Festivals and celebrationsNorth America
Lei Day
A statewide celebration in Hawaii honoring the art of lei making and the aloha spirit.
Lei Day is an annual Hawaiian festival held on May first. It celebrates the creation and exchange of leis, which are garlands made from local flowers, shells, or leaves. The event reflects the unique identity of each island through its specific floral symbols.
When is Lei Day in 2027?
Lei Day 2027 is on Saturday, 1 May 2027. Other years: 2026, Friday, 1 May 2026; 2028, Monday, 1 May 2028.
Lei Day is a yearly celebration in Hawaii that honors the tradition of wearing and making leis. Established in the late twentieth century, the festival brings communities together to showcase island-specific floral designs. It serves as a public expression of the aloha spirit through shared crafts and performances.
Origins and history
The holiday began in 1927 before becoming an official state recognition in 1929. Writer Don Blanding proposed the idea in a newspaper article, suggesting a day dedicated to the wearing of leis. Grace Tower Warren later helped set the date for May first to align with May Day traditions. The location of the main festivities has shifted over time, moving from town halls to Kapi'olani Park in Honolulu.
Island symbols and leis
Each Hawaiian island claims a distinct flower or material for its representative lei. Maui uses the pink lokelani, while Oahu features the golden 'ilima. The Big Island displays the red lehua blossom, and Kauai offers the purple mokihana berry. Other islands utilize materials like the green kukui leaves of Molokai, the yellow kauna'oa vine of Lanai, the silver hinahina of Kahoolawe, and the white pupu shells of Niihau.
Festivities and customs
Schools across the islands organize plays and elect courts of kings and queens to represent their regions. Participants exchange leis as gifts to express greetings, love, or farewell. The main event in Honolulu includes lectures on cultural meaning and demonstrations of crafting techniques. Hilo hosts its own festival featuring live music and hula dancing. Contests judge the intricacy of the entries, with winners often displayed at the Royal Mausoleum.
Cultural integration
The celebration incorporates various ethnic influences alongside native Hawaiian practices. Performances often feature hapa haole styles, blending Euro-American elements with traditional hula and ukulele music. While some view this fusion as a loss of pure identity, it is widely accepted today as part of the island's historical evolution. The event attracts tourists and locals alike, fostering a sense of shared pride and community.
How Lei Day is kept
Communities gather for parades, ceremonies, and school performances. Students learn hula and other dances to present to their peers. Adults participate in lei-making contests and attend lectures about symbolism. People exchange garlands to signify affection or welcome. The main gathering occurs at Kapi'olani Park, where judges evaluate the craftsmanship of the floral arrangements.
When and where
It falls annually on May first, starting in the morning and ending in the evening. A lei contest typically extends into the following day. The date was chosen to coincide with international May Day celebrations.
The tradition is kept throughout the state of Hawaii. The primary venue is Kapi'olani Park in Honolulu. Other islands host local festivals, such as the Hilo Lei Day Festival on the Big Island.
What Lei Day means
The lei represents the unspoken expression of aloha, encompassing love, hope, joy, or farewell. Although the physical garland may fade quickly, the sentiment it carries endures. Wearing a lei signifies respect, and refusing one is considered rude. Historically, sacred maile leis were used in peace agreements between groups.
Days Lei Day is marked
Lei Day dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Lei Day date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday, 1 May 2026 |
| 2027 | Saturday, 1 May 2027 |
| 2028 | Monday, 1 May 2028 |
Questions people ask about Lei Day
When is Lei Day in 2027?
Lei Day 2027 is on Saturday, 1 May 2027. Other years: 2026, Friday, 1 May 2026; 2028, Monday, 1 May 2028.
What is Lei Day?
Lei Day is an annual Hawaiian celebration held on May first. It honors the art of creating and wearing leis, which are garlands made from local plants or shells. The festival promotes the aloha spirit through community gatherings and performances.
How do different islands celebrate?
Each island uses a specific flower or material to represent its identity. For example, Maui uses the pink lokelani, while Niihau uses white pupu shells. Schools and communities hold local parades, dances, and crafting competitions to showcase these unique designs.
What is the significance of exchanging leis?
Exchanging leis is a way to express the aloha spirit, which includes love, greeting, or farewell. The act symbolizes a lasting thought even if the physical lei fades. Refusing a lei is generally seen as disrespectful within the culture.
See also
ChristmasA festival of Jesus's birth, kept on 25 December with gifts, lights and shared meals
HalloweenAn annual observance on 31 October marking the eve of All Saints' Day, rooted in Christian tradition and Celtic heritage
Valentine's DayA Christian feast day and cultural celebration of love kept on February 14 in many countries.
Christmas treeA decorated evergreen or artificial tree placed indoors to mark the Christmas season.Good reading and sources
- Lei Day on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Lei Day", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryParampara rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.
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