2020 Update: Events for this year are cancelled due to COVID-19.
With Oahu’s rich military history, the island makes a perfect place to honor Memorial Day. Here’s what’s happening this Memorial Day Weekend around Oahu.
Oahu Events on Memorial Day, May 25, 2020
71st Annual Honolulu City Mayor’s Memorial Day Ceremony CANCELLED
This annual event is held at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl in Honolulu. The ceremony features a color guard, firearm salutes, aircraft flyover, playing of taps and performances by the Royal Hawaiian Band. The ceremony begins at 8:30 am, but attendees are requested to be within Punchbowl by 8am. See this link for more information on this year’s ceremony. This event is free and open to the public. Parking will be extremely limited so consider taking special shuttle services for the ceremony. TheBus will be providing special service. See this link for details for TheBus.
Lantern Floating Ceremony at Ala Moana Beach Park CANCELLED
The annual Memorial Day Lantern Floating Ceremony offers participants to gather together to remember loved ones who have passed away. More than 7,000 floating lanterns are expected along with over 40,000 people attending this free event. The main ceremony starts at 6:30 pm at Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park. Free parking will be available on May 28th from 7:00am to 11:59pm at the Hawaii Convention Center. If you are staying in Waikiki, you might consider walking, especially if your hotel is on the western end of Waikiki.
The following events were from 2019 and are for our reference for future updates.
Oahu Events over Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial Day Weekend Concert Series at Pearl Harbor – Friday, May 24, 2019
The US Army Band will perform at Pearl Harbor National Memorial from 10am to 11am. See this link for more information.
50th State Fair – Opens Friday, May 24, 2019
The 50th State Fair opens Memorial Day Weekend at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. The first discount day is Saturday, May 25. See this link for more information.
Memorial Day Parade – Saturday, May 25, 2019
The Memorial Day Parade through Waikiki is expected to have 1,200 marchers, 40 vehicles, four floats and five bands. The route starts at Ft. DeRussy, follows Kalakaua Avenue and ends at Kapahulu, Kalakaua and Monsarrate Avenues. The parade starts at approximately 6pm. Please verify start time.
Memorial Day Weekend Concert Series at Pearl Harbor – Sunday, May 24, 2019
The US Pacific Fleet Band will perform at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial between 10am and 11am. See this link for more information.
Memorial Day Weekend Concert Series at Pearl Harbor – Tuesday, May 28, 2019
The US Marine Corps Band will perform at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial between 10am and 11am. See this link for more information.
We wish you a very safe and meaningful Memorial Day!