Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Sept. 17–23, 2026

Photo: Courtesy of Samson Lee

Pacific Fashion Week

Friday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Talk Story & Luncheon

Saturday, Sept. 19, 5 to 8:30 p.m., Fashion Show & Reception

Celebrate Pacific design and culture at this new two-day fashion-focused event bringing together designers, businesses, government and philanthropy. Join a working symposium about the business of fashion and attend a runway show and cocktail party featuring Fijian designer Samson Lee.

$75 Talk Story, $125 Fashion Show, Kaimana Beach Hotel, 2863 Kalākaua Ave., Waikīkī, pacificfashionweek.com, @pfwhawaii

SEE ALSO: Your Insider Guide to the Mid-Autumn Festival and Parade

Photo: Courtesy of Ocean Music Action

Carnival of the Nearly Extinct Animals

Friday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 19, 3 p.m.

Witness this live show combining music, dance and larger-than-life puppets to celebrate our planet’s most rare and remarkable creatures. The performance features dancers from Ballet Hawai‘i and Dance Heginbotham, live music from Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra musicians and narration by actor Moses Goods. On Friday, come early for a pre-show conversation with local animal experts. Families can also enjoy an instrument petting zoo and a hands-on art-making activity on Saturday.

Family-friendly, $30–$85, use code MALAMA20 for 20% off, Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., Chinatown, hawaiitheatre.com, @oceanmusicaction

SEE ALSO: Things to Do on O‘ahu in September 2026

Photo: Courtesy of Windward Community College

Paniolo BBQ at Windward Community College

Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Chow down on barbecue chicken and baked beans, ride a horse, try leather crafting, shop at the Country Market and listen to entertainment by Hawai‘i Loa with special guest Greg Sardinha, Kamuela Kimokeo and The Blue Grass Shack Band. The event raises money for Windward Community College’s Advancement Fund, supporting educational opportunities and student success initiatives. Remember to preorder your BBQ plate!

Family-friendly, free admission, Windward Community College Great Lawn, 45-720 Kea‘ahala Road, Kāne‘ohe, paniolo.windward.hawaii.edu, @windwardcc

SEE ALSO: What to Eat During September’s Okinawan Feastival in Honolulu

Photo: Courtesy of Aloha Festivals

Aloha Festivals Ho‘olaule‘a

Saturday, Sept. 19, 4 to 10 p.m.

The month-long Hawaiian cultural event continues with its fan-favorite Waikīkī block party that closes down Kalākaua Ave. for the night. This year, expect more than 100 craft and food vendors and four entertainment stages with hula and tunes, including Mākaha Sons, Ho‘okena, Kamaka Camarillo, Anthony Pfluke and more. A partial closure of Kalākaua Ave. will begin at 12:30 p.m. followed by a full closure at 2 p.m. from Seaside Ave. to Lili‘uokalani Ave.

Family-friendly, free, Kalākaua Ave., Waikīkī, alohafestivals.com, @alohafestivals

SEE ALSO: Ein Prosit! Where to Celebrate Oktoberfest on O‘ahu

Photo: Courtesy of YMCA of Honolulu

Welcoming Month at YMCA

Through Wednesday, Sept. 30

If you’ve ever been curious about joining the YMCA, here’s your chance to check it out for free. Register for a 7-day free pass, and you can enjoy access to fitness centers, heated pools and more than 350 classes—from Hot Hula and pickleball to youth basketball and wellness workshops.

Family-friendly, free with registration, YMCA of Honolulu branches island-wide, ymcahonolulu.org, @ymcahonolulu

SEE ALSO: A New HoMA Exhibit Explores Your Brain on Art

Laura Dornbush is a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine. @ldornbush