Save the date — this year’s Festa Italiana is returning in June. The festival features a selection of authentic Italian and Italian-American restaurants and chefs from both Italy and Hawaiʻi.
The festival spans two days. The Passaporto Italiano VIP food and wine experience is from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, June 5, at Velocity Honolulu. Meanwhile, the 2026 street festival will be from 4 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, at Mother Waldron Park in Kakaʻako.
The Passaporto Italiano VIP experience is a ticketed event for individuals ages 21 years and older. It includes food and dessert dishes from Hawaiʻi’s top-tier Italian chefs and restaurants; attendees can also enjoy unlimited Italian wines, beers and craft Italian cocktails. VIP guests can sip on the curated selection of beverages while enjoying the beauty of Italian exotic vehicles from Maserati, Ferrari and Lamborghini.
Featured restaurants — and dishes — at the Passaporto Italiano VIP experience include:
Arancino Ristorante Italiano: Rigatoni alla carbonara
Bocconcino: Crostone di Nduja e stracciatella
Botanico Waikīkī: Seared ‘ahi with Mediterranean essence
Fig & Ginger Honolulu: Mushroom eggplant caponata bruschetta
Il Gelato Hawaiʻi: Panna cotta with berry gelato and Amalfi lemon sorbetto
MW Restaurant: Mountain View Farms pork stew; affogato
Quiora: Eggplant Parmesan cannoli
Taormina Sicilian Cuisine: Handmade potato gnocchi ai quattro formaggi with honey and Hawaiian macadamia nuts
Tradition Coffee Roasters: Tiramisu cold brew
Tickets for the Passaporto Italiano VIP experience are available in tiers:
- Classico ($175): Includes nine food and dessert tastings from top-tier Italian chefs and restaurants; unlimited Italian wine, beer and specialty cocktails
- Mezza Classe ($225): Includes nine food and dessert tastings from top-tier Italian chefs and restaurants; unlimited Italian wine, beer and specialty cocktails; valet parking; a separate check-in line; access to a VIP lounge with special Reserva menu, featuring elevated bar offerings; guaranteed reserved seating in a designated Mezza Classe section (shared table seating)
The street festival on June 6 is free to the public. Attendees will be able to walk around the Kakaʻako district and enjoy a variety of food vendors and live entertainment. Individuals can look forward to a wine and beer garden, offering a selection of Italian beers, wines and traditional spirits for purchase; street performers of European and Italian variety; an Italian-inspired film showcase hosted by the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival, and a special Galileo-themed stargazing experience with Stargazers of Hawaiʻi. Two large telescopes will be available for safe solar viewing during daylight and night-sky viewing once it’s dark.
A VIP section at the street festival is a brand-new experience this year. Street festival VIP tickets cost $40 each, and include an aperol spritz, slice of specialty Festa Italiana pizza by Mad Pie, one cannoli from Mad Pie, access to ample seating in an exclusive area, and special bar offerings.
Street festival attendees can also enjoy performances by Ballet Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, The Royal Hawaiian Band and more. The performances will celebrate both, Italian and local culture.
Featured street festival vendors include Allegrini Mozzarella, Aloha Pizzeria, Andrea Onetti, Arancino Ristorante Italiano, Aroma Italia, Bambino’s, Cialoha Italian Sodas, Diamond Head Drip, Fig & Ginger Honolulu, Forno Romano, Il Gelato Hawaiʻi, Little Sparrow, Mad Pie, Roti-si, Sage Creamery, Zucchi Pizza and more.
There will be a dedicated keiki area within Mother Waldron Park, offering a welcoming space for families to gather and enjoy the festival together. The zone will feature kid-friendly activities and games. The festival will provide a free keiki food dish from The Old Spaghetti Factory for the first 200 children (ages 10 years and under). Hawaiʻi Literacy Bookmobile will also be at this year’s street festival; families are encouraged to enjoy literacy-related activities and explore books.
Parking with validation ($6) will be available at Waterfront Plaza; attendees must stop by the Festa Italiana info booth for a validation sticker.
For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
