Pearl Harbor Anniversary 2026 (December 7): Events, Ceremonies, Tickets

**December 7, 2026** marks the **85th anniversary** of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that drew the United States into World War II. 2,403 Americans died. The event is commemorated every year with a federal observance at Pearl Harbor, sunrise ceremonies, and public events across Oʻahu. ## Quick reference | Detail | Value | |---|---| | Date | December 7, 2026 (Monday) | | Anniversary number | 85th | | Main ceremony | 7:50 AM at USS Arizona Memorial | | Cost | Free (but tickets required) | | Reservations | recreation.gov, 60 days ahead | | Site | Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Oʻahu | ## The main event: sunrise commemoration The official **National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Commemoration** takes place at **the USS Arizona Memorial** dockside, starting at **7:50 AM** — the exact moment the first Japanese bombs hit Battleship Row. Survivors (now in their 90s and 100s), dignitaries, active military, and the public attend. The ceremony includes: - **Moment of silence at 7:55 AM** (the attack began at 7:48; bombs hit at 7:55) - **USS Arizona missing-man fly-over** - **Hawaii Marine Band** - **Reading of names** of those lost - **Floral tribute** dropped into the harbor over USS Arizona The event is **free** but requires advance ticket reservation. Tickets are released 60 days ahead at [recreation.gov](https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/233338/ticket/10086915). Snag them the day they drop. ## Other observances ### Punchbowl (National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific) A second wreath-laying ceremony usually held at 10 AM at Punchbowl, Honolulu. Free, no tickets needed. Many WWII veterans are buried here, including journalist Ernie Pyle. ### USS Missouri Memorial The battleship where Japan formally surrendered to end WWII. Pearl Harbor Day programming includes a closing-the-circle theme — Arizona where the war began, Missouri where it ended. Both ships are walking distance apart. ### USS Bowfin Submarine Restoration sub on display next to the visitor center. Special access programs on December 7. ### Pacific Aviation Museum (Ford Island) Hangars 37 and 79, which still bear bullet damage from the attack. Special evening lectures and panel discussions through the anniversary week. ## What you can actually visit at Pearl Harbor | Site | Cost | Time needed | |---|---|---| | USS Arizona Memorial | Free (ticket required) | 75 min total | | USS Missouri | $35 adult | 2–3 hours | | USS Bowfin Submarine | $21 adult | 1 hour | | Pacific Aviation Museum | $26 adult | 2 hours | | Visitor Center museums | Free | 1 hour | | **All-Sites Pass** | $89 adult | Full day | ## How to book the Arizona Memorial visit 1. Go to [recreation.gov](https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/233338/ticket/10086915) 2. Pick a date and 75-minute time slot 3. Reserve up to 6 tickets per transaction (free + $1.50 processing fee) 4. Tickets release **60 days ahead at 7 AM Hawaiʻi time** 5. **Some same-day standby tickets** are released at 7 AM on the day of — line forms at the visitor center December 7 itself: same-day tickets go fast, ceremony tickets even faster. Book early. ## What to know before you go ### Security TSA-style screening. **No bags allowed** (small wallets and phones OK). Lockers available at $4/use. ### Dress Respectful. Aloha shirts are fine; tank tops and swimsuits are not. Hats off during the moment of silence. ### Time of arrival For 7:50 AM ceremony: arrive by 6:30 AM. Parking lot fills by 7. Traffic backs up onto Kamehameha Highway. ### Getting there - **Drive:** 20 min from Waikīkī; free parking - **Bus:** TheBus route #20 from Waikīkī (~1 hour) - **Shuttle:** Hop-on/hop-off tours include Pearl Harbor; $25–40 ## Pacific theater history beyond Pearl If you're on Oʻahu for the anniversary, consider: - **Hickam AFB tour** (active base; needs Hawaii ID or military escort) - **Schofield Barracks** — where the "From Here to Eternity" story is set - **Hawaii Plantation Village** in Waipahu — context for the Japanese-Hawaiian community in 1941 - **Bishop Museum** Pacific Aviation exhibit ## Plan your visit - **[Oʻahu events this December →](/island/oahu)** - **[Things to do in Honolulu →](/this-weekend/honolulu)** - **[Hawaii in December →](/blog/best-time-to-visit-hawaii-2026)** - **[Memorial Day in Hawaii →](/blog/memorial-day-hawaii-2026)** > "A date which will live in infamy" — FDR. 85 years on, the names are still read aloud one by one.