Floating Lantern Festival
Tue, May 27
|Honolulu
This event allows messages and memories to be inscribed on each of the little lights, addressed to departed loved ones. This tradition, which originated in Asia, has spread beyond its borders. In Hawaii, it coincides with Memorial Day, a day to honor all war dead.
Time & Location
May 27, 2025, 12:00 AM
Honolulu, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
About the event
The Hawaii Lantern Floating festival takes place every Memorial Day at Ala Moana Beach Park in Honolulu on the island of Oʻahu, and is a unique event where people throw paper and wooden lanterns into the waters of the Pacific Ocean in large numbers.
The event has been held annually since 2002 and has become an integral part of local culture, attracting large numbers of international visitors as well as local residents, all keen to pay their respects in this calm and picturesque environment.
For those concerned about the potential environmental impact of putting so many lanterns into the ocean, it's worth pointing out that great lengths are taken to ensure that the lanterns are successfully recovered, restored and stored for reuse the following year.