09/04/2026
WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OʻAHU – SEPTEMBER 2026
September is one of the best months of the year to experience Oʻahu beyond the beaches.
Hawaiian culture takes center stage with the 80th anniversary of Aloha Festivals, Waikīkī hosts one of Hawaiʻi’s biggest street celebrations, paddlers cross the Kaiwi Channel, cyclists take on the island’s coastline, and several major cultural, art and food events fill the calendar.
If you're visiting Oʻahu in September 2026, here are some of the top events worth knowing about.
1. OKINAWAN FEASTIVAL
Dates: September 1–15, 2026
Location: Participating restaurants and food businesses around Oʻahu
September begins with a celebration of Okinawan food and Hawaiʻi’s deep Okinawan roots.
The Okinawan FEASTival brings together participating restaurants and food businesses offering Okinawan dishes, special menu items and other culinary experiences throughout the first half of the month.
It’s a fun way for visitors to discover another important part of Hawaiʻi’s multicultural food history while supporting local businesses.
2. HAWAIʻI CRAFTSMEN ANNUAL STATEWIDE EXHIBITION
Dates: September 4–25, 2026
Location: Downtown Art Center, Honolulu
One of Hawaiʻi’s premier showcases of contemporary and traditional craft returns to Downtown Honolulu.
The annual juried exhibition features work created by artists from across the state using ceramics, wood, fiber, glass, metal, mixed media and other materials.
The exhibition opens September 4, making this an easy cultural stop for visitors exploring Downtown Honolulu and Chinatown during the month.
3. 44TH ANNUAL OKINAWAN FESTIVAL
Dates: September 5–6, 2026
Location: Hawaiʻi Convention Center
The Okinawan Festival is one of Honolulu’s most popular annual cultural celebrations.
Visitors can experience Okinawan food, music, traditional dance, martial arts demonstrations, cultural exhibits, crafts and family activities.
The 2026 festival will operate in a modified format because of renovation work at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center.
Saturday hours are 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and Sunday hours are 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Important for returning visitors: there will be no early admission or Bon Dance at the 2026 festival.
4. ALOHA FESTIVALS ROYAL COURT INVESTITURE & OPENING CEREMONY
Date: September 5, 2026
Time: 4:00–6:00 p.m.
Location: Coconut Grove at The Royal Hawaiian and Royal Grove at Royal Hawaiian Center
2026 marks the 80th anniversary of Aloha Festivals, and the month-long celebration begins with one of its most culturally significant ceremonies.
The Aloha Festivals Royal Court is formally introduced through Hawaiian protocol, regalia, chant and ceremony before the celebration continues with hula and Hawaiian music at Royal Hawaiian Center.
For visitors staying in Waikīkī, this is an especially easy opportunity to experience an important Hawaiian cultural tradition.
5. PACIFIC FASHION WEEK
Dates: September 17–22, 2026
Location: Honolulu
Pacific Fashion Week launches in Honolulu as a celebration of fashion, culture and storytelling from across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.
Programming is expected to include runway presentations, designer showcases, atelier experiences, industry discussions and community events.
The event is designed to highlight Pacific designers while connecting fashion with culture, sustainability and the stories behind the clothing.
Specific venues and programming may continue to be announced as the event approaches.
6. 72ND ANNUAL WAIKĪKĪ HOʻOLAULEʻA
Date: September 19, 2026
Time: 6:00–10:00 p.m.
Vendors begin opening at 4:00 p.m.
Location: Kalākaua Avenue, Waikīkī
This is one of the events we would circle on the calendar.
The Waikīkī Hoʻolauleʻa transforms Kalākaua Avenue into Hawaiʻi’s largest annual block party.
Multiple stages feature Hawaiian music, local performers and hālau hula while food vendors, artisans and local organizations line the street through the heart of Waikīkī.
Kalākaua Avenue closes to vehicle traffic for the celebration, creating one enormous pedestrian festival just steps from Waikīkī Beach.
Admission is free.
7. 78TH ANNUAL ALOHA FESTIVALS FLORAL PARADE
Date: September 26, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Route: Ala Moana Park through Kalākaua Avenue to Kapiʻolani Park
One week after the Hoʻolauleʻa, another of Oʻahu’s signature September traditions comes through Waikīkī.
The Aloha Festivals Floral Parade features elaborately decorated floral floats, marching bands, hālau hula, community groups and traditional pāʻū riders on horseback.
The procession begins near Ala Moana, travels through Waikīkī along Kalākaua Avenue and finishes at Kapiʻolani Park.
Visitors staying anywhere along central Waikīkī can usually walk to the parade route.
8. RIDE ALOHA FESTIVAL
Dates: September 25–27, 2026
Location: Waikīkī and locations along the Honolulu Century Ride route
Cycling becomes a major part of the final weekend of September with the three-day Ride Aloha Festival.
The weekend includes packet pickup activities, cycling events, a welcome celebration and the Honolulu Century Ride.
The centerpiece arrives Sunday morning.
HONOLULU CENTURY RIDE
September 27, 2026
Starting from Kapiʻolani Park, riders can choose approximately 25-, 50-, 75- or 100-mile routes traveling from Waikīkī along Oʻahu’s South Shore and Windward Coast.
The longest route reaches Kaʻaʻawa before returning to Waikīkī.
This is a ride rather than a race, and the scenery along Diamondhead, Hawaiʻi Kai, the Kaiwi Coast, Waimānalo, Kailua and Windward Oʻahu makes it one of the island’s most distinctive sporting events.
The shorter Aloha Fun Ride is also scheduled for September 27 with family-oriented 5- and 8-mile routes.
9. NĀ WĀHINE O KE KAI
Date: September 27, 2026
Finish: Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Waikīkī
One of the world's great outrigger canoe races finishes right on the beach in Waikīkī.
Nā Wāhine O Ke Kai brings women paddlers together for a demanding open-ocean crossing of the Kaiwi Channel from Molokaʻi to Oʻahu.
More than simply a sporting competition, the race continues Hawaiʻi’s tradition of long-distance outrigger canoe paddling.
Visitors do not need to travel to Molokaʻi to experience it. Spectators can gather near the finish at Duke Kahanamoku Beach in front of Hilton Hawaiian Village, where the arrival of the crews creates an exciting afternoon along the shoreline.
SEPTEMBER MAY BE ONE OF OʻAHU’S BEST EVENT MONTHS
September offers an unusually good combination of Hawaiian culture, local food, art, outdoor events and major traditions that visitors can actually experience.
If your trip falls during the middle or end of the month, the Waikīkī Hoʻolauleʻa and Aloha Festivals Floral Parade would be near the top of our list.
And if you're visiting during the final weekend, September 26–27 is especially packed. The Floral Parade takes over Waikīkī Saturday morning, followed Sunday by the Honolulu Century Ride and the finish of Nā Wāhine O Ke Kai.
As always, event schedules can change, so check the final schedule shortly before attending.
Going to Hawaii
Make Hawaii Happen.
