Hawaiian Slack Key Festival 2026: Free Outdoor Concert (June)

The **Hawaiian Slack Key Festival** brings together the best slack-key guitarists in the world for one free, day-long concert on a Honolulu lawn. If you've only heard Hawaiian music in resort lobbies, this is the cure. ## 2026 details - **Date:** Sunday, June 28, 2026 (Father's Day weekend) - **Time:** 11 AM – 7 PM - **Location:** Kapiʻolani Park, near the bandstand - **Cost:** **Free** - **Bring:** Beach chair, sunscreen, water, cash for food vendors ## What is slack key? **Kī hōʻalu** — "loosen the key" — is the Hawaiian fingerstyle guitar tradition. Hawaiian cowboys (paniolo) learned guitar from Mexican vaqueros in the 1830s, then loosened (slacked) the strings to make new chord tunings. The result: a uniquely Hawaiian sound, mellow and chiming, often paired with falsetto vocals. Notable players: **Gabby Pahinui** (the godfather, 1921–1980), **Sonny Chillingworth**, **Cyril Pahinui**, **Dennis Kamakahi**, **Ledward Kaapana**, **Keola Beamer**. ## What to expect 12+ players each get a 30-minute set on the open stage. No covers, just original Hawaiian compositions + traditional songs. Each player explains their tunings and tells stories between songs. ## Food + drink 5–8 food vendors set up on the lawn. Plate lunch, malasadas, shave ice, drinks. $7–15 typical. ## Pro tips - **Get there by 10:30 AM** for shade under the trees - **Arrive shaded** — bring a tarp + chair, not just a blanket - **Bring sunglasses + hat** — the lawn is unshaded in spots - **Don't leave early** — the closing set is always the headliner ## Related - [Things to do in Waikīkī →](/neighborhood/waikiki) - [Free events in Hawaii →](/free)