Most people think of the Honolulu Zoo as a daytime destination.
You visit with the family. You see the giraffes. You wave hello to the monkeys. You spend a few hours wandering the grounds before heading off to the beach or grabbing lunch nearby.
But for six special evenings each summer, something different happens...
As the sun begins to set over Waikīkī, lawn chairs and blankets start appearing on the Great Lawn. Local musicians tune their instruments. Families gather with snacks and friends. A crowd forms beneath the trees. And one of Honolulu's longest-running summer traditions comes to life.
The Wildest Show is back.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Honolulu Zoological Society's beloved concert series, and we're excited to share that fresh Pop Culture Artisan Pops will be available throughout the season.
Four Decades of Summer Memories
Forty years is a remarkable run for any event.
Think about that for a moment.
When the first Wildest Show took place, some of today's concertgoers hadn't even been born yet. Since then, generations of local families have spread out blankets on the lawn, introduced their keiki to live music, and made the concert series part of their summer traditions.
That's probably the secret behind the event's staying power.
The Wildest Show doesn't try to reinvent itself every year. Instead, it doubles down on the things people love most: local music, community, family fun, and a uniquely Hawaiʻi setting that no concert venue can replicate.
Because let's be honest—there aren't many places where you can listen to award-winning musicians while knowing there's a rhino, zebra, or elephant somewhere nearby.
A Lineup Worth Staying Out For
This year's milestone season brings together some of Hawaiʻi's most beloved performers.
The series opens with the incomparable Taimane Gardner on June 17 before continuing with island music legends including Brother Noland, Kapena, Nathan Aweau, and Kalani Peʻa.
Each evening also showcases emerging local talent through the Henry Kapono Foundation's On the Rise program, giving audiences a chance to discover the next generation of Hawaiʻi musicians before they become household names.
It's a reminder that Hawaiʻi's music scene has always been about more than the headliners. The future often starts on the same stage.
Come Early. Stay Late.
Part of the charm of the Wildest Show is that it encourages you to slow down and make an evening out of it.
Gates open at 4:30 p.m., giving guests plenty of time to settle in, grab food and drinks, explore the activities, and claim the perfect patch of grass before the music begins.
Families can enjoy keiki activities, coloring stations, giveaways, lucky drawings, and educational experiences throughout the evening. Guests 21 and older can enjoy local beer from Aloha Beer Co., while food vendors help keep everyone fueled for the night ahead.
And somewhere among the festivities, you'll find us.
Freshies Under The Stars
We'll be bringing our signature blue cooler packed with fresh artisan pops made with the local ingredients, seasonal flavors, and creative collaborations that inspire everything we do.
There is something especially satisfying about enjoying a frozen pop on a warm summer evening while listening to live music outdoors. Maybe it's the trade winds. Maybe it's the setting. Maybe it's simply that good music and good food have always gone together.
Whatever the reason, we're happy to be part of it.
Whether you're attending your first Wildest Show or continuing a family tradition that's been going strong for decades, we'd love to see you stop by, say hello, and grab a freshie.
Why Events Like This Matter
The Wildest Show isn't just a concert series.
Like so many of Hawaiʻi's best traditions, it's really about gathering.
It's about introducing younger generations to local music. It's about supporting institutions like the Honolulu Zoo. It's about creating memories that become part of the fabric of summer in Hawaiʻi.
For forty years, this event has brought people together in one of Honolulu's most unexpected concert venues. That's worth celebrating.
And if that celebration happens to include live music, a beautiful Waikīkī sunset, and a frozen pop in your hand, even better.
Get Your Tickets
The Wildest Show 2026 runs Wednesday evenings through July 22 at the Honolulu Zoo.
Bring a blanket. Bring a lawn chair. Bring your friends and family.
We'll bring the freshies.
Wildest Show 2026 Schedule
June 17
Taimane Gardner
Opening Acts: Clara Stegall & Lovejack
June 24
Brother Noland
July 8
Kapena
July 15
Nathan Aweau
July 22
Kalani Peʻa
Location
Honolulu Zoo Great Lawn
Gates Open
4:30 p.m.
Main Stage Performances
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tickets are available online and at the gate. Grab yours early and join us for one of Honolulu's most beloved summer traditions. https://www.honoluluzoo.org/wildest-show-2026/
