November brings a mix of cultural celebrations, holiday events, local markets, live entertainment and the start of Oʻahu’s winter surf season. In Waikīkī, you can catch hula performances, holiday festivities and the annual Waikīkī Holiday Parade, while Downtown Honolulu and other parts of the island add even more to the calendar.
Staying at Waikiki Resort Hotel puts you close to many of the month’s Waikīkī events, with Waikīkī Beach approximately a one-minute walk away and Kalākaua Avenue nearby. It’s an easy home base if you want to spend less time getting around and more time enjoying what’s happening across Oʻahu.
Here are some of the events and things to do in Waikīkī, Honolulu and Oʻahu in November 2026.
Celebrate King Kalakaua at Iolani Palace
November is also a meaningful month for learning more about King David Kalākaua, Hawaiʻi's last reigning king.
ʻIolani Palace will hold a King Kalākaua Birthday Celebration on November 16. The community event honors the King's legacy with the Royal Hawaiian Band, a review of the Royal Guard and Palace decorations inspired by Kalākaua's 50th birthday celebration.
The Palace is also offering free self-led audio tours for kamaʻāina that day, with valid Hawaiʻi ID and limited availability. Visitors who do not qualify for the complimentary tour can still experience the outdoor celebration and learn more about one of the most important figures in Hawaiian history.
- When: Tuesday, November 16, 2026
- Where: ʻIolani Palace, Downtown Honolulu
If you're already downtown, consider pairing your visit with nearby historic sites such as the King Kamehameha I statue, Kawaiahaʻo Church and the Hawaiʻi State Capitol.
Mayor's Craft & Country Fair
Get an early start on holiday shopping at the Mayor's Craft & Country Fair at the Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall.
The annual event returns on Saturday, November 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and supports Honolulu's park senior clubs. Expect handmade crafts, baked goods, produce and other giftable finds from local kūpuna clubs.
Admission is free, making this an easy stop if you want to shop locally without committing an entire day to a market.
- When: Saturday, November 21, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Where: Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall
- Admission: Free
Holiday Kick-Off & Aloha Santa Arrival at Royal Hawaiian Center
Waikīkī begins shifting into holiday mode during Thanksgiving week.
Royal Hawaiian Center currently lists its Holiday Kick-Off Show & Aloha Santa Arrival for Wednesday, November 25 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at The Royal Grove. Its holiday programming continues into December with weekly performances and complimentary Santa photos.
Because holiday schedules can be adjusted, check Royal Hawaiian Center's event calendar again shortly before attending.
- When: Wednesday, November 25, 5–7:30 p.m.
- Where: The Royal Grove at Royal Hawaiian Center
- Admission: Free
Waikiki Holiday Parade
One of the biggest Waikīkī events of the month arrives the evening after Thanksgiving.
The Waikīkī Holiday Parade returns Friday, November 27, honoring Pearl Harbor survivors, veterans and military families while marking the beginning of the holiday season in Waikīkī.
The parade is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., traveling approximately 1.5 miles from the Fort DeRussy area along torch-lit Kalākaua Avenue before finishing at Kapiʻolani Park. Expect local and mainland marching bands, military units, service bands and other performers.
For guests staying in central Waikīkī, this is one November event where walking makes much more sense than driving. Kalākaua Avenue becomes the event itself, and road closures and crowds can make vehicle travel around the neighborhood more complicated.
- When: Friday, November 27, 7 p.m.
- Where: Kalākaua Avenue, from the Fort DeRussy/Saratoga Road area to Kapiʻolani Park
- Admission: Free
Kapolei City Lights Opening Night
If you're exploring West Oʻahu over Thanksgiving weekend, November 28 also marks the opening of Kapolei City Lights.
The City and County of Honolulu has announced the 2026 opening celebration under the theme “Paniolo Nights & Holiday Lights,” with a block party and parade scheduled for Saturday, November 28.
This one is farther from Waikīkī, so it makes more sense if you're already spending the day on the west side rather than making a quick evening trip across the island.
- When: Saturday, November 28
- Where: Kapolei
What Is Waikiki Like in November?
November sits between Oʻahu's busy fall event season and the December holiday rush.
In Waikīkī, you can still plan plenty of beach time, dining and shopping, but the month's calendar adds film, hula, Hawaiian history and the first holiday celebrations of the season. Outside Waikīkī, November also marks the return of the North Shore's winter surf.
A useful approach is to plan one or two fixed events, then leave room for beach days and island exploring based on the weather and ocean conditions.
Stay Close to November Events in Waikiki
Several of November's easiest events are right in Waikīkī, including the Royal Hawaiian Center's holiday programming and the Waikīkī Holiday Parade.
Waikiki Resort Hotel is approximately a one-minute walk from Waikīkī Beach and puts guests close to Kalākaua Avenue and many of the neighborhood's major attractions. That makes it easier to enjoy events on foot, especially on nights when road closures or holiday crowds make driving less convenient.
If you're planning an Oʻahu trip this November, explore Waikiki Resort Hotel's rooms and current direct-booking offers, then build your itinerary around the events you don't want to miss.
Event dates, times, admission details and schedules are current as of October 16, 2026 and may change. Always confirm details with the event organizer before attending.