Are you looking for things to do in Hawaii for New Years? Keep scrolling for my top picks for how to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Hawaii this year.
This guide to how to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Hawaii 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.
Look, I’m going to be real with you.
After spending more than 40 New Year’s Eves in Hawaii (yes, I’m a professional tourist and proud of it), I can tell you there’s truly no better place to ring in the new year.
The fireworks over the ocean. The warm weather while everyone back home is freezing. The aloha spirit. It’s pretty magical.
One of my favorite NYE traditions when we stay in Waikiki? Fukubukuro at Ala Moana Center.
If you’ve never heard of it, it’s this Japanese tradition where stores sell mystery bags at huge discounts.
We’ve scored Kate Spade bags, Sephora goodies, and Bath & Body Works hauls for way less than retail.
The kids get SO excited opening their “lucky bags” on New Year’s Day. It’s become our thing.
But enough about shopping. Let’s talk about how you can actually celebrate New Year’s Eve in Hawaii this year.
Why Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Hawaii?
Here’s the thing. Most places are dealing with snow, freezing temperatures, and bundling up in heavy coats just to watch fireworks for like 2 minutes.
In Hawaii? You’re on the beach in shorts and a t-shirt (or a sundress if you’re fancy). The fireworks last longer. The vibe is relaxed. And you can actually enjoy being outside without losing feeling in your toes.
Plus, if you have little kids who can’t stay up until midnight, Hawaii has you covered.
You can celebrate with your home timezone. When it’s midnight in New York, it’s only 7pm in Hawaii. Problem solved.
New Year’s Eve on Oahu
Oahu goes ALL OUT for New Year’s Eve. We’re talking massive fireworks, incredible dinner cruises, and parties everywhere.
Waikiki Beach Fireworks
The Waikiki fireworks show is the big event on Oahu. At midnight, they launch fireworks from a barge right off Waikiki Beach.
The show runs about 8-10 minutes and you can see it from pretty much anywhere along the beach.
Here’s my honest take: it’s crowded. Like 100,000 people crowded. But it’s also spectacular.
The fireworks reflect off the ocean and the palm trees frame everything perfectly. Very Hawaii-style.
Best viewing spots? Anywhere along Waikiki Beach works, but the Hilton Hawaiian Village has some of the best views.
If crowds aren’t your thing, you can still see the show from further back near Ala Moana Beach Park or even from your hotel balcony if you have an ocean view.
The show is sponsored by the Waikiki Improvement Association and created by Hawaii Explosives & Pyrotechnics.
They use Hawaiian-themed designs like palm trees and tropical flowers, which makes it different from your typical mainland fireworks display.
Book your Waikiki hotel on Expedia to get the best rates and easy cancellation.
Star of Honolulu New Year’s Eve Cruise
Want to watch the fireworks from the water? The Star of Honolulu cruise is hands down one of the best ways to celebrate.
We’ve done this cruise before and the kids loved it. You get a full dinner (think whole Maine lobster and steak), live entertainment, a champagne toast at midnight, and you’re right on the ocean watching the fireworks.
The boat has four decks and a 60-foot observation deck, so there’s plenty of space.
They offer different packages from cocktail-only to five-star dining. Prices start around $125 for the cocktail cruise and go up to $307 for the fancy Nova Five Star dinner.
My advice? Book this NOW. It sells out every single year.
BOOK YOUR STAR OF HONOLULU CRUISE HERE
Rock-A-Hula New Year’s Eve Show
Rock-A-Hula does a special midnight show on New Year’s Eve with dinner, dancing, and a virtual fireworks countdown on their massive 40-foot video screen.
It’s indoors (which is nice if it’s rainy), family-friendly, and the entertainment is top-notch. The show includes hula, fire knife dancing, and live music. Dinner packages include a luau buffet and champagne toast.
We took the kids to Rock-A-Hula on a regular night and they were mesmerized by the fire dancers. The NYE show is even bigger.
Fukubukuro Shopping at Ala Moana Center
Okay, this technically happens on New Year’s Day (January 1st), but hear me out. If you’re staying through January 1st, Fukubukuro at Ala Moana Center is SO worth it.
More than 50 stores participate. You buy mystery “lucky bags” filled with merchandise worth at least double what you pay. A $50 bag has at least $100 worth of stuff inside.
Last time we went, I got a Kate Spade bag for $248 that had a leather handbag, two wallets, and a storage case inside. Regular price would have been over $500.
The kids got bags from Bath & Body Works and Godiva. We felt like we hit the jackpot.
Stores start selling bags around 10am on January 1st. Get there early because the popular stores sell out fast. There’s also live taiko drumming and Japanese lion dance performances at 1pm and 3pm at center stage.
If you want more details on planning your whole Oahu trip, grab my free 7-day email course on how to plan a trip to Oahu.
It covers everything from where to stay to what to pack.
Other Oahu Options
Tiki’s Grill and Bar usually does a four-course dinner with wine pairings and a NYE party with dancing and a midnight toast. It’s right in Waikiki and has great ocean views.
Ko Olina on the west side sometimes has fireworks along the lagoons throughout the night. It’s much less crowded than Waikiki if you want a quieter celebration.
The Ritz-Carlton at Turtle Bay on the North Shore offers a prix fixe dinner at Alaia’s and fireworks at midnight. If you’re staying on the North Shore, this is your best bet.
Need help planning your Oahu New Year’s trip? I offer personalized Hawaii travel consultations where I’ll create a custom itinerary based on your family’s needs.
As a Certified Hawaii Destination Specialist who has been to Hawaii over 40 times, I can help you skip the tourist traps and find the experiences you’ll actually love.
New Year’s Eve on Maui
Maui does NYE a little differently. The big fireworks show happens in Wailea, and there are some amazing sunset dinner cruises.
Grand Wailea Fireworks
The Grand Wailea Resort puts on Maui’s main fireworks display. At midnight, fireworks launch from a barge off Wailea Beach. You can see them from any of the Wailea area resorts or from the beach itself.
The Grand Wailea usually does a family movie night starting around 9pm, then fireworks at midnight. It’s a nice option if you have kids who can make it to midnight.
Find Wailea hotels on Expedia for the best New Year’s rates.
New Year’s Eve Cruises
Several companies offer NYE cruises on Maui:
Pacific Whale Foundation has a couple of different fireworks viewing cruises. These usually include drinks and pupus.
Alii Nui does a sunset dinner cruise departing from Maalaea Harbor with a full buffet featuring prime rib, ahi, and chicken. Plus a full bar. You’ll get amazing views of the Wailea fireworks from the water.
Trilogy offers an adults-only fireworks cocktail cruise with top-shelf drinks and appetizers.
Book Maui tours and cruises on Viator to compare prices and read reviews.
Wailea Luaus
If you want dinner AND entertainment before the fireworks, a couple of luaus have late seatings on New Year’s Eve:
Te Au Moana at the Wailea Beach Marriott has a 9pm show that runs until about 11:30pm. Perfect timing to then watch the midnight fireworks. Adult tickets start at $360 (yes, they jack up the prices for the holiday).
Feast at Mokapu at the Andaz Maui also offers a 9pm seating for NYE.
Honestly? Luaus are a fun family option even if they’re pricey on New Year’s Eve. The kids love the fire knife dancers and you’re right there in Wailea for the fireworks after.
For more Maui planning help, check out my Maui travel guide for families. It has daily itineraries, restaurant recommendations, and all my insider tips.
New Year’s Eve on the Big Island
The Big Island has celebrations on both the Kona and Hilo sides. Take your pick based on where you’re staying.
Hilo Bay Fireworks
Hilo Bay puts on a fireworks show that launches from Coconut Island at midnight. The show runs about 15 minutes, which is longer than most.
You can see the fireworks from anywhere along Hilo Bay. It’s pretty spectacular with the bay as a backdrop.
Fair warning: driving in Hilo on New Year’s Eve can be tricky. There’s a LOT of smoke from residents setting off their own fireworks in the neighborhoods. The roads can get pretty hazy after midnight.
Hilton Waikoloa Village
The Hilton Waikoloa does a big New Year’s Eve luau at the Lagoon Lanai with dinner, live entertainment, and fireworks over the saltwater lagoon at 9pm.
After the fireworks, there’s more entertainment at the Kona Tap Room until midnight.
This is a great family option because the 9pm fireworks means the kids can actually stay awake for them.
Mauna Lani Resort
The Mauna Lani has a whole week of celebrations from December 26th through January 1st. Activities include morning yoga, paddle boarding, luaus, and hula dancing.
On December 31st specifically, they do a seven-course meal at Canoe House followed by fireworks and live music at 8pm along the beach.
Fairmont Orchid Luau
The Fairmont Orchid puts on a traditional Hawaiian luau under the stars along the South Kohala Coast. You get authentic Hawaiian food, live music, and a hula show.
It’s one of the more traditional luau experiences on the Big Island.
Search for Big Island activities on Get Your Guide to compare options and prices.
Want a complete Big Island itinerary? My Big Island travel guide for families covers everything from volcano visits to beach recommendations.
New Year’s Eve on Kauai
Kauai keeps things more low-key, which honestly is kind of perfect if you want to avoid the crowds.
Poipu Beach Fireworks
Poipu Beach has a FREE family-friendly celebration that starts way earlier than midnight. The fireworks show kicks off at 8:15pm, which is perfect for families with young kids.
There’s usually a movie on the beach beforehand and food trucks set up around Poipu Beach Park. Live music too.
The early timing means you can celebrate, watch fireworks, get the kids to bed, and then the adults can have a quiet glass of champagne at midnight if they want.
Parking can be challenging, so arrive early or plan to walk from nearby. Some people park at the Shops at Wailea and walk over.
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
If you’re up in Hanalei, the 1 Hotel usually puts on a celebration with a live DJ, dancing, champagne bar, and fire dancing. This is more of an adults celebration.
They also do a special New Year’s Eve dinner with a gourmet buffet made from Kauai’s freshest ingredients.
For comprehensive Kauai planning, download my Kauai travel guide for families. It includes detailed day-by-day itineraries and my favorite beaches for families.
Tips for Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Hawaii
After celebrating NYE in Hawaii more times than I can count, here’s what I’ve learned:
Book everything early. And I mean EARLY. Popular restaurants, cruises, and hotel rooms sell out months in advance. Like, start looking in September for December 31st.
Hotels jack up their prices. New Year’s Eve is one of the most expensive times to visit Hawaii. If budget is a concern, consider celebrating a few days before or after the actual holiday.
Traffic and parking are brutal. Especially in Waikiki. If you can walk to where you’re going, do it. Otherwise, leave way earlier than you think you need to.
Bring layers. Even though it’s Hawaii, it can get cooler in the evening, especially if you’re on a boat. A light sweater or jacket is smart.
The home timezone trick works great for kids. If your kids can’t stay up until midnight Hawaii time, celebrate when it’s midnight in your home timezone. They get to feel like they stayed up late, and you still get them to bed at a reasonable hour.
Luaus are actually a solid choice. I know some people think luaus are touristy, but they’re genuinely fun for families. The kids love the entertainment, you get a full meal, and it gives you something to do before the fireworks.
Reserve rental cars early. If you need a car for New Year’s Eve, book through Discount Hawaii Car Rental. They have the best rates and their customer service is excellent.
Consider a professional photographer. New Year’s Eve in Hawaii makes for amazing photos. Flytographer can capture your celebration with a 60-minute photo shoot. Use my link to save $20.
What’s the Weather Like in Hawaii in December?
December in Hawaii is cooler and a bit rainier than summer, but it’s still beautiful. Temps are usually in the mid-70s to low 80s during the day.
You might get some rain showers, especially on the windward sides of the islands. Pack a light rain jacket just in case.
But honestly? You’ll still be able to enjoy the beach and pool. It’s just not quite as hot as July.
For more on what to expect, check out my post on how to celebrate Christmas in Hawaii, which covers the December weather in detail.
Should You Visit Hawaii for New Year’s Eve?
Here’s my honest opinion as someone who has spent countless New Year’s Eves in Hawaii: YES. Absolutely yes.
There’s something special about ringing in the new year in paradise. The fireworks over the ocean, the warm weather, the aloha spirit. It just feels different than celebrating anywhere else.
Is it expensive? Sure. New Year’s Eve is peak season, so prices are higher. But if you plan ahead, book early, and follow my tips, you can make it work.
And honestly? Starting your year in Hawaii feels like you’re setting yourself up for an amazing 12 months. Maybe that’s just me being sentimental, but I believe it.
Need Help Planning Your Hawaii New Year’s Trip?
Planning a Hawaii vacation can be overwhelming. Trust me, I get it. That’s why I offer personalized Hawaii travel consultations.
As a Certified Hawaii Destination Specialist who has visited Hawaii over 40 times, I can create a custom itinerary based on your family’s needs, budget, and interests.
I’ll help you figure out which island to visit, where to stay, what to do, and all the little details that make a trip go smoothly.
I also host the Hawaii Travel Made Easy podcast where I share tons of free tips and advice for planning your Hawaii vacation.
And if you want to start planning on your own, grab one of my free email courses:
Final Thoughts on New Year’s Eve in Hawaii
New Year’s Eve in Hawaii is magical. Whether you’re watching fireworks from Waikiki Beach, cruising on the Star of Honolulu, or celebrating the early fireworks at Poipu Beach with your kids, you’re going to have an amazing time.
My personal favorite? The Star of Honolulu cruise on Oahu.
There’s something about being on the water, watching the fireworks explode over the ocean, with a glass of champagne in hand. It’s pretty perfect.
But honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of these options. Hawaii just does New Year’s Eve right.
Happy New Year, and aloha!
Looking for more Hawaii holiday content? Check out:
- How to Celebrate Christmas in Waikiki
- Where to See Christmas Lights in Hawaii
- Magical Hawaiian Christmas Traditions
