« Back to Destinations

You are here: Home » Destinations » U.S. » Waikiki, Hawaii

Our Newsletter

» subscribe for free!

Testimonials

Hastings High School

"In my opinion, there is no other tour company in the business that combines both excellent service with care & compassion like Gateway."

Lin Warren, Choral Director
Hastings, Minnesota

» more testimonials

Featured Destinations

MEXICO

An unexpected destination, Mexico has a wealth of music & arts culture to share, eager audiences and a great return on your travel dollars.

COSTA RICA

Directors are raving about this new music tour destination. Warm beaches & canopy jungles; receptive audiences & lively wildlife await your group in Costa Rica!

» more destinations

Waikiki Holiday Parade - Honolulu, Hawaii USA

Held annually on the Friday evening following Thanksgiving Day

Gateway is the exclusive travel company for the Hui Ana of Bands - Waikiki Holiday Parade. We escort thousands of musicians to the islands of Hawaii each year. Because of our many long established relationships throughout the islands, we confidently promise the best value in the industry. In addition to the Waikiki Holiday Parade, Gateway offers groups access to many other terrific Hawaiian destinations, including events on the Big Island, Kauai, and our popular Honolulu Music Festivals.

The Event

If there's a more idyllic way to spend your Thanksgiving Holiday, we can't think of it. Waikiki is one Oahu's premier cities and a real jewel of the Hawaiian Islands. A Thanksgiving Day Welcome Ceremony gets things rolling -- and the ample opportunities for fun in the sun continue from there. Beyond participating in the colorful and creative Polynesian spectacle that is the Waikiki Holiday Parade, groups will also enjoy a performance and tour aboard the historic USS Battleship Missouri, a USS Arizona Memorial Tour, entrance to the amazing Polynesian Cultural Center, and much more. From the beautiful beaches to the first class accommodations, meals and island activities, this is one trip you'll want to mark on your calendar!

About the island of Oahu

Waikiki is a renowned beach and resort district on Oahu Island, Hawaii, and located in southeast Honolulu. Oahu is known for its world-class surfing conditions. The island is 44 miles long, 30 miles wide, and is the third-largest in the Hawaiian island chain. Beyond its wondrous landscape and beaches, Oahu is also home to the only royal palace in the United States (Iolani Palace), as well as some of the oldest plant forms on Earth (Foster Botanical Garden). The most notable tourist hub on Oahu is, of course, Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial.

Waikiki Holiday Parade Program Features:

• Waikiki Holiday Parade participation
• USS Arizona Memorial tour
• USS Battleship Missouri performance and tour
• Polynesian Cultural Center
• Gala dinner with local entertainment
• Thanksgiving Day Welcome Ceremony, dinner and activities at Hawaiian Adventures Water Park
• Accommodations at the Alana Doubletree Hotel or similar property

Optional Oahu Attractions

Waikiki Beach, Dole Pineapple Plantation, Diamond Head crater, Bishop Museum, Iolani Palace, Hanauma Bay snorkeling, North Shore surfing beaches and much more.

Sample Itinerary

• Day one: Arrive Honolulu

  Receive a traditional lei greeting in Honolulu, on the island of Oahu. Our hotels are located within 1 or 2 blocks of Waikiki Beach, offering beach parks, surfing lessons, boogie boarding and catamaran cruises. Nearby International Market Place offers hundreds of kiosks filled with Hawaiian souvenirs and international cuisine.

• Day two: North Shore/ Polynesian Cultural Center

  Today's journey brings you to the Dole Pineapple Plantation and the North Shore's Sunset Beach. The Polynesian Cultural Center invites you to discover the seven Polynesian villages, with each island culture portrayed through performances, demonstrations and native artifacts.

• Day three: Pearl Harbor

  Visit the USS Arizona Memorial where 1,177 men lie entombed in the sunken battleship. Cross over to Ford Island to walk through the USS Battleship Missouri, the world's oldest operational battleship. Performance on the USS Battleship Missouri's pier.

• Day four: Thanksgiving Day

  It's a day of fun in the sun at the Hawaiian Adventures Water Park. Traditional Thanksgiving dinner will be served with live entertainment by Toa, performing a mix of R&B, Hip-Hop and Reggae.

• Day five: Parade Event

  Waikiki Holiday Parade this evening - Tiki torches and storefronts light up Kalakaua Avenue along the shores of Waikiki Beach. Each year thousands of tourists and local residents line the route to be a part of this event. 26 bands marched in the 2001 Waikiki Holiday Parade!

• Day six: Diamond Head/Hanauma Bay

  Rise and shine for a morning hike to the top of Diamond Head, an extinct volcano. The view from the pinnacle is spectacular! Experience the island's best snorkeling at Hanauma Bay Nature Park.

• Day Seven: Departure

Need more information?

Contact Gateway now! (800) 331-8579 | gmf@musicfestivals.com

^ Return to top