Mark These Family-Friendly Events on O‘ahu in 2026
Your cheat sheet to O‘ahu happenings for the whole ‘ohana.
Photo: Courtesy of Duke’s OceanFest
Duke’s OceanFest
Aug. 14–24
Catch the excitement of keiki longboard competitions, outrigger canoe races, a youth volleyball tournament, plus a dog surfing contest at this ocean sports festival.
Waikīkī Beach, dukekahanamokuoceanfest.com, @dukes_oceanfest
Photo: Courtesy of Made in Hawai‘i Festival
Made in Hawai‘i Festival
Aug. 20–23
Find everything from baby gifts and matching family alohawear to sweet snacks and pet treats at this mega shopping festival with more than 600 local vendors.
Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., Ala Moana, madeinhawaiifestival.com, @madeinhi
Photo: Courtesy of Waikīkī Improvement Association
Sunset on the Beach Movies
Aug. 29 and Sept. 26
Watch A Minecraft Movie and The Bad Guys 2 on the sand in Waikīkī. Arrive early to enjoy free pre-show live music, games and photo ops.
Queen’s Beach, Waikīkī, southwestairlineshawaii.com, @waikikiimprovement
Photo: Milton Hee
Okinawan Festival
Sept. 5–6
Celebrate Uchinanchu culture at this festival featuring Okinawan history, traditions and foods, including keiki-favorite andagi.
Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., Ala Moana, okinawanfestival.com, @okinawanfestival
Anime Momotaro
Sept. 5, 13, 20 and 27
This Japanese folktale play for ages 3 and up teaches lessons about inner strength and standing up to bullying.
Honolulu Theatre for Youth, Tenney Theatre, 229 Queen Emma Square, Downtown, htyweb.org, @honolulutheatreforyouth
HAIS Admissions Fair
Sept. 12
Visit with admissions teams from more than 40 private schools, learn about financial aid, testing, timelines and more.
Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra, 410 Atkinson Drive, Ala Moana, hais.us, @haisconnect
Illustration: Getty Images
Megabon
Sept. 12
Experience Osaka vibes at this massive Japanese festival, complete with an epic bon dance, crafts, games, eats and live entertainment.
Leeward Community College, 96-045 Ala ‘Ike, Pearl City, megabonhawaii.com, @megabonhawaii
Carnival of the Nearly Extinct Animals
Sept. 18 and 19
Witness this live show combining music, dance and larger-than-life puppetry to celebrate our planet’s rarest and most remarkable creatures.
Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., Chinatown, hawaiitheatre.com, @oceanmusicaction
Photo: Courtesy of Aloha Festivals
Aloha Festivals Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a
Sept. 19
Kalākaua Avenue closes to traffic for this fan-favorite Waikīkī block party, which includes craft and food vendors, as well as music and hula performances.
Kalākaua Avenue, Waikīkī, alohafestivals.com, @alohafestivals
Mid-Autumn Festival & Parade
Sept. 19
Eat mooncakes, watch lion dances and march in 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. 4
Have a blast at this outdoor festival with bounce houses, games, character meet-and-greets, interactive stage shows and more.
Hawai‘i State Capitol and Honolulu Hale grounds, Downtown, hawaiicyd.org, @hawaiichildrenandyouthday
Mo‘olelo in the Park: Myths and Legends of Hawai‘i
Oct. 11
Celebrate the spooky season with a community beach cleanup and Halloween-themed activities.
Sea Life Park Hawai‘i, 41-202 Kalaniana‘ole Highway, Waimānalo, sealifeparkhawaii.com, @sealifepark
Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Space Grant
Astronaut Lacy Veach Day of Discovery
Oct. 18
Calling all future astronauts for a day of STEM learning: It’s all about space exploration, rocketry, robotics and earth science.
Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, 2680 Woodlawn Drive, Mānoa, spacegrant.hawaii.edu, @hawaiispacegrant
‘Ohana Day Open House
Nov. 7
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
According to Coyote
Nov. 7, 15 and 22
Learn about Native American mythology at this stage production featuring trickster tales with music, dance and storytelling. Ages 5 and up.
Honolulu Theatre for Youth, Tenney Theatre, 229 Queen Emma Square, Downtown, htyweb.org, @honolulutheatreforyouth
Kalākaua Merrie Mile
Dec. 12
Part of the Honolulu Marathon, this stroller-friendly 1-mile fun run takes you along Kalākaua Avenue in Waikīkī and includes a postrace beach party.
Kalākaua Avenue, Waikīkī, honolulumarathon.org, @honolulumarathon
Photo: Kristen Hirota
The Nutcracker
Dec. 12 and 13
See this enchanting Hawaiian-themed version of the holiday classic, set in 1858 in the Kingdom of Hawai‘i, accompanied by the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra.
Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, 777 Ward Ave., Kaka‘ako, ballethawaii.org, @ballethawaii
Elf in Concert
Dec. 19 and 20
The Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra performs the soundtrack of this family-favorite holiday movie as it plays on the big screen.
Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, 777 Ward Ave., Kaka‘ako, myhso.org, @hawaiisymphonyorchestra
Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Zoo Society
Holidays with the Animals
Dec. 19
Watch zoo residents, including giraffes, elephants, lemurs and sloths, open some of their favorite treats, wrapped as holiday presents.
Honolulu Zoo, 151 Kapahulu Ave., Waikīkī, honoluluzoo.org, @thehonoluluzoo
Laura Dornbush is the contributing editor of the 2026 issue of HONOLULU Family and a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine. @ldornbush
