Your Insider Guide to the 2026 Korean Festival

Photo: Courtesy of Korean Festival Hawai‘i

Expect a delightful mash-up of old and new at the annual Korean Festival on Saturday, Aug. 8, 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 moves to Kapi‘olani Park this year, creating a larger venue for expanded programming, entertainment, food offerings and community activities just minutes from Waikīkī.

Highlights of this year’s festival include a new Hanbok Fashion Show, performances by acclaimed musicians and vocalists visiting from South Korea, and K-Pop Night.

Known as one of Hawai‘i’s largest multicultural events, organizers say the larger venue will allow the festival to welcome even more residents and visitors while celebrating Korean culture through food, music, performances, cultural demonstrations and interactive experiences for all ages.

Click to the information you want to explore:

• When and Where
• What to Do
• What to Eat and Drink
• Tips

Photo: Courtesy of Korean Festival Hawai‘i

When and Where

Festivities are set for Saturday, Aug. 8, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Kapi‘olani Park in Waikīkī.

How Much It Costs

Admission is free with food and retail items available for purchase. Booths will accept payment via card or cash, depending on the vendor.

Where to Park

Free parking will be available at the Waikīkī Shell Parking Lot. Paid parking will be offered at Waikīkī Elementary, with proceeds supporting the school.

SEE ALSO: O‘ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2026

Photo: Courtesy of Korean Festival Hawai‘i

What to Do

Dance and sing your hearts out to the day’s entertainment, including traditional Korean music and dance, a hanbok fashion show, K-pop performances and more. The evening closes out with K-Pop Night, featuring DJ Moobek and Kang Woo-in. The festival will also feature performances by Park Jung-sik, Lee Jung-ok, Seung Ri Kim, Michael Kang and Jong Ok Jeon, with Korean television personality Kim Ki-hyun serving as master of ceremonies throughout the day.

Come hungry because the food lineup is expected to be extensive and you’ll want to taste it all. Authentic Korean cuisine from local restaurants and specialty food vendors returns as one of the festival’s biggest draws.

Two popular eating contests return this year: kim chee and jjajangmyeon (Korean-Chinese black bean noodles). Sign up for the competitions online.

Take a break between entertainment sets to enjoy keiki activities and shop at booths offering handcrafted products made locally and imported from Korea.

Photo: Courtesy of Korean Festival Hawai‘i

Entertainment Schedule

9:45 a.m. Hawai‘i Korean Farmers’ Music Opening

10:10 a.m.

• Taekwondo Demonstration – Master Luna Mun
• Halla Huhm Korean Dance Studio
• Hula Performance (Kumu Sawai)
• Korean Line Dance
• Arang Gogo Janggu Hawai‘i

11:30 a.m.

• Yechan Park – 2025 K-Pop Contest Winner Performance
• Hawai‘i Dance Bomb
• K-ERA Performance
• Youngwoong Lim Performance
• Youngwoong Lim Fan Club Sazophone Performance
• Hula Performance (Kumu Pike)

1 p.m. Opening Ceremony & Official Remarks

• David Suh, Chair of the United Korean Association of Hawai‘i
• Governor Josh Green
• Mayor Rick Blangiardi
• Consulate General of the Republic of Korea

1:30 p.m.

• Halla Huhm Korean Dance Studio
• Senior Taekwondo Demonstration – Taekwon Do Center Honolulu (Master David Ippen)

2 p.m.

• Eating Contests: Jjajangmyeon, Kim chee, Bungeoppang
• Arang Gogo Janggu Hawai‘i
• Honolulu Dance Studio – K-Pop Dance Performance

3 p.m. K-Pop Singing & Dance Contest

4 p.m. Hanbok Fashion Show by Laize. & Korean Traditional Instrument Performance

5 p.m. Special Guest Live Performance

• Park Jung-sik – ‘Millennium Rock’
• Lee Jung-ok – ‘The Sound of the Wind Crying in Secret’
• Seung Ri Kim – Soprano
• Michael Kang – Saxophone Performance
• Jong Ok Jeon – Tenor Performance
• Hula & ‘Ukelele Performance (Hula Sisters)
• K-Pop Celebration with Kang Woo-in
• K-Pop Dance Party by DJ Moobek & Kang Woo-in

8 p.m. Closing Ceremony

Note: Schedule is subject to change.

SEE ALSO: We’ve Got Seoul: The Korean Wave in Hawai‘i

Photos: Courtesy of Korean Festival Hawai‘i

What to Eat and Drink

Here’s a tentative menu of food offerings:

• ‘Aiea Grace Church
• Dirty Twist Soda Bar
• Hangane
• Hawai‘i Christ Church EM aka CUMC
• Hawaiian Honey Cones
• Il Gelato
• Island Fiyah Grill
• O’Kims
• Onkee
• Sushi One
• Teapresso
• Thai Lao
• Waba Snacks
• Yomie Hawai‘i

Photo: Courtesy of Korean Festival Hawai‘i

Tips

• Arrive early—more than 20,000 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 and expect crowded concert vibes during the performances.

Korean Festival, Saturday, Aug. 8, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Kapi‘olani Park, 3840 Pākī Ave., Waikīkī, koreanfesthawaii.com, @koreanfestival

Kayla Luke Colon is the 2026 summer editorial intern for HONOLULU Magazine and a journalism student at UC Irvine.

Laura Dornbush is a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine.