Honolulu Festival (30th Annual)

Honolulu Festival (30th Annual) returns to Oʻahu on March 13–15, 2026, turning Waikīkī and the Hawaiʻi Convention Center area into a weekend of Pacific Rim performances, cultural exhibitions, and a celebrated finale with fireworks over Waikīkī Beach. If you want a single event that captures Oʻahu’s multicultural identity in a way you can see, hear, and taste, the Honolulu Festival is one of the island’s best March travel anchors.

Honolulu Festival (30th Annual) on Oʻahu: A Cultural Crossroads

The Honolulu Festival is widely described as Hawaiʻi’s premier cultural event, created to promote mutual understanding, economic cooperation, and ethnic harmony among Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Rim region. In practice, that mission becomes a joyful Oʻahu weekend where hula, taiko, dance troupes, and cultural groups share stages and exhibition spaces alongside craft fairs and specialty bazaars. The event is especially meaningful on Oʻahu because Honolulu has long been a crossroads of Asia, the Pacific, and Hawaiʻi, and the festival reflects that mix in a way that feels welcoming to visitors and locals alike.

For travelers, the timing is also ideal. Mid-March is a sweet spot in Hawaiʻi, after peak winter holiday crowds but still within a season where the island feels lively, making it easier to combine festival days with beach time, hiking, and neighborhood exploring.

Key Dates and Core Venues (2026)

The official Honolulu Festival website confirms the 30th Honolulu Festival will be held March 13–15, 2026 (Fri–Sun), and notes that March 13 is for invitation-only school programs only. GoHawaii’s official event listing also confirms the dates as March 13–15, 2026, and lists the Hawaiʻi Convention Center (1801 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu) as the primary venue. This matters for planning because it places you within walking distance of Waikīkī and the Ala Moana area, so you can build a car-light itinerary and rely on walking, rideshares, or TheBus for most of the weekend.

What to Expect: Performances, Fairs, and Cultural Showcases

GoHawaii’s listing emphasizes the festival’s “Aloha & Mahalo” 30th anniversary theme and positions the event as a multi-day cultural celebration. While the full schedule is extensive and changes year to year, the festival’s public-facing highlights are consistent and easy for visitors to enjoy:

• Cultural stage performances at the main venues and partner sites.
• Craft fairs and exhibition-style browsing at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center.
• Events that spill into Waikīkī, creating a festival feel beyond the convention hall.

If you’re visiting Oʻahu with family, Honolulu Festival is particularly friendly because much of the experience is visual and easy to enjoy without needing deep context. You can walk in, watch a performance, browse stalls, and try something new, all in one afternoon.

The Waikīkī Finale: Fireworks and Parade Energy

Honolulu Festival is known for a strong finale energy in Waikīkī, and the official site highlights that donations help support fireworks launched into the night sky over Waikīkī. The festival’s official schedule page lists “Nagaoka Hanabi (Nagaoka Fireworks)” at Waikīkī Beach, and for the published schedule example it shows a time of 20:30–20:45. The festival also explains that Nagaoka Fireworks have served as the finale for years and are presented with a message of world peace, tied to cultural connections and sister-city history.

For visitors, the practical takeaway is to plan at least one Waikīkī evening during the weekend. Even if you spend most of your day inside the convention center, the shoreline finale vibe is what makes the festival feel uniquely Oʻahu.

Tickets and Pricing (Verified)

Honolulu Festival ticketing information is clearly published through the official admission sales page for entry at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center. Verified pricing details include:

• Walk-in tickets at HCC: Adults $10 per day, Seniors (65+) $8 per day, and 18 and under free.
• Presale 2-day ticket: $12 (noted on the admission sales page).
• The same official page notes tickets are non-refundable and recommends buying online in advance to avoid long lines.

These prices make the Honolulu Festival a high-value Oʻahu cultural activity, especially compared to many ticketed luaus and large-scale shows.

Local Oʻahu Travel Tips for Festival Weekend

Because the primary venue is the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, it’s easiest to stay in Waikīkī, Ala Moana, or nearby Honolulu neighborhoods so you can walk or take short rides to festival sites. For a smooth day:

• Go early if you want to browse the fair areas before peak crowds.
• Carry a light layer for indoor air conditioning.
• If you’re attending multiple days, consider the two-day presale option to reduce entry friction.

To round out the weekend, pair your festival time with nearby Oʻahu landmarks. Waikīkī Beach is the obvious one for sunset and evening strolls, but you can also add Ala Moana Center for shopping and food, or a quick visit to nearby cultural and museum spaces depending on your interests.

Make Honolulu Festival Your March 2026 Oʻahu Highlight

Honolulu Festival (30th Annual) runs March 13–15, 2026 on Oʻahu, anchored at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center and culminating in signature Waikīkī moments like the festival fireworks. With affordable entry pricing and a program built around Pacific Rim cultural performances, crafts, and community celebration, it’s one of the easiest ways to experience Honolulu’s multicultural spirit in one weekend. Build your trip around a few hours at the convention center, save one evening for Waikīkī’s festival atmosphere, and come experience why this 30th anniversary edition is such a special reason to visit Oʻahu in March.

Verified Information at a Glance

Event Name:

• Honolulu Festival (30th Annual)

Event Category:

• Cultural festival (Pacific Rim cultural celebration, performances, exhibitions)

Island/City:

• Oʻahu, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi

Confirmed Dates (2026):

• March 13–15, 2026 (Fri–Sun)

Note (confirmed):

• March 13 is for invitation-only school programs only

Primary Venue (confirmed):

• Hawaiʻi Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815-1513

Ticket Pricing (verified):

• Walk-in Adults $10/day; Seniors (65+) $8/day; 18 and under free; presale 2-day ticket $12

Fireworks Element (confirmed):

• Nagaoka Hanabi (Nagaoka Fireworks) at Waikīkī Beach listed on the official schedule page (example time shown 20:30–20:45).