Hawaii Events April 2026 — Complete Guide to Festivals, Concerts & Things to Do

# Hawaii Events April 2026 — Complete Guide to Festivals, Concerts & Things to Do April is one of the best months to experience Hawaii beyond the beach. The weather is warm and dry, summer crowds have not arrived yet, and the islands come alive with festivals, concerts, and cultural celebrations that let you connect with local culture in ways a resort pool never could. Whether you are a visitor planning a trip or a local looking for weekend plans, this guide covers the top events happening across Oahu, Maui, and beyond throughout April 2026. Check [alohacalendar.com](https://alohacalendar.com) for the most up-to-date listings and ticket links as events are added throughout the month. ## Top Concerts & Live Music April brings a stacked lineup of live music to Honolulu, with headliners spanning reggae, Hawaiian, piano, and hip-hop. ### Ziggy Marley at The Republik **Friday, April 11 | 8:00 PM | The Republik, 1349 Kapiolani Blvd, Honolulu** Ziggy Marley kicks off his 2026 North American tour right here in Honolulu in support of his upcoming album *Brightside*. The Republik is an intimate 1,000-capacity venue, so this one will sell fast. A portion of ticket proceeds benefits the Waikiki Community Center, which is building a new library for keiki. Tickets start around $45. ### Josh Tatofi at Blue Note Hawaii **Friday & Saturday, April 10-11 | 6:30 PM & 9:00 PM shows | Blue Note Hawaii, 2335 Kalakaua Ave, Waikiki** Known as the "Polynesian Luther Vandross," Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner Josh Tatofi continues his residency as Blue Note Hawaii's 2026 Artist-In-Residence. His music blends traditional Hawaiian melodies with modern R&B soul, and these intimate Waikiki shows are a highlight for anyone who loves Hawaiian music. Tickets start at $55. ### Holly Bowling at Blue Note Hawaii **Wednesday, April 16 | 7:00 PM | Blue Note Hawaii, 2335 Kalakaua Ave, Waikiki** Solo pianist Holly Bowling brings her virtuosic reimaginings of Grateful Dead and Phish compositions to the Blue Note stage. She arranges rock catalog favorites into classically influenced performance pieces that feel completely fresh. A unique evening for Deadheads and piano lovers alike. Tickets from $46. ### Jim Brickman at Hawaii Theatre **Saturday, April 18 | 8:00 PM | Hawaii Theatre, 1130 Bethel St, Honolulu** The best-selling solo pianist of our time brings his catalog of 22 number-one albums to the historic Hawaii Theatre. With two Grammy nominations and over two billion streams on Pandora, Jim Brickman delivers an evening of melodic, feel-good piano that pairs perfectly with the ornate 1922 venue. Tickets from $82. He also performs at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea on April 19. ### Afroman at Blue Note Hawaii **Saturday & Sunday, April 19-20 | Multiple shows | Blue Note Hawaii, 2335 Kalakaua Ave, Waikiki** Afroman brings his high-energy hip-hop show to the Blue Note for a weekend run with multiple showtimes. The Saturday show starts at 7:00 PM, with an additional late show Sunday at 8:30 PM. Grab tickets through the Blue Note box office at (808) 777-4208. ## Festivals & Cultural Events April is packed with cultural celebrations that showcase the depth of Hawaii's heritage and community spirit. ### HEART of Honolulu Street Festival **Saturday, April 11 | 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Nuuanu Avenue, Chinatown, Honolulu | FREE** Now in its fifth year, the HEART of Honolulu Street Festival closes Nuuanu Avenue to traffic and opens it up for a block party celebrating the arts, culture, and food of Honolulu's Chinatown Arts District. HEART stands for Heritage, Entertainment, Arts & Culture, Restaurants, and Theatre & Performing Arts. Highlights include two HeART STRUT parades of handmade wearable art with a Chinese Zodiac theme at 12:30 and 2:30 PM, tai chi demonstrations, and a community ceramic raku kiln experience. Free and family-friendly. ### East Maui Taro Festival **Saturday, April 18 | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Hana Ballpark, Hana, Maui | FREE** The 30th annual East Maui Taro Festival celebrates kalo (taro), Hawaii's traditional staple food, with poi pounding, live Hawaiian music, hula, arts and crafts, and local food vendors. This year features the Queen's Challenge competition honoring Queen Emma, where Maui kalo farmers compete to grow the finest taro. The drive to Hana is an event in itself, and the festival makes for an unforgettable day trip. Free admission. ### East-West Fest at the East-West Center **Sunday, April 12 | East-West Center, UH Manoa Campus, Honolulu | FREE** This annual student-led celebration brings together the culturally diverse communities of the East-West Center and greater Honolulu. Cultural booths and live performances fill the sheltered lanais of Jefferson Hall, with special events at the East-West Center Gallery and the Japanese Tea House. A genuine, grassroots multicultural experience that is free and open to the public. ### Kamaaina Sunday at Iolani Palace **Sunday, April 12 | 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Iolani Palace, 364 S King St, Honolulu | FREE for Hawaii residents** Hawaii residents get free admission to Iolani Palace on the second Sunday of each month. The April edition includes complimentary audio tours, cultural presentations, and themed activities highlighting different aspects of Hawaiian history and royal heritage. Gates open at 8:30 AM. Bring a valid Hawaii State ID or driver's license. Free parking at the Civic Center Municipal Parking Garage. ## Markets & Food Events ### Aloha Stadium Swap Meet & Marketplace **Every Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday | Aloha Stadium, 99-500 Salt Lake Blvd, Honolulu** Over 700 local merchants sell everything from handmade crafts and local snacks to imported goods and made-in-Hawaii souvenirs. The swap meet operates Wednesday and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and Sunday from 6:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Admission is just $1 for kamaaina with valid ID, $2 general admission, and free for kids 11 and under. Arrive early to beat the heat. ### HONOLULU Edit Pop-Up Market **April 2026 | Ward Centre, Honolulu** HONOLULU Magazine has transformed the old Roger Dunn space next to Fat Cheeks at Ward Centre into a curated pop-up market featuring more than 40 local retail and food vendors. A great spot to discover small local brands and grab a bite in the Kakaako neighborhood. ### Inspo! Food Truck Alley & Musubi Matchup **Saturday, April 11 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Kaimuki Middle School, 631 18th Ave, Kaimuki | FREE admission** Hosted by Lanakila Pacific, this festival brings together food trucks, local vendors, keiki games, and live entertainment in support of programs for seniors and people with disabilities. The star attraction is the Musubi Matchup ($20 ticket): sample creative musubi dishes from competing vendors and vote for your favorite. Non-musubi food is also available for purchase. A fun, community-driven food event in the heart of Kaimuki. ## Family-Friendly Events ### Aloha Bricks '26: Stories of Hawaii at Bishop Museum **On view through October 11, 2026 | Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice St, Honolulu** Bishop Museum's Castle Memorial Building has been transformed into a brick-built celebration of the islands, created in partnership with the Hawaii LEGO Users Group (HILUG) and middle school students from across the state. The exhibit features LEGO models of iconic Hawaii landmarks including Iolani Palace, Hawaii Theatre, the Arizona Memorial, and Hokulea, plus large-scale sculptures of native species like the humuhumunukunukuapuaa. Over 300,000 loose LEGO bricks are available for free building, and local architects host 30-minute workshops where kids can build nature-themed structures. A Middle School Mosaic Gallery features contributions from 50 schools built with nearly half a million bricks. ### Ea Mai Eiwa at Bishop Museum **Opens April 18, 2026 | Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice St, Honolulu** This new exhibition celebrates the creative legacy of Nalani Kanaka'ole, Sig Zane, and Kuha'o'imalkalani Zane, a Hilo-based family of artists whose practices are deeply rooted in hula. The show weaves together choreography, textile design, graphic art, and immersive installations alongside botanical specimens and cultural treasures from the museum's collections. Themes of migration, community resilience, and environmental stewardship run throughout. On view through September 20, 2026. ## Theater & Performing Arts ### Panji and the Lost Princess at Kennedy Theatre **April 17-26, 2026 | Kennedy Theatre Mainstage, UH Manoa** This production brings Balinese wayang listrik (giant shadow puppetry) to life with intricate lighting, live gamelan music, and dynamic performances telling a 13th-century Javanese romance. Prince Panji and Princess Candra Kirana navigate misfortune, political intrigue, and magical disguises in a visually stunning show suitable for all ages. Evening performances run Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, with a Sunday matinee on April 26 at 2:00 PM. Pre-show chats at 6:45 PM before the Saturday performances offer behind-the-scenes context. Co-directed by Kristin Pauka and I Made Moja. ## Free Events in April 2026 Budget-friendly fun is easy to find this month. Here is a quick reference for events that cost nothing to attend: - **HEART of Honolulu Street Festival** — April 11, Chinatown - **East Maui Taro Festival** — April 18, Hana, Maui - **East-West Fest** — April 12, UH Manoa - **Kamaaina Sunday at Iolani Palace** — April 12, free for Hawaii residents - **Inspo! Food Truck Alley** — April 11, Kaimuki (free admission; Musubi Matchup tasting is $20) ## Plan Your April in Hawaii April 2026 is loaded with reasons to get off the beach and into the culture. From Ziggy Marley at The Republik to shadow puppetry at Kennedy Theatre, from pounding poi in Hana to voting on the best musubi in Kaimuki, there is something for every interest and budget. Events, dates, and ticket availability can change. For the latest listings, updated times, and direct ticket links, visit [alohacalendar.com](https://alohacalendar.com) — your go-to source for everything happening across the Hawaiian Islands.