BIL Travels: The Honolulu Festival is Back for 2023!

Big Islanders, are you looking for an excuse to hop over to another island for the weekend? The Honolulu Festival is back for its 27th annual celebration of Pacific Rim culture the weekend of March 11–12, 2023. After a 3-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the Honolulu Festival Foundation is returning with a bang. A super-packed 2-day celebration, Honolulu Festival 2023 is Hawaiʻi’s largest cultural exchange represented by: Hawaiʻi, Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Australia, Philippines, the U.S., and South America.

Festivities and programs include cultural performances and exhibits, craft vendors, the Japanese Film Festival, and the first-ever, inaugural Sake and Food Fest. On Sunday evening, the festival will close out with the highly anticipated Grand Parade and Nagaoka Fireworks Show. Events take place between the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, Ala Moana Center, and Waikīkī Beach Walk.

Honolulu Festival 2023 Cultural Performances, Exhibits, and Craft Vendors

• Saturday, March 11: 10am – 6pm
• Sunday, March 12: 10am – 3pm

Experience a taste of international cultures through vibrant performances and exhibits, and once you’re done, take some of it home with you in the form of handmade crafts.

STAGE PERFORMANCES: Art, cultural, and music stage performances will be in various locations throughout the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, Ala Moana Center, and Waikīkī Beach Walk. Stage times vary.

EXHIBITS & CRAFT FAIR: Multicultural exhibits and craft vendors will be located on the 1st floor of the Hawaiʻi Convention Center.

ENNICHI CORNER: Designed for children, the Ennichi Corner is the place to be for fun games, crafts, and activities.

Honolulu Festival 2023 Inaugural Sake and Food Fest

• Saturday, March 11: 10am – 6pm
• Sunday, March 12: 10am – 3pm

This brand new event at the Honolulu Festival is a sake aficionado’s dream! Learn about Japanese alcoholic delights: sake, shochu, and awamori. Go through the sake-making process with professionals, and learn about Hawaiʻi’s sake brewing history. Guests 21 and over will sample the flavors, and learn how to pair them with foods.

Japanese Film Festival

• Saturday, March 11: 10am – 6pm
• Sunday, March 12: 10am – 3pm

Internationally acclaimed films will play on the Hawaiʻi Convention Center’s 3rd floor. Showtimes vary, and seating is first-come-first-serve. Admission into all films is free.

Honolulu Festival 2023 Grand Parade

• Sunday, March 12: 4:30pm – 8pm

The Grand Parade is the Honolulu Festival’s signature showcase. Performers, marching bands, music, and parade floats will march down Kalākaua Avenue, through the heart of Waikīkī.

Nagaoka Fireworks Show

• Sunday, March 12: 8:30pm

Hawaiʻi’s largest multicultural festival ends with a bang, literally. The Nagaoka Fireworks Show is the epic conclusion of the 2023 Honolulu Festival, over the waters of Waikīkī Beach.

Where to Stay in O’ahu During Honolulu Festival 2023

The Honolulu Festival unites locals and visitors alike who make the trip to celebrate the culture of the Pacific Rim. Looking for accommodations and recommendations? Don’t worry, we did the research on where to stay:

Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra

Want to be close to the action? Ala Moana Honolulu overlooks the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, Ala Moana Center, and Waikīkī Beach Walk. This landmark hotel is conveniently located right in the heart of Waikīkī, and only a few blocks from the beach. Host to over 1,000 guest rooms, this is a popular choice for those attending events at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center.

Kamaʻaina: Use the promo code “LOCALSONLY” to secure Ala Moana Honolulu’s exclusive deals.

Queen Kapiʻolani Hotel

This boutique hotel pays tribute to historical figure Queen Kapiʻolani, who was known for her charitable contributions to Hawaiian society, including establishing Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women and Children. This colorful hotel offers a modernized look at vintage travel.

Kamaʻaina: Queen Kapiʻolani Hotel’s kamaʻaina rates begin at $129/night, with waived or discounted hospitality fees.

The Equus

While youʻre visiting the Gathering Place, why not support Waikīkīʻs last family-owned and operated hotel? This unique boutique hotel is inspired by Hawaiʻiʻs paniolo history, with accents of East Asian flair. The Equus is also Hawaii Green Business certified, meaning your stay is fully sustainable.

Kamaʻaina: Equus awards locals with 15% off their best rates when they book direct.

All kamaʻaina rates require valid state ID at check-in.

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