When is the Best Time to Visit Honolulu?
Wondering when is the best time to visit Honolulu? Here’s the scoop on when to find the most festivals, the smallest crowds, and the perfect beach weather, plus what’s happening month to month.
Editor’s note: During COVID-19, please check the latest travel restrictions before planning any trip and always follow government health advice. Events may be subject to change.
High season: December to April, June to August
Best surfing and whale watching
This is prime time for surf breaks and the migration of humpback whales. Unique cultural festivities take place as well, such as the Sailor Jerry Festival in Chinatown, which features music, comedy, and tattoo exhibitions. Sailor Jerry (aka Norman Collins) was the legendary tattoo artist associated with Honolulu-stationed WWII sailors.
You will experience the highest temperatures, room rates, and influx of tourists, but the weather is fantastic. Advance planning for events, restaurants, and accommodations is highly recommended. Getting up a bit earlier will help you capture those perfect vacation photos without unexpected interruptions.
Shoulder season: November to December, September
Best time for cultural offerings and the outdoors
After the summer rush, October offers a welcome respite with fewer crowds and pleasant weather. This is an ideal time to explore Honolulu’s beautiful landscapes and hiking trails.
Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy days in the serene forests and peaks surrounding the city, as popular hiking trails lead into the lush, windy Koʻolau Range just above downtown.
Low season: May and October to November
Best time for beating the crowds
With mellow temperatures and dry weather, May is a fantastic time to visit Honolulu – especially as crowds remain relatively small. It’s possible to secure great hotel and airfare deals while enjoying prime trails and beaches without the crowds.
In the fall, temperatures drop, leading to lower prices before the winter rush. This is also an excellent time to experience the local culture through various festivals and events that occur outside peak season.
Month-by-month breakdown
Here’s a monthly guide to what you can expect throughout the year in Honolulu. All events are subject to change.
January
Part of a Hawaii-wide circuit, the Oʻahu Fringe Festival presents uncensored performing arts, often off the cuff. Most venues are downtown.
Key Events: Oʻahu Fringe Festival
February
Chinatown’s annual swirling new year festivities include a parade with lion dances and crackling firecrackers. Red-colored decorations are everywhere.
Key Events: Lunar New Year, Great Aloha Fun Run
March
Three days of Hawaiian and Asian-Pacific cultural exchange with music, dance and drama performances, an arts-and-crafts fair, a parade, and fireworks.
Key Events: Honolulu Festival
April
A celebration of Hawaiian music starts in April with workshops, live concerts, and hula performances leading up to Hawaii’s prestigious Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, which are akin to the Grammys.
Key Events: Na Hoku Hanohano Awards
May
Held on Memorial Day in May, the souls of the dead are honored with a Japanese floating-lantern ceremony after sunset at Magic Island in Ala Moana Regional Park. More than 5000 lanterns are floated, drawing over 50,000 visitors.
Key Events: Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii
June
In June, the concerts and hula performances of Mele Mei ramp up to the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards – a culturally significant event in Hawaii. Additionally, the state’s largest hula contest occurs, bringing in dancers from all over the world.
Key Events: Pan-Pacific Festival, King Kamehameha Hula Competition, King Kamehameha Celebration, Sailor Jerry Festival
July
July brings colorful Chinese dragon boat races featuring island drummers. The state’s oldest and largest noncompetitive hula event also takes place during the summer.
Key Events: Hawaii Dragon Boat Festival, Prince Lot Hula Festival, Queen Liliʻuokalani Keiki Hula Competition
August
A large annual marketplace showcases Hawaii-made products, offering everything from art to food and crafts.
Key Events: Made in Hawaii Festival
September
September’s Aloha Festivals form a month-long statewide celebration of Hawaiian music, dance, and history, with Honolulu alive with performances and parties.
Key Events: Aloha Festivals
October
Some of Honolulu’s biggest festivals occur in October, such as the annual Honolulu Pride parade. Gastronomy enthusiasts delight in over three weeks of events at the Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival, featuring local chefs and sustainable food producers.
Key Events: Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival, Talk Story Festival
November
The King Kalakaua Festival includes a concert of traditional monarchy-era music at ʻIolani Palace, along with a parade down Waikiki’s Kalakaua Ave and a lei-draping ceremony.
Key Events: King Kalakaua Festival, Hawaiʻi International Film Festival, Honolulu Fashion Week
December
December features fantastic weather and holiday lights adorning palm trees, blending Christmas cheer with sunny activities such as the Honolulu Marathon. Crowds gather for the New Year celebrations, featuring fireworks over Waikiki Beach.
Key Events: The Honolulu Marathon, Honolulu City Lights
