Your Guide to Waikīkī Spam Jam 2024

There’s no place in the world that loves Spam as much as we do in Hawaiʻi.

So it’s no surprise the Islands host one of the biggest—and, arguably, the best—festival devoted to the beloved canned meat.

The Waikīkī Spam Jam celebrates its 20th year this Saturday, with a block party in Waikīkī from 4 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 27. The event, which lures about 40,000 people each year, will feature dozens of restaurants serving Spam in unique ways, three stages of entertainment by musicians and hula hālau, Spam merchandise and special appearances by Spammy characters.

Meet this life-size can of Spam at this year’s Waikīkī Spam Jam.
Photo: Courtesy of Waikīkī Spam Jam

According to Hormel Foods, which first released Spam in 1937, Hawaiʻi folks eat nearly 7 million cans of Spam a year. Globally, 12.8 cans of Spam products are eaten every second.

Last year the company unveiled its newest permanent variety, Spam Maple Flavored, which will be served at Waikīkī Spam Jam. That brings the total number of permanent varieties of Spam to 11.

So what do you need to know if you’re planning to attend Spam Jam on Saturday?

What is Spam Jam?

The first Waikīkī Spam Jam was actually held 23 years ago. (It was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.) Back then, the event spanned multiple days at different venues in Waikīkī.

It has since evolved to be a one-day, family-friendly street festival in Waikīkī, with dozens of restaurants serving innovative Spam dishes and three stages of local entertainment. It’s been named as one of the Top 10 street festivals in the U.S. by USA Today.

The festival was founded by the SJ Foundation, a non-profit that gives back to Hawaiʻi’s hungry and needed citizens.

What’s on the menu?

Da Bald Guy is serving local-style Spam fried noodles.
Photo: Courtesy of Waikīkī Spam Jam

There will be more than 30 restaurants—some that are new to the festival—serving 68 different Spam dishes. Some of the more interesting ones include a deep-fried Spam Monte Cristo from Aloha Beer Co., corn on the cob with Spam toppings by Corn Onoz Hawaiʻi, Spam-kālua pork won ton nachos from Hula Grill Waikīkī, and Spam risotto bites by Restaurant 604. There will be dessert, too: Asato Family Shop is serving its Spam-eggs-rice ice cream (which sold out last year), Nami Kaze is making Spam sticky buns, and Duke’s Waikīkī is topping its signature Hula Pie with candied Spam.

You can’t have a Spam festival in Hawaiʻi without Spam musubi. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue has that covered; the local chain will be the only booth selling the classic Spam musubi, along with one using the maple-flavored Spam.

Consult this list of food booths before you go.

What’s the cost?

Try the maple-flavored Spam.
Photo: Courtesy of Waikīkī Spam Jam

The festival itself free to attend. But each restaurant will be charging for dishes, so bring cash and credits cards. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Hawaiʻi Foodbank, Visitor Aloha Society Hawaiʻi and Waikīkī Community Center. Donations of canned food and monetary donations will be accepted at a booth at the street festival. 

Where do I park?

The crowd at last year’s Waikīkī Spam Jam.
Photo: Courtesy of Waikīkī Spam Jam

If you’re driving to Waikīkī, be aware that Kalākaua Avenue, from Seaside to Liliʻuokalani avenues, will be completed closed off to car traffic from 2 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, April 27, the day of the event. You can park at the Honolulu Zoo or around Kapiʻolani Park—metered stalls—and walk a few blocks to the event. You can also park at spots like International Market Place and Royal Hawaiian Center, but you’ll need to patronize one of its shops to get your parking validated. You can also park outside of Waikīkī and take the bus or Biki to the event.

What if I can’t make it?

Don’t worry!

Starting at 9 a.m. HST on Friday, you can buy Spam Jam merchandise online here. And if you’re in town from April 20 to May 5—but can’t make the event—20 Honolulu restaurants are featuring Spam dishes on their menus. See the list here.

For more details, visit spamjamhawaii.com or @waikikispamjam.