Arizona Aloha Festival

View on map
Cultural & TraditionalTempe
DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsThe Arizona Aloha Festival distinguishes
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

Arizona Aloha Festival in Tempe

The Arizona Aloha Festival is a free two-day celebration of Hawaiian and wider Polynesian cultures, held every second weekend of March in Tempe since its founding by local Hawaiian residents in 1995. More than 25 performing groups present Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian, Tongan, and Maori music and dance across two stages, alongside more than 85 vendors selling island crafts and food.

In 1995, a group of Hawaiian residents living in the Phoenix area decided their adopted home deserved direct exposure to the culture they had grown up with, rather than the flattened, tourist-brochure version of Hawaii many mainland audiences encounter.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The Arizona Aloha Festival distinguishes itself by treating Polynesia as a family of related but distinct cultures rather than a single generic theme, giving dedicated programming to Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian, Tongan, and Maori traditions across its two stages

02

The mystery stays covered

Founded in 1995 by a group of Hawaiian residents who wanted to share their heritage with the broader Phoenix-area community, the festival built an explicitly educational component alongside its entertainment: Hale Mana'o, the House of Knowledge, hosts lectures and storytelling sessions about Hawaiian and Polynesian history throughout the weekend, while Aunty Aloha's Ukulele Corner offers hands-on ukulele lessons open to festivalgoers of any age or skill level

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Founded by Hawaiian residents seeking to share their heritage with Arizona

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the festival maintains distinct cultural traditions from across Polynesia

The sacred route

Living ritual

including Hawaiian hula

The local code

Living ritual

and Maori performance forms

Tradition 5

Living ritual

alongside the specifically Hawaiian tradition of storytelling and knowledge-sharing at Hale Mana'o

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Light, casual clothing suits Tempe's warm early-spring days; comfortable shoes help for browsing more than 85 vendor booths and moving between the two performance stages across the grounds.

Safety

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

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

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

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map33.41 N, 111.91 WOpen in Google Maps

Tempe, AZ

Nearest airportPHX — Phoenix Sky Harbor
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

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 Tempe via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Tempe, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearLight, casual clothing suits Tempe's warm early-spring days; comfortable shoes help for browsing more than 85 vendor booths and moving between the two performance stages across the grounds.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 Arizona Aloha Festival?

Arizona Aloha Festival is listed for Past edition: 14 March 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Arizona Aloha Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Tempe, 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?

One day 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?

Tempe, AZ

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