Lei Day Celebration
Thursday, May 1, 9:00am – 5:30pm
Kapiʻolani Park
Known all over the world as the symbol of Aloha, the 97th Annual Lei Day celebrates the lei and artistry of Hawaii’s lei makers. The theme this year is Komo mai kāu māpuna hoe, or “dip your paddle in”. Held at Queen Kapiolani Park and Bandstand, the annual celebration includes entertainment by the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association, crafts, lei vendors, food vendors, and a lei-making contest featuring participants of all ages.
Visit honolulu.gov for more information.
Ma‘ema‘e Elementary School Family Night
Friday, May 2, 2:30pm – 7:00pm
Maʻemaʻe Elementary School
This annual celebration brings together families, friends, and neighbors for an afternoon packed with rides and inflatable obstacle courses for the keiki, exciting games, delicious eats from local food trucks, and shopping at the country store featuring plants, local products, and pop-up vendors. Be sure to swing by the bake sale and grab a fresh malasada while you’re at it!
For more information, visit maemaefamilynight.com.
10th Annual Manu O Kū Festival
Saturday, May 3, 10:00am – 2:00pm
Iolani Palace
Celebrate a decade of honoring Honolulu’s official bird at the 10th Annual Manu O Kū Festival. This free, family-friendly event brings the community together for a day filled with nature, culture, and fun.
Festival-goers can enjoy bird walks and spotting scopes to see the nesting Manu o Kū, explore over 20 educational booths with crafts and activities, and catch performances by the Royal Hawaiian Band, ukulele artists Corey Fujimoto and Kalei Gamiao, and hula by Kumu Hula James Dela Cruz with Nā ‘Ōpio a me Nā Kupuna O Ko‘olau. The popular keiki costume contest kicks off at 1:30pm, joined by a lively parade of nature-themed characters like Hina the monk seal and Aloha Kea the Manu o Kū. Hosted by Bruddah Bryan Min, the festival also features live art sessions with Patrick Ching, author readings in the Keiki Reading Corner, and a community art display.
For more information, visit conservehawaii.org.
2025 Noodle & Pasta Fest Night Market
Saturday, May 3, 4:00pm – 8:00pm
Wai Kai On The Lawn
Foodies and families alike are invited to HI Street Grindz & Craft Fest’s 2025 Noodle & Pasta Fest Night Market! This fun, family-friendly evening features an incredible variety of noodles, pasta dishes, specialty drinks, desserts, and treats—all under the open sky.
With free admission and parking, plus activities for the keiki, it’s the perfect spot to kick back with your beach chair or blanket, enjoy live entertainment, and soak in the stunning Hawai‘i sunset. For the ultimate experience, purchase a VIP Pass to become a judge in the Best Noodle & Pasta Contest—skip the lines and sample five flavorful dishes from vendors of your choice. Whether you’re there for the food, the fun, or the festive vibes, this night market promises a deliciously good time!
For more information, visit waikai.com.
Cinco de Mayo Festival
Sunday, May 4, 2:00pm – 7:00pm
Ka Makana Ali’i Parking Lot
Get ready to experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of Mexico at the Cinco de Mayo 2025 Festival, hosted by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Hawaii in partnership with Hawaii Tourism Authority and Sinaloa Tortillas. This free, all-ages event will light up the day with vibrant entertainment, mouthwatering cuisine, and cultural experiences for the whole family.
Held in honor of Mexican heritage, the festival features authentic food vendors and drink bars by El Ranchero, high-energy live performances including mariachis, Folklorico dancers, and DJ Lulu Solares, plus a dedicated Keiki Zone with games and inflatables. Visitors can also enjoy a colorful car show, shop local at the Vendor Village, and indulge in regional flavors at the lively Sinaloa Village.
For more information, visit hcchawaii.org.
Mother’s Day Market
Saturday, May 10, 9:00pm – 2:00pm
340 Uluniu Street, Kailua
This Mother’s Day, treat Mom to something truly special at the Aloha Home Market! Join us on May 10th from 9:00am to 2:00pm at 340 Uluniu Street in Kailua, where Hawaiʻi’s finest artisans, jewelry makers, furniture creators, and more will showcase their unique creations. Enjoy live entertainment, ono grinds, and keiki activities as you shop for one-of-a-kind gifts that Mom will love. Celebrate the day with local treasures and the spirit of aloha!
For more information, see alohahomemarket.com.
9th Annual Ko Olina Children’s Festival
Saturday, May 10, 3:00pm to 8:00pm
Grand Lawn, Ulua Lagoon #4, Ko Olina Resort, Kapolei
Join us for an afternoon filled with family- friendly entertainment, interactive activities, educational programs, ocean sustainability booths, delicious food, and live performances. The festivities will conclude with a sunset movie screening on the beach. This annual event benefits the Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children, supporting critical healthcare services for Hawaiʻi’s children.
- Live stage performances by local artists.
- Interactive educational booths focusing on ocean sustainability.
- Face painting and balloon artists for the keiki (children).
- A variety of food vendors offering local delicacies.
- Sunset movie screening on the beach.
Tickets are available for purchase online. Every ticket purchased contributes to the Kapiʻolani Medical Center’s campaign for Hawaiʻi’s children.
Visit the official Ko Olina Children’s Festival website at koolinachildrensfestival.com for updates and ticket purchases.
Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra: The Music Of Studio Ghibli
Saturday, May 17, 7:30pm – 10:00pm
Hawaii Theatre Center
Experience the magic of Hayao Miyazaki’s films through Joe Hisaishi’s iconic music. The Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, led by Michael-Thomas Foumai with guest Norie Green, will perform pieces from Studio Ghibli classics like My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away. This music-only concert offers an unforgettable journey for anime fans and families.
For additional details and ticket purchases, visit the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra’s official website at myhso.org.
Asia Pacific Dance Festival
Monday, May 19 – Sunday, June 1
University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Kennedy Theatre
Experience the vibrant cultural tapestry of the Asia Pacific Dance Festival 2025, with inspiring concerts at UH Mānoa’s Kennedy Theatre. From the art of hula to a tribute in Filipino dance and diverse performances by resident artists, each show offers a unique celebration of movement and heritage.
For more information, visit manoa.hawaii.edu.
Dinosaurs Return To Bishop Museum
Saturday, May 24, 2025 – Sunday, January 25, 2026
Bishop Museum
The State of Hawaiʻi Museum of Natural and Cultural History is excited to announce the return of dinosaurs to Kaiwiʻula in its new exhibit, Expedition Dinosaur: Into the Deep. For the first time on Oʻahu, guests will be able to experience, up close and personal, oceanic and aquatic reptiles from the Jurassic period — along with favorites like the T-Rex and Stegosaurus. Designed by Stage 9 Exhibits, Expedition Dinosaur: Into the Deep features lifelike animatronic dinosaurs with realistic movement and sound. Expedition Dinosaur: Into the Deep will be on view from May 24, 2025 through Jan. 25, 2026.
More information is available on the Museum’s website at bishopmuseum.org.
Shinnyo Lantern Floating Festival
Monday, May 26, 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Ala Moana Beach Park
Every Memorial Day, thousands gather at Ala Moana Beach Park for the Hawai‘i Shinnyo Lantern Floating Festival, a deeply moving tradition that honors loved ones who have passed. The festival, rooted in Buddhist customs, invites people of all backgrounds to set lanterns afloat on the ocean, symbolizing remembrance, peace, and hope. The sight of thousands of glowing lanterns drifting across the water creates a breathtaking and emotional experience, as each flickering light carries personal messages of love, loss, and remembrance into the vastness of the sea. Beyond personal remembrance, the event fosters a sense of unity, encouraging reflection and healing as a community. Join the 27th annual floating lanterns ceremony to honor, reflect, and find peace in the beauty of the floating lanterns.
For more information, visit lanternfloatinghawaii.com.
