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.
- Aloha Kai Lūʻau at Sea Life Park
- Waikīkī Lūʻau with Rock-A-Hula Show
- Ka Moana Lūʻau
- Paradise Cove Lūʻau
- Queens Lūʻau in the Heart of Waikīkī
Santa Photos
- Photos with Santa at International Market Place (28 Nov-24 Dec)
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
- View Ala Moana Center’s iconic Big Santa
Fri 28 November 2025
Sat 29 November 2025
Sun 30 November 2025
Mon 1 December 2025
Tue 2 December 2025
Wed 3 December 2025
Thu 4 December 2025
- AJ Rafael & Alyssa Our Little Christmas Tour
- Holiday Brass with Honolulu Brass Quintet
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kaimukī Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
- Lauhala Ornament – Christmas Tree Workshop
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
Fri 5 December 2025
Sat 6 December 2025
- Aliiolani Craft Fair
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kāneʻohe Christmas Parade 2025
- Kapolei City Lights Opening Night
- Let’s Sew a Christmas Stocking Workshop
- Mililani Hawaiian Ohana Holiday Parade 2025
- Santa Arrives on Canoe fronting the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort at 9am
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
Sun 7 December 2025
- Aloha Home Market: Hana Hou Holiday Market
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
- Pearl City Christmas Parade & Cruz Night
- Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
Mon 8 December 2025
Tue 9 December 2025
Wed 10 December 2025
Thu 11 December 2025
Fri 12 December 2025
- Haleiwa Christmas Parade
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
- The Nutcracker 2025 by Ballet Hawaiʻi
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
Sat 13 December 2025
- Christmas Promotion at Salt Lake Shopping Center
- Festival of Lights Christmas Boat Parade
- Holiday 2025 JCCH Craft & Collectibles Fair
- Honolulu City Lights
- Mahalo I Kau Kumu Gift Fair & School Supply Drive
- Mālama Hawaiʻi Makers Market: Ala Moana Center Market
- Kaimuki Holiday Craft Fair
- Kalākaua Merrie Mile
- Kapolei City Lights
- Mele Kalikimaka Marketplace
- The Nutcracker 2025 by Ballet Hawaiʻi
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
- Waianae Coast Christmas Parade
Sun 14 December 2025
- Aloha Home Market: Hana Hou Holiday Market
- Breakfast with Santa at Kani Ka Pila Grille (reservations required)
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
- Mālama Hawaiʻi Makers Market: Ala Moana Center Market
- Mele Kalikimaka Marketplace
- The Nutcracker 2025 by Ballet Hawaiʻi
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
Mon 15 December 2025
Tue 16 December 2025
- Honolulu City Lights
- Jake Shimabukuro’s Holidays in Hawaiʻi
- Kapolei City Lights
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
Wed 17 December 2025
- Honolulu City Lights
- Jake Shimabukuro’s Holidays in Hawaiʻi
- Kapolei City Lights
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
Thu 18 December 2025
- Fort Street Mall: Christmas Fair
- Honolulu City Lights
- Hapa Holiday Extravaganza Featuring Natalie Ai Kamau’u
- Jake Shimabukuro’s Holidays in Hawaiʻi
- Kapolei City Lights
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
Fri 19 December 2025
- Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
- Hawaiʻi Holiday Craft & Gift Fair
- Honolulu City Lights
- Jake Shimabukuro’s Holidays in Hawaiʻi
- Kapolei City Lights
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
Sat 20 December 2025
- Christmas in Hawai‘i with Kimié Miner & Friends
- Hawaiʻi Holiday Craft & Gift Fair
- Home Alone in Concert
- Honolulu City Lights
- Honolulu Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl
- Kalani Peʻa’s Hawaiian Christmas Show
- Kapolei City Lights
- The Official Christmas Bar Crawl – Honolulu
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
Sun 21 December 2025
- Aloha Home Market: Hana Hou Holiday Market
- Hawaiʻi Holiday Craft & Gift Fair
- Home Alone in Concert
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
Mon 22 December 2025
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
- Starr of Christmas with Honolulu Brass Quintet
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
Tue 23 December 2025
Wed 24 December 2025
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
Thu 25 December 2025
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
Fri 26 December 2025
Sat 27 December 2025
Sun 28 December 2025
Mon 29 December 2025
Tue 30 December 2025
Wed 31 December 2025
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
- New Year’s Eve Fireworks on Waikīkī Beach
- New Year’s Eve Events in Oʻahu
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
TBC December 2025
- A Gift of Song: A Free Christmas Concert
- Centerstage 2026 Holiday Performances
- Chamber Music Hawaii Presents HBQ Christmas
- Cherry Poppin’ Daddies Tiki Xmas
- Christmas in Tahiti
- Christmas Night Market at D’lish at the Beach
- Christmas Talk Story
- Dave & Buster’s Breakfast with Santa
- Diving Santa at Waikīkī Aquarium
- Don McLean: A Starry Starry Christmas
- Foodland Mele Kalikimaka Gift Fair
- Frank Delima Holiday Brunch
- Free Photos with Aloha Santa
- Gothmass, A Late Night Theatre Company Production
- 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 SantaCon 2025
- Hoʻokena For the Holidays
- Ka Makana Aliʻi – Santa Photos
- Kahala Mall – Santa Photos
- Kalikimaka With Kamahaʻo
- McKinley Band & Orchestra Christmas Craft & Gift Fair
- Sacred Hearts Academy – The Nutcracker
- Santa’s Hawaiian Workshop – Christmas Show
- Sippin’ Santa Pop-up Bar
- The Christmas Bar Pop-Up Bar
- The Hawaiian Railway’s 2025 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
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
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.
