Lei Pride Pool Party Honolulu 2027

Lei Pride Pool Party Honolulu 2027

Lei is one of Hawaii’s leading gay magazines and presents the Honolulu Pride Party each year in some of the Islands’ top hotels.

• Stay at The Alohilani Resort located just across the street from Waikiki Beach on the Pacific Ocean. The hotel is famous for its 280,000-gallon, two-story saltwater Oceanarium in the middle of the lobby.

The Party

• Next Event: Awaiting dates, from 1 pm to 7 pm. Lei Pride Pool Party
• Lei Pride Pool Party brings a poolside twist to Honolulu’s Pride celebrations.
• Featuring guest DJs and cocktails with an afternoon in the Waikīkī sunshine.
• Enjoy upbeat house music, hot guys in swimwear and a friendly mix of Honolulu locals and visiting LGBTQ+ travellers.
• Spend the afternoon between the pool and the music, catching up with friends or meeting other Pride visitors.
• Look out for reserved lounge chairs, daybeds and private cabana packages if you’re coming with a group.
• Full details for 2027, DJ lineup and ticket options, will be added once announced.

The Venue: Alohilani Resort

• ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach is a contemporary oceanfront-area resort on Kalākaua Avenue, directly opposite Waikīkī Beach.
• The party takes place at SWELL, its elevated outdoor pool and restaurant complex.
• A striking infinity-edge pool overlooks the beach and Pacific Ocean, with Diamond Head visible beyond the coastline.
• The surrounding deck provides space for sun loungers, reserved daybeds and private cabanas.
• SWELL’s bar and dining areas offer cocktails and food without leaving the resort.
• Open-air seating, palms and modern landscaping give the venue a polished beach-club atmosphere.
• The hotel is also known for its two-storey, 280,000-gallon saltwater Oceanarium in the lobby.

Honolulu Pride Weekend

Lei is part of a five-day programme running from Wednesday 14th October to Sunday 18th October 2026.

Other highlights include:

• Thursday Pride concert at Hawaiʻi Theatre
• Friday Official Pride Opening Party at Scarlet Honolulu.
• Saturday Honolulu Pride Parade and Festival, followed by the official afterparty at Hula’s Bar & Lei Stand.
• Sunday 18th October: Pride Drag Brunch at ʻAlohilani Resort

Before and After the Pool Party

Waikīkī has a compact gay bar scene, making it easy to combine Lei with drinks, dinner or a final Pride night out.

• Hula’s Bar & Lei Stand – At 134 Kapahulu Avenue, upstairs at the Waikīkī Grand Hotel. A Honolulu gay institution with an open-air bar, views towards Diamond Head and a sociable mix of locals and visitors. Ideal for drinks after the pool party.
• Bacchus Waikīkī – At 408 Lewers Street, a relaxed neighbourhood gay bar known for its friendly atmosphere, casual drinks and regular themed entertainment.
• Wang Chung’s Karaoke Bar – At 2424 Koa Avenue, a lively LGBTQ+ karaoke bar where guests take turns performing pop favourites. A fun alternative to another dance party.
• In Between Waikīkī – At 2155 Lauʻula Street, a tiny gay karaoke bar tucked away from the main tourist streets. Best for an informal evening and meeting local regulars.

Where to Stay

Stay in Waikīkī, ideally towards the eastern end of Kalākaua Avenue, for easy access to Lei, the beach and Honolulu’s gay nightlife.

• ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach – The party’s host hotel and the most convenient choice. Contemporary rooms, many with ocean views, an impressive saltwater Oceanarium and direct access to SWELL. Ideal for moving between your room and the pool celebrations.
• Aston Waikiki Beach Tower – Our pick for a longer Pride holiday. Spacious one- and two-bedroom residential suites with full kitchens, private balconies and ocean views, almost opposite the party venue. Particularly suitable for friends travelling together.
• Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani – A refined boutique hotel with beautifully finished rooms, an eighth-floor infinity pool, hot tub and cocktail bar. An excellent option for guests wanting a quieter luxury stay within walking distance of the celebrations.
• Prince Waikiki – A sophisticated waterfront hotel overlooking the marina, with spacious rooms, striking ocean views and an infinity pool. Best for visitors who prefer a quieter setting near Ala Moana, with a short taxi ride to the party.

Gay Beaches in Honolulu

Waikīkī is the centre of Honolulu’s gay visitor scene, but the beach atmosphere changes considerably as you move east.

• Queen’s Surf Beach, near Kapiʻolani Park, is the city’s best-known gay beach area. Look for the stretch near the eastern end of Waikīkī, popular with local gay men and visitors.
• Kaimana Beach, farther towards Diamond Head, offers a quieter alternative with a smaller sandy beach and a more relaxed atmosphere.
• Central Waikīkī Beach is ideal for swimming, people-watching and enjoying the restaurants and bars along Kalākaua Avenue.

Gay Guides to Hawaii and the islands

• For more information, check out our full guide to the gay scene in Waikiki, Honolulu, Oahu. 
• Explore the other islands, including Maui, The Big Island and more.