Everything you need to know to plan a trip to spend Christmas in Waikiki. Celebrate in Oahu with events, lights, parades, and more.
This Waikiki Christmas activities post 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.
Okay, so you’re spending Christmas in Hawaii? Lucky you! I’m genuinely excited for you because Christmas in Waikiki is absolutely magical.
It’s totally different from anywhere else, and honestly, once you experience it, you might never want to do a traditional mainland Christmas again.
Let me walk you through everything you need to know to make your Waikiki Christmas unforgettable.
Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Oahu Itinerary, complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.
What to Expect Weather-Wise
First things first: pack smart! I see so many tourists get caught off guard by this. Yes, it’s Hawaii, but December evenings actually get a bit cool.
During the day you’ll still have gorgeous low-80s weather (perfect beach temps!), but once the sun goes down, temperatures can drop to the high 60s. Locals will be wearing jackets and complaining about the cold, which might make you laugh, but trust me on this one.
Throw some jeans and a light sweatshirt in your suitcase for evening activities. You’ll be so glad you did when you’re out looking at Christmas lights or watching the parade. Check out my full Christmas packing list for Hawaii if you want the complete rundown.
And yes, you can absolutely find real Christmas trees here if that’s important to you! Places like Helemano Farms sell them, though fair warning, they’re pricier than the mainland since there’s limited stock.
But honestly? Decorating a palm tree is way more fun and totally embraces the island vibe.
The Big Event: Waikiki Holiday Parade
This parade is spectacular, and it’s happening on Friday, November 28, 2025 (the day after Thanksgiving). But here’s what makes it really special: it’s not just about kicking off the holiday season. The whole parade commemorates the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack and honors survivors and veterans.
It’s a torch-lit parade that runs down Kalakaua Avenue right along Waikiki Beach, and it features everything from local Hawaiian bands to marching bands that fly in from the mainland, plus military units and dignitaries. After the parade, there’s a wreath-laying ceremony at Pearl Harbor, which is incredibly moving.
The parade starts at Fort DeRussy Park around 7pm and travels about 1.5 miles to Queen Kapiolani Park. Getting there early is smart since it draws huge crowds, but the atmosphere is amazing. It’s free to watch, and it really sets the tone for the whole holiday season on the island.
Christmas Lights That’ll Blow Your Mind
Honolulu City Lights
This is THE holiday event on Oahu, and you absolutely cannot miss it. Opening night is November 29, 2025, and it runs daily through December 31st. The grounds of Honolulu Hale (that’s City Hall) get completely transformed into this incredible winter wonderland with a Hawaiian twist.
Here’s what you’ll see: a massive 50-foot Christmas tree lit up in front of City Hall, the famous Shaka Santa and Tutu Mele figures (seriously, get your photo with Shaka Santa!), and this year they’ve added 250 feet of lighted tunnels, 50 illuminated trees, and a train ride for kids.
Inside Honolulu Hale, there’s this amazing Christmas tree exhibition where local artists and community groups create uniquely themed trees. The whole thing is completely free, which is incredible.
Pro tip: go on a weekday evening if you can. Way fewer crowds, easier parking, and you can actually enjoy everything without fighting through masses of people. Arrive around sunset (5:45-6pm) so you can watch the tree lighting, then see everything sparkle after dark.
The free municipal parking lot fills up fast, so either get there early or take TheBus from Waikiki. Street parking exists but good luck finding it on weekends.
Waikiki Trolley Holiday Lights Tour
Want the easiest way to see all the lights without dealing with parking? The Waikiki Trolley runs from November 30 through December 30, 2025. It’s a 45-minute tour that takes you through downtown Honolulu and stops at Honolulu City Lights. The trolley itself is decorated with wreaths and lights, they play Christmas music, and it’s just really festive.
Adults are $20, kids are $15, and lap children ride free. You can hop off at Honolulu Hale to explore, then catch a later trolley back to Waikiki. Way better than stressing about parking.
Royal Hawaiian Center
The Royal Hawaiian Center goes all out for Christmas too. They put up this gorgeous 34-foot Christmas tree that’s decked out in full holiday glory. Sometimes the sand sculpture at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel is Christmas-themed too, which is pretty cool.
On Saturdays, they do Santa Saturdays where kids can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. It’s a fun spot to wander through, especially in the evening when all the lights are on.
I’ve got a whole blog post about where to see Christmas lights in Hawaii.
The Coolest New Addition: Ice Skating in Hawaii!
This is brand new for 2025 and honestly, I’m so excited about it. The Hawaii Convention Center is hosting ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas on Ice from December 4, 2025 through January 4, 2026. And yes, you read that right: there’s an actual 8,000-square-foot indoor ice skating rink!
But that’s not all. The whole 56,000-square-foot space has been transformed into this immersive holiday experience with a 10,000-square-foot multi-sensory light display designed by Artechouse.
There’s a snow-covered Fir Forest, light tunnels, giant ornaments, a Santa sleigh with reindeer, plus a keiki wonderland with bounce houses and a holiday movie theater. For the adults, there’s a holiday lounge serving specialty cocktails.
Tickets start at around $27 for adults and $15 for kids, with various package options. Hours are 10am-8pm Sunday through Thursday, and 10am-9pm on Fridays and Saturdays. This is first-come-first-served for the ice rink, so I’d suggest going earlier in the day or on a weekday to avoid long waits.
Parking is available at the convention center, or you can park at Ala Moana Center and walk over. They’re also offering rideshare discounts with the code TWAS15 through the Holoholo Mobility app.
Meeting Santa, Hawaiian Style
You haven’t truly experienced Christmas in Hawaii until you’ve seen Santa arrive by outrigger canoe!
The Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort hosts this tradition, and kids absolutely love it. Santa literally paddles up from the ocean in his canoe to greet everyone on the beach. It’s such a fun twist on the traditional mall Santa, and it perfectly captures the spirit of a Hawaiian Christmas.
You can also meet Santa at the Polynesian Cultural Center’s Hukilau Marketplace during their Christmas celebration (typically mid-December). And of course, there’s Santa at the Royal Hawaiian Center on Saturdays.
Waikiki Beach Walk
The Waikiki Beach Walk always has something happening during the holidays. They put up decorations, host live music, and it’s just a really pleasant place to stroll in the evening.
Christmas on the beach is one of those experiences that feels surreal if you’re used to snow and cold weather. Walking along Waikiki in the warm evening air, seeing palm trees wrapped in lights, hearing Christmas music mixed with ukuleles… it’s pretty special.
Sand Sculptures Instead of Snowmen
You can’t build a snowman in Hawaii, but you absolutely can build a sandman! The Sheraton Waikiki creates this incredible Christmas-themed sand sculpture in their lobby every year. We’re talking 200+ hours of work and tons of sand. It’s usually something like a surfing Santa or a tropical Christmas scene.
After you check out their creation, head to the beach and make your own sandman! Lots of people put little Santa hats on theirs. It’s become this fun Waikiki tradition, and you’ll get some seriously unique Christmas photos.
The Waikiki Christmas Store
If you love Christmas (and let’s be honest, you’re reading this article so you probably do), you need to visit Santa’s Pen.
This place is open year-round, but it’s especially magical during the actual holiday season. They sell every kind of Hawaiian-themed Christmas decoration you can imagine: beach Santa ornaments, surfboard decorations, tropical wreaths, all of it.
What I really love about this store is they’ll personalize your ornaments for free. So you can get something that says “Christmas in Waikiki 2025” or whatever you want. It makes the perfect souvenir or gift for family back home.
Special Holiday Shows and Experiences
Rock-a-Hula Christmas Show
The Rock-a-Hula show at the Royal Hawaiian Center does a special Christmas version that’s absolutely worth seeing. You get premium drinks, a great meal, and this fantastic hula show with Christmas music mixed in.
There are different packages depending on what you want to include (some come with special Christmas desserts).
It’s one of the biggest shows in Waikiki, and they really know how to put on a performance. Check out my full Rock-a-Hula review if you want more details.
The Nutcracker
Yes, you can see The Nutcracker in Hawaii! The Hawaii State Ballet performs it for a few days in mid-December. If you’ve got little dancers in your family or just love ballet, it’s a beautiful production. Check their website for exact dates and tickets.
Beyond Waikiki: Other Amazing Christmas Events on Oahu
Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie does this whole Christmas celebration at their Hukilau Marketplace, usually from mid to late December.
It’s completely free and includes live Christmas carols from local artists, photos with Santa, and sometimes they even have a “snow day” where kids can play in real snow for a few hours!
They also offer a special canoe lagoon ride that features a live nativity scene, train rides through the villages, and a scavenger hunt. If you’re willing to make the drive to the North Shore (about 45 minutes from Waikiki), it’s a really special way to spend an evening.
Festival of Lights Boat Parade
Head to Hawaii Kai Towne Center to watch locals show off their decorated boats! This is such a fun community event.
People deck out their boats with Christmas lights and decorations, then parade them around on the water. The best-decorated boats win prizes, but honestly, they’re all pretty impressive. It’s free to watch and very family-friendly.
Where to Eat on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Here’s some good news: unlike a lot of places, many restaurants in Waikiki stay open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day because there are so many tourists. Here are some solid options:
Hula Grill Waikiki – Open every day from 7am to 9pm, including Christmas. They serve both brunch and dinner with fresh-caught fish and locally grown ingredients. It’s right on the beach, which is pretty perfect for a Christmas meal.
Prince Waikiki – They do a special Christmas menu with Hawaii-inspired dishes, and you can watch the ocean while you eat. The location alone makes it memorable.
Duke’s Waikiki – If you want something more laid-back and casual, Duke’s is your spot. They’re open on Christmas Day, the food is simple but delicious, and they have a barefoot bar. Very island-style Christmas dinner.
Azure Restaurant at the Royal Hawaiian – This is your fancy option. It’s fine dining with a three-course meal and oceanfront seating. If you want to really celebrate, this is the place.
Paradise Cove Luau – Want to do a luau for Christmas dinner? The Paradise Cove Luau is one of the most popular on the island (and 2025 is its last year). You get incredible Hawaiian food, fire knife dancing, hula dancers, and musicians. It’s a whole experience. Check out my full Paradise Cove luau review for more details.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
Are things actually open on Christmas in Waikiki? Yes! Because Oahu gets so many tourists during the holidays, tons of places stay open. You won’t be stuck with nowhere to go.
Is Christmas in Hawaii expensive? Not gonna lie, yes. It’s one of the priciest times to visit Hawaii. Airfare and hotels are at their peak rates. But the experience is incredible, and honestly, if you can swing it financially, it’s worth every penny.
What should I do on Christmas Day itself? So many options! Hit the beach in the morning, check out the Christmas lights, go to a luau, see a show, eat at one of the open restaurants, or just relax. The beauty of Christmas in Hawaii is you can make it whatever you want.
Where are the best Christmas lights on Oahu? Honolulu City Lights, hands down. It’s the biggest, most elaborate display, and it’s completely free. The Waikiki Trolley tour is also great because it takes you to multiple light displays without the parking hassle.
Make It Extra Special: Book a Family Photo Shoot
This is something I always recommend to families visiting Hawaii during Christmas. Book a photographer through Flytographer (you can get $25 off with that link).
Having professional photos of your family on the beach at Christmas is incredible, and it guarantees you’ll actually be IN some of the photos instead of behind the camera the whole time.
Bottom Line
Christmas in Waikiki is genuinely one of the most special holiday experiences you can have. You get all the festive cheer and traditions, but with this amazing tropical twist that you won’t find anywhere else.
Palm trees strung with lights, Santa arriving by canoe, sandmen instead of snowmen, ice skating under the Hawaiian sun… it’s surreal in the best possible way.
The mix of Hawaiian culture with Christmas traditions creates something totally unique. The locals here really embrace the season, and that aloha spirit during the holidays is contagious.
Whether you’re watching the Waikiki Holiday Parade honor Pearl Harbor veterans, seeing the massive Christmas tree at Honolulu City Lights, or building a sandman on Waikiki Beach while wearing shorts, you’re creating memories that’ll last forever.
So pack that light sweater for evening activities, book your accommodations early (seriously, this is peak season), and get ready for the most unique Christmas of your life. Trust me, after spending Christmas in Waikiki, regular Christmases might feel a little boring.
Mele Kalikimaka! (That’s Merry Christmas in Hawaiian, and you’ll be hearing it everywhere!)
Looking for more Hawaii Christmas content? Find out where to see Christmas lights in Hawaii, what’s winter like in Hawaii, the best Hawaiian Christmas ornaments, where to see the Nutcracker in Hawaii, and where to get Hawaiian Christmas decorations.
