Cirque du Soleil Auana in Waikiki 2026: Everything You Need to Know
Cirque du Soleil Comes to Waikiki
Cirque du Soleil Auana is the first permanent Cirque du Soleil production in Hawaii, a custom show created specifically for Waikiki that blends the troupe's signature acrobatic spectacle with Hawaiian cultural themes, music, and ocean imagery. "Auana" means "to wander" in Hawaiian — a reference both to the open-ocean navigational traditions of Polynesian seafarers and to the modern auana style of hula that evolved in the 20th century. The production represents a significant departure from Cirque's standard traveling format: this show was built for Hawaii and stays in Hawaii.
Venue: International Market Place
The show takes place in a purpose-built theater within the Queen's Garden at the International Market Place, a multi-level open-air shopping complex at 2330 Kalakaua Avenue in the heart of Waikiki. The 1,200-seat venue was constructed specifically for this production, with a thrust stage that extends into the audience for maximum proximity to the performers. The theater is partially open-air, allowing the Waikiki trade winds and the scent of the surrounding plumeria gardens into the space — an atmospheric feature no mainland Cirque venue can replicate. The 100-foot Sacred Banyan Tree at the center of the property towers over the theater complex.
What's in the Show
The production features Cirque's hallmark disciplines — aerial silk, hand balancing, contortion, high bar, acrobatic dance — reimagined through Hawaiian and Pacific Island visual language. The storyline follows a young navigator on an ocean journey, with aerial sequences representing wind, wave, and star navigation. The original score commissioned for Auana incorporates Hawaiian slack-key guitar, traditional chant, and Pacific percussion instruments alongside contemporary orchestral elements. Costume design draws on traditional Hawaiian kapa cloth patterns and the flowing lines of 20th-century auana hula dress.
The show runs approximately 90 minutes with no intermission. It is appropriate for children ages 5 and up, though some aerial sequences are very high — small children who fear heights may find certain moments intense.
Tickets and Seating
Tickets are available at cirquedusoleil.com/auana and through the International Market Place box office. Pricing varies by seating category:
- Standard seating: $99–$149 per person
- Premium seating (closer to the stage): $175–$229 per person
- VIP experience packages: $299–$399, including pre-show reception, premium seating, and a behind-the-scenes experience after the show
- Keiki (children) rates apply for ages 2–12 at most performance levels
The show runs Tuesday through Sunday with 7:30pm performances. Select Saturdays include a 4pm matinee. No Monday performances. Dark dates (no shows) fall around major Hawaii holidays — check the calendar at booking.
How to Make a Night of It
The International Market Place occupies the center of Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki. Arrive early to dine at one of the complex's restaurants before the show — STK Steakhouse is the anchor dining option, with a Waikiki-facing terrace. The ground-floor level has lighter, faster options for pre-show dining. After the show, the entire length of Kalakaua Avenue is a short walk from the theater: Duke's Waikiki at the Outrigger Waikiki, the House Without a Key at the Halekulani, and the Royal Hawaiian's Mai Tai Bar are all within a 10-minute walk for a post-show drink.
Practical Notes
- Parking: The International Market Place has its own parking garage (validated with purchase). Street parking in Waikiki is extremely limited — take TheBus, Lyft, or walk from your hotel.
- Dress code: Smart casual. Aloha shirts are entirely appropriate.
- Photography: No flash photography during the performance. Pre-show and post-show photos permitted.
- Accessibility: The venue is fully ADA accessible with elevator access to all seating levels and companion seating available.
Cirque du Soleil Auana in Waikiki 2026: Everything You Need to Know
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