By Sarah Hendrix | Staff Writer

Now that the semester has finally finished, Oʻahu has summer festivities for students staying on island to look forward to over the break. This summer is looking to be memorable with some annual favorites like the Lantern Floating Ceremony, ‘Ukulele Festival and the Rainbow Film Festival. Alongside some of the annual events, there will also be concerts and monthly events happening all summer long for students to enjoy.

May 25, June 29, July 27: Eat the Street

On the last Friday of every month over 40 street vendors gather in Kakaʻako to sell their food, drinks and dessert. The vendors gather in Kakaʻako Park, where people can enjoy their food on the grass while live music plays in the background. There is plenty of parking at Kakaʻako Park, and the event runs from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. On May 25 the theme is garlic, meaning many of the dishes served will incorporate garlic into their recipes.

May 28: Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi 

Oʻahu’s annual Lantern Festival happens every year down at Ala Moana on Memorial Day. In previous years the festival has held around 50,000 people on the beach, who send off lanterns to honor their loved ones. The ceremony happens during sunset and was started by Her Holiness Shinso Ito on Memorial Day in 1999.

June 10: Boyz II Men concert

Originally scheduled to happen at the Waikīkī Shell, the Boyz II Men concert has changed venues to the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena at 6 p.m. The tickets just recently went on sale to the public on May 12. This iconic R&B group, which became famous throughout the ’90s for songs like “I’ll Make Love To You” and “End Of The Road,” will be performing in Honolulu next month.

June 2-July 14: Screen on the Green at Waimea Valley

Every Saturday night at 7:15 p.m. during June and July, Waimea Valley will be hosting an outdoor screening of movies on the main lawn with free admission for anyone who wants to watch. For seven Saturdays the movies that have been scheduled (from first to last) are: “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” “Despicable Me,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “Toy Story,” “E.T.,” “Frozen” and “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.”

July 4: Independence Day celebrations

Every year on the 4th of July, Ala Moana holds a large fireworks show that brings in crowds of people. The beach packs out early in the day with tents and BBQs flooding Ala Moana Beach Park and the fireworks are lit off at Magic Island. This is a great option for people who enjoy the beach, crowds and watching fireworks to celebrate Independence Day.

July 15: ʻUkulele Festival 

This year, the ʻUkulele Festival will celebrate its 48th year at Kapiʻolani Park from 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. This is a free festival filled with tons of performers, including a ‘ukulele orchestra with over 800 students participants. There will be over 20 performers throughout the day with food booths and souvenirs available for purchase.

August 9-19: Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival

Produced by the Honolulu Gay & Lesbian Cultural Foundation, this year will mark the 29th Annual Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival. It will be located at the Doris Duke Theatre at the Honolulu Museum of Art over 10 days. Each night films from around the world will be showcased, and on August 18, the event will host its Red Carpet Event. For more information and a schedule of each day click here.

August 17-19: Made in Hawaiʻi Festival

This is the 24th annual Made in Hawaiʻi Festival. The three-day event showcases local products made around Hawaiʻi including food, books, crafts, clothing and jewelry. The event will be at the Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall and Arena from Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. each day. This event is a great opportunity to shop local and support local business owners.