Ring in the Year of the Horse With Lion Dances, Firecrackers, Parades and More
Celebrate the Lunar New Year and welcome good fortune for 2026 with these festivities across O‘ahu.
Lunar New Year lands on Tuesday, Feb. 17, this year, kicking off the highly anticipated Year of the Fire Horse. Known in the Chinese zodiac for its bold energy, passion and spirit of transformation, the Fire Horse sets the stage for an exciting year ahead. To celebrate, a full lineup of festivities will roll out in the days leading up to Lunar New Year and continue throughout the month.
SEE ALSO: Lunar New Year Sweets and Specials Around O‘ahu
Lunar New Year Arts & Crafts Workshop
Saturday, Feb. 7, 10 a.m. to noon
Stop by the secondhand media store to shop and make a Year of the Horse paper lantern to take home. All materials will be provided while supplies last.
Village Books & Music, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd., Kaka‘ako, friendsofthelibraryofhawaii.org, @hawaiilibraryfriends
Photo: Courtesy of Kapolei Shopping Center
Lunar New Year at Kapolei Shopping Center
Saturday, Feb. 7, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Ring in the Year of the Horse with a lion table jumping performance, “feed” the lions and enjoy a complimentary fortune cookie. The Wah Ngai Lion Dance Association troupe will then make their way through the Center to bless merchant locations and summon good fortune for the new year.
Kapolei Shopping Center, 590 Farrington Highway, Kapolei, kapoleishopping.com, @kapoleishoppingctr
Lunar New Year Celebration at Ka Makana Ali‘i
Saturday, Feb. 7, 4 to 7 p.m.
The whole family will enjoy the celebration at Ka Makana Ali‘i. Watch the Wah Ngai Lion Dance Association performance in Center Court, then follow the lions around the center for a blessing of the stores and restaurants. There will also be glitter tattoos and a fortune teller craft to take home.
Ka Makana Ali‘i, 91-5431 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, kamakanaalii.com, @kamakanaalii
Kailua Town Lunar New Year Celebration
Rescheduled to Sunday, Feb. 15, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Ring in the new year with lion dance performances by Sing Yung Dragon and Lion Dance Association around Kailua, visiting Lau Hala Shops, Kailua Town Center, Kailua Shopping Center and more.
Various locations in Kailua, kailuatownhi.com, @kailuatownhi
Photo: Courtesy of Chinatown 808
Chinatown Lunar New Year Festival & Parade
Saturday, Feb. 14, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Enjoy lion dances, martial arts demonstrations, food and craft vendors, a mini-horse petting zoo, live entertainment, bounce houses and a Lunar New Year parade. Food vendors this year include Legend Seafood Restaurant, Olay’s Thai Lao Express, Teapresso Bar and many more. The parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. on the Hawai‘i State Capitol lawn featuring lion dance groups and dragons, festival queens and their courts, cultural organizations and local dignitaries.
‘A‘ala Park and Beretania St. from Maunakea St. to ‘A‘ala St., parade route on Hotel St. from Hawai‘i State Capitol to Maunakea St., chinatown808.com, @chinatown808hi
SEE ALSO: Your Insider Guide to the Chinatown Festival & Parade
Lunar New Year Celebration at Mānoa Marketplace
Saturday, Feb. 14, 11 a.m.
Bring the whole family to enjoy a traditional lion dance performance by the Lung Kong Physical Culture Club on the Central Lawn.
Mānoa Marketplace, 2752 Woodlawn Dr., Mānoa, manoamarketplacehawaii.com, @manoamarketplace
Photo: Courtesy of Royal Hawaiian Center
Lunar New Year at Royal Hawaiian Center
Sunday, Feb. 15, through Saturday, Feb. 28
Lunar New Year festivities will take place over two weeks at the Royal Hawaiian Center with cultural activities and a special gift with mall purchase. Catch the lion dance performances on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 5 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 21, at 6:30 p.m. There will also be a folk dance performance on Sunday, Feb. 22, at 3:30 p.m. and a Chinese calligraphy demonstration on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 3 to 6 p.m. During these two weeks, shoppers who spend a minimum of $518 at Center retailers can receive a lucky lai see red envelope from Helumoa Hale Guest Services—prizes range from gift cards to specialty goods.
Royal Hawaiian Center, 2201 Kalākaua Ave., royalhawaiiancenter.com, @royalhwnctr
Lunar New Year Celebration at Pearl Highlands Center
Sunday, Feb. 15, noon
Watch performances by the Hawai‘i Lion Dance Association and listen tunes from KUMU 94.7 and Kool-E who will be onsite. The first 120 customers to bring their Center receipts to the KUMU radio team from noon to 2 p.m. will receive a free bao bun squishy toy, while supplies last.
Pearl Highlands Center, 1000 Kamehameha Highway, Pearl City, pearlhighlandscenter.com, @pearlhighlands
Lunar New Year Celebration at Waikele Premium Outlets
Sunday, Feb. 15, noon to 2 p.m.
Enjoy a traditional pole jumping lion dance performance, snap photos with the lions and play a Plinko game with giveaways, while supplies last.
Waikele Premium Outlets, Center Stage, 94-790 Lumiaina St., Waipahu, premiumoutlets.com/outlet/waikele, @waikelepo
Photo: Courtesy of Ala Moana Center
Lunar New Year Celebration at Ala Moana Center
Tuesday, Feb. 17, through Sunday, Feb. 22
Usher in the Year of the Horse at Ala Moana where you can write messages of hope, health and happiness at a wishing wall display. Select retailers will offer exclusive Lunar New Year products, and there will also be gifts with purchases between $500 to $1,000, including tote bags, charms and gift cards. On Sunday, Feb. 22, the mall will host Chinese calligraphy, lion dancing and pole jumping demonstrations starting at 11 a.m.
Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Ala Moana, alamoanacenter.com, @alamoancenter
Photo: Courtesy of Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club
Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club’s Chinese New Year Celebration
Feb. 19, 20, 21, 7:30 p.m.
The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club will celebrate the new year with festivities over three days. See the lion dance parade through the hotel. The best view will be from Mahina & Sun’s, where you can dine on a special Chinese-inspired menu.
Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club, 412 Lewers St., Waikīkī, surfjack.com, @thesurfjack
Chinese New Year Celebration at Market City
Saturday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Watch high-energy lion dancing, thousands of popping firecrackers and taiko drumming in the lower-level parking lot fronting HouseMart Ben Franklin Crafts. Arrive early to receive a Year of the Horse fan, available for the first 300 attendees.
Market City Shopping Center, 2919 Kapi‘olani Blvd., Kapahulu, marketcityhawaii.com, @marketcityhi
Photo: Courtesy of International Market Place
Lunar New Year at International Market Place
Saturday, Feb. 21, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Follow a lion dance through the three levels of the outdoor mall from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., then learn about Lunar New Year’s customs with an educational presentation in Queen’s Court. You can also experience the art of Chinese calligraphy from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Mauka Court.
International Market Place, 2330 Kalākaua Ave., Waikīkī, simon.com, @intlmktplace
SEE ALSO: How to Celebrate Chinese New Year in Hawai‘i
Photo: Courtesy of Town Center of Mililani
Lunar New Year Celebration at Town Center of Mililani
Saturday, Feb. 21, 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Feed the lions, watch a martial arts demonstration, take a photo with the 2026 Miss Chinatown Hawai‘i Queen and the Miss Chinatown Princesses and make a Year of the Horse keiki craft.
Town Center of Mililani, 95-1249 Meheula Parkway, Mililani, towncenterofmililani.com, @townctrmililani
Photo: Courtesy of the Sing Yung Lion Dragon Lion Dance Association
Lunar New Year at Waikīkī Beach Walk
Saturday, Feb. 21, 5 p.m.
Watch an impressive pole jumping demonstration by the Sing Yung Dragon and Lion Dance Association followed by a lion dance procession to the Waikīkī Beach Walk stores and restaurants.
Waikīkī Beach Walk, 227 Lewers St., Waikīkī, waikikibeachwalk.com, @waikikibeachwalk
Lunar New Year at HoMA Nights
Friday, Feb. 27, 5 to 9 p.m.
This month’s pau hana event at Honolulu Museum of Art celebrates Lunar New Year with a lion dance, live music, mahjong, Chinese art and biang biang noodles at the HoMA Café.
$28 general admission, $8 children, Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 S. Beretania St., Makiki, honolulumuseum.org, @honolulumuseum
Lunar New Year at ‘Ewa Town Center
Saturday, Feb. 28, 10 a.m. to noon
‘Ewa Town Center will celebrate Lunar New Year with a traditional lion dance by the Asian Lion Dance Team, firecrackers and a Chinese calligraphy demonstration by Ina Chang. There will also be Chinese New Year trinkets and seasonal goodies for sale at the Happy Wahine popup tent.
‘Ewa Town Center, 91-1401 Fort Weaver Rd., ewatowncenter.com, @ewatowncenter1
Explore Asia Fest
Saturday, Feb. 28, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
This inaugural festival celebrates Lunar New Year and Hawai‘i’s unique fusion of Asian cultures with food booths, craft vendors, collectibles, K-pop, cosplay, cultural activities and games.
Free admission, Pālama Settlement, 810 Vineyard Blvd., Pālama, pacificexpos.com, @pacificexposhawaii
Photo: Courtesy of Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center
Chinese New Year Lion Dance at the Discovery Center
Saturday, Feb. 28, 10:30 a.m.
Celebrate the Year of the Horse with a kid-friendly lion dance and make Lunar New Year crafts to take home.
$12 general admission, $10 kama‘āina admission, $7 senior citizen admission, Hawai‘i Children’s Discovery Center, 111 Ohe St., Kaka‘ako, discoverycenterhawaii.org, @hawaiichildrensdiscoverycenter
Lunar New Year Concert with Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, Feb. 28, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse at the symphony with an all-star program of seasonal favorites featuring renowned violinist Cho-Liang Lin and 16-year-old Canadian pianist Sophia Liu.
$43.50 to $137.50, Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, 777 Ward Ave., Kaka‘ako, myhso.org, @hawaiisymphonyorchestra
Chinese New Year at Salt Lake Shopping Center
Saturday, March 7, 4 to 6 p.m.
Enjoy a traditional lion dance and martial arts demonstration by the Asian Lion Dance Team. Afterwards, the dragons and lions will parade through the Center bringing good fortune, joy and positive energy for the year ahead.
Salt Lake Shopping Center, 848 Ala Lilikoi St., Salt Lake, saltlakeshoppingcenter.com, @saltlakeshopping
Laura Dornbush is a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine. @ldornbush
