Waikiki Spam Jam 2026 Adds Drone Show Above the Beach — Here’s Everything You Need to Know
The 18th annual Waikiki Spam Jam is adding some high-tech flair to its beloved block party format this year, with organizers announcing a spectacular 10-minute drone show set to light up the skies above Waikiki Beach on April 25.
The free community festival, which transforms Kalakaua Avenue into a pedestrian-only celebration of Hawaii’s iconic canned meat, will kick off at 4 p.m. and run until 10 p.m. The drone show, scheduled for 8:30 p.m., represents the event’s biggest addition since its inception in 2009.
“We wanted to create something truly memorable for our community and visitors alike,” said festival organizer James Lovell. “The drone show will tell the story of Spam’s journey to Hawaii while celebrating our local culture against the backdrop of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach.”
More than 30 local restaurants and food vendors will line the blocked-off stretch of Kalakaua Avenue between Seaside and Uluniu avenues, serving up creative Spam-inspired dishes ranging from traditional musubi to gourmet fusion creations. Participating vendors include longtime favorites like Rainbow Drive-In, Helena’s Hawaiian Food, and Ono Hawaiian Foods, alongside newcomers offering everything from Spam ramen to Korean-style Spam bulgogi.
Can to Table Restaurant Week Returns
The festivities extend beyond the single-day block party with the return of Can to Table Restaurant Week, running April 18 through May 3. This year’s participating restaurants include some of Honolulu’s most celebrated dining establishments.
Duke’s Waikiki will offer a special three-course menu featuring Spam-crusted mahi-mahi, while Roy’s Waikiki presents a contemporary take with Spam fried rice topped with lobster. Other confirmed participants include Morimoto Asia Waikiki, which plans to incorporate Spam into traditional Japanese preparations, and Hula Grill Waikiki, featuring locally-sourced ingredients alongside the festival’s signature protein.
Each participating restaurant will donate a portion of proceeds from their special menus to the Hawaii Foodbank, continuing the event’s tradition of community support. Since 2015, Can to Table Restaurant Week has raised more than $150,000 for local food security initiatives.
Entertainment and Family Activities
Beyond the culinary offerings, this year’s Spam Jam will feature two main entertainment stages showcasing local musicians, hula halau, and cultural performers. The Waikiki Shell stage will host headlining acts, while the Diamond Head stage focuses on emerging local talent and keiki performances.
Family-friendly activities include a keiki zone with face painting, arts and crafts, and educational booths about Hawaiian agriculture and food sustainability. The popular Spam carving contest returns, with prizes for the most creative sculptures made from the iconic rectangular cans.
New this year is a sustainability initiative encouraging attendees to bring reusable utensils and water bottles. Hydration stations will be available throughout the event area, and vendors are required to use compostable serving materials.
Getting There and Parking
Kalakaua Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic from Seaside to Uluniu avenues starting at 2 p.m. on April 25. The city recommends using public transportation, with TheBus offering extended service on routes 8, 19, 20, and 42 throughout the event.
Paid parking will be available at the Royal Hawaiian Center and International Market Place, though spaces fill up quickly. Many locals opt to park in residential areas of Kapahulu or McCully and walk to the event.
For visitors staying in Waikiki hotels, most properties offer shuttle services or are within walking distance of the festivities. The event is fully accessible, with designated viewing areas for wheelchairs and mobility devices near both entertainment stages.
The Hawaii Foodbank, which receives all net proceeds from the event, distributed more than 15 million pounds of food to local families last year. Festival organizers expect this year’s combination of the block party, restaurant week, and new drone show spectacle to draw record crowds and generate significant support for the organization’s mission.
Early attendance projections suggest more than 25,000 people will participate in this year’s festivities, making it one of Waikiki’s largest community events. For Honolulu residents, it represents both a celebration of local food culture and a chance to support neighbors in need while enjoying world-class entertainment against one of the world’s most beautiful backdrops.
