Save the Date: Can’t-Miss Family-Friendly Events on O‘ahu in 2025
Your cheat sheet to exciting family-friendly events from summer through the end of 2025.
Made in Hawai‘i Festival
Aug. 15–17
This mega shopping festival boasts hundreds of local vendors, live music, cooking demonstrations and fashion shows.
Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., Ala Moana, madeinhawaiifestival.com, @madeinhi
Duke’s OceanFest
Aug. 15–24
The ocean sports competition includes keiki bodyboarding and canoeing races, plus a dog surfing contest.
Waikīkī Beach, dukekahanamokuoceanfest.com, @dukes_oceanfest
Okinawan Festival
Aug. 30–31
Celebrate Uchinanchu culture at this high-energy festival that features Okinawan food, music, bon dances, arts and crafts, keiki games, workshops and more.
Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., Ala Moana, okinawanfestival.com, @okinawanfestival
Tales of the Sun & Moon
Aug. 31; Sept. 7, 14 and 27
Enjoy myths and legends about the sun and moon from cultures all around the world. Ages 5 and up.
Honolulu Theatre for Youth, 229 Queen Emma Square, Downtown, htyweb.org, @honolulutheatreforyouth
Megabon
Sept. 13
The Todaiji Hawai‘i Buddhist temple and JCI Honolulu join forces for this epic bon dance, complete with Japanese crafts, games and eats, plus live entertainment.
Leeward Community College, 96-045 Ala ‘Ike, Pearl City, megabonhawaii.com, @megabonhawaii
Aloha Festivals Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a
Sept. 20
The massive block party features food, crafts, and live hula and music performances.
Kalākaua Avenue, Waikīkī, alohafestivals.com, @alohafestivals
‘Ohana Day Open House
Sept. 27
Explore the museum and historic grounds for free, enjoy family-friendly activities and learn about Hawaiian history.
Hawaiian Mission Houses, 553 S. King St., Downtown, missionhouses.org, @hawaiian_mission_houses
Kailua Fall Festival
Sept. 27
Enjoy an evening of food, crafts, interactive booths and live music, plus free keiki games and balloon art.
Kailua Town, kailuaevents.com, @eventskailua
Aloha Fun Ride
Sept. 28
Part of Hawai‘i Bicycling League’s Honolulu Century Ride, this keiki-geared ride includes a 5-mile or 8-mile spin around Diamond Head followed by music and food at Kapi‘olani Park.
Kapi‘olani Park, 3840 Pākī Ave., Waikīkī, hbl.org, @hblridealoha
Honolulu Mid-Autumn Festival
Oct. 4
Eat mooncakes and watch lion dances, martial arts demos and a lantern parade at this celestial celebration marking the end of autumn harvest.
Chinatown Cultural Plaza, 100 N Beretania St., Chinatown, chinatown808.com, @chinatown808hi
Hawai‘i Children & Youth Day
Oct. 5
Have a blast at this outdoor festival designed just for keiki.
Frank F. Fasi Civic Center, 650 S King St., Downtown, hawaiicyd.org, @hawaiichildrenandyouthday
Line Circle Sphere
Oct. 11 and 19
Created with Capitol Modern (the Hawai‘i State Art Museum), this interactive play explores lines, shapes, colors and patterns with music and movement. Ages 2 and up.
Honolulu Theatre for Youth, 229 Queen Emma Square, Downtown, htyweb.org, @honolulutheatreforyouth
The Pearlridge Express Holiday Train
Nov. 21–Jan. 4
Take the kiddos for a ride on Hawai‘i’s only fully functioning scale-model train for keiki. Must be under 4 feet tall.
Pearlridge Center, pearlridgeonline.com, @pearlridge
Honolulu City Lights
Beginning Nov. 29
View festively decorated Christmas trees, take photos with Santa, see the 21-foot-tall Shaka Santa and Tūtū Mele statues, and take in holiday light displays.
Honolulu Hale, honolulucitylights.org, @friendshonolulucitylights
The Nutcracker
Dec. 12–14
An enchanting Hawaiian-themed version of the holiday classic, set in 1858 in the Kingdom of Hawai‘i and accompanied by the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra.
Blaisdell Concert Hall, ballethawaii.org, @ballethawaii
Kalākaua Merrie Mile
Dec. 13
Part of the Honolulu Marathon, this 1-mile fun run starts in Kapahulu and ends in Waikīkī; afterward, enjoy a beach party with postrace food and drinks.
Monsarrat Avenue to Queen’s Surf, honolulumarathon.org, @honolulumarathon
SEE ALSO: 20 Awesome Family Activities
Brie Thalmann is the managing style editor of HONOLULU Magazine and the editor of the 2025 HONOLULU Family issue.
