The holiday organized in Waikiki before the Honolulu festival

Honolulu (Hawaiinewsnow) -the 29th annual festival Honolulu takes place March 8-9 with a cultural holiday of music, dance and arts showing 91 groups from Japan, Pacific Rim and Hawaii.

Cultural performances will take place at the Hawaii Convention Center, Ala Moana Center and Waikiki Beach Walk, and the festivities include The Waikiki Grand Parade and Nagaoka Fireworks Show.

This year’s theme is “Bringing cultures for a peaceful tomorrow.”

The president of the Honolulu Festival Foundation, Ted Kubo, said: “Sharing culture, promoting education and environmental conservation are the basic values of our Foundation and the inspiration that helps to lead our body of volunteers, our corporate donors and our governmental partners to make the Honolului Festival.”

For the first time, the Honolulu Festival Foundation requires a nominal adult fee for adults to enter the Kamehameha exhibition hall on the ground floor of the Hawaii Convention Center, where most cultural and musical shows, arts, activities, exhibits and commercial exhibition.

Participants can save money and time paying the admission fee in advance or paying on the arrival at the Hawaii Convention Center.

Click here for full event information And see a few important aspects below.

The gala of friendship

Friday, March 7, 7 – 20:30, the purchase of tickets is required.

The participants are treated in a variety of delicious entries and desserts prepared by the popular restaurants in Hawaii, while enjoying live cultural music and dance shows. The programs support the educational and cultural programs of the Honolulu Festival Foundation.

Cultural shows and exhibits

Saturday, March 8, 10:00 – 18:00 and Sunday, March 9, 10:00 – 15:00

The craftsmen from Japan, Pacific Rim and Hawaii will play traditional music, dance and exhibitions of their native culture in three locations, the conventions center in Hawaii, Ala Moana Center and Waikiki Beach Walk.

The exhibition hall of the Hawaii Convention Center will present over 200 cabins of commercial exhibitions that offer a number of multicultural exhibits for participants to enjoy and experiment, including crafts of local suppliers and art works. Unique snacks and food delicacies from Japan will be available. Cultural posters include ennichi corner with fun games and children’s activities.

Sake and Food Fest

Saturday, March 8, 10:00 – 18:00 and Sunday, March 9, 10:00 – 15:00

This extremely popular exhibition has been expanded this year with several shops and foods in Japan to find out and enjoy. A special climax for participants is the free samples of SELECT Japanese alcohol, such as Sake, Shochu and Awamori. Good samples are for adults between the ages of 21 and older. Participants must show identification.

Sushi for me

Saturday, March 8, 12 and 15:00 and Sunday, March 9 at 11 in the morning

Free new event: This special and fun workshop will present a rare opportunity for participants to participate in a practical learning experience, in real time, about the art of sushi training, as taught by a renowned sushi chef Ginza Hawaii. Participation in one of the three sushi preparation workshops will be limited to the first 100 participants who register for the Sushi to Me exhibition area, after entering the Hawaii Convention Center.

Bon Dance

Saturday, March 8, 12 – 12:15; 2:20 – 14:35 and Sunday, March 9, 12:20 – 12:35 PM

Everyone is invited to join the first Bon dance in Hawaii from 2025, near the front entrance of the Hawaii Convention Center.

Japanese film festival

Saturday, March 8, 10:00 – 18:00 and Sunday, March 9, 10:00 – 15:00

International films are presented at the third floor of the Hawaii Convention Center. The entrance is free, and the places are available on a first basis, first served. View the movie recordings and here.

Honolulu Rainbow Ekiden

Sunday, March 9, at 8 in the morning

A sister event of the Honolulu festival, 5K Honolulu Rainbow Ekiden is a relay race for teams of 3-5 runners starting with Kapiolani Park. It is also offered a 5K fun and a fun ride and a challenge for children for children of 1.6k ‘oli’ for children, between the ages of 6-12 years. For information please visit Rainbowekiden.com.

Grand Parade Waikiki

Sunday, March 9, at 4:30 pm

This showcase of culture presents dozens of high -performance groups, marching troops, parade floors and demonstrations of cultural traditions that travel through Waikiki along the Kalakaua Boulevard.

At 16:00, there will be 30 minutes of special performances in front of the four main areas on the route, after which the parade will start, leaving Saratoga Road near Fort Derussy Park and continuing along Kalakaua Boulevard before ending on Avenue Kapahulu, at the entrance to the Kapiolani Park.

Nagaoka fireworks show

Sunday, March 9, at 20:30

Following Grand Parade, the Nagaoka fireworks show the Honolulu festival’s feast in a spectacular way, illuminating the sky above the Waikiki Beach, with a bright and fascinating pyrotechnic orchestrated display. Three barges from where the fireworks are shot in the sky will be safely positioned away from the shore and centered between the approximate area of the middle point with the face at Waikiki Beach. Viewers are encouraged to arrive on the beach earlier to provide their favorite viewing places.