Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Sept. 4–10, 2025

Photo: Redefined Media

Hale ‘Aina Gala: A Night in Morocco

Saturday, Sept. 6, 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Wander through an exotic bazaar with Moorish-themed entertainment, henna stations, psychic readings, casino games, dancing under the stars—and, of course, amazing food. You’ll dine on global dishes from eight Hale ‘Aina Award-winning restaurants, including Giovedì, Hau Tree, Hy’s Steakhouse and Lady Elaine.

BUY TICKETS

21+, $155 general admission, $225 VIP early access, $1,800 reserved table, The Royal Hawaiian’s Ocean Lawn, 2259 Kalākaua Ave., Waikīkī, hnltix.com, @honolulumag

SEE ALSO: What You’ll Eat at the 2025 Hale ‘Aina Gala Plus Everything Else You Need to Know

Photo: Alec Singer, Courtesy of Honolulu Museum of Art

A Night at the Paris Opera Ballet

Friday, Sept. 5, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 6, 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Here’s your chance to experience Honolulu Museum of Art’s summer exhibition, Mary Cassatt at Work, on a whole new level. Witness the Impressionist works come to life with a unique combination of visual art, music and original choreography by Ballet Hawai‘i.

$35 adult, $15 youth, Doris Duke Theatre, Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 S Beretania St., Mō‘ili‘ili, honolulumuseum.org, @honolulumuseum

SEE ALSO: What to Eat During September’s Okinawan Feastival in Honolulu

Untitled seascape, oil painting by Peter Drewliner

First Friday at Downtown Art Center

Friday, Sept. 5, 5:30 to 8 p.m., opening reception

Find a new piece of art to take home from the hundreds of paintings, photographs, prints and sculptures available at the DAC Collectors’ Art Sale & Exhibition Fundraiser through Sept. 26. You can also view a new show, There Was a Time When: Paintings by Peter Drewliner, featuring never-before-exhibited works by the artist and well-known local philanthropist, on display through Sept. 20.

Free, Downtown Art Center, 1041 Nu‘uanu Ave., Downtown, downtownarthi.org, @downtownartcenter

SEE ALSO: All About Hawai‘i Walls at Capitol Modern

Photo: Courtesy of Ho‘opili Tribal Council

Honolulu Intertribal Powwow

Saturday, Sept. 6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This annual gathering of American Indian, Alaska Native and First Nations people celebrates indigenous cultures with dance, music, food and activities. Watch vibrant drum performances, eat Navajo frybread, make keiki crafts, collect information at nonprofit booths and shop for handcrafted silver and turquoise jewelry, dreamcatchers and more from arts vendors.

Family-friendly, free, Magic Island, Ala Moana Beach Park, 1201 Ala Moana Blvd., Ala Moana, htchawaii.org, @htchawaii

SEE ALSO: Things to Do on O‘ahu in September 2025

Mai Poina: The Walking Tours at ‘Iolani Palace

Sept. 6, 7 and 13, 4 p.m., 4:20 p.m., 4:40 p.m. and 5 p.m.

In celebration of Hawaiian History Month, you can experience the pivotal days of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s overthrow through a dramatic interpretation written by local playwright Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl. Visit six stations on the palace grounds and watch performers act out the historic events of 1893.

$10 suggested donation, 364 South King St., Downtown, hawaiiponoi.info, @hawaiiponoicoalition

SEE ALSO: Best Breads: My Tour of Fresh Loaves Around Honolulu

Laura Dornbush is a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine. @ldornbush