Christmas in Hawaii Travel Guide: Weather, Traditions & Things to Do

Instead of snow and sweaters, Christmas in Hawaii means palm trees wrapped in lights, warm ocean breezes, and Santa swapping his sleigh for a canoe.

December is still the peak holiday season, just with sunshine instead of frost. You’ll see familiar traditions—trees, carols, church—blended with Hawaiian Christmas traditions like luaus, Kanakaloka (Hawaiian Santa), and “Mele Kalikimaka.”

This 2025 guide covers weather, crowds, events, food, and local tips so you know exactly what to expect.

What Is Christmas in Hawaii Like?

Hawaii Weather in December

Expect warm, comfortable temperatures around 70–80°F (21–27°C). You might get passing showers, but no snow, no frost — it’s still beach weather, just a bit cooler than summer.

Crowds & prices

Christmas in Hawaii is peak season. Flights and hotels are busier and more expensive, especially from mid-December to early January, so booking early is essential.

Overall vibe

Think holiday lights on palm trees, Christmas music with ukulele, Hawaiian Christmas luaus, and Santa (Kanakaloka) in an aloha shirt. It feels festive and familiar, but with a strong island twist.

Best islands to consider

• Oahu for significant events and city lights
• Maui for whale watching and resort vibes
• Kauai for quiet, small-town charm
• Big Island for parades and more space to explore.

What Makes Christmas in Hawaii Different?

Santa Becomes Kanakaloka

In Hawaii, Santa Claus is affectionately called Kanakaloka. Instead of a heavy red suit and boots, he often shows up in an aloha shirt, shorts, and slippers.

You’ll sometimes see him arriving by outrigger canoe rather than a sleigh, taking photos with kids at parades, malls, and beachside events.

Palm Trees, Lights & Hawaiian Christmas Decorations

You still get plenty of Christmas lights, but they’re wrapped around palm trees and tropical plants instead of snowy rooftops.

Neighborhoods, hotels, and city parks are decorated with a mix of classic Christmas decor and Hawaiian Christmas decorations made with local flowers, greenery, and island-inspired ornaments.

“Mele Kalikimaka” & Hawaiian Christmas Songs

Instead of just “Merry Christmas”, people say “Mele Kalikimaka”, the Hawaiian way to wish someone a Merry Christmas.

You’ll hear it in the famous Mele Kalikimaka Hawaiian Christmas song, as well as other carols played on ukulele and slack-key guitar, giving familiar tunes a softer, tropical feel.

Hawaiian Christmas Food & Luau

Holiday food in Hawaii blends familiar dishes with island flavors. Ham or turkey might share the table with kalua pork, fresh fish, poke, rice, and tropical fruit.

Many visitors and locals choose a Christmas luau instead of a formal dinner, celebrating with hula, live music, and shared plates under the warm evening sky.

Fun Things to Do for Christmas in Hawaii

Christmas in Oahu

Oahu has the largest population and the most Christmas events, so it’s perfect if you like energy, lights, and lots of choices.

Honolulu Hale City Lights – Opening Night & Month-Long Display

Date: Opening Night – Saturday, November 29, 2025

• Tree lighting ceremony ~6:00 pm (program starts 5:30 pm)
• Public Workers’ Electric Light Parade step-off ~6:00 pm
• Lights & displays open daily through December (8:00 am – 10:00 pm)

Location:

• Honolulu Hale & Frank F. Fasi Civic Center Grounds
• Parade route along King Street, from River Street to Kawaiahao Street

Fee: Free

Honolulu City Lights turns downtown Honolulu into a Christmas village, with a 50-foot city tree, illuminated displays, and the Electric Light Parade rolling down King Street on Opening Night.

Food booths, family-friendly events, and nightly lights throughout December make it one of the must-see holiday experiences on Oahu.

Kaimuki Christmas Parade

Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025 – 6:00 pm

Location: Waiʻalae Avenue, from St. Louis School/Chaminade University to Koko Head Avenue

Fee: Free – open to the public

This neighborhood Christmas parade in Kaimuki features local schools, scout troops, community groups, businesses, bands, and a special appearance by Santa.

The route runs up Waiʻalae Avenue and is a fun, small-town-style way to experience Christmas in Oahu. Expect road closures and some traffic, but a very local, family-friendly vibe.

Wahiawā Town Santa Parade

• Date: Friday, December 5, 2025 – 6:30 pm–8:30 pm
• Location: From Kaʻala Elementary up California Avenue, ending near North Cane Street / Fred Wright Park
• Fee: Free, community event

This small-town Christmas parade lights up Wahiawā with local businesses, civic groups, school bands, and of course, Santa.

It’s a very local, family-focused way to experience the holiday spirit away from the tourist zones.

Kapolei City Lights & Holiday Parade

• Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
• Block Party: 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
• Parade: starts ~5:30 pm
• Lights display: nightly through early January (to around Jan 4), evenings

Location: Around Kapolei Hale; parade from Kapolei High School area to Kamaʻaha Avenue

Fee: Free, family-friendly

Kapolei City Lights is the big Christmas celebration for West Oahu, with a block party, food trucks, live entertainment, a holiday parade, and illuminated decorations around Kapolei Hale.

It’s a great option if you’re staying in Ko Olina or on the leeward side and want a more local alternative to downtown Honolulu.

Kāneʻohe Christmas Parade

• Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025 – 9:00 am
• Location: Along Kamehameha Highway, from Windward Mall / Kāneʻohe Bay Shopping Center to Castle High School
• Fee: Free, open to spectators

One of the biggest community-run parades on Windward Oahu, the Kāneʻohe Christmas Parade features floats, marching bands, community groups, and local “hometown heroes”. It’s a classic Saturday-morning parade with a strong neighborhood feel.

Mililani Holiday Parade

• Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025 – around 9:00 am–10:00 am 
• Location: From Mililani High School’s Kauinana Stadium, along Kipapa Drive and surrounding roads, ending at the Town Center of Mililani
• Fee: Free, family-friendly

The Mililani Holiday Parade is a long-running hometown tradition with hundreds of marchers, school bands, community groups, antique cars, and Santa.

Grab a spot along the route and stay after at the Town Center for shopping and food.

Festival of Lights Christmas Boat Parade (Hawaii Kai)

• Date: Typically the second Saturday of December 2025, starting at sunset (check Hawaii Kai Towne Center for exact date/time)  
• Location: Hawaii Kai Marina, visible from Hawaii Kai Towne Center, Koko Marina Center, and nearby waterfront spots  
• Fee: Free to watch from shore  

The Festival of Lights Boat Parade turns Hawaii Kai Marina into a moving light show as decorated boats cruise the waterways.

Families line the waterfront to watch the glowing vessels pass by and vote for their favorites—an only-in-Hawaii way to enjoy Christmas lights on the water.

Christmas in Maui

Maui is a great choice if you want lazy beach days mixed with cozy, small-scale holiday events.

Whale Watching on Maui in December

• Date: Late December marks the start of peak whale season (runs roughly December–March)
• Location: Boat tours from Lahaina Harbor, Māʻalaea Harbor, and west/south Maui resorts
• Fee: Ticketed whale-watching cruises

Maui is one of the best places in the world to see humpback whales. Around Christmas, more and more whales arrive in the warm, shallow waters between Maui, Lānaʻi, and Kahoʻolawe.

A dedicated whale-watching cruise or even just watching from shore or during a sunset sail is one of the most unforgettable things to do on Maui at Christmas.

Holiday Movies Under the Stars – Whalers Village

• Date: December 5–28, 2025 (Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, just after sunset)
• Location: Whalers Village, Kaʻanapali
• Fee: Free outdoor screenings

Whalers Village turns its courtyard into an open-air cinema on weekend nights, showing family-friendly seasonal movies just steps from the sand. It’s a relaxed way to end a beach day with the whole family.

“Nutcracker Sweets” – Ballet at ʻĪao Theater

• Date: December 13–21, 2025 (select dates)
• Location: Historic ʻĪao Theater, Wailuku
• Fee: Ticketed performance

Maui’s oldest theater presents its own version of The Nutcracker, blending a timeless holiday ballet with the charm of a historic island venue. One of the perfect things to do in Christmas in Hawaii for couples!

Grand Wailea Holiday Market & Tree Lighting Ceremony

• Date: December 16, 2025 (late afternoon & evening)
• Location: Grand Wailea Resort, Wailea
• Fee: Tree lighting and market are generally free to attend; shopping and food are extra

Grand Wailea’s front lawn comes alive with live entertainment and a big countdown to light the resort’s Christmas tree. Inside the lobby, a holiday market showcases local crafters and vendors—perfect for last-minute gifts.

Historic Kīhei Walking Tour with Christmas Carolers

• Date: December 19, 2025 – around 4:00 pm (~90 minutes, at sunset)
• Location: Kīhei coastline
• Fee: Free tour (tips usually appreciated; check for sign-up details)

Maui Walking Tours hosts a one-night-only historic stroll along the Kīhei shoreline, with a local caroling group joining in. You’ll hear stories and legends about Kīhei with Christmas music woven into the walk.

Santa’s Arrival by Outrigger Canoe – Wailea Beach

• Date: December 24, 2025 – morning
• Location: Wailea Beach (fronting the major resorts)
• Fee: Free to watch from the beach

On Christmas Eve, Santa trades his sleigh for an outrigger canoe and lands on Wailea Beach to the cheers of kids and visitors. It’s one of the most iconic Maui Christmas moments and makes for great photos.

Kīhei 4th Friday Night Market & Festival

• Date: Friday, December 26, 2025 – 6:00 pm–9:00 pm
• Location: Azeka Mauka Shopping Center, Kīhei
• Fee: Free admission; pay for food and shopping

The Kīhei 4th Friday Town Party is a lively monthly event with live music, food trucks, local artisans, and a keiki zone for kids. The December edition, right after Christmas, keeps the festive mood going with a strong community vibe.

“A Very Kanekoa After Christmas” Liveshow

• Date: December 27, 2025 – evening
• Location: Maui live music venue (often MACC or a local bar; check current listings)
• Fee: Ticketed live show

Maui band Kanekoa brings their “ʻukulele-powered Hawaiian jam-rock” to the holidays with unique versions of Christmas songs and island favorites.

It’s a great choice if you want a more local, less traditional holiday show.

Wailea New Year’s Eve Fireworks Display

• Date: December 31, 2025 – around midnight
• Location: Offshore from Wailea Beach; visible from nearby resorts, the Wailea Beach Path, and public beach access points
• Fee: Free to watch from public areas

To close out the year, Wailea launches fireworks from a barge offshore, lighting up the sky over the ocean.

With palm trees, resorts, and the beach as your backdrop, it’s one of the most romantic ways to ring in the New Year on Maui.

Christmas in Big Island

The Island of Hawaiʻi has a very local, small-town feel at Christmas, with parades, strolls, and community festivals spread across different towns.

27th Annual Music & Light Festival – Holualoa Village

• Date: December 6, 2025 – 5:30–8:30 p.m.
• Location: Holualoa Village (mauka of Kailua-Kona)
• Fee: Free to attend; pay for shopping and treats

This historic artists’ village glows with holiday lights, gallery specials, live music, and Santa photo ops. It’s a cozy, upcountry evening that feels very “Old Hawaiʻi” and is perfect for a relaxed stroll.

Christmas with the Chefs – Keauhou-Kona

• Date: December 13, 2025 – 5:30–8:30 p.m.
• Location: Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, Keauhou
• Fee: Ticketed fundraising event (supports local culinary students)

A more upscale holiday experience, this tasting event features savory and sweet stations, wines, Kona coffee, cocktails, and live jazz, plus a silent auction with island-made items.

Ideal if you love food and want something different from parades and light displays.

9th Annual Christmas in the Park: Garden Enchantment – Hilo

• Date: December 23–24, 2025 – 6:00 p.m. Monday to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday
• Location: Liliʻuokalani Gardens, Hilo
• Fee: Typically free or low-cost community event

Liliʻuokalani Gardens is transformed with festive lights and decorations, turning the Japanese-style bridges, ponds, and trees into a quiet, glowing Christmas walk.

It’s a peaceful way to experience the holidays on the Hilo side, away from big crowds.

Christmas in Kauai

Kauai’s Christmas season feels very “small island” and local: lights, parades, and lots of handmade, Kauai-made gifts.

Kauaʻi Festival of Lights – Lihue

• Date: November 29 – December 29, 2025 (evenings from around 5:00 p.m)
• Location: Historic County Building, Lihue
• Fee: Free to visit; pay only if you shop at the small market

The Historic County Building and surrounding park are wrapped in millions of lights and whimsical, upcycled decorations inspired by folk artist “Auntie Josie”.

You can stroll through themed trees, handmade displays, and often a small holiday market. It’s the most iconic Christmas display on Kauai and very family-friendly.

Kauaʻi Museum Christmas Craft Fair & Lights on Rice Parade – Lihue

• Date: December 5, 2025
• Location:
• Craft Fair: Kauai Museum grounds, Lihue (9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.)
• Parade: Rice Street, Lihue (parade starts 6:30 p.m.)
• Fee: Free entry for both; pay for food and shopping

All day, the Kauai Museum hosts a big Christmas craft fair with local artisans, food vendors, and family activities.

In the evening, the famous Lights on Rice Christmas Parade takes over Rice Street, with floats, hālau hula, school bands, and community groups glowing in lights from Vidinha Stadium down to the Historic County Building.

It’s one of the biggest, can’t-miss holiday events on the island.

Waimea Light Parade & Holiday Concert – Waimea (West Kauai)

• Date: December 20, 2025 – parade at 6:00–6:15 p.m., festivities into the evening
• Location: Through Waimea town, ending near Hofgaard Park
• Fee: Free community event

On the West Side, Waimea celebrates with a beloved light parade: floats and vehicles line up near Waimea Canyon Middle School, then travel through town to Kaumualiʻi Highway.

After the parade, people gather around Hofgaard Park for live entertainment and a cozy, small-town Christmas feel.

Waipā Annual Christmas Craft Fair in North Shore (near Hanalei)

• Date: December 14, 2025 – 12:00–3:00 p.m.
• Location: Waipā Community Complex, just north of Hanalei
• Fee: Free to enter; pay for food and gifts

This North Shore fair is a classic “Kauai-style” holiday market with live Hawaiian music, ono food, and a wide range of Kauai-made gifts—jewelry, woodwork, art, natural body products, baked goods, and more.

It’s a great stop if you’re staying in Hanalei or Princeville and want something low-key but very local.

New Year’s Eve Celebration & Fireworks – Poʻipū Beach Park

• Date: December 31, 2025 – typically around 5:00–8:30 p.m., fireworks ~8:15 p.m.
• Location: Poʻipū Beach Park, South Shore
• Fee: Free community event; food trucks extra

To close out the holiday season, Poʻipū Beach Park usually hosts an early-evening New Year’s celebration with food trucks, a family-friendly outdoor movie at sunset, and a fireworks show over the ocean.

It’s timed early enough for families with kids and gives you that classic “beach + fireworks” Hawaii moment without the midnight chaos.

Finally,

Christmas in Hawaii isn’t just “winter but warm” – it’s a whole different vibe. Think Kanakaloka (Hawaiian Santa), “Mele Kalikimaka”, palm trees wrapped in lights, sunsets, luaus, and maybe humpback whales instead of snow.

Oahu brings big city lights and parades, Maui adds whales and romantic ocean nights, Kauai keeps it small-town and handmade, and the Big Island leans artsy, foodie, and garden-lit.

If you’re dreaming of swapping scarves for slippers this December, Christmas in Hawaii is your sign: book early, pack light, and get ready for a holiday you’ll actually remember.

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Leilani Miller

I am Leilani Miller – I research focusing on Vanuatu – volcanic landscapes, blue holes, coral reefs & rainforests. I have over five years of experience researching and sharing insights on tourism and environmental activism. Explore and experience without limits through my latest article.

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