It was another banner year for Tiki and adjacent events in 2025 as the calendar continued to expand with new gatherings, large and small. Our full recap below contains streaming video, plus social media photos and links to more coverage on many happenings around the world, including Mai Tai Mayhem in Ohio, Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando, the Surfer Joe Summer Festival in Italy, Ohana: Luau at the Lake in New York, the Surf Guitar 101 Festival in California, Tiki in Waikiki, Monster Moku in Orlando, Circa Caliente in Palm Springs, and Tiki Fever in Sarasota. You can also find exclusive Atomic Grog coverage of multiple events at the Mai-Kai, plus others we attended including Inuhele in Atlanta, Miami Rum Congress, The Hukilau in South Florida, Tiki Oasis in San Diego, and the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival.
TOP STORIES OF 2025: Tiki culture honors the past as it expands reach and influence
The Tiki Times: Preview the 2026 calendar of events
Get ready for an action-packed year in the world of Tiki culture with this preview of the many returning events. Look ahead at the full calendar featuring official artwork and links to more info.
THE TIKI TIMES 2026: Latest upcoming live and virtual events
Social media: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Bluesky | Pinterest
THE TIKI TIMES: 2025 EVENTS RECAP
Jan. 18 – 90 Years of Paradise at Trader Vic’s Munich.
Jan. 18 – Rockabillaque Florida at the Seminole Casino Hotel in Immokalee.
Jan. 19 – Slack Key Festival in Redondo Beach, Calif.
Jan 24-26 – Inuhele: Atlanta’s Tiki Weekend
Paradise Reimagined: Deep Inside the Mai-Kai Restoration
Attendees at Inuhele 2025 in Atlanta enjoyed an exclusive look at the reimagination and revival of the historic restaurant during a special multimedia presentation featuring photos, video and inside tips. Check out slideshow highlights, plus two walk-through videos with creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller.
Don the Beachcomber brand closes maiden venue, but navigates rough seas with dynamic expansion plans
Get the official scoop from creative director Justin Peterson and beverage director and Marie King, revealed during a presentation at Inuhele in Atlanta with author Tim “Swanky” Glazner.
Bonus cocktail recipe: Tribute to Marie King’s The Seminole Heights
Inuhele, Atlanta grow together into a Tiki powerhouse
The sixth annual weekender returned Jan 24-26 with expert symposiums, artists and vendor marketplace, live music and entertainment, authentic luau, plus more.
• Take 5: Q&A with organizer Jonathan Chaffin
LIVE COVERAGE: Photos, video on social media
Jan. 26 – Winter Surf Fest in Long Beach, Calif.
Jan. 31-Feb. 2 – Miami Rum Congress at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Photos & video: Mai-Kai joins Miami Rum Congress festivities
The Mai-Kai was once again at ground zero of the rum world as brands, VIPs and enthusiasts flocked to South Florida. The restaurant hosted a special event and participated in several events in Miami Beach.
Feb. 7 – Tiki Luau in Oslo, Norway.
Feb. 12-14 – Mondial du Rhum in Paris.
Feb. 13-23 – Modernism Week in Palm Springs, Calif.
Feb 14-16 – Vintage Oasis hosted by the Greater Boston Vintage Society in Sturbridge, Mass.
March 1 – Texas Rum Festival in Dallas.
March 1-2 – Surf By Surf East Weekender in Austin.
March 2 – Adventureland Day at Disneyland in Anaheim.
March 2 – Adventureland Day at Disney World in Orlando.
March 2 – Mermaid’s Day at Disneyland.
March 7-9 – Mai Tai Mayhem in Richfield, Ohio.
March 9 – Tropical Spirits Festival in Fort Lauderdale.
Recap, photos: Tropical Spirits Festival and after-party at Mai-Kai
March 15 – Welcome to ExotiCalifornia with The Tikiyaki Orchestra at the Golden Sails Hotel in Long Beach, Calif.
March 15-16 – Arizona Aloha Festival at Tempe Beach Park.
March 16 – Tonga Hut Emerald Anniversary Art Show and Parking Lot Sale in Los Angeles.
March 28-30 – Louisiana Tiki Festival in Baton Rouge.
March 28-30 – Tikipalooza Weekend in Seattle.
March 29 – Bourbon Bill’s Tiki Luau in Jacksonville, Fla.
March 29 – Oslo Rum & Whisky Festival in Norway.
March 29 – Taste of Rum festival in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• Taste of Rum 2025 recap (The Spirits Business)
April 5 – Walt Disney’s World of Tiki at the Anaheim Public Library.
April 4-6 – Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando, Fla.
Live coverage: Photos and video from Tiki-a-Go-Go in Orlando
Polynesian Pop enthusiasts from around the world flocked to the Sunshine State for three days of retro-themed festivities, along with a healthy dose of educational entertainment.
PREVIEW: 10 questions with the co-founders
See also: Mai-Kai joins top Florida bars at Tiki-a-Go-Go
April 6 – Magical Tiki Meet Up at Walt Disney World.
April 11-12 – Floridania Fest – The Florida Memorabilia Show in Sarasota.
April 11-12 – Mcbiff print release at the Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale..
Mcbiff introduces ‘Mystery at the Mai-Kai’ print, merchandise during special event
The California artist met with fans as they purchased an array of new items while enjoying special Mcbiff cocktails. Also unveiled was a one-of-a-kind painting framed by creative director “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller using pieces of the Mai-Kai itself.
See also: Mcbiff cocktails toast artist’s arrival, ‘Mystery at the Mai-Kai’ event
April 12-14 – Rhum Fest Paris
April 20-26 – Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii.
April 22-26 – Madeira Rum Festival in Funchal, Portugal.
April 24-26 – Hawaii Arts, Crafts & Food Festival in Hilo, Hawaii.
April 24-27 – Arizona Tiki Oasis in Scottsdale.
• Photos: Arizona Tiki Oasis brought tropical vibes to Scottsdale (Phoenix New Times)
April 24-28 – Viva Las Vegas rockabilly weekend.
April 26 – Chicago Rum Festival
April 26 – Creek-i-Tiki Luau in Croydon, Pa.
April 26 – Southern California Asian & Pacific Islander Festival in Oceanside.
April 26-27 – Alamo Aloha Fiestaval in San Antonio.
April 27 – TikiLand Day at Disneyland
May 1-4 – Tiki Caliente in Palm Springs, Calif.
May 2-5 – Tikitaly in Livorno, Italy.
• Mai-Kai goes international at new Tiki event in Italy
May 3 – The Marama Room grand opening in Huntington Beach, Calif.
May 3 – North Texas Pacific Islander Festival in Bedford.
May 3 – Oceania Culture and Arts Festival in Bakersfield, Calif.
May 3-4 – Retro Palm Springs at the Palm Springs Convention Center.
May 3-4 – Twangstock at Otto’s Shrunken Head in New York City.
May 7-12 – Mad Ron Week in Madrid.
May 9 – Spain Rum and Gin Expo in Madrid.
May 10-11 – Hawaiian May Day Festival in Pleasanton, Calif.
May 17 – Stockholm Rum Fest in Sweden.
May 17 – Tiki Flea 15 at Tiki Underground in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
May 17-18 – Heritage of Aloha Festival in Santa Fe Springs, Calif.
May 18 – Long Beach Lowbrow Luau in California.
May 23-24 – Surf O Rama Festival in Valencia, Spain.
May 26 – The Rum Curious Summit in Long Beach, Calif.
May 31 – Don’s Ohana Reunion fundraiser in Cypress, Calif.
June 5-8 – The Hukilau at the Beachcomber Resort & Club in Pompano Beach and Mai-Kai restaurant in Oakland Park.
Photos, video: Mai-Kai unveils two large tiki carvings during The Hukilau 2025
Guests are now greeted by two towering tikis in the restaurant’s reimagined entry area, one created locally by a familiar artist, the other in Arizona by a veteran carver.
June recap: Tikiphiles, Panthers fans flock to the Mai-Kai for special events
The beginning of the summer season brought a cavalcade of unique special events and happenings. From the return of The Hukilau weekender to a celebration of the Florida Panthers’ championship, there was never a dull moment.
• The Hukilau returns to the Mai-Kai for five days of Tiki festivities
June recap: The Hukilau brings special events, guest bartenders, unique cocktails
Mai-Kai bar program reaches new heights, audience in June as creative drinks get spotlight.
• Mai-Kai welcomes The Hukilau guest bartenders with exclusive dinner
• Beverage director reunites with old friends at The Hukilau finale
The Hukilau 2025: Live coverage, photos and video from the Beachcomber Resort and Mai-Kai
Take a look back and all the fun and festivities at the 23rd Tiki weekender, held June 5-8 in South Florida.
June 7 – New York Rum Festival & Conference in New York City.
June 7 – Sacramento Tiki Marketplace in California.
June 7-8 – Exotikon music and arts festival in Los Angeles.
June 8-15 – Dallas Tiki Week
June 9-13 – Spike’s Breezeway Cocktail Cruise, departing from Fort Lauderdale.
June 13-14 – Rum Love Festival in Wroclaw, Poland.
June 13-15 – Pan-Pacific Festival in Honolulu.
June 14 – Bordeaux Rum Festival in France.
June 14 – Island Vibe Music Festival in San Diego.
June 14 – Tiki Inferno in New Boston, Mich.
June 19-22 – Surfer Joe Summer Festival in Livorno, Italy.
June 26-29 – Bottoms Up – A Midcentury Barware Show in Lancaster, Ohio.
June 26-29 – Ohana: Luau at the Lake at The Tiki Resort, Lake George, N.Y.
June 28 – Birmingham Rum Festival in the UK.
June 28-29 – San Diego Ho’olaule’a: A Hawaiian Cultural Festival.
July 3-5 – Oslo Tiki Weekend in Norway.
July 7 – Tiki Match bartending competition in Vienna, Austria.
July 18 – Jamaica Rum Festival in Montego Bay.
July 18-19 – Rum Show in London.
July 19-20 – Ho’olaule’a at Alondra Park in Lawndale, Calif.
July 20-25 – Tales of the Cocktail and Spirted Awards in New Orleans.
• The best bars and bartenders in the world in 2025, according to Tales of the Cocktail (Eater)
July 24-27 – 4 Days of Aloha, a Hawaiian arts and culture festival in Vancouver, Wash.
July 26 – Grumpy’s Big Kahuna Bash in Minneapolis, Minn.
July 26 – Manchester Rum Festival in the UK.
Aug. 1-3 – Surf Guitar 101 Festival Weekender in Long Beach, Calif.
Aug. 6-10 – Tiki Oasis in San Diego, Calif.
Mai-Kai updates: New cocktails and Cannibal mug revealed, Rum No. 1 on the way
The historic restaurant’s beverage program is about to enter its “next evolution,” according to general manager Cory Starr.
RECAP: Tiki Oasis gets peek into back bar, first look at new mug, taste of Mai-Kai Rum No. 1
Mai-Kai at Tiki Oasis, new mug release, upcoming events, video and media blitz
Surprise mug release and rum preview highlight busy summer, special presentation in California, as South Florida restaurant gears up for fall.
FULL COVERAGE: Mai-Kai reveals new rum, Sven Kirsten mug at Tiki Oasis
Relive Tiki Oasis 2025 with photos, video and a room party cocktail
The world’s first (and largest) multi-day event celebrating the Polynesian Pop revival celebrated its 25th anniversary with a bang Aug. 6-10, when it literally took over the sprawling Town and Country Resort in San Diego.
Bonus cocktail recipe: Jungle Bum from the Mcbiff Cocktail Hour at Tiki Oasis 2025
Previous coverage: Tiki Oasis celebrates a quarter century as subculture’s preeminent event
Aug. 11-17 – Key West Rum Festival in Florida.
Aug. 11-17 – NYC Rum Week in New York City.
Aug. 14-17 – PDXotica in Portland, Ore.
Aug. 16 – Brooklyn Rum Festival in New York City.
Aug. 18-23 – Mobile Tiki Week in Alabama.
Aug. 20-22 – Panama Rum Fest in Bella Vista, Panama City.
Aug. 22-24 – Rockaway Beach Surf Music Festival in New York City.
Aug. 22-24 – Tiki in Waikiki in Honolulu.
Aug. 23-24 – Kalama Cultural Festival in Washington.
Aug. 24 – Rum Tiki Social: Monsters & Mai Tais in Long Beach, Calif.
Aug. 25-31 – Rochester Tiki Week in New York.
Aug. 29-30 – Gin & Rum Festival in Glasgow, Scotland.
Aug. 29-Sept. 1 – Commonwealth 10th Anniversary Tiki Luau in Fairfax, Va.
Aug. 30-31 – German Rum Festival in Berlin.
Aug. 31 – Alohaland – Live on Stage with Charles Phoenix in Garden Grove, Calif.
Aug. 31 – Mai Tai Day at Trader Vic’s in Emeryville, Calif.
• The Search for the Ultimate Mai Tai recap
Sept. 2-4 and 8-10 – Tiki by the Sea in Wildwood, N.J.
Sept. 6 – Scottish Rum Festival in Edinburgh.
Sept. 7 – Exotikon Super Shock Show at the Mayan Theater in Los Angeles.
Sept. 7 – Lost Safari Party at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Sept. 11 – Los Angeles Rum Festival Pop-Up
Sept. 13 – InfernOhana: Tabu Fest at The Inferno Room in Indianapolis, Ind.
Sept. 13 – Tiki Talk – A Rum-Centric Tiki Culture Event at Indian River Distillery in Vero Beach, Fla.
Sept. 13 – Yul Rum Fest in Montreal.
Sept. 12-14 – Beachcomber Bash in Ocean Shores, Wash.
Sept. 13-14 – San Francisco Rum Festival & Congress
• The Search for the Ultimate Mai Tai recap
Sept. 14-21 – Boston Rum Week
Sept. 15 – Royal RUM-ble at Wusong Road in Boston.
Sept. 19-20 – Vienna Rum Festival in Austria.
Sept. 20 – Ohana Fest NorCal in Suisun City, Calif.
Sept. 21 – Tiki Luau at The Grass Skirt in San Diego.
Sept. 25-28 – Monster Moku in Orlando.
Sept. 26-28 – Lei Away in Kansas City.
Sept. 26-28 – Ohana Fest in Dana Point, Calif.
Sept. 27 – Southern Surf StompFest in Avondale Estates, Ga.
Sept. 27-29 – 19th annual Parking Lot Sale at Forbidden Island in Alameda, Calif.
Oct. 2-5 – Circa Caliente in Palm Springs, Calif.
Oct. 4 – The Big Tiki Woo-Woo in Ventura Beach, Calif.
Oct. 4 – Haunted Harbor Hop in San Pedro, Calif.
Oct. 9 – The Largest Rum Tasting Masterclass official world record attempt with Ian Burrell in London.
Oct. 11-12 – The UK RumFest in London.
Oct. 12 – Atomic Tiki Bazaar at Max’s South Seas Hideaway in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Oct. 16-19 – Modernism Week Fall Preview in Palm Springs, Calif.
Oct. 18 – In Dead By Ten: Halloween Time Machine Dance Party in Munhall, Pa.
Oct. 18 – Slack Key Festival in Seattle.
Oct. 19 – Freaky Tiki Hulaween at Secret Island Tiki Lounge in Long Beach, Calif.
Oct. 24-26 – Taste of Tahiti in Murrieta, Calif.
Oct. 25 – Tiki Creepy Pop-Up with Brad “Tiki Shark” Parker at Pineapple Parlor in Galveston, Texas.
Oct. 26 – Monsters and Mai Tais XII at Tonga Hut in Los Angeles.
Oct. 31 – Hulaween at the Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale.
Mai-Kai’s Hulaween party returns from the dead in 2025
The historic restaurant was transformed into a haunted Polynesian island during October, culminating with the 13th Hulaween party on Oct. 31 in the Molokai and Bora Bars.
EVENT COVERAGE: Relive Hulaween with more than 60 images and video, full recap
Hulaween photo galleries: Design & decor | Oct. 31 Hulaween party
Bonus cocktail recipe: Tribute to the Mai-Kai’s Pineapple of Perdition
Oct. 31-Nov. 2 – Ia ‘Oe E Ka La Hula Competition & Festival in Plesanton, Calif.
Nov. 1-2 – Mexotika La Isla De Los Muertos Vintage Tiki Horror Party in Mexico City.
Nov. 3-8 – The Barbados Rum Experience
Nov. 6-8 – Tiki Fever at the Bahi Hut and Golden Host Resort in Sarasota, Fla.
Nov. 6-9 – Barbados Food & Rum Festival
Nov. 7-8 – Danish Rum and Whisky Festival in Denmark.
Nov. 8 – Rockabillaque Charleston in South Carolina.
Nov. 8 – South Pacific Room Tiki Marketplace in Vista, Calif.
Nov. 8-9 – Miami Rum Renaissance Festival in Coral Gables.
Mai-Kai Rum No. 1 makes a splash during 2025 Miami Rum Renaissance Festival
Nov. 10-16 – St Barth Rum Festival and Caribbean Rum Awards
Nov. 15 – Pulp Paradise: A Tropical Surf Music Event in Fort Myers, Fla.
Nov. 16 – Alohana in Palm Springs, Calif.
Nov. 19 – One Love For Jamaica, Rum Relief Fundraiser at Trader Vic’s in Emeryville, Calif.
Nov. 19-22 – Festival El Ron de Cuba in Varadero.
Nov. 22 – Fiji Rum & Tiki Festival in Nadi, Fiji.
• Hilton Fiji’s Sumarayasa wins inaugural Tiki Masters competition (The Fiji Times)
Nov. 23 – Wiki Wiki One Day Vintage Collectibles & Hawaiiana Show in Honolulu.
Dec. 6 – Shipwrecked Tiki Social & Bazaar in Marina Del Rey, Calif.
Dec. 7 – Lowbrow Aloha art show and sale at Hala Kahiki near Chicago.
Dec. 13-14 – Mele Kalikimaka Marketplace in Honolulu.
Dec. 14 – Tiki Wonderland 18 at Tonga Hut in Los Angeles.
Mai-Kai legends return to the stage for 69th anniversary celebration
The Mai-Kai welcomed back dozens of alumni from throughout its 69-year history for a first-of-its-kind anniversary celebration and a weekend full of incendiary performances of the Polynesian Islander Revue.
FULL RECAP: Photos, video, review of alumni anniversary weekend
• Preview: See the list of returning performers, details of the anniversary celebration
Mai-Kai holiday treats include 12 drinks of Christmas, new Rum Barrel mug, festive decor, non-stop events
The historic Polynesian palace is embracing the season to be jolly like never before with a Christmas overlay featuring extensive decor, a limited-edition mug, and a new menu of 12 creative cocktails that celebrate spirits and flavors from around the world.
Events schedule: Latest on 69th anniversary, New Year’s Eve, more
Detailed coverage: Photos, video of the Mai-Kai’s holiday decor and theming
CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS GUIDE: Analysis, ratings, insights from bar manager Michael DeMahy
Mai-Kai Rum No. 1: News, details on the new signature spirit
Christmas Rum Barrel release: Photos, video, interview with artist John Mulder
MORE ATOMIC GROG RECAPS
Previous annual event recaps
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018
Past coverage: News and events from 2015-2017
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPDATES: The Tiki Times: Exclusive events guide
Check the calendar for the latest upcoming live and virtual events all year long.
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