7 Don’t-Miss Summer Events in Hawaiʻi in 2024
Mark your calendars because these summer events and festivals you don’t want to miss.
Summer is one of the best times to visit Hawaiʻi. The days are longer, the weather is perfect—and there’s so much to do. From lounging on golden beaches to walking through botanical gardens, there’s already a lot to do in the Islands.
And then there are the summer events and festivals.
If you’re planning a trip to Hawaiʻi this summer—or thinking about it—here are seven events that may make your decision a lot easier.
1. Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi, Oʻahu
May 27
View this post on Instagram
This May marks the the 26th anniversary of the Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi, a beloved tradition that honors those who have passed away. Every year thousands of people from around the world travel to Oʻahu for this ceremony, hand-decorating candlelit paper lanterns and setting them in the waters at sunset off Ala Moana Beach Park. The event, which features live taiko and hula performances, is free to attend; donations are accepted for the lanterns.
2. 43rd annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival, Maui
June 6—9
The 43rd annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival will be held in June on Maui.
Photo: Courtesy of the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival
One of the premiere food festivals in Hawaiʻi is the annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival, held at the Kapalua Resort on Maui. In its 43rd year, the festival celebrates the return of the popular celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, with renowned chefs Charlie Palmer and Maneet Chauhan. The four-day event also features wine tasting seminars and the Grand Tasting Gala hosted by the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua. This year will honor the Lahaina culinary community. Tickets are already on sale.
3. 152nd annual King Kamehameha Celebration, Lei Draping and Floral Parade, Oʻahu
June 7—9
Firefighters draping lei on the statue of King Kamehameha in Downtown Honolulu.
Photo: David Croxford
The annual King Kamehameha Celebration—which starts with a lei-draping ceremony in at the King Kamehameha Statue at Aliʻiōlani Hale in Downtown Honolulu on June 7 and ends with a pāʻina at the Waikīkī Marriott Beach Resort and Spa on June 9—honors Kamehameha I, who united the Hawaiian Islands. The big event—the one you won’t want to miss—is the floral parade on June 8 through Waikīkī. The parade starts at 9 a.m. at ʻIolani Palace and ends at 1 p.m. at Kapiʻolani Park, with brightly decorated floats, lively marching bands and traditional pāʻū riders representing the Hawaiian royal court.
4. North Shore Swim Series, Oʻahu
First race June 8, last race July 20
View this post on Instagram
Every summer for the past 35 years swimmers flock to Oʻahu’s North Shore to participate in a series of races along this stretch of coastline. (Conditions tend to be perfect for swimming in the summer on the North Shore.) The North Shore Swim Series, hosted by Surf N Sea, kicks off on June 8 with the 1-mile Aloha Salads Summer Spring from Sunset Beach to ʻEhukai Beach Park.
5. Waikīkī Hawaiian Steel Guitar Week, Oʻahu
July 8–13
The free Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week is a celebration of Hawaiian music and the Hawaiian steel guitar. All week, music lovers can listen to performances by various Hawaiian steel guitar experts and ensembles at the Royal Hawaiian Center’s Royal Grove stage. Did we mention it’s free?
6. Kōloa Plantation Days, Kauaʻi
July 18—28
View this post on Instagram
Kōloa Plantation Days is a 10-day celebration held every year in July with events in the historic sugar town of Kōloa and Poʻipū on Kauaʻi. Events include craft shows, live entertainment and, of course, a parade through Kōloa Town. It’s a can’t-miss event on Kauaʻi.
7. Duke’s OceanFest, Oʻahu
Aug. 17—25
Watch dogs surf at this year’s Duke’s OceanFest in Waikīkī.
Photo: David Croxford
The annual Duke’s OceanFest is a fun-filled, weeklong festival in Waikīkī that celebrates Duke Kahanamoku and his contributions to Hawaiʻi water sports. All week there will be lots of sports competitions in honor of Duke’s legacy, including longboard surfing, surf polo, swimming, stand-up paddling as well as hula performances and film shows. A fan favorite is the dog surfing contest, held at Queen’s Surf.
