SPECIAL EVENTS AT DAC
+ IN THE COMMUNITY
Upcoming Events at DAC
-
DAC Walking Tour: Art, History & Architecture in the HEART of Honolulu
Upcoming Tour Dates:
-Saturday, December 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Join historian Gary R. Coover, author of "Pocket Walking Tour of Honolulu's Royal Mile," and veteran artist/educator Susan Hogan for a lively 1.5–2 hour walk through the HEART of Downtown Honolulu. Discover the layered history, culture, and architecture of the district, explore pivotal sites and public artworks, and take home a complimentary copy of Gary’s book!Meeting Place: Downtown Art Center, 1041 Nuuanu Ave, Studio 1C (Chinatown Gateway Plaza building level 1)
$25 per person, limit 20 people per tour.
-
Raise Your Voice Holiday Concert with James McCarthy: A Joyful Noise!
Join us for this holiday edition of Raise Your Voice, featuring songs curated by veteran Honolulu musician James B. McCarthy from his archive of winter holiday tunes and tales—each selected to celebrate the comfort, joy, and magic of the season. We’ll set the mood with a warm, candlelit atmosphere, perfect for spending an evening together lifting our spirits.
Special Feature: James’ rollicking monologue from his years as a busker in Boston—Twelve Days like you’ve never heard before.
Saturday, December 13 from 5-7 p.m.
2nd Floor DAC Classroom
$10 per person, online or at the door -
First Fridays at DAC (Every First Friday of the Month)
Every First Friday evening of the month, DAC joins other creative organizations in the Chinatown Arts District with special art activities, performances, make & take crafting projects, exhibition opening receptions, artist meet & greets, and more!
Every First Friday of the month from 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Downtown Art Center (all spaces)
FREE and open to the public!Photo: Dancers from IONA Contemporary Dance Theatre
-
Sunday Sessions Live Music (Every First Sunday of the month)
Every First Sunday of the month, DAC and veteran music coordinator and musician Terry Oyama hosts live music by different local bands and musicians at DAC. These performances are FREE and open to the public! Refreshments available from the DAC donation bar.
Every First Sunday of the month, from 2-4 p.m.
DAC Studio 1C (first floor)
FREE and open to the public (donations welcome)Photo: Veteran Honolulu musician Bobby Nishida
DAC-Produced Community Events
-
The HEART of Honolulu Art-focused Street Festival
Next Event: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Save the date for our next annual HEART of Honolulu Art Street Festival! We invite artists and arts organizations to take to the streets, as we shut down Nuuanu Avenue in Chinatown and open it to pedestrian traffic for everyone to experience and enjoy the HEART of the Chinatown Arts District, including art, free make & take crafts, live music, food, creative local vendors, performances and more. -
Guitars & Plein Air in the Park
Last Event: Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
FREE and open to the public!Guitars & Plein Air in the Park, at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Park on Bethel and Hotel Streets, is a FREE public collab event with DAC and Hawaii Theatre that celebrates Hawaii's musicians and artists!
Experience the traditional Hawaiian melodies of Maikapu'uwai, the classic surf rock sounds of Men in Grey Suits, the folk harmonies of John Batdorf, from the ’70s duo Batdorf and Rodney, and the timeless energy of classic rock with Later Dave.
Artists, don't miss your chance to take part in the DAC Quickdraw Plein Air Painting Competition, juried by David Luchak. There is NO entry fee, and it's open to all mediums: watercolor, pastel, oil, pencil, and acrylic. Participants must bring their own supplies and register on-site. Upon check-in, canvases will be date-stamped, and artists will receive a designated area map. All artwork must be completed on the day of the event, within Chinatown and Downtown Honolulu! -
Sunset Arts Market at Fort Street Mall
Next Event: Friday, September 26, 2025 from 4-7 p.m. as part of the From the HEART Festival.
Free and open to the public.
Save the date! Sunset Arts Market at Fort Street Mall is an evening arts market produced by Downtown Art Center, and focused on activating the historic Fort Street Mall at Pauahi Street with a spotlight on local art, live music, fashion, and food.
FREE Public Events at DAC
-
Sunday Sessions Live Music
Every First Sunday of the month from 2-4 p.m.
FREE and open to the publicLocated in the second floor DAC Main Gallery or Classroom
Every First Sunday of the month, we host live music by different local bands, curated by local music veteran Terry Oyama. These performances are FREE, although donations are welcome. Refreshments available from the DAC donation bar. -
First Fridays at DAC
Every First Friday of the month from 5:30 - 8 p.m.
FREE and open to the public!Every First Friday, DAC and several other arts organizations in the Chinatown Arts District host art receptions and special events that showcase the local creative community, from visual to performing arts! Join the First Friday art walk and celebrate with us!