Experience the spirit of Hawai’i through events and celebrations this Winter.

The calendar is packed with seasonal festivals and markets as well as exhibitions highlighting local themes, including a serve of pop culture at Pop Con, Hula Arts and the Ohanu Festival in January. Celebrate the Kaua’i Quilt Show, the beauty and resilience of the iconic wiliwili tree ,and Waimea’s Heritage of Aloha in February. Get ready for the 30th Honolulu Festival in March and manga and anime at Kawaii Kon in April.

 

Special Events in Hawai’i: Worth the Trip

 

Hawaii Pop Con 2026
January 10-11, 2026, Honolulu

Major gathering for fans of comics, movies, anime and all pop cultures, with 200+ local and international exhibitors.

Hula Arts at Kilauea
January 10 – May 9, 2026, Big Island

Join the Volcano Art Center on the second Saturday of each month for a free, live hula performance. Located on Kīlauea volcano, the Volcano Art Center (VAC) promotes and perpetuates arts and culture. The dynamic location inspires the sharing of authentic Hula Kahiko as well as other arts and traditions of hula.

Ohanu Festival 
January 11, 2026, Honolulu

33rd Annual: Community celebration of Hawai‘i’s beloved local and Japanese New Year traditions. celebrate the Year of the Horse, joining in for delicious food, cultural demonstrations, live music and dance, the 74^th Cherry Blossom Festival Opening Ceremony, and many other family-friendly festivities.

Kaua’i Quilt Show 
February 13-25, 2026, Kaua’i

21st Annual: Lovingly made by quilters around the island, see quilts on display, many for sale. Not just beautiful objects, they tell visual stories, record history and reflect the spirit of their makers.

Wiliwili Love Fest
February 14, 2026, Big Island

15th Annual: Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative invites the community to fall in love with Hawaiʻi’s native forests and celebrate our shared affection for the rare and resilient wiliwili tree with a vibrant celebration of the region’s unique lowland dry forest. Explore the forest on guided hikes, participate in hands-on workshops, plus live music and food.

Waimea Town Celebration: Heritage of Aloha
February 14- 22, 2026, Kaua’i

Nine-day festival offering culturally diverse events that invite visitors and kamaʻāina to discover, experience, and honor Hawaiʻi’s rich
heritage. WTC provides numerous interactive opportunities for all ages to enjoy through music, sports, food and spirits, rodeo, Kaua’i produce, and a six-man canoe regatta.

Honolulu Festival
March 13-15, 2026, Honolulu

30th Annual: Performers from countries and regions such as Japan, Australia, Tahiti, the Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea, Hawaii and the mainland United States come together and give dance performances and traditional art demonstrations. The Festival culminates with a spectacular parade down Kalakaua Avenue, the main street in Waikiki.

​Kawaii Kon
April 24-26, 2026, Big Island

Celebrating Japanese anime , manga, and all aspects of Japanese culture. Details t/c.

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Full Calendars of Events

Hawaiʻi

• Hawaiʻi – Big Island
  • (Pair your travel with Big Island itineraries from Slow Down See More)
• Kauaʻi
  • Pair your travel with Kauaʻi itineraries from Slow Down See More)
• Maui
  • Pair your travel with Maui itineraries from Slow Down See More)
• Oʻahu & Honolulu
  • Pair your travel with Oʻahu and Honolulu itineraries from Slow Down See More)