California Polynesian Festivals

SAN DIEGO: PIFA Pacific Island Festival September 23-24, 2023, 7:30 a.m.
Ski Beach
1600 Vacation Road
Ingraham Street (north side of Vacation Isle)
San Diego, CA
Free admission, pifasandiego.com

60 craft and 23 information booth vendors. The largest, longest running NHPI (Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander) event in the United States is back at San Diego's Mission Bay in 2023, welcoming dignitaries, community based nonprofit organizations, thousands of entertainers and attendees who travel from all over the country to participate in this amazing festival. If you attend just one such festival, this event is it! And believe it or not, it's free admission.

2023 Entertainment

Saturday
Procession at 8:10 a.m.
Na Pua 'Ilima
Kuhai Halau O'Ilia Pa Olapa Kahiko
Motu Nehenehe Polynesian Dancers
Faiva Samoa
Manava Polynesian Studio
Kutturan Chamoru Foundation & Uno Hit
Hiva Katoa
Kaliloa O Kaleo'onalani 3 p.m.

Sunday
Rock Church Worship 8:30 a.m.
Imahen Taotao Tano
San Diego Hula Academy
Miss Hui O Hawaii 2023, Kehaulani Wilson
Miss PIFA 2023, Kiana Pangelinan
Presentations
Te Rahiti Nui
Heali'i Polynesian Revue
Taupou Samoa Polynesian Dance Troupe under direction of Kiki Solia closes show on Sunday. It's a must see!
Opportunity Drawing
Closing finale 3 p.m.

Over 22 food vendors in 2023

Food lines tend to get longer at lunch so make sure you get your plates early if possible

Ahahui Kiwila Hawaii San Diego
Chamorro Grill
Fusion Eats
Gabina's Cuisine
Guahan Grill
Hawaiian Dancing BBQ
Hit Different Asian BBQ
Ho'onani Cakes
Hokulia Shave Ice
Hunterts Kitchen
Island Life Foods
Kalei's Kitchenette
L&L BBQ
Le Fala Catering
North Shore Plate Lunch
Ohana Hawaiian BBQ
Shaka Shack Grinds
Sweetstacks
Tersty Treats Poke LV
Tief's Vegan Pacific Grill
Yakyudori / Hinotez

Emphasis on the Indigenous People of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. Heali'is Polynesian Revue is a special treat! Free admission

There will be a fee for parking in the west side parking lots just west of Ski Beach near the Paradise Point Resort. The cost for parking in these lots will be $20 per vehicle. No in and out privileges will be allowed. There are a limited number of handicapped spaces available on a first come basis. UBER and LYFT drop-off and pickup across the street at Paradise Point.

SANTEE: Lokahi Festival October 7, 2023 Presented by The Hui O Hawaii of San Diego
Guardian Angels Church
9310 Dalehurst Rd.
Santee, CA 92071
Free admission, all ages, hohsd.org
Performances by Na Pua 'Ilima, Halau Hula 'O Kawahinepi'iliani, Heali'i's Polynesian Revue
Food Vendors: Island Style Cafe, Hawaiian Fresh Seafood, Ho'onani Cakes, Leilani's Homemade Cookies, Ipoaloha HD Ranch, Tita Anne's Baked Goods, Local Sweets, Hokuli'a Shave Ice, Hui O Hawaii Beer Garden
 

SAN JOSE: Tahiti Fete June 30-July 3, 2023
San Jose Civic Event Center
San Jose, CA
tahitifete.com
Considered the largest Tahitian dance competition in the United States, The Tahiti Fête of San Jose, spotlights the tradition of Tahitian dance and culture. Dancers come from all over the world to compete with the exquisite costumes, demonstrating traditional and contemporary choreography

SAN MATEO: San Francisco Bay Area Aloha Festival August 12, 2023, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
San Mateo County Event Center
1346 Saratoga Drive
San Mateo, CA 94403
Free admission, $18 parking, pica-org.org
Arts & crafts vendors, Hawaiian and Pacific Islander food vendors, community booths, Lei-making workshops, ukulele classes, candy lei-making, Lomi Lomi Massages, traditional net-making and free books for children.
Hula, Tahitian, Contemporary and Traditional Hawaiian Music and Dance Groups include:
· Hi'ilani O Ke Kai Halau
· Na Hoaloha with Hula,
· Keolaulani Halau Olapa Olaka
· Mana, Manuia Polynesian Review
· West Island Reggae
· Pomaika'i/Halau Na Wai Ola 
Attendees may bring low-back beach chairs and blankets for concert seating and their own food and beverages (no alcohol

REDONDO BEACH: Slack Key Fest January
kalakoa.com/slackkey.html

MERCED: Tahitian Dance Competition and Cultural Festival March 17-19, 2023
Kiki Raina Tahiti Fete
Golden Valley High School
Merced, CA 95340
kikiraina.com
Friday presentation of the Solo Dance Competition eliminations and Saturday finalist performances, ranging in ages of 4 thru adult, beginners thru professional, both men's and women's categories. Friday's event also includes the Maeva Merced Polynesian Pageant, where lovely ladies and handsome gentlemen compete for the prestigious title of Miss and Mr. Maeva Merced. 

SANTA ANA: : Te Ori Here Tahition Dance April 8, 2023
lepolynesia.com
Live music and performances delight
Century High School
1401 S. Grand Ave.
Santa Ana, California
$, lepolynesia.com
Showcase competition for the famed Southern California Le Polynesia. Vendors, exotic costumes, top Polynesian dancers compete in Solo Competition.

FOSTER CITY: Polynesian Festival 
Leo Ryan Park Amphitheatre
fostercity.org
Free
Foster City Parks and Recreation Department's annual Polynesian Festival! E komo mai (welcome)! Bring the ohana (family) and celebrate Polynesian culture with activities, arts and crafts booths, possibly canoe rides offered by Ho'okahi Pu'uwai Outrigger Canoe Club, food and more! Admission is free. Food and drinks sold. Don't miss this exciting day of cultural activities, arts and crafts booths, canoe rides offered by Ho'okahi Pu'uwai Outrigger Canoe Club, food and more! Admission is free, however food and drinks are available for purchase. Polynesian Dance companies have included Heilala O Polynesia of Newark, Hui Tarava of San Francisco, Kawailehua Hula Ohana of Milpitas, Manuia of Daly City, Merahi o Tehani of Union City, Motu'aina of Danville, Rahiti of Daly City, Te Fare Upa Here/Nemenzo of San Francisco, Te Pura O Te Rahura'a of South San Francisco and Tiare O Te Ao of Hercules.

LONG BEACH: Pacific Islander Festival
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA
$30 aquarium admission, aquariumofpacific.org
15th Annul event invites the public to discover the rich and diverse cultures of the Pacific Islands. Experience traditional island music, dance, and cultural crafts. Enjoy hula, Tahitian drumming, and Hawaiian games. See artisans demonstrate their traditional art of weaving. Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian, Fijian, Tongan, Chamoru, Kiribati, Marshallese, and Maori cultures will be featured. A tropical getaway awaits.

SAN DIEGO: San Diego Ho'olaule'a 
De Anza Cove, Mission Bay
San Diego, CA
sdhoolaulea.com
San Diego Ho'olaule'a brings the Spirit of Aloha back to De Anza Cove Park. This event is all about sharing our Hawaiian Culture with all during our May Day Celebration, San Diego Style. Poi Pounding, Kapa workshop, Lei Making, and Lei Hulu ( the art of using Feathers) in the cultural village, non-stop music and hula on two stages, Boutique and food vendors and Kupuna tent so all Kupuna can have a place to sit with a nice view of the stage out of the sun. Most of all we have smiling faces from the shore to the park as we share the love for the Hawaiian culture and all the other cultures that call Hawaii home.

PLEASANTON: Hawaiian May Day Festival 
Alameda County Fairgrounds
4501 Pleasanton Ave.
Pleasanton, CA
$10, kumuhulaassociation.com
May Day Festival Celebrates Hawaiian culture. The first May Day Festival was held in 1985 at the Hayward Plunge. From 1989 to 1994, it was held at Cal State Hayward, until finally settling at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. This special event is held each year by the Kumu Hula Association of Northern California, which was founded in 1984 by the late Ehulani Enoka-Lum and continued by daughter Deanie Lum-Villiados. In addition to the May Day Festival, the Kumu Hula Association also organizes the Ia 'Oe E Ka La Hula Festival & Competition held each November.

SANTA FE SPRINGS: Heritage of Aloha Festival
Santa Fe Springs Heritage Park
12100 Mora Dr.
Santa Fe Springs, CA
hooilinafoundation.com | heritageofalohafestival.com
Free admission
The Heritage of Aloha Festival is a 2-day event featuring a cultural marketplace, island food booths, ukulele contest, spam musubi eating contest, raffle grand prize (cruise to Hawaii), workshops, makahiki games, and continuous Hawaiian/Polynesian music and dance on a beautiful outdoor stage. Admission and parking is FREE!

LONG BEACH: Celebrate 25 Years of E Hula Mau by Na Mamo, Hawaiian Concert 
$25, ehulamau.org | eventbrite.com
The Westin Long Beach
333 East Ocean Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90802
Join Auntie Geri Kuhia & Friends for an evening of Hawaiian music and hula to celebrate and support Na Mamo and the 25th Anniversary of E Hula Mau. Performers will also include The 3 Ds: Uncle Duke Ching on steel guitar, Uncle Dean Lining on ukulele and vocals, Uncle Donald Fernandez on Bass. Hula from Hālau Nā Hoa O Ka Hale Kanu, and more.

NORWALK: Southern California Hura Tahiti Tahitian Dance Competition 
Cerritos College
11190 Alondra Blvd.
Norwalk, CA

SAN FRANCISCO: Aloha Poly Fest TBA 2023
San Francisco, CA
facebook.com/alohapolyfest/
Free admission, alohapolyfest.org
Hawaiian, Somoan, Tonga and Fiji, Tahiti, Cook Islands, New Zealand and Guam come together at this island event. Hawaiian/Polynesian festival inviting the public to celebrate and learn about cultures in and around the South Pacific through music, dance, food, crafts and more.  Hawaiian song Taimalieitane Islands of Polynesia - Hawaiian, Tahitian and Maori song & dance Hawaii - Samoa - Tonga - Tahiti - Fiji - Guam - Cook Islands - New Zealand

LAWNDALE: Alondra Park Ho'olaule'a, July 20-21, 2019, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Alondra Park
Lawndale, CA
hiccsc.org/hoolaulea/
Annual island celebration with music, food and dance. 
Past Line up: Kumu Kanani Kalama | Hula Hālau o Lilinoe a Na Pua Me Ke Aloha | Hālau Hula o Noelani | Auntie Geri Kuhia/ Mehana | Hālau Hula Lani Ola | Aina Creation | Lokelani Rhythm of the Island | Hawai'i Aloha closing song both days | Keanuenue Polynesian Review | Kaleonalani | Hālau Hula Na Mamo O Pana`ewa | Halau Hula Kawika Laua o Leinani | Heali`i Polynesian Review

SANTA CRUZ Aloha Races and Polynesian Festival 
Santa Cruz Wharf
Santa Cruz, CA
cityofsantacruz.com
FREE!
Annual Aloha Races and Polynesian Festival celebrates the history of the Three Hawaiian Princes who first rode redwood surf boards at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River during the summer of 1885, years before the Wharf was built in 1914. Our Hawaiian connections continue to this day via the Aloha Outrigger Races and Polynesian Festival. Designed especially for new and novice paddlers, the Celebrity races are a chance to discover the excitement of outrigger canoe racing. Join the fun or cheer for friends in the race. The Polynesian Festival follows with a taste of the tropics fresh flower leis, shave ice, and dance performances.

ORANGE: Orange International Street Fair Labor Day Weekend
Downtown Orange, CA
orangestreetfair.org
Polynesian Street offers the foods, vendors and entertainment you seek. Operated by clubs and non-profits who get to keep the proceeds (after fees) from this event, you support the Polynesians and their communities with your purchases and attendance at the free street fair held every Labor Day weekend. See many themed streets representing cultures, countries, and regions around the world.

TORRANCE: Los Angeles International Ukulele 
3330 Civic Center Dr.
Torrance, CA 90503
Celebrated Pacific Islands culture through song, music and craft. A full day of entertainment on two stages. 

ALPINE (San Diego region): Heiva San Diego-Ori Tahiti Dance Competition 
Viejas Casino
5000 Willows Rd
Alpine, CA 91901
$fee, heivasandiego.com
Reva Tahiti Productions invites the public to Heiva San Diego-Solo Ori Tahiti Dance Competition. It brings Tahiti  its culture and traditions to San Diego for a weekend of exciting and unique opportunities for our Polynesian community. Enjoy beauty, pageantry, an Authentic Tahiti Village, and a Polynesian and French Gourmet Cuisine as you unwind in this local-style Pavilion offering beautiful lighting and exotic flowers. Don't miss our live traditional show & music direct from Tahiti and her isles.

ROHNERT PARK: Annual Pacific Islanders 
Rohnert Park City Center Plaza
475 City Center Dr.
Rohnert Park, CA
Free admission
rpwarriors.org | facebook.com/rpwarriorspifestival/
Authentic Polynesian cuisine, special food items from all over the South Pacific, amazing entertainment, fabulous music and cultural activities. Lots of vendors offering Polynesian artifact merchandise, clothing, etc Hosted by Rohnert Park Youth Football and Cheer Organization.

ELK GROVE: Heiva Ma'ohi O' Patitifa  People of the Pacific Festival yearly festival.
Cosumnes Oaks High School Performing Arts Center
8350 Lotz Parkway
Elk Grove, CA
$15-20, heivamaohi.com
Pacific Islander groups from all over California, Nevada, Hawaii, and Tahiti. There will be traditional food, arts and crafts, games, vendors, entertainment, Tahitian dance competition and a Maeva Goo scholarship award.

HUNTINGTON BEACH: September 
 Pacific Islander Festival 
Cost: Free.
Huntington Central Park, 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach, CA. Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
facebook.com/pacificislanderfestivaloc
Cultural traditions, performances and arts of Pacific Island nations including Samoa, Tonga, Hawaii, Tahiti (Polynesia), Aotearoa (New Zealand), Guam, Northern Marianas, Marshall Islands of Micronesia, and Fiji (Melanesia). Enjoy cultural demonstrations, live hands-on arts projects, coconut and pandanus plaiting (weaving), lei making, tapa making and design, drumming, traditional chants, music, story-telling, cultural artifact exhibits, traditional protocol and island ceremony, and authentic performances on center stage, all in the Island Villages atmosphere. Cuisine of the Pacific will be sold. On Sunday at 9: 30 a.m. a spiritual event convenes before the traditional program begins.

LONG BEACH: E Hula Mau 
Long Beach, CA
E Hula Mau
Southern California's Annual Hula & Chant Competition
Terrace Theater
300 E. Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA
ticketmaster.com
ehulamau.org
Ticketed items include stage competitions inside the theater. Prices range from $22 for competition-UP
Come enjoy hula performances from our own mainland halaus, Ono local cuisine, workshops, Hawaiian music and entertainment on our plaza outdoor stage, and artisans from across the Pacific and mainland. Long Beach Terrace Theater - Long Beach, CA

VENTURA Aloha Beach Festival  No New Event since around 2018 - not sure if it will ever be back
Aloha Beach Festival: 519 San Clemente St., Ventura, CA 93001 alohabeachfestival.us

SACRAMENTO Aloha Festival October 5, 2019, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Cal Expo
1600 Exposition Blvd.
Sacramento, CA
$5, $10 parking, sacalohafest.org
Anticipate a large crowd this year please bring your own chairs. Educational Exhibits Workshops Speakers and Presentations Health and Community Awareness Exhibits Cultural Village Keiki Korner Arts & Crafts and Educational Information Merchandise and Food Vendors Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Entertainment

 

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.