Your Guide to the Perfect 4th of July Weekend in Honolulu: July 2–8, 2026
Immerse yourself in a Tahitian dance competition, celebrate America’s 250th birthday, see a 3D art exhibition, watch Shrek on stage and more.
Photo: Courtesy of Tahiti Fête
Tahiti Fête
Friday, July 3, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, July 4, 9:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Sunday, July 5, 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
This premier Tahitian dance and music competition will be held in Honolulu for the first time, featuring troupes from around the world. Think: the Merrie Monarch Festival, but Tahitian-style. Watch solo performances and full group productions, admire the elaborate costumes, shop craft vendors visiting from across Polynesia and join Saturday’s dance workshop to learn the techniques yourself.
Family-friendly, $46 single-day admission, $104 three-day pass, $110 dance workshop, Neal S. Blaisdell Arena, 777 Ward. Ave., Kaka‘ako, tahitifete.com, @tahitifete
SEE ALSO: Your Guide to 4th of July Fireworks Shows and Entertainment on O‘ahu
Photo: Courtesy of Battleship Missouri Memorial
Picnic on the Pier
Saturday, July 4, 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Celebrate the 4th of July with a patriotic bash at the Battleship Missouri Memorial. The event returns for the first time since 2019, just in time for America’s 250th birthday. Bring a picnic to enjoy, tour the main deck of the Mighty Mo, listen to music by Jai and The Tones and watch fireworks over Pearl Harbor.
Family-friendly, $30 adult online presale, $40 adult at the door, $15 child online presale, $25 child at the door, complimentary shuttle service from Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, 1 Arizona Memorial Place, Pearl Harbor, ussmissouri.org, @battleshipmissouri
SEE ALSO: Your Insider Guide to the 13th Annual Mō‘ili‘ili Summer Fest
Left by Darold Ramelb, right by Matt Cox. Photos: Courtesy of OurSpace Hawai‘i
Casted: The Korean Tiger
Friday, July 3, 5 to 8 p.m., exhibition opening
Discover how 10 artists reimagined local artist Lauren Hana Chai’s traditional Korean tiger design in this innovative 3D art exhibition. Created using the 3D printers in the OurSpace makerspace, Chai’s original design was transformed into a limited-edition sculpture that served as a blank canvas, inspiring each artist to create a one-of-a-kind interpretation in their own distinctive style. If you can’t make it to the opening on Friday, the pieces will be on view through Aug. 14.
Free, RSVP here, OurSpace, 1052 Waimanu St., Kaka‘ako, ourspacehawaii.org, @ourspacehawaii
SEE ALSO: O‘ahu Bon Dance Schedule 2026
Photo: Brandon Miyagi
Shrek: The Musical
Shows through Sunday, July 12
Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation movie, this live musical comedy follows an ogre and his donkey sidekick on a quest to save a princess. Perfect for the whole family, the fairytale is brought to the stage by local actors and the crew from Mānoa Valley Theatre.
Family-friendly, $25–$48, Kaimukī High School Performing Arts Center, 2705 Kaimukī Ave., Kaimukī, manoavalleytheatre.com, @manoavalleytheatre
SEE ALSO: Things to Do on O‘ahu in Summer 2026 (Part 2)
Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Polo Club
Hawai‘i Polo Club Matches
Sunday, July 5, 2 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Head out to the North Shore for this weekend’s Red, White & Blue Polo Sunday benefiting the Wounded Warrior ‘Ohana. Watch the “sport of kings,” admire the horses and take in oceanfront views. Stick around after the matches for live music from the 11th Hour Rock Band and food from local vendors.
$20–$25 tailgating general admission, plus $35–$55 for parking, $61 VIP reserved club house seating, 68-411 Farrington Highway, Waialua, hawaii-polo.org, @hawaiipolo
Laura Dornbush is a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine. @ldornbush
