Pan-Pacific Festival

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Cultural & TraditionalHonolulu
DatesDates TBA · Usually JuneCheck locally before booking
Duration3 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsFew Honolulu festivals span as many art
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

Pan-Pacific Festival in Honolulu

The Pan-Pacific Festival, also known as Matsuri in Hawaii, is a free multi-day celebration of Japanese and broader Pacific cultures held each June in Waikiki since 1980. Centered on the Pan-Pacific Ho'olaule'a block party, a hula festival, taiko drumming, bon dance, and a Sunday parade down Kalakaua Avenue, it links Honolulu with its long-standing cultural and community ties to Japan and the wider Pacific.

The Pan-Pacific Festival, widely known in Honolulu as Matsuri in Hawaii, began in 1980 as an effort to bring Japanese festival traditions and Pacific cultural connections into Waikiki's civic calendar.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Few Honolulu festivals span as many art forms in one weekend: taiko drumming, bon dance, hula performances, a full parade, and a performing arts showcase all appear across the festival's three days, spread across venues from Ala Moana Center to Waikiki

02

The mystery stays covered

Organized jointly by the Pan-Pacific Festival Foundation and the Matsuri in Hawaii Committee, and supported through the Hawaii Tourism Authority's Signature Events Program, the festival has run since 1980, making it one of Honolulu's longest-standing cultural celebrations, interrupted only briefly before returning in 2024 after a multi-year hiatus

03

The city starts moving

Every event is free and open to the public, funded instead through sponsorship, which keeps the Ho'olaule'a block party, hula showcases, and parade accessible to residents and visitors alike without an admission gate

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The bon dance

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a Japanese Buddhist tradition honoring ancestors through communal circle dancing around a central yagura tower

The sacred route

Living ritual

anchors the festival's opening night

The local code

Living ritual

alongside taiko drumming groups that perform throughout the weekend

Tradition 5

Living ritual

The Sunday parade and Saturday hula festival extend that same spirit of intergenerational

Tradition 6

Living ritual

community-based performance into a distinctly Hawaii setting

Tradition 7

Living ritual

blending Japanese festival customs with Native Hawaiian hula and the everyday

Tradition 8

Living ritual

multi-ethnic character of Oahu street life

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually June

Getting around

For Pan-Pacific Festival, plan transport around the exact Honolulu venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual, breathable clothing suits the outdoor street festival setting, and comfortable walking shoes are essential for standing along the parade route or moving between venues. Those...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Pan-Pacific Festival, stay near the part of Honolulu you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map21.31 N, 157.86 WOpen in Google Maps

Honolulu, HI

Nearest airportHNL — Daniel K. Inouye
TransportFor Pan-Pacific Festival, plan transport around the exact Honolulu venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Pan-Pacific Festival, stay near the part of Honolulu you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Honolulu via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Honolulu, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for June.Compare faresFestival gearCasual, breathable clothing suits the outdoor street festival setting, and comfortable walking shoes are essential for standing along the parade route or moving between venues. Those performing or attending the bon dance sometimes wear yukata, the light cotton summer kimono, though street clothes are equally common among spectators.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Pan-Pacific Festival?

Pan-Pacific Festival is listed for Past edition: 12–14 June 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Pan-Pacific Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Honolulu, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

3 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Honolulu, HI

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLpanpacificfestival.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually June
Source statusOfficial source linked
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