk and neighborhood celebration centered in Chinatown and the Arts District, with monthly newsletters and updated calendars posted in the days leading up to each date.
• Capitol Modern lists First Friday evening programs on its 2025 events calendar, confirming museum participation on September 5, October 3, and November 7, among others, with galleries open and special programming from 5–9 p.m..

2025 anchors and recurring highlights

• Capitol Modern: Hawaiʻi State Art Museum opens galleries and hosts evening programs during First Friday, including rotating collaborations like Night//Shift pop‑ups with Shangri La on select months, all free and family‑friendly from 5–9 p.m..
• The ARTS at Marks Garage: A community arts center with monthly exhibitions and performances anchors Nuʻuanu Avenue activity, drawing steady First Friday foot traffic to the gallery and surrounding blocks.
• Nightlife and live music: Bars and clubs across Hotel, Smith, Nuʻuanu, and Bethel streets program special First Friday nights; long‑running venues like Bar 35, Scarlet Honolulu, Proof Social Club, and Dragon Upstairs publish First Friday listings and late‑night hours in the archive.

Planning a First Friday evening

• Start with art: Begin at Capitol Modern on South Hotel Street for free evening gallery access and live activations, then stroll Nuʻuanu Avenue and Hotel Street for openings at Marks Garage and nearby galleries from 5 p.m..
• Map the route: Use FirstFridayHawaii.com’s interactive map and calendar to spot shows, performances, and dining specials; the site updates monthly and aggregates profiles, deals, and anchor events in one place.
• Stay for music: After 9 p.m., flow into Chinatown’s live‑music rooms and clubs; listings archives show First Friday themes and extended hours that keep the night lively across multiple venues.

Getting there, parking, and safety

• Timing and transport: Plan to arrive by 5 p.m. to catch gallery openings and avoid peak parking demand. Consider rideshare to reduce time circling garages and to simplify late‑night returns.
• Parking maps: First Friday guides link to updated parking maps for garages and lots within walking distance of Nuʻuanu, Hotel, and Bethel streets; street parking is limited and fills early.
• Street smarts: Like any urban nightlife district, stay aware, travel in small groups, and stick to lit, busy corridors when moving between venues after 9 p.m..

Why it resonates

• Community and culture: First Friday has been central to the revitalization of Honolulu’s Downtown/Chinatown arts scene, providing recurring foot traffic that sustains galleries, small businesses, and performance spaces month after month.
• Free and flexible: With no tickets required for the neighborhood experience and multiple free anchors like Capitol Modern open late, the evening scales for families early and nightlife audiences later, all within walking distance.
• Always new: Monthly refreshes of exhibits, performances, and pop‑ups mean repeat visits always uncover something different, from artisan markets to film screenings and dance takeovers.

2025 museum updates that matter

• Capitol Modern confirms it remains open for First Friday evenings from 5–9 p.m., even as daytime hours shift to Wednesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., starting August 1, 2025; Friday Night Tempo programs typically land on third Fridays, complementing First Friday earlier in the month.
• The museum’s 2025 event listings show specific First Friday dates and additional Friday programs tied to the Hawai‘i Triennial and other exhibitions, enhancing the art options on core nights.

Insider tips to make the most of it

• Book dinner ahead: Popular Chinatown restaurants fill quickly; reserve early tables near Nuʻuanu or Bethel and step out for gallery hops between courses.
• Pace the night: Hit galleries 5–7 p.m., grab a snack or dessert, then return for street performances and live sets before moving to clubs after 9 p.m..
• Seek the specials: The official site and venue posts flag drink deals, happy hours, and one‑night‑only performances that are easy to miss without a glance at the calendar.

Sample itinerary

• 5:00 p.m.: Capitol Modern First Friday — walk the galleries and enjoy free evening programming.
• 6:30 p.m.: Stroll Nuʻuanu to The ARTS at Marks Garage for the current exhibition and performances.
• 7:30 p.m.: Grab a bite along Hotel or Smith; check the First Friday calendar for pop‑up markets or sidewalk sets.
• 9:00 p.m.–late: Choose a live‑music room or club running a First Friday party; listings archives show options like Dragon Upstairs jazz, Bar 35 DJs, Scarlet dance nights, and Proof Social Club showcases.

Verified details at a glance

• Frequency and hours: First Friday of every month, 5–9 p.m., with nightlife continuing after 9 p.m. in Chinatown and the Arts District.
• Official hub: FirstFridayHawaii.com with calendars, maps, newsletters, and venue profiles; updated monthly with new exhibits and specials.
• Museum anchor: Capitol Modern First Friday evenings 5–9 p.m., free entry; additional Friday programs listed on the museum calendar.
• Nightlife continuity: Bars and clubs across Chinatown run First Friday themes and extended hours, as reflected in event calendar archives.

First Friday is a standing date with Honolulu’s creative heart. Mark the first Friday each month, skim the official calendar for openings and specials, and arrive ready to wander from galleries to stages to late‑night dance floors. With free museum nights, fresh exhibits, and a neighborhood that comes alive after dark, 2025 is the perfect year to make First Friday a ritual — and to share the discovery with friends new to Honolulu’s art scene.