What are the best things to do on Oʻahu in September 2026? September is one of the most vibrant months to visit Honolulu, anchored by the statewide Aloha Festivals, premier cultural gatherings, long-distance ocean races, street block parties, and fall celebrations across the island.
From watching the colorful Floral Parade roll down Kalākaua Avenue to tasting authentic Uchinanchu street food at the Okinawan Festival and cheering at the Nā Wāhine O Ke Kai canoe race finish, September brings non-stop island energy. Make Waikiki Resort Hotel on Koa Avenue your home base. Located just one block from the beach and steps from Kalākaua Avenue, it offers effortless access to every event without the stress of parking or traffic.
September 2026 Events at a Glance
- 32nd Hula 'Oni E Festival: September 4–6 (Hilton Hawaiian Village)
- Aloha Festivals Royal Court Investiture & Opening Ceremony: September 5 (The Royal Hawaiian / Royal Hawaiian Center)
- 44th Annual Okinawan Festival: September 5–6 (Hawaiʻi Convention Center)
- 72nd Annual Waikīkī Hoʻolauleʻa: September 19 (Kalākaua Avenue)
- Honolulu Mid-Autumn Festival & Parade: September 19 (Chinatown Cultural Plaza)
- Hawaiʻi Peace Day Fashion Festival: September 20 (Kapiʻolani Park Bandstand)
- 78th Annual Aloha Festivals Floral Parade: September 26 (Kalākaua Avenue)
- HBL Honolulu Century Ride 2026: September 27 (Kapiʻolani Park Start/Finish)
- Kailua Fall Festival 2026: September 27 (Hahani Street, Kailua)
- Nā Wāhine O Ke Kai Canoe Race Finish: September 27 (Duke's Beach, Waikīkī)
What Are the Must-See Cultural Events in Early September 2026?
32nd Hula 'Oni E Festival
- Date & Time: Friday, September 4 – Sunday, September 6, 2026
- Location: Coral Ballroom, Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort (2005 Kālia Rd, Honolulu, HI 96815)
- Entrance Fee: $20 per day general admission (Craft Fair is FREE and open to the public)
Founded by nā kumu hula Hokulani & Larry DeRego, this prestigious three-day competition perpetuates Hawaiian culture and hula traditions. Witness participating hālau hula (hula schools) from across Hawaiʻi, the U.S. mainland, and Japan compete across multiple divisions. In addition to the ticketed competition, visitors can enjoy a free craft fair featuring over 75 local artisans showcasing Hawaiʻi-made goods, apparel, and cultural products.
Aloha Festivals: Royal Court Investiture & Opening Ceremony
- Date & Time: Saturday, September 5, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Location: Coconut Grove at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel & The Royal Grove at Royal Hawaiian Center (2259 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815)
- Entrance Fee: Free and open to the public
Kick off the statewide 80th Anniversary of Aloha Festivals with sacred pageantry and royal traditions. Accompanied by traditional chant (oli), hula, and royal regalia, the 2026 Royal Court is officially introduced to the public. This solemn and beautiful ceremony honors Hawaiian royalty and sets a meaningful cultural tone for the month-long celebration.
44th Annual Okinawan Festival
- Date & Time: Saturday, September 5 (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM) & Sunday, September 6, 2026 (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
- Location: Hawaiʻi Convention Center (1801 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815)
- Entrance Fee: $10 General Admission (Ages 13–64) | $5 Seniors (65+) | Free for Children 12 & under (Two-day discounted passes available online)
Dive into rich Uchinanchu culture and heritage at the 44th Annual Okinawan Festival. Held inside the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, this modified 2026 event features vibrant traditional music, taiko drum performances, cultural exhibits, and legendary food stalls serving island favorites like Okinawan soba, champuru, and fresh andagi (Okinawan donuts).
What Is Happening in Waikīkī and Honolulu Mid-September 2026?
72nd Annual Waikīkī Hoʻolauleʻa (Aloha Festivals)
- Date & Time: Saturday, September 19, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Vendor booths open at 4:00 PM)
- Location: Kalākaua Avenue, Waikīkī
- Entrance Fee: Free admission
Experience Hawaiʻi’s largest annual beachfront block party! World-famous Kalākaua Avenue shuts down to vehicular traffic, transforming into a bustling pedestrian celebration filled with multiple entertainment stages, hula performances, local artisans, lei vendors, and local food pop-ups. Because the event takes place right along Kalākaua Avenue, guests at the Waikiki Resort Hotel can simply walk down Koa Avenue and step directly into the party.
Honolulu Mid-Autumn Festival & Parade
- Date & Time: Saturday, September 19, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Parade begins at 5:30 PM)
- Location: Chinatown Cultural Plaza (100 N Beretania St, Honolulu, HI 96817) & Maunakea Street
- Entrance Fee: Free admission
Celebrate the traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn harvest holiday in historic Chinatown! Presented by Chinatown 808, this family-friendly day includes lantern-making workshops, food vendors, martial arts displays, keiki activities, and high-energy dragon and lion dance performances by local associations. Don't miss the evening parade at 5:30 PM as it winds along Maunakea Street between King and Beretania Streets.
Hawaiʻi Peace Day Fashion Festival
- Date & Time: Sunday, September 20, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Location: Kapiʻolani Park Bandstand (2840 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815)
- Entrance Fee: Free admission
Celebrate peace, unity, and community creative expression in honor of Hawaiʻi Peace Day. Held under the shady banyan trees near the Kapiʻolani Park Bandstand, this free outdoor festival features runway showcases from local fashion designers, live musical performances, local models, artists, community speakers, DJs, and delicious local food vendors.
What Major Parades, Races, and Festivals Round Out Late September 2026?
78th Annual Aloha Festivals Floral Parade
- Date & Time: Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Location: Kalākaua Avenue (Proceeding from Ala Moana Regional Park through Waikīkī to Kapiʻolani Park)
- Entrance Fee: Free spectating along the parade route
The premier showcase of Hawaiian pageantry and the grand finale of Aloha Festivals! Watch a colorful procession march down Kalākaua Avenue featuring marching bands, elaborate floral floats covered in fresh Hawaiian blooms, and royal pāʻū horseback riders wearing elegant, flowing traditional gowns representing each of the Hawaiian islands.
HBL Honolulu Century Ride 2026
- Date & Time: Sunday, September 27, 2026 | Starts at 6:00 AM
- Location: Starts and finishes at Kapiʻolani Park, Waikīkī
- Entrance Fee: Registration required for cyclists; free for spectators
Hawaiʻi’s largest non-competitive cycling event invites thousands of riders to tour Oʻahu’s stunning South Shore and Windward Coast. With distance routes of 25, 50, 75, or 100 miles, the ride features a car-free Kaiwi Coast stretch along Kalanianaʻole Highway from 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM. Spectators can cheer on riders at the Kapiʻolani Park finish line while enjoying live music by the Royal Hawaiian Band and post-ride festivities.
Kailua Fall Festival 2026
- Date & Time: Sunday, September 27, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Location: Hahani Street, Windward Oʻahu (Kailua)
- Entrance Fee: Free admission (ticket upgrades available)
Head over to Oʻahu’s Windward side as Hahani Street in Kailua closes down for an evening street festival! Featuring over 125 local vendors, 8 outdoor bars, play areas, games, and food booths, the event showcases award-winning live Hawaiian music and island reggae bands including B.E.T., The Manaʻo Company, Ten Feet, and more.
Nā Wāhine O Ke Kai Canoe Race Finish
- Date & Time: Sunday, September 27, 2026 | Race starts at 8:00 AM in Molokaʻi; First finishers expected at ~1:30 PM in Waikīkī
- Location: Duke's Beach at Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikīkī
- Entrance Fee: Free to watch
Considered the premier world championship of women’s long-distance outrigger canoe paddling, Nā Wāhine O Ke Kai tests international crews across 41 grueling miles of open ocean from Hale O Lono Harbor on Molokaʻi across the Kaiwi Channel to Oʻahu. Head down to the beach near Duke's Lagoon to cheer on the elite crews as they cross the finish line in Waikīkī.
Where Should You Stay on Oʻahu for September?
When attending Oʻahu’s major September events, choosing a hotel in central Waikīkī eliminates the hassle of navigating road closures, searching for expensive parking, or waiting on rideshares.
Located at 2460 Koa Avenue, the Waikiki Resort Hotel puts you right in the heart of the action:
- Steps from Kalākaua Avenue: Walk to the Waikīkī Hoʻolauleʻa, Aloha Festivals Floral Parade, and Royal Court Ceremony in less than two minutes.
- 60 Seconds to Waikīkī Beach: Soak in the ocean before or after your event runs.
- Easy Access to Honolulu Venues: Quick access to the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, Chinatown, and Kapiʻolani Park.
Plan Your September Waikīkī Getaway Today
Ready to experience 80 years of Aloha Festivals traditions and unforgettable island celebrations? Save on your stay with our exclusive guest offers:
- Kamaʻāina Rates: Special resident discounts with WAIVED daily self-parking.
- Free Daily Breakfast Offer: Enjoy hot morning favorites at ʻIlima Café before heading out to events.
- 3rd Night Free Package: Extend your long-weekend getaway with an extra night on us.
- Advance Purchase Discount: Lock in our best rate guaranteed by booking early.
Book your September 2026 stay directly at Waikiki Resort Hotel today!