98th Lei Day Celebration!
Friday, May 1, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Celebrate Hawai‘i’s cherished symbol of aloha with live music and hula, cultural protocol, and a vibrant lei contest showcasing intricate handmade creations. Explore lei making workshops, browse local artisans, and experience traditions passed down through generations in a scenic park setting.
For more information, visit honolulu.gov.
Flores de Mayo & Filipino Fiesta
Saturday, May 2, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Experience a vibrant celebration of Filipino culture with authentic cuisine, live performances, and interactive activities for all ages. Browse a lively marketplace, connect with community groups, and explore traditions and stories brought to life through music, dance, and hands-on cultural experiences.
For more information, visit filipinofiestahi.com.
Manu o Kū Festival
Saturday, May 2, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Celebrate Honolulu’s official bird with a family-friendly festival featuring hands-on crafts, games, and educational exhibits from community partners. Enjoy live music and hula, art workshops, a keiki costume contest, and guided bird walks with opportunities to spot nesting seabirds overhead.
For more information, visit conservehawaii.org.
ROAR-chestra Rally: A Youth Day of Music at the Honolulu Zoo
Sunday, May 3, 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Enjoy live performances by hundreds of talented student musicians as orchestras, jazz groups, and ʻukulele ensembles play throughout Honolulu Zoo. Wander the grounds while taking in diverse sounds in a unique open-air setting alongside animal habitats.
For more information, visit hiyouthsymphony.org.
May Art Camp at Art Tent Studio
Monday, May 4 – Friday, May 29
Young artists (Ages 5–6) explore animals and places around the world while learning painting and drawing techniques through fun, hands-on projects. Held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
For more information, visit arttentlife.com.
Ma‘ema‘e Elementary School Family Night
Friday, May 8, 2:15 PM – 7:00 PM
A lively community fair featuring games, rides, food, vendors, and a silent auction. Held at Ma‘ema‘e Elementary School, this annual event brings families together to celebrate community and support local students and programs.
For more information, visit maemaefamilynight.com.
Aloha Market
Saturday, May 9, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Shop local and support Hawaii-made businesses at the Aloha Home Market in Kailua. A vibrant pop-up market featuring local artisans, food vendors, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities. Held from 9 AM to 2 PM at 340 Uluniu Street.
For more information, visit alohahomemarket.com.
Line Dancing at Gunstock
Saturday, May 9, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Spend an evening at Gunstock Ranch with line and swing dancing led by instructors, plus a welcoming paniolo atmosphere. Enjoy music, campfire s’mores, and scenic photo ops while learning new moves or showing off your skills alongside a lively crowd.
For more information, visit gunstockranch.com.
Ho‘omau Run
Saturday, May 9, 5:30 AM – 9:30 AM
The Ho‘omau 5K, 10K & Half Marathon returns to Wai Kai in West Oahu, offering runners of all levels a scenic, flat course along the Ewa Beach coastline.
For more information, visit aloharacing.com.
Ko Olina Children’s Festival
Saturday, May 9, 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Get ready for a fun-filled, high-energy day designed just for keiki at the Ko Olina Children’s Festival, returning for its 10th year with a lively paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) theme. This beloved event transforms Ko Olina into a playground of hands-on activities, entertainment, and interactive experiences that keep kids engaged from start to finish.
Keiki can explore a variety of activity stations, including paniolo-inspired arts and crafts, games, and creative play areas that encourage imagination and movement. Animal lovers will enjoy the petting zoo and horse rides, offering a rare chance for kids to connect with animals up close. Live performances add to the festive atmosphere throughout the event, with music and entertainment keeping the energy high. Families can also enjoy a wide selection of local food vendors serving up kid-friendly favorites and island-style treats. As the day winds down, the festival shifts into a relaxed evening vibe with a special outdoor movie screening, creating a perfect way for families to unwind together.
The Ko Olina Children’s Festival offers a well-rounded experience where keiki can learn, explore, and simply have fun—all in one unforgettable day.
For more information, visit koolinachildrensfestival.com.
47th Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk
Saturday, May 9
Join a community walk that brings together residents, businesses, and visitors to support local nonprofits across Hawai‘i. Choose from a scenic route or an accessible loop, with entertainment, food, and camaraderie along the way, all while helping raise funds for hundreds of charities statewide.
For more information, visit charitywalkhawaii.org.
Mother’s Day Lunch at Camp Mokuleia
Sunday, May 10, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Buffet Lunch, Program Activities, Live Music, and more!
For more information, visit campmokuleia.org.
HYOC’s Spring Concert
Saturday, May 16, 7:00 PM
Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus presents its 65th Annual Spring Concert, showcasing the talent and dedication of Hawaii’s young vocalists.
For more information, visit hyoc2.weebly.com.
Funny Girl the Musical at Diamond Head Theatres
Friday, May 22 – Sunday, June 7
A bittersweet musical comedy that tells the inspiring story of Fanny Brice. Featuring iconic songs like “Don’t Rain On My Parade” and “People.” Recommended for ages 10 and up.
For more information, visit diamondheadtheatre.com.
PHAMily Fun Day
Saturday, May 23, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Celebrate service, history, and community at PHAMily Fun Day: Armed Forces Appreciation at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. This special event invites families to come together for a meaningful day honoring the dedication and sacrifice of our Armed Forces, all while enjoying a wide range of engaging, hands-on activities. Set across the museum’s historic campus, the event features interactive experiences designed for all ages. Keiki can take part in unique activities like creating WWI-era dog tags, while car enthusiasts will enjoy a special car show in partnership with Ohana Motorsports. Aviation fans won’t want to miss a Q&A session about the Blue Angels with CEO John Hiltz, offering a behind-the-scenes look at one of the military’s most iconic flight teams. Guests can also hear from featured speaker Dr. Mark E. Brouker, Captain, USN (Ret.), and connect with local businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations from across Oahu.
For more information, visit pearlharboraviationmuseum.org.
Shinnyo Floating Lantern Festival
Monday, May 25, 6:30 PM
Join thousands of residents and visitors for one of Hawaii’s most moving and meaningful traditions at the 2026 Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii, held each year on Memorial Day at Ala Moana Beach Park. This heartfelt ceremony offers a time for reflection, remembrance, and connection as families gather to honor loved ones and send messages of hope out to sea.
As the sun sets, more than 7,000 glowing lanterns are gently released into the ocean, each one carrying personal prayers, memories, and intentions. The sight of lanterns drifting across the water creates a peaceful and powerful atmosphere that brings the community together in a shared moment of gratitude and healing.
Presented by Shinnyo-en, the event is open to all and welcomes people of every background and belief. Many attendees write messages on their lanterns before the ceremony, making each one uniquely personal.
Whether you come to remember, reflect, or simply witness its beauty, Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii is a deeply touching experience and a meaningful way to honor life, love, and unity in the islands.
For more information, visit lanternfloatinghawaii.com.
Science and Sustainability Festival at the Bishop Museum
Saturday, May 30, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Explore the powerful connection between science, culture, and community at the Science & Sustainability Festival, held at the Bishop Museum. This inspiring event invites families to discover how Hawaii’s unique ecosystems are studied, protected, and preserved for future generations.
Centered around this year’s theme, Makahiki Kuleana Kahakai (the Year of Our Coastal Kuleana) the festival highlights the importance of caring for Hawaii’s coastlines and the vital role they play in connecting communities. Through hands-on activities, keiki and adults alike can engage with interactive exhibits that bring science and sustainability to life.
Guests will have the opportunity to learn directly from museum scientists, educators, cultural practitioners, and community partners who are actively working on the front lines of conservation and biodiversity research across the islands. These meaningful interactions help bridge traditional ‘ike Hawaii with modern scientific practices, offering a deeper understanding of how both perspectives contribute to a sustainable future.
Designed for the whole ohana, the festival blends education, culture, and creativity into a fun and impactful experience, encouraging everyone to take part in caring for Hawaii’s natural resources.
For more information, visit bishopmuseum.org.
