Must-see entertainment in Oʻahu

  • Duke Paoa Kahanamoku statue on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii

    Kuhio Beach Torchlighting & Hula Show

    Waikiki

    It all begins at the Duke Kahanamoku statue with the sounding of a conch shell and the lighting of torches after sunset. At the nearby hula mound, enjoy a…

  • Doris Duke Theatre

    Honolulu

    The Doris Duke Theatre shows an array of experimental, alternative, retro-classic and art-house films, especially groundbreaking documentaries, inside the…

  • Royal Hawaiian Band

    Waikiki

    The Kapiʻolani Park Bandstand is the perfect venue for this time-honored troupe that performs classics from the Hawaiian monarchy era. It’s a…

  • Hilton Hawaiian Village Fireworks

    Waikiki

    Every Friday night, the Hilton Hawaiian Village stages a booming 10-minute fireworks show. Although it's done in conjunction with a touristy luau …

  • Hawaii Theatre Center

    Honolulu

    Beautifully restored, this architecturally significant historic theater is a major venue for dance, music and theater. Performances include top Hawaii…

  • Royal Hawaiian Band

    Honolulu

    Founded in 1836 by King Kamehameha III, the Royal Hawaiian Band is the only band in the US with a royal legacy, and is the only full-time municipal band…

  • Kumu Kahua Theatre

    Honolulu

    In the restored 1871 Kamehameha V Post Office building, this little 100-seat treasure is dedicated to premiering works by Hawaii’s playwrights. Themes…

  • Tapa Bar

    Waikiki

    It’s worth navigating through the gargantuan Hilton resort complex to this Polynesian-themed open-air bar just to see some of the best traditional and…

  • House Without a Key

    Waikiki

    Named after a 1925 Charlie Chan novel set in Honolulu, this genteel open-air hotel lounge sprawls beneath a waterfront century-old kiawe tree (that's…

  • Beach Bar

    Waikiki

    Inside this historic beachfront hotel bar, soak up the sounds of classical and contemporary Hawaiian musicians playing underneath the old banyan tree…

  • Dragon Upstairs

    Honolulu

    Right above Hank’s Cafe in Chinatown, this laid-back hideaway with a sedate vibe and lots of funky stylized masks on the walls and mirrors hosts a…

  • Movie Museum

    Honolulu

    In the Kaimuki neighborhood, east of the UH Manoa campus, watch classics, foreign flicks and indie films – including some Hawaii premieres – in a tiny…

  • Kani Ka Pila Grille

    Waikiki

    Once happy hour ends, the Outrigger’s poolside bar sets the scene for some of the most laid-back live-music shows of any of Waikiki’s beachfront hotels,…

  • ʻAha ʻAina

    Waikiki

    This oceanfront dinner show is like a three-act musical play narrating the history of Hawaiian mele (songs) and hula. The buffet features good renditions…

  • HawaiiSlam

    Honolulu

    Founded and hosted by Kealoha (the Poet Laureate of Hawai`i), HawaiiSlam is the largest registered poetry slam in the world. International wordsmiths,…

  • Hawaiian Brian's

    Honolulu

    The 500-person Crossroads Concert Hall here sees acts of all kinds, especially blues, soul and rock. It's also home to the HawaiiSlam, and there are pool…

  • Diamond Head Theatre

    Oʻahu

    Opened in 1915 and known as 'the Broadway of the Pacific,' this lovely old theater is the third-oldest continuously running community theater in the USA…

  • Arts at Marks Garage

    Honolulu

    On the cutting edge of the Chinatown arts scene, this artist-run, nonprofit community arts center, gallery and performance space puts on a variety of live…

  • Waikiki Shell

    Waikiki

    With Diamond Head as a backdrop, this outdoor amphitheater in Kapiʻolani Regional Park sporadically stages hula troupes and twilight shows by megastars…

  • Republik

    Honolulu

    Honolulu's most intimate concert hall for touring and local acts – indie rockers, punk and metal bands, even ukulele players – has a graffiti-bomb vibe…

  • Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra

    Honolulu

    The second-oldest orchestra in the USA west of the Rocky Mountains, the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1900. It plays at the Neal S Blaisdell…

  • Waikiki Starlight Luau

    Waikiki

    Enthusiastic pan-Polynesian show, with buffet meal, outdoor seating at a rooftop venue, Samoan fire dancing and hapa haole (literally, ‘half foreign’)…

  • Jazz Minds Art & Café

    Honolulu

    Hidden back off the street, this brick-walled lounge with an almost speakeasy ambience pulls in top island talent – fusion jazz, funk, bebop, hip-hop,…

  • Neal S Blaisdell Center

    Honolulu

    A cultural linchpin, this modern performing-arts complex stages symphony and chamber-music concerts, opera performances and ballet recitals, prestigious…

  • Moana Terrace

    Waikiki

    If you’re in a mellow mood, come for sunset happy-hour drinks at this family-friendly, poolside bar, just a lei’s throw from Kuhio Beach. Slack key…

  • Anna O'Brien's

    Honolulu

    A college dive bar, part roadhouse and part art house, this Irish-themed bar has a club upstairs with live music by local bands. Acts include reggae, alt…

  • Royal Grove

    Waikiki

    This shopping mall’s open-air stage may lack oceanfront views, but Hawaiian music and hula performances by top island talent happen here most evenings…

  • Manoa Valley Theatre

    Honolulu

    This small community 150-seat theater puts on plays and musicals from mainstream to off-Broadway. It was formed in 1969 by UH Theatre Department grads…

  • Blue Note Hawaii

    Waikiki

    A sophisticated music venue that draws top acts performing blues, jazz, pop, rock, reggae and Hawaiian. There's a dinner option that includes banquet fare…

  • Regal Dole Cannery ScreenX

    Honolulu

    This massive complex in what was the old Dole pineapple canning factory just west of Chinatown features 18 theaters, which play current-release films…

  • Ala Moana Center Stage

    Honolulu

    The mega shopping center’s courtyard area is the venue for all sorts of free island entertainment, including music by Oʻahu musicians and the Royal…

  • Mai Tai Bar

    Waikiki

    At the Royal Hawaiian’s beach bar, you can catch some great acoustic island music acts and graceful solo hula dancers some nights. However, the namesake…

  • Consolidated Theatres Ward

    Honolulu

    Part of the Ward Centre, this modern movie theater complex features 16 theaters. Head upstairs to see Hollywood blockbusters and a selection of…

More destinations you need to see