These Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festivals are offered throughout the year in the State of Hawai‘i.
All festivals are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC at no charge. Some workshops (*) may include a registration fee.
See event websites 
for more information.
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The Royal Hawaiian Center and HIMELE present Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week including the Waikīkī Steel Guitar Festival during the second week of July. The event features nightly, one-hour steel guitar performances Monday-Thursday, the Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival on Friday, and a ho‘olaule‘a concert on Saturday. All performances are presented at the center's outdoor Royal Grove stage. Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week 
Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week and Festival -
The Royal Hawaiian Center and HIMELE present the Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival as a part of Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week. The festival features a Friday ho‘olaule‘a program showcasing visiting steel guitar players from Japan. All performances are presented at the center's outdoor Royal Grove stage. Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival -
The Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Ka Makana Ali‘i is usually held at Ka Makana Ali‘i in Kapolei on O‘ahu's West side during February-March. Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Ka Makana Ali‘i Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival -
The Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Windward Mall is usually held at Windward Mall in Kane‘ohe, O‘ahu on the second weekend of June to celebrate King Kamehameha I Day. Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Windward Mall Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival -
The Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival - Keiki Kine is usually held during August, either at Kahala Mall or Ka Makana Ali‘i. This festival features youth steel guitar players ages 12 and older from Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i School of Hawaiian Music. Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival - Keiki Kine Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival -
The Maui Steel Guitar Festival is usually held in October. A comprehensive festival is usually held at a Maui tourist-oriented venue, and an abbreviated festival featuring a concert and hands-on opportunities is held at The Shops At Wailea. -
The Kaua‘i Steel Guitar Festival is an abbreviated festival featuring a concert and hands-on opportunities and held at the Kukui Grove Center in Lihue. -
The Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience, incorporating the Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Festival and the Mauna Lani's Twilight at Kalāhuipua‘a program, is usually held in the November-December timeframe at the Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection, Waimea, Hawai‘i. Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Festival Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Festival -
The Kona Steel Guitar Festival is held each April at the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa in Keauhou, Hawai‘i.
Click Here for a Schedule of Events including Livestream Broadcasts and Workshops.
2026 Festivals and Workshops
Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week - July 5-11, 2026
July 6-9, 2026 – 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM HST (Nightly Concerts)
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī
Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival
July 10, 2026 – 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM HST
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī
Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Festival
July 11, 2026 – 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM and 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM HST
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī
Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani
November 19-22, 2026 – Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection, Waimea, Hawai‘i Island
2026 Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase Livestream Broadcasts
All broadcasts originate from the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.
Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival (J-FESTA)
July 10, 2026 – 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM HST
Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Festival
July 11, 2026 – 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM and 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM HST
Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani
November 20, 2026 - Ho‘olaule‘a concert – 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM HST
November 21, 2026 - Open Stage Performances – 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM HST
These festivals are produced by Hawaii Institute for Music Enrichment and Learning Experience, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to conduct, promote, and enhance music education and enrichment for people of all ages. Additional information about HIMELE can be obtained at its website. © 2025 by HIMELE and Cyberventures Unlimited.