Sleigh your way through Hawaiʻi’s festive season with our guide to Oʻahu’s best Christmas events, from holiday markets and light displays to island-style feasts.
Things to Do for Christmas in Waikīkī, Honolulu, Oʻahu in 2025
Browse this extensive list of Christmas events, activities and celebrations across Oʻahu.
Table of Contents
Tours & Activities to Try This December
Christmas on Oʻahu
Christmas Day in Hawaiʻi takes place on Thursday, 25 December 2025.
With its Christian origins honoring the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas has evolved into a season of joy, unity and generosity, celebrated with heartfelt traditions, festive decorations and gift exchanges.
What is Christmas like in Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi?
Christmas is a wonderful time to visit — Hawaiʻi’s holiday spirit shines brightly from late November through December, reflected in the sights and sounds of island-style traditions.
Oʻahu goes all out with decorations, especially in Waikīkī, where coconut trees sparkle with red bows and lights and “Mele Kalikimaka,” the Hawaiian way to say Merry Christmas, fills the air.
Holiday markets are the perfect place to go gift shopping, while supporting local Hawaiʻi small businesses. Seasonal treats start showing up islandwide, from cookies to local desserts.
Families can enjoy sandcastle displays, photos with Santa in aloha wear throwing a shaka 🤙 and other kid-friendly fun at shopping centers, including viewing Ala Moana Center’s Big Santa.
For adults, Christmas pop-up bars bring festive cheer! And when it comes to your holiday meal, let Oʻahu’s restaurants handle it — many offer spectacular buffets and prix fixe menus.
Swap Turkey for a Lūʻau This Christmas
For a special Christmas evening, try a lūʻau. While most stay true to Hawaiian cuisine, some may add yuletide flair. The following lūʻau remain open on Christmas Eve and Day.
- Waikīkī Lūʻau with Rock-A-Hula Show
- Mauka Warriors Lūʻau
- Ka Moana Lūʻau
- Paradise Cove Lūʻau
- Queens Lūʻau in the Heart of Waikīkī
Christmas Meals
Christmas Buffets
Wed 24 December 2025
- Christmas Eve Brunch at 53 By The Sea
- Christmas Eve Brunch Buffet at Orchids
- Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet at Orchids
Thu 25 December 2025
- Christmas Day Dinner Buffet at Plumeria Beach House
- Christmas Day Dinner Buffet at Orchids
Christmas Prix Fixe Menus
Wed 24 December 2025
- Christmas Eve 3-Course Dinner at STRIPSTEAK
- Christmas Eve 4-Course Dinner at 53 By The Sea
- Christmas Eve 4-Course Dinner at Azure
- Christmas Eve Dinner at The Ritz-Carlton Oʻahu
- Christmas Eve Festive Dinner at Tiki’s Grill & Bar
- Mele Kalikimaka Christmas Menu at Arden Waikiki
- Merriman’s Christmas Eve 3-Course Menu
Thu 25 December 2025
- Christmas Brunch at The Ritz-Carlton Oʻahu
- Christmas Day Brunch at M.A.C. 24-7
- Christmas Brunch at Quiora at Ritz Carlton Waikiki
- Christmas Day Festive Dinner at Tiki’s Grill & Bar
- Christmas Day 3-Course Dinner at STRIPSTEAK
- Christmas Day 4-Course Dinner at 53 By The Sea
- Christmas Day 4-Course Dinner at Azure
- Christmas Day 4-Course Menu at House Without A Key
- Christmas Dinner at The Ritz-Carlton Oʻahu
- D’lish Christmas Brunch with Santa
- Merriman’s Christmas Day 3-Course Menu
Christmas To-Go Meals
TBC December 2025
- Hy’s Christmas Eve ʻOhana Feast-To-Go
- Hy’s Christmas Day ʻOhana Feast-To-Go
Christmas Events Calendar
Various December 2025
- Book a Christmas Carriage Ride *email hnlhorse@gmail.com
- Buy ornaments at Waikīkī Christmas Stores
- Christmas Lodge Pop-Up Bar
- Peruse sandcastle displays at Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort
- Sippin’ Santa Pop-up Bar
- The Christmas Bar Pop-Up Bar
- View Ala Moana Center’s iconic Big Santa
- Watch Santa arrive by Outrigger Canoe to Waikīkī Beach
Fri 28 November 2025
Sat 29 November 2025
Sun 30 November 2025
Mon 1 December 2025
Fri 5 December 2025
Sat 6 December 2025
Sun 7 December 2025
Sat 13 December 2025
Sun 14 December 2025
Thu 18 December 2025
Sat 20 December 2025
Sun 21 December 2025
TBC December 2025
- ‘Twas The Light Before Christmas
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
- A Gift of Song: A Free Christmas Concert
- Aliʻiolani Craft Fair
- Candlelight: Holiday Special Featuring “The Nutcracker” & More
- Centerstage 2026 Holiday Performances
- Chamber Music Hawaii Presents HBQ Christmas
- Cherry Poppin’ Daddies Tiki Xmas
- Christmas Events in Oʻahu
- Christmas in Tahiti
- Christmas Night Market at D’lish at the Beach
- Christmas Talk Story
- City Lights Family Evening
- Dave & Buster’s Breakfast with Santa
- Diamond Head Theatre – White Christmas
- Diving Santa at Waikīkī Aquarium
- Don McLean: A Starry Starry Christmas
- Festival of Lights Christmas Boat Parade
- Foodland Mele Kalikimaka Gift Fair
- Frank Delima Holiday Brunch
- Free Photos with Aloha Santa
- Gothmass, A Late Night Theatre Company Production
- Hana Hou Holiday Market
- HapaSymphony 25/26: HAPA Holiday Extravaganza
- Hawaiʻi Holiday Craft & Gift Fair
- Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra: How the Grinch Stole Christmas In Concert
- Holiday 2025 Craft & Collectibles Fair
- Holiday Brass with Honolulu Brass Quintet
- Holiday Celebration at South Shore Market
- Holiday Gift Fair Black Friday Weekend
- Holiday Party at Bacchus Waikīkī (Gay Bar)
- Holiday Performance at Royal Hawaiian Center (Weekly)
- Holiday Pop-Up Shop
- Holidays with the Animals at Honolulu Zoo
- Honolulu City Lights
- Honolulu SantaCon 2025
- Honolulu Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl
- Hoʻokena For the Holidays
- Islandwide Crafts & Food Expo
- Ka Makana Aliʻi – Santa Photos
- Kahala Mall – Santa Photos
- Kaimukī Christmas Parade
- Kalākaua Merrie Mile
- Kalikimaka With Kamahaʻo
- Kapolei City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights Opening Night
- Lauhala Ornament – Christmas Tree/Star Workshop
- Mahalo I Kau Kumu Holiday Gift Fair
- Mālama Hawaiʻi Market: Ala Moana Center Holiday Market
- Mālama Hawaiʻi Market: Hawaiʻi Kai Holiday Market
- McKinley Band & Orchestra Christmas Craft & Gift Fair
- Mele Kalikimaka Marketplace
- Pearl City Christmas Parade & Cruz Night
- Photos with Santa at International Market Place
- Sacred Hearts Academy – The Nutcracker
- Santa’s Hawaiian Workshop – Christmas Show
- The Hawaiian Railway’s 2024 Holiday Express
- The Nutcracker by Ballet Hawaii
- The Pearlridge Express Keiki Holiday Train Rides
- The Very Merry Event at Kahala Mall
- ʻUkulele All-Stars Christmas
- Where is Santa? Pictures at Ala Moana Center
INSIDE TIP: As Christmas approaches, watch for more event announcements and bookmark this page for updates. Some events may require advance reservations or tickets. While we strive for accuracy, please confirm details with organizers as dates, times and pricing may change.
Hosting an event on Oʻahu? We’d love to feature it! Please send your event details to aloha@waikikibeachstays.com, and we’ll gladly add it to our listings.
