Your Guide to the Perfect Memorial Day Weekend in Honolulu: May 21–27, 2026
Seek self-care at a wellness event, float a lantern on Memorial Day, watch animated masterpieces, see a satirical play and more.
Photo: Courtesy Salt + Burn Studio
HONOLULU’s Health & Wellness Marketplace
Saturday, May 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Designed to inspire healthy living, this event presented by HONOLULU Magazine and StretchLab Hawai‘i brings together 40 local brands, practitioners and wellness experts to help you mix up your routine and find something new. Shop wellness products, discover a skincare superstar, join free mini classes and learn about post-workout recovery services.
Family-friendly, free admission, Ward Centre (in the former Roger Dunn space next to Fat Cheeks), 1200 Ala Moana Blvd., Kaka‘ako, honolulumagazine.com, @honolulumag
SEE ALSO: Discover Hawaiʻi’s Top Wellness Brands at the HONOLULU Health & Wellness Marketplace
Photo: Courtesy of Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai‘i
Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai‘i
Monday, May 25, 6:30 p.m.
Honor loved ones who have passed by writing messages on paper lanterns and releasing them into the ocean at sunset. Arrive early if you’d like your own lantern, distributed on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 10 a.m. Or submit a remembrance online to be included on a collective lantern floated by volunteers.
Free, Ala Moana Beach Park, Ala Moana, lanternfloatinghawaii.com, @shinnyolanternfloatinghawaii
SEE ALSO: The Winner of the Fan Favorite Vote at Frolic’s 2026 Poke Fest Is …
Photo: Courtesy of The Culture Animation Film Festival
Culture Animation Film Festival
Friday, May 22, 7 p.m., Opening Night: Animation Celebration
Saturday, May 23, 2 p.m., Global Shorts
Saturday, May 23, 7 p.m., The Saturday Night Animation Show
Sunday, May 24, 2.p.m., CAFF for Kids
This annual film festival proves that animation is not just for kids. Movie lovers of all ages will be entranced by the creativity and colorful depictions in 74 diverse works from around the world, including 28 Hawai‘i films. Prepare to laugh, connect with the cross-culture themes and leave in a better mood.
$10 Friday and Saturday adult admission, free Sunday adult admission, free for ages 18 and under, Doris Duke Theatre, Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 S. Beretania St., Makiki, honolulumuseum.org, @caffestival
SEE ALSO: We Tried It and You Can Too
Photo: Brandon Miyagi, Courtesy of Mānoa Valley Theatre
Yellow Face
Shows through Sunday, May 31
Actor Daniel Dae Kim recently starred in this semi-autobiographical play by David Henry Hwang on Broadway in New York. Now, Mānoa Valley Theatre brings the story to O‘ahu with a local cast. The witty, daring script explores race and representation in the entertainment industry.
$25–$47, 2833 East Mānoa Road, Mānoa, manoavalleytheatre.com, @manoavalleytheatre
SEE ALSO: Celebrate AANHPI Month with These Can’t-Miss New (and Forthcoming!) Titles
Photo: Courtesy of Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
PHAMily Fun Day at Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Saturday, May 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This Memorial Day Weekend, pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces at an interactive event dedicated to local families. Future pilots and curious keiki can climb into cockpits, make their own WWII-inspired dog tags, check out a cool car show and listen to a Blue Angels Q&A.
Family-friendly, $5 kama‘āina and military admission with advanced registration, $10 at the door, Pearl Harbor, pearlharboraviationmuseum.org, @pearharboraviationmuseum
Laura Dornbush is a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine. @ldornbush
