Holiday Events in Honolulu, Hawaii

Mele Kalikimaka!

It won’t be a white Christmas in Honolulu, Hawaii, but it will be Christmas just the same. Here are the top holiday events in Honolulu, Hawaii.

On December 1, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa will be holding its festive tree-lighting ceremony. Sixty-thousand lights will illuminate decorations and trees throughout the magnificent resort. The Sacred Hearts Academy Choir will perform, and there will be a visit from Santa Claus himself. Following the ceremony, you can catch a fireworks show from Waikiki Beach.

On December 2, the Honolulu City Lights ceremony will take place, along with an electric-light parade from Aala Park to City Hall, and a concert at Sky Gate. Prior to the ceremony, you may choose to attend a Kawaiahao Church service. Through the New Year, in the courtyard of City Hall, you will find a three-story Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as wonderfully decorated trees and wreaths.

The Gingerbread Festival will be held on December 3 at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. Bring your own candy and purchase other materials on-site in order to build a fabulous gingerbread house at this fundraiser presented by Easter Seals Hawaii and Chef Alan Wong.

From December 6 through December 10, the Manoa Valley Theatre will present Santaland Diaries, a production Hawaii Magazine calls “an uproarious behind-the-scenes look at what Macy’s Santaland, one of New York’s most cherished extravaganzas, is all about - screaming children, aggressive mothers and crazed Santas.” For more information, call (808) 988-6131.

On December 9, at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach, Santa Claus will be arriving by canoe. Hula dancers and Hawaiian musicians will join in the festivities, which will continue back at the hotel, where Santa will take photos with keiki (children) and pass out candy.

On December 16 and 17, the Pacific Handcrafters Guild Christmas Fair will be held at Thomas Square. Here you will find pottery, jewelry, clay art, metal sculptures, Hawaiian-themed ornaments and much, much more.