Best concert venues in Hawaiʻi

Hawai’i has a range of concert halls and other venues for hosting music performances, from local talent to national touring acts. In addition, you can enjoy original plays as well as Broadway musicals, intimate jazz shows to on-your-feet rock concerts, plus film festivals, sporting events, consumer expos, and more.

As you might suspect, Honolulu has the widest range of concert halls and performance venues, from the Blaisdell arena to the open-air Waikīkī Shell and cherished Historic Hawai’i theatre. The outer islands boast a surprising array of venues, many historic places lovingly restored and featuring state-of-the art sound and lighting. In the list below, we begin with concert venues on O’ahu, followed by those on the outer islands.

Finally, find our calendar listing upcoming events at these and other venues across the Hawaiian Islands.

Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu

Blaisdell Center in Honolulu includes several venues: an Arena, Concert Hall, and Exhibition Hall. The center hosts music performances, including national touring acts and Broadway shows, sporting events, conventions, consumer shows, and graduation ceremonies, as well as other special events.

The original venue opened in 1964 as the Honolulu International Center. Neal S. Blaisdell was Mayor of Honolulu from 1955 to 1969 and oversaw the construction. His successor, Frank F. Fasi renamed the center in 1976, a year after Blaisdell’s death. The complex has been expanded and renovated several times.

The tranquil grounds around Blaisdell Center include remnants of the historic Ward Plantation estate and farmland on which the center was built: sweeping lawns, coconut tree groves, and artesian springs that serve as tropical fish ponds.

• Address: Blaisdell Center Box Office, 777 Ward Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814.
• Event Parking: Daily Rate $8.00. Public entrances during events are on King Street and Kapiolani Avenue.
• Website: https://blaisdellcenter.com/

Tom Moffatt Waikīkī Shell

The Waikīkī Shell hosts concerts in every genre, including local, national, and international stars performing Hawaiian, Reggae, jazz, R&B, rock, country, contemporary, and classical music. The Shell is also the scene for music festivals, hula shows, fundraising events, and other entertainment.

The state-of-the-art outdoor amphitheater sits on the grounds of Kapiʻolani Park at the eastern edge of Waikīkī, in the shadow of Diamond Head Crater. The venue lawn is used for concert general admission, as well as other events including festival booths and outdoor yoga.

The outdoor venue was built in 1956 on the grounds that were once the site of King Kalākauaʻs horse race track. In 2018, it was named for Tom Moffatt, who passed away in 2016. The beloved concert promoter got his start as the first rock DJ in Hawaii.

“Uncle Tom” became a local record producer and concert promoter, booking big name acts at the Blaisdell Center and Waikīkī Shell, including Elvis Presley, Jimmy Hendrix, Elton John, Bruno Mars, Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, and the Rolling Stones.

• Address: Waikīkī Shell, 2805 Monsarrat Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815. The Waikiki Shell is a Blaisdell Center venue. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Blaisdell box office.
• Event parking: Waikiki Shell parking lot is free; entrance on Monsarrat Avenue. Additional free and metered parking is available around Kapiolani Park on Monsarrat, Paki, and Kalakaua Avenues.
• Website: https://blaisdellcenter.com/venues/waikiki-shell/

Blue Note Waikīkī

Located inside the Outrigger Waikīkī Beach Resort, Blue Note Hawaii features local, national, and international performers in jazz, reggae, rock, pop, and Hawaiian music, as well as comedy acts.

Extensively renovated in 2016, Blue Note showcases nightly performances in an intimate club setting with a full-service restaurant and bar. In addition to a show ticket, there is a $10 food and beverage minimum.

• Address: Blue Note Hawaii, 2335 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816
• Event parking: Self-park at Ohana East Hotel, 150 Kaʻiulani Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815. Enter on the makai (ocean) side of Kuhio Ave. Valet parking at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort.
• Website: https://bluenotehawaii.com/

Honolulu’s Hawai’i Theatre

Historic Hawaii Theatre “Pride of the Pacific” hosts a broad range of entertainment and cultural performances. Located in downtown Honolulu and Chinatown, the non-profit Hawaii Theatre is listed on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

Built in 1922, the theatre has been home to vaudevilles, silent films, theatrical performances, musicals, ballets, concerts, and films. Renovated in 1996 and 2004, including a newly manufactured replica of the art deco marquee with computerized LED signage and the hallmark “HAWAII” vertical neon sign.

• Address: Hawai’i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St, Honolulu, HI 96813
• Parking: For Select Performances, pre-paid parking at Mark’s Garage, 22 N Pauahi St. Other lots nearby on King St and Beretania: https://www.hawaiitheatre.com/parking/
• Website: https://www.hawaiitheatre.com/

Maui Arts & Cultural Center

Maui Arts & Cultural Center (“The MACC”) in Kahului is a state-of-the-art visual and performing arts center. The MACC hosts concerts and performances in the pavilion, two indoor theaters, and an outdoor amphitheater. The MACC galleries and studios offer art exhibitions and arts education classes for all ages.

Hula is performed in the pā hula (a performance space dedicated to hula). The pā is one of only four in the state and was created under the direction of Nā Kumu Hula and cultural specialists, Hōkūlani Holt, Keali‘i Reichel, AI Lagunero, and Bert Sakata.

• Address: Maui Arts & Cultural Center, One Cameron Way (off Wahinepi‘o Road), Kahului, HI 96732
• Parking: in the MACC lot and across the street at UH Maui College.
• Website: https://www.mauiarts.org/

Hawai’i Island Palace Theater

Hiloʻs Palace Theater opened in 1925 as a silent movie house. Since then, the Palace has hosted film festivals, concerts, and many cultural performances, including Hawaiian music, classical ballet, live theater, and hula, as well as Lei Day, Lunar New Years, and other special events.

Since 2004, the non-profit Friends of the Palace Theater has raised funds to restore and upgrade the historic building and to keep it operational well into the future. The Palace Pipe Organ has also been restored. Donors and volunteers are always appreciated to support the historic theater’s operation.

• Address: Palace Theater, 38 Haili Street, Hilo, HI 96720
• Parking: street parking
• Website: http://hilopalace.com/

UH Hilo Performing Arts Center

The University of Hawaiʻi (UH) Hilo Performing Arts Center (PAC) is the major arts education and cultural center on the Big Island for University students as well as community events. The UH Hilo Performing Arts Center hosts diverse local, regional, national, and international performing arts events.

A typical year includes over 150 performances of dance, drama, music, mime, children’s shows, lectures, and special events. In addition, the UH Hilo Performing Arts Department produces two to six plays, concerts, musicals, and dance performances each season.

• Address: University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, 200 W Kāwili St, Hilo, HI 96720
• Parking: paid parking on campus.
• Website: http://artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu/

Kaua’i Performing Arts Center

The Performing Arts Center (PAC) at Kaua’i Community College is the entertainment centerpiece of the Garden Isle. The state-of-the-art facility offers world-class lighting and sound.

The PAC celebrates the culture of Kauai and the world. The spirit of Aloha resonates with heartfelt joy in this gathering place.

• Address: Kauaʻi Community College, 3-1901 Kaumualii Hwy, Lihue, HI 96766
• Parking: campus parking lot
• Website: https://www.kauai.hawaii.edu/performing-arts-center

Kaua’i Community College Performing Arts Center has been largely closed since 2017 due to a series of mechanical and electrical failures. The expense and difficulty of repairs has delayed reopening, now estimated to be sometime in 2023.

Hanalei Cultural Community Center (Hale Halawai ‘Ohana)

Locally referenced as Hanalei’s Cultural Community Center, Hale Halawai ‘Ohana O Hanalei was founded by community members in 1993. The name translates to, “A house for the coming together of the extended family of Hanalei.”

The gathering place on the Kauaʻi North Shore, is the first privately funded community center in the state of Hawai’i. It is used for cultural education, social gatherings, recreation, and civic events that perpetuate the value of aloha. The programs perpetuate traditional Hawaiian culture.

• Address: Hale Halawai ‘Ohana O Hanalei, 5299C Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, HI 96714
• Parking: unknown
• Website: https://halehalawai.org/

Kauai’s Historic Waimea Theater

Kauai’s Theater for Movies, Film Festivals, LIVE Performances, Music Concerts, and a gathering place for the community. Opened in 1938 and restored in 1999 after Hurricane Iniki. Screens first-run movies on a regular basis.

• Address: Waimea Theater, 9691 Kaumualii Hwy, Waimea, HI 96796 US
• Parking: unknown
• Website: http://www.waimeatheater.com/

Upcoming arts & entertainment events in Hawai’i

The following calendar lists visual and performance arts events in locations across the Hawaiian Islands.