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.

Santa Claus sand sculpture at Sheraton Waikiki for Christmas in Waikīkī.
Santa Claus Sand Sculpture. Credit: @sandsationalsand

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.

Christmas Events Calendar

Various December 2025

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

Fri 5 December 2025

Sat 6 December 2025

Sun 7 December 2025

Mon 8 December 2025

Tue 9 December 2025

Wed 10 December 2025

Thu 11 December 2025

Fri 12 December 2025

Sat 13 December 2025

Sun 14 December 2025

Mon 15 December 2025

Tue 16 December 2025

Wed 17 December 2025

Thu 18 December 2025

Fri 19 December 2025

Sat 20 December 2025

Sun 21 December 2025

Mon 22 December 2025

Tue 23 December 2025

Wed 24 December 2025

Thu 25 December 2025

Fri 26 December 2025

Sat 27 December 2025

Sun 28 December 2025

Mon 29 December 2025

Tue 30 December 2025

Wed 31 December 2025

TBC December 2025

  • ‘Twas The Light Before Christmas
  • 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
  • Diamond Head Theatre
  • 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
  • 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
  • Hoʻokena For the Holidays
  • Islandwide Crafts & Food Expo
  • Ka Makana Aliʻi – Santa Photos
  • Kahala Mall – Santa Photos
  • Kaimukī Christmas Parade
  • Kalikimaka With Kamahaʻo
  • Kapolei City Lights
  • Kapolei City Lights Opening Night
  • Lauhala Ornament – Christmas Tree/Star Workshop
  • Mālama Hawaiʻi Market: Ala Moana Center Holiday Market
  • Mālama Hawaiʻi Market: Hawaiʻi Kai Holiday Market
  • McKinley Band & Orchestra Christmas Craft & Gift Fair
  • 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 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

Read Next

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.

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Ashlee & Keliʻi

We’re residents, business owners and superhosts inside Waikīkī’s 96815 zip code. When it comes to enjoying the best of Waikīkī, Honolulu and Oʻahu, we’ve got you covered with all the good stuff you won’t want to miss! Follow travel advice from locals on our Waikīkī Beach Stays website and social media.

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