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Festivals

Discover Oahu's rich culture and diversity at one of the many festivals and events occurring throughout the year. The unique traditions and warm aloha spirit of Oahu comes from its people. Nicknamed "The Gathering Place", Oahu is a melting pot of cultures and throughout the year, the many cultural festivities and traditions give residents and visitors many reasons to celebrate.

Take the opportunity to embrace the multi-cultural heritage, deep traditions and customs that are unique to our island. Delight your palate at a culinary event featuring one of the island's renowned chefs, immerse yourself in another world at one of Oahu's many cultural festivals celebrating Hawaii's diverse backgrounds, or feel the rhythm of the islands at an outdoor concert under the stars. There is sure to be something for everyone.

NATIVE HAWAIIAN FESTIVALS
Oahu is blessed to be the home of Aloha. Throughout the year, there are opportunities to feel the spirit of the islands and its history through one of Oahu's many Native Hawaiian Festivals. Celebrate local Native Hawaiian artists in the month of May with Maoli Arts Month, be mesmerized at the Prince Lot Hula festival as you watch the elegance and power of the traditional dance of the islands, and delight in the colorful pageantry of the Aloha Festivals, a state-wide celebration with a parade, block party and many more signature events.

CULTURAL FESTIVALS
Oahu is blessed with a rich and colorful, cultural heritage and we celebrate our multi-cultural roots with festivals all year-round. We start the year with a bang as the noise of firecrackers and the colorful acrobatics of the Lion dancers fill the streets of Downtown Honolulu during Chinese New Year festivities. The fun continues with the Filipino Fiesta and Parade featuring over 100 floats and traditional food, crafts and entertainment. Join the line of local dancers during Bon Dance season, where Buddhist temples throughout Oahu celebrate the Obon tradition to honor their ancestors through evenings of dance and music. Oahu provides you a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in festivals that not only celebrate Hawai'i but the people and the cultural diversity that makes our island home so special. Experience Aloha in a whole new way.

MUSIC FESTIVALS
The soul of Hawaiian music from the traditional to the contemporary, from Hawaiian mele (music) to Asian melodies to Western tunes resonates throughout the Hawaiian culture of the islands. You hear the sounds of the ukulele and visions of Hawaii instantly immerge. However, Hawaii is also the birthplace of the steel guitar and the slack key. Hawaii has a strong musical heritage dating from Ancient Hawaii and the chants tied to the hula, the influence of the multicultural mix of the sugar plantation days, the Hapa Haole music of the roaring twenties and even a hint of reggae in some of today's contemporary Hawaiian music. Feel the rhythm of the islands and celebrate the unique melodies of Hawaii.

COMMUNITY FESTIVALS
Immerse yourself and join the residents of Hawaii in celebrating our island home of Oahu. Taste the flavors of aloha and sample the island cuisine at culinary festivals celebrating our famous local chefs and the best in fresh local produce. Indulge in some shopping therapy and go on a treasure hunt for one-of-a-kind paintings, jewelry and other local arts and crafts at one of Oahu's art festivals and fairs. Celebrate the beauty of Oahu's magnificent outdoor arena of surf, sea, sand and greenery at world-class sporting events such as the Sony Open or the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.