2016 Guide to Honolulu Fourth of July Fireworks Shows and Entertainment

Celebrate Fourth of July with a bang.

Photo: Courtesy of Ala Moana Center

DOWNTOWN HONOLULU

FOURTH OF JULY SPECTACULAR AT ALA MOANA BEACH PARK

Every year, Ala Moana Center hosts its annual Fourth of July celebration at Magic Island. Tune into KSSK for a live soundtrack to the fireworks show. Before the fireworks show, enjoy entertainment provided by Maunalua, Pomaikaʻi Lyman and Rocky Brown and DeShannon Higa at Centerstage from 3 to 6 p.m. Also enter Ala Moana Center’s Freedom to Fly Sweepstakes for a chance to win a travel package and roundtrip airfare for two to any U.S. destination.

Free parking is available at the Ala Moana Building and Ala Moana Pacific Center after 1 p.m.

If you’re looking to guarantee your picnic spot for Fourth of July, there will be limited overnight access to the Ala Moana Regional Park, on July 3. One canopy and up to two people can stay overnight at each site in the park. If you’re not staying at the park overnight, usual park closure hours still apply (closed from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.).

8:30 p.m., Ala Moana Beach Park, alamoanacenter.com/Events/4th-of-July-Celebration

INDEPENDENCE DAY CRUISE

Celebrate Independence Day in style! Cruise off the coast of Oʻahu, while enjoying a beautiful view of the sunset and fireworks. Depending on which package you choose, guests will enjoy a multi-course dinner, live entertainment and drinks. There’s another, slightly cheaper option for a shorter cruise, which includes the same perks of the other cruises, just without the dinner.

6:15–9:15 p.m. on the Star of Honolulu or 7:45–9:15 p.m. on the Dolphin Star, $72-246, Departing from Aloha Tower (Star) or Kewalo Basin (Dolphin), starofhonolulu.com/independence-day-dinner-cruise-fireworks-waikiki

Tip: If you have difficulty finding parking around the Waikīkī/Ala Moana area, parking at Hawaiʻi Convention Center is available from 10 a.m.–10 p.m., $10 a vehicle

FOURTH OF JULY AT RUMFIRE

RumFire has created a drinks menu specially for the Fourth of July. With festive names, like Yellow Polka Dot Bikini and 50th State, you can’t go wrong.

RumFire, Waikīkī

WINDWARD

KAILUA INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE

Kicking off the morning of Fourth of July is the 70th annual Kailua Independence Day Parade. The parade features dozens of parade participants, comprised of military veterans, youth groups and more.

10 a.m.–noon, Kainalu Drive, from Palapu Street to Kailua Intermediate School, kailuachamber.com/kailuaparade

NORTH SHORE

HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY GUITAR FESTIVAL

If you’re looking for music to inspire your independence day spirit, celebrate the holiday “North Shore style”. This free event includes a long lineup of musicians, Eat the Street and a fireworks show.

2:30–8 p.m., Turtle Bay Resort, 57-091 Kamehameha Highway, slackkeyfestival.com

MEMORIAL WATER WALK AND FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

Fourth of July kicks off at the Polynesian Cultural Center bright and early with a free Community Memorial Fun Walk. You’ll have the chance to walk for your loved ones in the military and wear their name on your shirt to honor them. There’s also fun for the whole family, including a slip-and-slide, water balloons and more! After the walk, there’s a watermelon and a hot-dog eating contest, as well as a plate lunch cook-off. If you would like to participate, you can register online. For those who aren’t stuffed with watermelon or hot dogs, food is for sale, including Ray’s kiawe broiled chicken at its grand opening in the PCC Marketplace.

8 a.m.–1 p.m., $5 to enter the watermelon or hot dog eating contest, $15 to participate in bento contest, $50 to participate in plate lunch contest and sell your plate lunches at the event, Hukilau Marketplace, Polynesian Cultural Center, hukilaumarketplace.com/event/memorial-water-walk-and-4th-of-july-celebration

LEEWARD

THE 45TH ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY SPECTACULAR AT SCHOFIELD BARRACKS

A two-day event that celebrates our men and women in uniform. On the Fourth, a fun-filled day is scheduled with a free Daughtry concert, rides and food. Only open to military members and their guests.

10 a.m.–8:30 p.m., Weyand Field, Schofield Barracks, himwr.com/4thofjuly

PICNIC ON THE PIER

Is there anything more patriotic than a picnic next to the USS Missouri? BYOFD (bring your own food and drink) and sit back for a relaxing evening that concludes with a fireworks show. If you forget to bring dinner with you, food and beer is for sale from Gordan Biersch. The event is open to the public. For those without base access, a free shuttle is provided from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

Tip: buy pre-sale tickets, you’ll save yourself $5 per ticket.

6 p.m.–fireworks, $5-15, ussmissouri.org/get-involved/events/picnic-on-the-pier

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

Talk about throwback! Three Days Grace is performing. There will also be free activities and a fireworks show, and fun rides, food and beverages available for purchase. This event is only open to Department of Defense personnel and their guests.

3:30–9:30 p.m., Ward Field, Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, greatlifehawaii.com/events/f1c9698a-c313-4c64-a74b-42e2a9082bbe