December 7, 2026 marks 85 years since the attack on Pearl Harbor. If you are planning a December trip to Oʻahu, this is the week to be here. Ceremonies begin at dawn at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, and that evening the National Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade comes down Kalākaua Avenue, a short walk down the beach from Waikiki Resort Hotel. Here is everything you need to plan the visit, including the one deadline most travelers miss.
Quick facts for the 85th anniversary
- Date: Monday, December 7, 2026
- Where: Pearl Harbor National Memorial, 1 Arizona Memorial Place, Honolulu
- Cost: Free to enter. USS Arizona Memorial boat program is free with a $1 reservation fee per person on Recreation.gov
- Ticket release: 56 days ahead at 3:00 p.m. Hawaiʻi time. For December 7, that is October 12, 2026
- Evening event: National Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade, Kalākaua Avenue to Kapiʻolani Park, Waikīkī
- From Waikiki Resort Hotel: 30 to 45 minutes by car, about 75 minutes by TheBus
How to get USS Arizona Memorial tickets for December 7
The USS Arizona Memorial program (a short film, then a Navy shuttle boat to the memorial) requires a timed reservation, and there are no walk-up tickets. Reservations open on Recreation.gov exactly 56 days in advance at 3:00 p.m. HST, and anniversary-week slots can disappear in minutes.
Three tips that make the difference:
- Create your Recreation.gov account before October 12 and be logged in a few minutes early. Everyone in your party needs a ticket, including infants over age one.
- Missed the window? A small batch of next-day tickets is released at 3:00 p.m. HST the day before. There is also an in-person standby line at the visitor center, but entry is not guaranteed.
- Book a tour instead. Guided Pearl Harbor tours include memorial tickets and transportation from Waikīkī, which is the simplest option if you would rather not chase a release.
Note that on December 7 itself, the morning commemoration ceremony changes the visitor center schedule. Check the National Park Service Pearl Harbor page for that day's hours before you go. Many visitors choose to tour the memorial on December 6 or 8 and spend the anniversary morning at the ceremony or watching it locally.
What to expect at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial
The memorial grounds are open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and include two free museums, the Remembrance Circle, and the visitor center overlooking the harbor. Give yourself two to three hours for the full experience, and arrive at least one hour before your USS Arizona reservation time to clear security.
The bag policy is strict: purses, backpacks, and camera bags are not allowed. Bring a phone, wallet, and a clear water bottle, and leave everything else at the hotel. A paid bag storage facility sits next to the parking lot if you need it.
If you have more time, the Battleship Missouri, the USS Bowfin submarine, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum are all on the same historic site. Standing on the deck of the Missouri, where the war ended, after visiting the Arizona, where it began for the United States, is one of the most moving half-days you can spend in Hawaiʻi.
The National Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Waikīkī
You do not have to leave Waikīkī for the most public part of the anniversary. Every year on the evening of December 7, the National Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade travels down Kalākaua Avenue to Kapiʻolani Park, with veterans, survivors' families, military units, and marching bands from across the country. The route passes one block from Waikiki Resort Hotel, so you can watch from the sidewalk, then walk back for dinner.
The season actually starts earlier. The Waikīkī Holiday Parade on Friday, November 27, 2026 also honors Pearl Harbor survivors and veterans while kicking off the holidays along a torch-lit Kalākaua Avenue.
How to get to Pearl Harbor from Waikīkī
- Rental car or rideshare: 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. On-site parking is $7 and fills early, so plan to arrive by 7:30 a.m. for a morning slot.
- TheBus: Routes 20 and 42 run from Kūhiō Avenue in Waikīkī to the Arizona Memorial stop. Allow about 75 minutes and pay with a HOLO card.
- Guided tour: Hotel pickup, tickets, and narration included. Best for first-time visitors and anniversary week.
Where to stay for the Pearl Harbor anniversary
Anniversary week overlaps with the start of the holiday season and, on December 13, the Honolulu Marathon, which brings 35,000 runners to Waikīkī. Rooms near Kalākaua Avenue fill early. Waikiki Resort Hotel sits one block from the parade route and a ten-minute walk from Kapiʻolani Park, with ʻIlima Café breakfast and a direct-booking rate you will not find on third-party sites. Book early, then plan your December around remembrance, a marathon, and the lights of Kalākaua.
Planning the rest of the trip? See our 2026 Honolulu Marathon guide and our tips for getting from the airport to Waikīkī.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Pearl Harbor 85th anniversary?
December 7, 2026. The attack took place on December 7, 1941.
Do I need tickets to visit Pearl Harbor?
No ticket is needed to enter the Pearl Harbor National Memorial grounds and museums. You need a free timed reservation ($1 fee) for the USS Arizona Memorial boat program.
When do USS Arizona Memorial tickets for December 7, 2026 go on sale?
October 12, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Hawaiʻi time, 56 days before the visit date. A limited number of next-day tickets are released at 3:00 p.m. HST on December 6.
How far is Pearl Harbor from Waikīkī?
About 12 miles. Plan on 30 to 45 minutes by car or roughly 75 minutes on TheBus routes 20 or 42.
Is there a Pearl Harbor event in Waikīkī?
Yes. The National Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade runs down Kalākaua Avenue to Kapiʻolani Park on the evening of December 7, and the Waikīkī Holiday Parade on November 27 also honors survivors and veterans.