The first Lei Day was celebrated almost 100 years ago when a few people decided to wear lei in Downtown Honolulu on May 1, 1927, according to the City and County of Honolulu. Eventually, more joined the tradition.
In honor of the holiday, Aloha State Daily rounded up a list of some of the Lei Day-themed events happening on Oʻahu in 2026.
Friday, May 1
Lei Day. There will be island music and hula performances — as well as lei-making workshops — in this all-day event run by the City and County of Honolulu at Kapiʻolani Regional Park. There is also a lei contest, where community members can share their artistry. Events run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kapiʻolani Regional Park. After the competition is complete, lei will be placed on the graves of the aliʻi at Mauna ‘Ala and Kawaiāha‘o Church as part of the closing ceremony on Saturday, May 2. Free. Details.
Lā Mei Mākeke. Kaimana Beach Hotel will hold its annual Lā Mei Mākeke with live music and cocktails, which features HIE Heirlooms of Hawaiʻi, Pono Potions, Radio Hula Vintage, Sunset Provisions and more, including exclusive merchandise from Rocket Ahuna. Details.
Art, photos, and more at Ala Moana Center. The Aloha sign will debut a lei-themed design on Friday, May 1, at Level 3, Center Court. Local artist Kate Wadsworth is creating the art over five days in collaboration with Pow! Wow! Hawaiʻi. See the art as it is being created between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. through Friday, April 24. There will also be a Lei Stand-inspired backdrop at Level 2, Center Court, where guests can take photos from April 30 through July 15. Some Ala Moana Center tenants will offer lei-themed items, including clothes, accessories and fragrances. Details.
Maui Divers Jewelry and Dane Little. Maui Divers Jewelry is hosting a meet and greet with Dane Little of Little Plumeria Farms at its shop at Ala Moana Center. The first 50 people in line will receive a lei from Little Plumeria Farms, as well as a coupon for the Pick A Pearl Experience. The event starts at 10 a.m. and runs until 11:30 a.m. Details.
HoMA Nights: Lei Day with Raiatea Helm & Friends. The Honolulu Museum of Art is hosting Lei Day with Raiatea Helm and friends, who will take the stage at the Central Courtyard for an evening of music, hula, art, food and community. Helm will join Hālau Nā Wainohia, led by Kumu Hula Tony Conjugacion, as well as musical groups, such as Kilia Trio and Ei Nei. Joshua “Baba” Tavares, who recently appeared in “Rescue: HI-Surf” and Cirque du Soleil’s ʻAuana will emcee the event. Ambassadors of Hawaiian Host will host activities and give out chocolates. The night will also feature a collaborative art activity led by artist Janet Tran, who will lead the community in creating a fabric lei. The event runs from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Tickets are $35 for general admission and $28 for kamaʻāina, with discounts for members, college students, and keiki. Get tickets.
Hawaiian Airlines May Day 2026. This event features the Brothers Cazimero with Keauhou, which returns with guests, including Robert Cazimero, Kealiʻi Reichel, Hālau Nā Kamalei o Līlīlehua and Hālau Keʻalaokamaile. The event is hosted by Hawaiʻi News Now anchor Billy V along with Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, the director of community & cultural relations at Hawaiian Airlines. The event runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the Great Lawn of the Bishop Museum. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. All ages are welcome. Tickets are $35, plus fees. Details.
First Lei Lūʻau.The Lei Stand at Romer House Waikīkī is turning a year old and the event is being celebrated with lei and mele. Inspired by a baby’s first lūʻau, this event features giveaways, lei-making kits and demonstrations, and live music. There will be live performances by Pua Perkins, Kimié Miner and Izik. There will also be a Lei Fashion Show featuring 18 original lei, designed and made by Dale Acoba, who won the Lei Day Mayor’s Grand Prize in 2025. Early bird tickets are $65. At the door tickets are $100. VIP tickets, which include runway seating and an overnight stay, are also available. Details.
Saturday, May 2
Muʻu & Mimosas. Kaimana Beach Hotel will host a ticketed event Muʻu and Mimosas, A Kaimana Tea Party, which includes a live performance by four-time Grammy winner Kalani Peʻa and special guests, as well as a Lei Contest. Tickets are $75. Details.
Make lei. Join this lei-making workshop, which features live music from Paʻahana at Ward Centre, next to Fat Cheeks Hawaiʻi. The event runs from 1 to 4 p.m. Materials are complimentary, while supplies last. Free. Details.
Sunday, May 3
May Day is Lei Day with Kalani Peʻa. Four-time Grammy winner Kalani Peʻa returns with a May Day is Lei Day in Hawaiʻi concert at Hawaiʻi Theatre. The event features Mākena with Horace Dudoit, Chris Kamaka, Glen Smith, Moon Kauakahi and Eric Lee. The concert also features Kumu Hula Nani Dudoit with Hālau Kaleilehuaikealoonālani, Kumu Hula Kunewa Mook and Kau’ionālani Kamana’o with Hula Hālau ‘O Kamuela, Kumu Hula Chinky Māhoe with Kawailiʻūla, and Greg Juan, Kapua Kalua, Malie Lyman, as well as Miss Aloha Hula 2025 Jaedyn Pavao.
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Know of a Lei Day celebration we didn’t feature? Email katie@alohastatedaily.com.
