Your Insider Guide to the 2025 Korean Festival
Eat creative kim chee dishes, bop to K-pop music, see taekwondo moves and enjoy authentic activities at this cultural showcase.
Photo: Courtesy of Korean Festival Hawai‘i
Expect a delightful mash-up of old and new at the annual Korean Festival on Saturday, Aug. 2, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Experience traditional food, music and martial arts, alongside modern street snacks, K-pop dance troupes and DJ beats. The event is back at the grounds of Honolulu Hale after a stint in Kaka‘ako in 2024.
Highlights of this year’s festival include a new partnership with Pledis, one of Korea’s largest entertainment companies, who will host a talent contest to discover Hawai‘i’s next K-pop star, as well as a demonstration team from Kukkiwon, recognized as the world’s central governing body for taekwondo, flying in from Korea for the occasion.
Organizers expect more than 25,000 attendees this year and more than 100 volunteers from various Korean and local organizations. Proceeds from the festival are used to fund the Hawai‘i Korean Chamber of Commerce’s service projects, including an annual college scholarship fund for outstanding, civic-minded students of Korean ancestry.
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SEE ALSO: Our Guide: Honolulu Summer Festivals
Photo: Courtesy of Korean Festival Hawai‘i
When and Where
Festivities are set for Saturday, Aug. 2, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the grounds of Honolulu Hale, 530 South King St. downtown.
Image: Courtesy of Korean Festival Hawai‘i
How Much It Costs
Admission is free with food and retail items available for purchase. One big change this year: no scrip. Booths will accept payment via card or cash, depending on the vendor.
Where to Park
Free parking will be available all day at the City & County of Honolulu parking lots, including:
- Honolulu Hale – enter from Beretania St.
- King Kamehameha Statue – enter from Punchbowl St.
- Board of Water Supply – enter from Punchbowl St.
You can also find metered parking at the downtown post office (335 Merchant St.) and bordering ‘Iolani Palace on Richards and S. King Street.
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Photo: Courtesy of Korean Festival Hawai‘i
What to Do
Dance and sing your hearts out to the high-energy performance acts, including a K-pop talent contest, traditional drumming, line dancing, taekwondo and more. The evening closes out with a two-hour concert by headliners Moobek (aka DJ Y.U.P) and Yumi Oh, featuring seven special guests, including actors from Hawai‘i Five-0 and Rescue Hi-Surf.
Come hungry because the food lineup is extensive and you’ll want to taste it all. Think: bungeoppang, kalbi, mandoo and plenty of unique dishes highlighting kim chee. There will even be specialty drinks themed after the popular Netflix series Squid Game, which hails from South Korea. Heads-up: there will not be a soju and beer garden at this year’s festival.
Two popular eating contests return this year: kim chee and jjajangmyeon (Korean-Chinese black bean noodles). To enter the first-come, first-served competitions, check in at 2 p.m. near the main stage. You’ll compete alongside competitive eater Raina Huang. There will also be a cooking demonstration by celebrity chef Andre Rush.
Take a break between entertainment sets to enjoy keiki activities and shop at booths offering handcrafted products made locally and imported from Korea. You can also purchase Korean Festival T-shirts and souvenir items.
Photo: Courtesy of Korean Festival Hawai‘i
Entertainment Schedule
9:45 a.m. Opening: Korean Farmers Band
10 a.m. Hunseo Oh – Traditional Band from Korea
10:15 a.m. Taekwondo – Mun (keiki)
10:20 a.m. Taekwondo – David Ippen
10:35 a.m. Korean Farmers Band – Samulnori
10:45 a.m. Korean Line Dance
11 a.m. Chin Chu Roche (Nanta)
11:10 a.m. METRO Hula Halau
11:20 a.m. Arang Gogo Janggu
11:35 a.m. K-Pop Celebration by Emcee Curry and Keilaisha
11:55 a.m. K-Era
12:10 p.m. Hawai‘i Dance Bomb
12:25 p.m. Hawai‘i Gogo Janggu
12:40 p.m. Halla Huhm Korean Dance Studio
1:10 p.m. Traditional Dance Troupe – Seoul City
1:35 p.m. Wi Heekyung Band – Traditional Singing & Dancing
2 p.m. K-Fish Cooking Demonstration – Chef Andre Rush
3 p.m. Eating Contests – Jjajangmyeon and Kim Chee
4 p.m. Kukkiwon Taekwondo Demonstration
4:30 p.m. K-Pop Talent Contest
6 p.m. Honolulu Dance Studio – K-Hip hop
6:20 to 8 p.m. K-Pop Celebration by Yumi Oh and Moobek (aka DJ Y.U.P)
Note: Schedule is subject to change.
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Photos: Courtesy of Korean Festival Hawai‘i
What to Eat and Drink
Here’s a tentative menu of food offerings:
- ‘Aiea Grace Church: Kalbi, BBQ Chicken & Mandoo Lunch Boxes, Mandoo, Sausage Rice Cake Skewers, Kim Chee
- Apron Boys: Fried Kim Chee Rice, Fried ‘Ahi Bowl with Kim Chee
- Da Bald Guy: Boneless Braised Kalbi, Kalbi and Spam Kimbap, Garlic Butter Shrimp, Chipotle Cajun Butter Shrimp, Pan-Fried Poke, Chopped Ribeye Steak
- Da Hub: Smash Burger with Kim Chee, ‘Ahi Kim Chee Poke, ‘Ahi Katsu, Deep Fried Spam Musubi, Kids’ Meals
- Guian: Potstickers, Spring Rolls, Meat Sticks, Boba Milk Tea
- Hangane: Kim Chee + Bento
- Hawai‘i Christ Church: Iced Coffee, Tea, Lemonade
- Hawai‘i Christian Church: Tteokbokki
- Hawaiian Honey Cones: Hokkaido-Style Ice Cream
- Il Gelato: Italian Gelato
- Onkee: Cubed Steak Plate, Spicy Pork Plate, 1/2 and 1/2 Fried Chicken Plate
- Sumin Jungle Juice
- Teapresso: Squid Game-Themed Drinks
- Thai Lao: Thai Favorites
- Waba Snacks: Authentic Bungeoppang
- Yakiniku Sizzle: Yakiniku Bowls
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Photo: Courtesy of Korean Festival Hawai‘i
Tips
- Arrive early—more than 25,000 attendees are expected at the all-day event. If you aren’t in the mood for standing in long food lines, consider arriving when the festival opens.
- Bring mats or lawn chairs to enjoy the entertainment and for picnicking. There will also be a shaded dining tent with seating.
- Don’t forget hats and sunscreen! Also, bring a reusable bag for your purchases.
- Be prepared to stand and dance. Expect crowded concert vibes for the closing performance.
Korean Festival, Saturday, Aug. 2, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Honolulu Hale Civic Grounds, Downtown, koreanfesthawaii.com, @koreanfestival
Laura Dornbush is a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine.
