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.
See the Honolulu City Lights
Experience the Holiday City Lights in Downtown Honolulu — a month-long celebration featuring decorated trees, Shaka Santa, Tūtū Mele, Mele Kalikimaka blocks and local vendors.
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.
Santa Photos
- Where is Santa? Pictures at Ala Moana Center (21 Nov-24 Dec)
- Photos with Santa at International Market Place (28 Nov-24 Dec)
- Free Photos with Aloha Santa at Royal Hawaiian Center (26 & 29 Nov, 3, 6, 10, 13, 17 & 20 Dec)
Christmas Photos (no Santa)
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
- Kaiāulu Market (14 Nov-14 Dec)
- Peruse sandcastle displays at Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort
- View Ala Moana Center’s iconic Big Santa
Fri 31 October 2025
Sat 1 November 2025
- Aliiolani Craft & Gift Fair
- Hawaiʻi Holiday Craft & Gift Fair
- Holiday Craft & Gift Fair at Koko Marina Center
Sun 2 November 2025
Sat 8 November 2025
- Mele Kalikimaka Gift Fair
- Stop ‘n Shop at Kaimuki High School
- Taste of Aloha Night Market: Main Street Christmas Market
Sat 15 November 2025
22 November 2026
Wed 26 November 2025
Fri 28 November 2025
Sat 29 November 2025
- Holiday Gift Fair Black Friday Weekend
- Honolulu City Lights Opening Night: Parade & Block Party
- Islandwide Crafts & Food Expo
- Mele Kalikimaka Natalie Ai Kamauʻu
- Weekly Holiday Performance at Royal Hawaiian Center
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
- Christmas Night Market
- Christmas Spectacular! at Sacred Hearts Academy
- Free Concert: Christmas in Hawai’i w/Kimie Miner
- Honolulu City Lights
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
- Wahiawā Town Santa Parade
Sat 6 December 2025
- Aliiolani Craft Fair
- Christmas Spectacular! at Sacred Hearts Academy
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kāneʻohe Christmas Parade 2025
- Kapolei City Lights Opening Night & Parade
- 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
- Santa Saturday Keiki Carnival
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
- Weekly Holiday Performance at Royal Hawaiian Center
Sun 7 December 2025
- Aloha Home Market: Hana Hou Holiday Market
- Christmas Spectacular! at Sacred Hearts Academy
- Holiday Market at Yogarden Farm
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
- Mānoa Community Christmas Parade
- McKinley Band & Orchestra Christmas Craft & Gift Fair
- Pearl City Christmas Parade & Cruz Night
- Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
- Waikīkī Holiday Market
Mon 8 December 2025
Tue 9 December 2025
Wed 10 December 2025
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
- Weekly Holiday Performance at Royal Hawaiian Center
Thu 11 December 2025
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
- Merry Christmas to You With Henry Kapono
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
Fri 12 December 2025
- Christmas Spectacular! at Sacred Hearts Academy
- Haleiwa Christmas Parade
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
- The Nutcracker 2025 by Ballet Hawaiʻi
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
- Very Merry Event at Kahala Mall
Sat 13 December 2025
- Christmas Festival at Waipahu Town Center
- Christmas Night Market at Dʻlish at the Beach
- Christmas On The Avenue 2025
- Christmas Promotion at Salt Lake Shopping Center
- Christmas Spectacular! at Sacred Hearts Academy
- Coffee Gallery’s 2025: Coffee & Christmas Craft Fair!
- Dive’n’Movie Night: Arthur Christmas (PG)
- Festival of Lights Christmas Boat Parade
- Holiday 2025 JCCH Craft & Collectibles Fair
- Holiday Celebration at South Shore Market
- 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
- Very Merry Event at Kahala Mall
- Waianae Coast Christmas Parade
- Weekly Holiday Performance at Royal Hawaiian Center
Sun 14 December 2025
- A Magical Holiday Market
- Aloha Home Market: Hana Hou Holiday Market
- Breakfast with Santa at Kani Ka Pila Grille (reservations required)
- Christmas Spectacular! at Sacred Hearts Academy
- 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
- Very Merry Event at Kahala Mall
Mon 15 December 2025
Tue 16 December 2025
- Honolulu City Lights
- Jake Shimabukuro’s Holidays in Hawaiʻi
- Kapolei City Lights
- Robert Cazimero’s Special Christmas Aloha Show
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
Wed 17 December 2025
- Honolulu City Lights
- Jake Shimabukuro’s Holidays in Hawaiʻi
- Kapolei City Lights
- Robert Cazimero’s Special Christmas Aloha Show
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
- Weekly Holiday Performance at Royal Hawaiian Center
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
- Robert Cazimero’s Special Christmas Aloha Show
- Santa’s Coming to ʻOno Grindz & Mākeke Farmers Market
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
Fri 19 December 2025
- Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
- Christmas Spectacular! at Sacred Hearts Academy
- Hawaiʻi Holiday Craft & Gift Fair
- Honolulu City Lights
- Jake Shimabukuro’s Holidays in Hawaiʻi
- Kapolei City Lights
- Live at Lewers: Featuring Antonia Bennett
- Robert Cazimero’s Special Christmas Aloha Show
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
Sat 20 December 2025
- Christmas in Hawai‘i with Kimié Miner & Friends
- Christmas Spectacular! at Sacred Hearts Academy
- Hawaiʻi Holiday Craft & Gift Fair
- Hawaiʻi Kai Christmas Night Market at Kalama Village Shopping Center
- Home Alone in Concert
- Honolulu City Lights
- Honolulu Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl
- Kalani Peʻa’s Hawaiian Christmas Show
- Kapolei City Lights
- Live at Lewers: Featuring Antonia Bennett
- Robert Cazimero’s Special Christmas Aloha Show
- The Official Christmas Bar Crawl – Honolulu
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
- Weekly Holiday Performance at Royal Hawaiian Center
Sun 21 December 2025
- Aloha Home Market: Hana Hou Holiday Market
- Christmas Spectacular! at Sacred Hearts Academy
- Hana Hou Holiday Makeke at Kahala Hotel
- Hawaiʻi Holiday Craft & Gift Fair
- Home Alone in Concert
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kalaʻe + Kalenda + Kalikimaka
- Kapolei City Lights
- Brunch with Santa at Dʻlish at the Beach
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
Mon 22 December 2025
- Christmas Spectacular! at Sacred Hearts Academy
- 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
- Photos with Santa at The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay
- ‘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
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
- Rocky Mountain High Experience®: A John Denver Christmas
- ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas On Ice
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
- Dave & Buster’s Breakfast with Santa
- Diving Santa at Waikīkī Aquarium
- Holiday Party at Bacchus Waikīkī (Gay Bar)
- Holidays with the Animals at Honolulu Zoo
- Honolulu SantaCon 2025
- Hoʻokena For the Holidays
- Ka Makana Aliʻi – Santa Photos
- Kahala Mall – Santa Photos
- Santa’s Hawaiian Workshop – Christmas Show
- The Hawaiian Railway’s 2025 Holiday Express
- The Pearlridge Express Keiki Holiday Train Rides
Christmas Meals
Christmas Buffets
Wed 24 December 2025
- Christmas Eve Buffet at Plumeria Beach House at The Kahala Hotel & Resort
Thu 25 December 2025
- Christmas Buffet at Beachhouse at Moana Surfrider
- Christmas Buffet at Plumeria Beach House at The Kahala Hotel & Resort
- Christmas Celebratory Feast at Jade Dynasty Chinese Restaurant
- Christmas Dinner Banquet in Kuilima Ballroom at The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay
Fri 26 December 2025
- Festive Dinner Buffet at Plumeria Beach House at The Kahala Hotel & Resort (26-30 Dec)
Christmas Prix Fixe Menus
Tue 23 December 2025
- Christmas Day Set Menu at Roy’s Hawaiʻi Kai
- Christmas Special 7-Course Dinner at Bernini Honolulu
- Holiday Dinner Menu at Azure at The Royal Hawaiian (17-30 Dec)
Wed 24 December 2025
- Christmas Eve Dinner at 53 By The Sea
- Christmas Eve 4-Course Prix Fixe Menu at Bali Oceanfront
- Christmas Eve Dinner at Alaia at The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay
- Christmas Eve 3-Course Menu at Merriman’s Honolulu
- Christmas Eve 5-Course Dinner Hoku’s at The Kahala Hotel & Resort
- Christmas Special 7-Course Dinner at Bernini Honolulu
- Holidays Course Menu at Bar Maze
- Paniolo, A Hawaiian Cowboy Luʻau
Thu 25 December 2025
- Christmas Day 3-Course Menu at Merriman’s Honolulu
- Christmas Day 4-Course Prix Fixe Menu at Bali Oceanfront
- Christmas Day 5-Course Dinner at Hoku’s at The Kahala Hotel & Resort
- Christmas Day Dinner at Alaia at The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay
- Christmas Dinner at 53 By The Sea
- Christmas Special 7-Course Dinner at Bernini Honolulu
- Holidays Course Menu at Bar Maze
Christmas To-Go Meals
December 2025
- Aloha Beer Holiday Meal To-Go
- Hy’s Christmas Eve ʻOhana Feast-To-Go
- Christmas Special at Island Country Markets
- Christmas Meal To Go from Zippy’s Hawaiʻi (order from 28 Nov, pick-up on 24 Dec)
Christmas Themed Treats
December 2025
- Holiday Menu at Starbucks
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.
