Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Oct. 1–7, 2026
Celebrate Filipino American History Month, pau hana at architecture firms, play at a kid-centric festival, listen to poetry and more.
Photo: Courtesy of Minasa Hawai‘i
Halo Halo
Friday, Oct. 2, 5 to 8:30 p.m.
Celebrate Filipino American History Month at the opening reception for this mixed art exhibition. View art and special installations, snack on Filipino food from Minasa, shop local vendors, admire fashion design and listen to live music. If you can’t make it on Friday, the art exhibit will be open through Saturday, Oct. 24, Tuesdays to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free admission, Downtown Art Center, 1041 Nu‘uanu Ave., Chinatown, downtownarthi.org, @downtownartcenter
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Photo: Courtesy of AIA Honolulu
AIA Honolulu Architecture Firm Crawl
Friday, Oct. 2, 5 to 8 p.m.
Instead of bar hopping this First Friday, switch up your routine with an architecture firm open house. You’re invited to visit up to eight firms in Downtown, some serving pūpū and drinks, in celebration of Architecture Month. Get an inside look at the profession and meet the designers themselves.
Free, RSVP here, various locations in Downtown, aiahonolulu.org, @aiahonolulu
SEE ALSO: Ein Prosit! Where to Celebrate Oktoberfest on O‘ahu
Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Children and Youth Day
Hawai‘i Children & Youth Day
Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
It’s a day full of things that keiki love most: bounce houses, games, character meet-and-greets, interactive stage entertainment, fun festival food and more. Collect stamps at the activity booths and you’ll be rewarded with a goodie bag to take home.
Family-friendly, free, State Capitol Diamond Head Lawn, Punchbowl Street and Kalanimoku, Downtown, hawaiicyd.org, @hawaiichildrenandyouthday
SEE ALSO: What to Watch at This Year’s Hawai‘i International Film Festival
Photo: Courtesy of Da Shop: Books + Curiosities
Mele: A Poetry Reading
Sunday, Oct. 4, 2 to 4 p.m.
Hear author Kalehua Kim read from her award-winning collection of poems, Mele, engage in a Q&A and take home a signed copy. She will also be joined by local poets Misty-Lynn Sanico and Arielle Taitano Lowe.
Free, RSVP here, Da Shop: Books + Curiosities, 3565 Harding Ave., Kaimukī, dashophnl.com, @dashophnl
Photo: Vincent Bercasio
EPIC
Wednesday, Sept. 30, through Sunday, Oct. 4
You’ll be moved by this dance production created by Hawai‘i and Taiwanese artists, demonstrating that dance is a shared language capable of transcending borders, cultures and identities. Attend on Friday for a talk story and Q&A following the show.
$9–$18, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Department of Theatre & Dance and Kennedy Theatre, Earle Ernst Lab Theatre, 1770 East-West Road, Mānoa, manoa.hawaii.edu, @uhmkennedytheatre
Laura Dornbush is a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine. @ldornbush
