From Bon Dances to the Honolulu Surf Film Festival, there are lots of events happening on Oʻahu. Here are 10 events happening across Oʻahu this Friday, July 24, through Sunday, July 26.
Friday, July 24
Queen Liliʻuokalani Keiki Hula Competition and Festival. This invite-only keiki hula event includes three nights of competition, just like Merrie Monarch Festival. The event runs Thursday, July 23, through Saturday, July 26, at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center. The first night, Thursday, July 23, features Miss & Master Keiki Hula 2026. The Group Hula Kahiko competition is Friday, July 24. Finally, the Group Hula ʻAuana competition is held on the final day of events, which is Saturday, July 25. Purchase tickets from participating hālau to help them fundraise to attend the event. Tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for keiki. Details.
Attend Bon Dances. Palolo Higashi Hongwanji Mission will hold its Bon Dance on Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25, while Aiea Hongwanji will hold its Bon Dance on Saturday, July 25. Details.
Catch the Hawaiʻi Shakespeare Festival. Ready to hear some Shakespeare? Works of William Shakespeare will take stages across Oʻahu as part of the Hawaiʻi Shakespeare Festival, which will consist of two productions: “The Winter’s Tale,” directed by Brando Cutts, which runs July 17 through 26, at Kumu Kahua Theatre, and “Julius Caesar,” directed by Alex Munro, which runs July 31 through Aug. 9, at Mānoa Valley Theatre. This week, “Julius Caesar” offers shows Wednesday, July 22, through Sunday, July 26. General admission is $25 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows and $15 tickets for Wednesday and Thursday shows. Details.
Watch “Les Misérables.” This classic musical, based on Victor Hugo’s novel, tells the story of Jean Valjean, who agrees to care for a factory worker’s daughter. The musical takes the stage this month and next month at Diamond Head Theatre. Opening night, which is Friday, July 24, is already soldout, but new shows have been added on Aug. 22 and Aug. 23. Limited tickets are available. Details.
Catch the final shows of “Clyde’s.” This play, written by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, tells the story of a truck stop sandwich stop, which offers its formerly incarcerated staff a shot at redemption. It has been nominated for four Tony Awards. Catch it on stage for its last shows at Mānoa Valley Theatre this Thursday, July 23, through Sunday, July 26. Tickets start at $25. Details.
Go to the Honolulu Surf Film Festival. The Honolulu Surf Film Festival kicked off on Thursday, July 9, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 2. Upcoming screenings include “Magic Island” and “Antarctica - Domain One” on Friday, July 24, “Keeping in the Shadows” and “Kingdom of the Evening” on Saturday, July 25, and “Locals Only 2026,” a collection of locally made shorts, on Sunday, July 26. The films screen at the Doris Duke Theatre at the Honolulu Museum of Art. Tickets are $15 for adults or free for attendees who are 18 years old and younger. Details.
Go to the Huli Huli Chicken Extravaganza. Eat huli huli chicken and other island style barbecue favorites, along with mini malasadas at this event at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikīkī Beach Resort. The event runs from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. on the Village Green. Food prices range from $5 to $15. The event also has a prime view of the Hilton Hawaiian Village fireworks show, which starts at 8 p.m. on Friday nights. Details.
Saturday, July 25
Catch the “Sunset on the Beach” movie in Waikīkī. Looking for a free family movie night on the beach where you can have your toes in the sand? That is possible through the "Sunset on the Beach" movie series, which started in May, and brings five family-friendly movies to Queen’s Beach in Waikīkī. “Smurfs” is the featured movie this weekend. The festivities start at 4:30 p.m. and the movie starts at 7:30 p.m. through this partnership between the City and County of Honolulu, the Waikīkī Improvement Association, and Southwest Airlines. Details.
Sunday, July 26
Indulge in summer reading. Hawaiʻi State Public Library System's Summer Reading Challenge is back. This year, readers can participate by reading 800 minutes or eight books. Physical books, audiobooks, eBooks, graphic novels and more count toward the contest. The challenge runs through July 31. Readers who log reading get a chance to unlock rewards and possibly win the grand prize of roundtrip tickets from Alaska Airlines / Hawaiian Airlines. Details.
Share your sky photos. Send us your pictures of sunrises, sunsets and more. Submitted photos may be featured in our reader submission series called Hawaiʻi Skies. Tell what you saw and why it was special. Details.
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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
