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Black Friday Mākeke Brings 250-Plus Local Vendors to the Blaisdell This Weekend

Two vendors smile behind a booth decorated with plants and flowers at a Hawaii's Finest Makeke market.
A vendor booth at a past Hawaiʻi’s Finest Mākeke. Photo: Hawaii’s Finest

Want to get a jump on holiday shopping and keep your money local? The Black Friday Mākeke, put on by Honolulu streetwear brand Hawaiʻi’s Finest, takes over the Neal S. Blaisdell Center exhibition hall this weekend, three weeks ahead of the real Black Friday.

The quick facts

  • Where: Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall, 777 Ward Ave., Honolulu
  • Friday, Nov. 6, and Saturday, Nov. 7: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Sunday, Nov. 8: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Early access: 9 to 10 a.m. each day with a paid ticket
  • Admission: Free general admission for all ages
  • Parking: $8 on site, per Aloha State Daily
  • Details: hifinest.com/makeke

Hours above come from the organizer’s FAQ and match the Blaisdell Center calendar.

What you’ll find

According to Hawaiʻi’s Finest, the market will have more than 250 local vendors and more than 40 hot food vendors under one roof: clothing brands, artists, jewelers, makers and food businesses. The organizer says its last Mākeke drew 250 vendors and more than 10,000 shoppers a day.

Beyond the booths, expect live music, fashion shows, contests and other entertainment. Aloha State Daily’s weekend guide and HONOLULU Magazine’s holiday market roundup both mention a kendama contest, and Aloha State Daily says there will also be a Hawaiʻi’s Finest sale.

Free entry or early access?

General admission starts at 10 a.m. and costs nothing. If you want first crack at limited drops, early access opens an hour earlier. Ticket prices are listed differently across sources (the organizer’s FAQ lists a VIP option at $80 per person per day, while HONOLULU Magazine lists a $30.75 early-entry ticket), so check the Mākeke page for the current options before you buy.

Tips for a smooth trip

  • Go early on Saturday, or try Sunday. Saturday is also the day of the free Taste of Waipahu, so plan your route if you’re hitting both.
  • Bring a bag and a budget. With hundreds of booths, it’s easy to wander for hours.
  • Pair it with another market. The Nā Lehua Marketplace & Festival runs the same three days at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, with $6 general admission tickets, according to Aloha State Daily. See our weekly things-to-do guide for more weekend ideas.

Sources

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