Are you planning a trip to Hawaii in December and want to know all the Hawaii Christmas activities and events? Keep scrolling to find out how to spend Christmas in Hawaii with kids for a magical time.
This post about how to spend Christmas in Hawaii in December was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Planning a Hawaiian getaway for the holidays? You’re in for something special. Hawaii does Christmas completely differently, and honestly, it’s pretty magical.
Think Santa arriving on an outrigger canoe instead of a sleigh, building sandmen instead of snowmen, and watching whales breach while wearing shorts on Christmas morning.
I’ve spent enough Decembers in Hawaii to know what works (and what doesn’t) when you’re traveling with kids.
So let me walk you through everything you need to know to make this your best Christmas yet.
What December in Hawaii Actually Looks Like
The Weather
December weather sits right around 70 to mid-80 degrees. Perfect beach weather during the day, though evenings get a bit cooler (hence why I always pack a light jacket).
The ocean stays warm enough for swimming, but you might get some rain showers here and there. That’s just winter in Hawaii.
Here’s something cool: if you head up to Mauna Kea on the Big Island or Haleakala on Maui, you might actually see snow at the peaks. Yeah, snow in Hawaii. It’s wild.
If you’re thinking about surfing, check the surf report first, especially for Oahu’s North Shore. The waves get intense this time of year. Great for watching, but if you’re learning, book lessons at a calmer beach.
The Crowds
Let’s be real: the week around Christmas and New Year’s is busy. Hotels book up fast, restaurants get packed, and you’ll see crowds at the popular spots. If you can swing visiting early December (before the 20th), you’ll have a much more relaxed time.
The Best Christmas Events and Activities
Honolulu City Lights
This is hands down my favorite Christmas tradition in Hawaii. Picture a 50-foot Christmas tree decorated island-style, a giant Shaka Santa, and Mrs. Claus that your kids can take photos with. The whole setup at Honolulu Hale (City Hall) is free and runs through December.
They do a big opening night celebration with the Electric Light Parade going down King Street, outdoor movies, light displays, and food vendors. It’s the real deal for Christmas spirit in Hawaii.
Santa’s Canoe Arrival
Okay, this one’s incredible. Instead of coming down a chimney, Santa paddles up to the beach on an outrigger canoe. You’ll find these events on most islands, but the most popular ones happen at Grand Wailea Resort on Maui and the Outrigger Hotel on Waikiki Beach.
The kids absolutely love it. Santa literally rides the waves in, then reads from his nice list and takes photos. It’s one of those things you can’t experience anywhere else. Check out my full guide on where to visit Santa in Hawaii.
Big Island Christmas Parades
The Big Island goes all out with parades. The Keaau Christmas Parade has carolers, performances, and creative floats. The Pahoa parade starts earlier in the morning (so you need to be an early bird), but the village gets decorated with lights at night if you miss the actual parade.
Snow Adventures on Mauna Kea
Want to tell people you made snowballs in Hawaii? Drive up Mauna Kea in winter and you can do exactly that. The volcano peaks get covered in snow around Christmas, and you can make snowballs or even try snowboarding or skiing if you’re brave enough.
Fair warning: I wouldn’t recommend the skiing/snowboarding for young kids since the weather and terrain are unpredictable. But there’s an observatory where you can stargaze on clear nights, which is pretty amazing.
Kauai Festival of Lights
This is basically a park transformed into Christmas wonderland. The whole place gets decorated with Christmas lights, and you walk through taking it all in. They have indoor setups too, plus you can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Kauai Festival of Lights.
What to Do on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Here’s the thing about Christmas Day in Hawaii: a lot of places close. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with what actually stays open.
Whale Watching
November through mid-April is whale season, and some tour companies run trips even on Christmas Day. Maui’s especially good for this.
Some companies even do Christmas dinner cruises where you can watch whales while you eat. Pretty cool way to spend the holiday. Check out my guides to whale watching on Maui and whale watching on Kauai.
Chinatown Winter Walk
In Honolulu, the Chinatown shopping district does this self-guided walk where all the shopkeepers compete for the best window display. It’s open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so it’s a fun way to get out and see something different.
Beaches and National Parks
All the beaches stay open (obviously), and so do the national parks. Build some sandmen, take a dip, go for a hike. It’s Christmas, but you’re in Hawaii, so you might as well enjoy it.
Christmas Luaus
Several luaus host special Christmas shows. It’s a fun way to experience Hawaiian culture while still feeling festive. You’ll find them on Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island.
Rock-A-Hula Christmas Show
If you’re in Waikiki, the Magical Christmas at Rock-A-Hula is worth checking out. It’s a dinner show that’s actually entertaining for the whole family (not always easy to find). Read my full Rock-A-Hula review here.
Where to Eat Christmas Dinner
Finding a restaurant on Christmas Day can be tricky, so book ahead. Here are some reliable options:
- Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse (locations on multiple islands)
- Deck Restaurant in Waikiki (four-course meal with Hawaiian cuisine)
- Duke’s or Hula Grill (in Waikiki, Maui, and Kauai)
Most hotel restaurants stay open too, which is your backup plan if other places are booked up.
New Year’s Eve in Hawaii
If you’re staying through New Year’s, you’re in for a treat. Here’s my full guide to celebrating New Year’s Eve in Hawaii.
Waikiki Fireworks
Waikiki throws an amazing firework show to ring in the new year. You can watch from the beach, nearby parks, or even your hotel if you have a view. They also do a big party at Aloha Marketplace Tower with DJs and live performances.
Dinner Cruises
Several companies run New Year’s Eve dinner cruises. The Star of Honolulu is a popular pick in Waikiki. You get dinner, drinks (or not, if you’re keeping it kid-friendly), and a great view of the fireworks from the water.
Poipu Beach Park on Kauai
This beach does a whole celebration with fireworks, outdoor movies, and food trucks. You get everything you need right there at the beach.
Fukubukuro at Ala Moana Center
On New Year’s Day, check out Fukubukuro at Ala Moana Center. It’s a Japanese tradition where you buy mystery bags from stores at a discount. We did this once and it’s honestly one of my favorite shopping memories.
Handling Santa and Presents While Traveling
This is the part parents stress about, so let me share what actually works.
The Santa Situation
Santa knows your kids are in Hawaii (he vacations here during his off-season, after all). The canoe arrival makes perfect sense when you think about it. Your kids won’t question it.
Presents Strategy
Pack small gifts or focus on experience gifts. We usually save the big stuff (like LEGO sets) for when we get home.
In Hawaii, we do things like picking activities each kid wants to try (like ziplining or swimming with dolphins), giving gift cards for shopping, or just bringing a few small presents that fit in the suitcase.
The key is keeping whatever traditions matter most to your family. If stockings are your thing, pack them and hang them in your hotel room. If you do Elf on the Shelf, bring it along. You can even dress your elf in an aloha shirt or hula skirt to make it extra fun.
Decorating Your Space
Get creative with local style. Use Hawaiian flowers, grab a mini tree from Target, or even hang ornaments on a pineapple (yes, people actually do this). Poinsettias are in full bloom in December, so you’ll see them everywhere.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
Yes! They ship traditional trees to the islands for the holidays. You’ll see them in hotel lobbies and shopping areas. Plus lots of palm trees with tropical decorations.
Absolutely. He arrives by outrigger canoe at various beaches across the islands. You can get photos and everything.
You’ll hear Bing Crosby’s “Mele Kalikimaka” everywhere (it’s basically the unofficial anthem), Willie K’s version of “O Holy Night,” and the local favorite “Numbah One Day of Christmas.” Check out my full Hawaiian Christmas music playlist.
I think so. You get to see a completely different side of the islands and experience Hawaiian Christmas traditions you won’t find anywhere else. Just book early and be ready for crowds around the actual holiday.
Mele Kalikimaka (which literally means Merry Christmas).
Final Thoughts
Christmas in Hawaii is one of those experiences that sounds weird until you do it, and then you’re hooked. Your kids will remember building sandmen, seeing Santa paddle up on a canoe, and watching whales on Christmas morning way more than they’d remember another cold December at home.
The key is planning ahead (book restaurants and activities early), staying flexible (weather happens), and embracing the Hawaiian way of doing things. Don’t try to recreate your exact home traditions. Instead, create new ones that actually make sense for where you are.
Trust me, after one Hawaiian Christmas, you’ll be planning your next one before you even leave the islands.
Looking for more things to do in Hawaii in December? Find out where to see Christmas lights in Hawaii, where to see the Nutcracker in Hawaii, things to do in Oahu in December, the best Waikiki Christmas activities, and read our full guides to whale watching on Maui and Kauai!
P.S. Join our Hawaii Travel with Kids Facebook group to get connected with other families planning a trip to Hawaii!
