15 Shows on Oahu Worth the Time

1.The Magical Mystery Show! at Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,754 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $99Our pick

Inside the Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel, magician Shoot Ogawa and fellow performers stage an intimate, interactive magic show with comedy and a close-up levitation act. The roughly two-hour evening also nods to King Kalakaua’s 1881 visit to England. Tickets start at $99; VIP seating includes two cocktails.

“From Atlanta, GA.. show was funny and entertaining.. shoot was great and made sure to involve everyone in the audience.. it was funny and magical..”

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2.Waikiki Luau Buffet with Optional Rock-A-Hula Show Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,572 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $101

At the Royal Hawaiian Center, enjoy a one-hour Hawaiian buffet with live music and hula, then, with select tickets, watch the 80-minute Rock-A-Hula show. Expect fire-knife dancing alongside Hawaiian and Polynesian music, plus Elvis and Michael Jackson tributes. VIP and Green Room upgrades add perks such as preferred seats and backstage access.

“Meal was so-so, but show was outstanding. Very good talent. Luau was a little lacking but good drinks.”

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3.Ka Moana Lūʻau at Aloha Tower – Oceanfront Luau Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,216 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $135

Spend an evening at Honolulu’s Aloha Tower with hands-on activities such as lei making and a hula lesson, an island-style buffet, and a Polynesian show that ends with fire dancing. The event runs about three hours, with pickup offered from select hotels. It is waterfront, but not a beachside luʻau.

“Well done show. Great dancers. Loved the music. Good food. Liked the tree climbing demonstration. Had fun.”

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4.Three Star Deluxe Sunset Dinner Cruise and Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,204 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $193

Board the Star of Honolulu at Pier 8 for a roughly two-hour sunset cruise past Waikiki and Diamond Head. You’ll get a welcome toast, two premium beverages, a five-course dinner featuring lobster and tenderloin, live music, and a Hawaiian cultural show. Select hotel pickup when booking, or arrange your own ride to the pier.

“We got picked up close to our hotel by a charter bus which was comfortable and had good AC. The boat was nice with friendly and helpful staff. The (5) course meal offered a whole lobster and a decent sized piece of tenderloin. The entertainment included a jazz band w/singer, Polynesian dancers, and a duo, all very good. Very good experience over all.”

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5.Ka Moana Luau Dinner and Show at Aloha Tower

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,087 reviews · 2h 30m · from $135

Ka Moana Luau pairs a buffet dinner with pre-show cultural activities and a Polynesian stage production at historic Aloha Tower. Try lei making, hula, or coconut-headband weaving before dinner, then watch dances, storytelling, and a fire-knife finale. The 150-minute evening costs about $135 per person, with optional Waikiki hotel pickup and a celebrity package that includes a welcome Mai Tai.

“It was great. Everyone was very nice. I wish the parking was included though.”

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6.Pacific Star Sunset Dinner Cruise and Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 633 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $139

Board the Star of Honolulu at Aloha Tower for a two-hour sunset cruise with a Pacific Rim buffet, one signature Mai Tai, coffee and tea, and live entertainment. Head to the 60-foot wraparound decks for coastal views. Friday sailings run about three hours and include fireworks. Seating and show visibility can vary by dining package and location.

“Made everyone feel like family. Food was delicious and plentiful. The entertainment was fabulous, I think it was the best show I have seen in Hawaii. The performers really enjoy what they do and do the very best to make the audience feel included. We could not have had a better time!”

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7.Honolulu Sunset Dinner Cruise with Friday Fireworks Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 285 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Cruise the Waikiki coast for about two and a half hours, with a three-course dinner, soft drinks, and Friday fireworks near Hilton Hawaiian Village. You can bring alcohol for the onboard mixologist. The boat departs from Ala Moana Boulevard and returns to the same point. Upper-deck seating depends on capacity.

“The cruise was outstanding. The atmosphere was awesome and the crew was very friendly. The food was very delicious, the beef plate was very tender and melted in your mouth. We would highly recommend this cruise to others.”

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8.Germaine’s Traditional Luau Show & Buffet Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 104 reviews · 2h 45m · from $124

At Germaine’s Luau, you’ll receive a shell lei, watch music and dances from Hawaii and other Pacific islands, and see a roasted pig raised from an underground oven before dinner. The 165-minute evening includes an all-you-can-eat buffet, soft drinks, and, with some options, alcoholic drink tickets. Waikiki pickup is optional.

“It was great. Wasn’t happy about having to wait almost 2 hours for the Luau.”

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9.Oʻahu: Nā Lei Aloha Lūʻau & Dinner or Cocktail Show Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 104 reviews · from $93

At the Hyatt Regency Waikīkī, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement presents an evening of live Hawaiian music and hula centered on the meaning of lei. Choose a buffet dinner with cultural activities or a later cocktail-and-show ticket. Your welcome includes a handmade lei and one drink, and the rooftop setting looks across to the beach.

“it was fabulous. highly recommended. Very welcoming, entertaining and educational about the culture. the dance and the music was exceptional”

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10.Star Tour Show at Ko Olina

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 57 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $49Best value

At Ko Olina’s Four Seasons resort, NASA Ambassador Greg McCartney leads a one-hour night-sky show that pairs Polynesian navigation and Hawaiian star lines with telescope views of the moon, Saturn and other celestial sights. The small-group event is weather dependent, with a maximum of 25 people, and may take place on the Ocean Lawn or a rooftop tennis court.

“Informative, Greg so knowledgable, showed us everything we asked to see! Definitely a must do! Older kids but no babies as you are utilizing pro equipment to see.”

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11.Pacific Star Sunset Buffet and Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 51 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $139

Sail from Pier 8 aboard the Star of Honolulu for a sunset cruise past Ala Moana, Waikiki, and Diamond Head. You’ll get a Pacific Rim buffet with roast beef carving station, one signature Mai Tai, and live Polynesian entertainment. Friday departures add an extra hour at sea and a fireworks show.

“The buffet was good, the entertainment was good, but the views were great.”

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12.Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel Magical Mystery Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 39 reviews · 2 hours · from $99

At the Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel, a two-hour Victorian-themed magic show puts you close to the performers for comic, interactive tricks and a story tied to King Kalakaua’s 1881 visit to Queen Victoria. The small theater holds up to 64 people. The show has featured magicians including Shoot Ogawa and Kekoa, though performers may vary.

“Most memorable magic show I have ever attended. I would definitely recommend this event.”

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13.Islands of Polynesia and “HA: Breath of Life Show”

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 25 reviews · from $136

Visit villages representing Hawaii, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and Tahiti at Oahu’s Polynesian Cultural Center. Try activities such as hula, lauhala weaving, and traditional games, then take your reserved seat for Hā: Breath of Life, an evening show about Mana and Lani. There is no guide accompanying you through the center.

“The final show was rather long but very beautiful, and the day was perfect. A magnificent and rich culture!”

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14.Chief’s Luau Dinner Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 19 reviews · 3h 15m · from $182

At Chief’s Luau on Oahu, Chief Sielu, a World Fire Knife Dance Champion, hosts an evening of cultural activities, a buffet dinner, and the live show Chief’s Journey through the Polynesian Islands. Try headband weaving, spear throwing, fire-making, and a hula lesson, then watch an eight-man fire knife dance. Waikiki hotel pickup is available with selected options.

“Host was funny, educational, yet caring. Offered plenty of interactive activities So we can experience the Hawaiian hospitality It was definitely a memorable experience!”

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15.Exclusive Hawaii Five-0 TV Show Tour with Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 9 reviews · from $229

Spend four hours touring Honolulu locations from Hawaii Five-0, including the King Kamehameha Statue and the show’s headquarters. The highlight is exclusive access to the real McGarrett home at Bayer Estate, where you can compare the house with the set, try the famous Five-0 chairs, and enjoy local snacks. Groups are limited to 10; guide Matt and show actors may be part of the experience, but cast encounters are not guaranteed.

“Fantastic tour of McGarret House and Honolulu. Brilliant guide Matt and how cool to meet Big Sean at the house- so cool vibes”

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