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 2026
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.
- Hawaiʻi Christmas Trolley Honolulu City Lights (available to book closer to the date)
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 Ka Makana Aliʻi (21 Nov-29 Dec)
- Photos with Santa! at Kahala Mall (22 Nov-24 Dec)
- Santa Photos at Windward Mall (22 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 Mini Sessions at Kualoa Regional Park
- Christmas Mini Sessions at Hawaii Vista Weddings
Christmas Pop-Up Bars
Cheers to the season at Honolulu’s Christmas pop-up bars, where holiday magic meets tropical flair. Sip festive cocktails surrounded by dazzling décor, cozy lights and a cheerful atmosphere!
- Christmas Grinch Bar at Aloha Mamacita (From 13 Nov)
- Christmas Lodge at Pearlridge Center (5-25 Dec)
- Honolulu’s Official Holiday Bar Crawl (5-20 Dec)
- Makana Holiday Bar at ʻAlohilani Resort (6 Dec-4 Jan)
- Secret Santa Pop-up Lounge in Chinatown (until 28 Dec)
- Sleigh My Name – SKY Waikiki’s Christmas Pop-Up Bar (until 25 Dec)
- Spirits of the Season at Prince Waikiki (until 28 Dec)
- The Christmas Bar Hawaii (until 30 Dec)
- The Naughty List Lounge at The Boardroom Kailua (until 31 Dec)
- The Winter Garden Room at Romer House (until 31 Dec)
- Yules Truly at Yours Truly Honolulu (until 30 Dec)
- Christmas Vibes at Vintage Books Hawaii Speakeasy
Christmas Events Calendar
Various December 2026
- Book a Christmas Carriage Ride *email hnlhorse@gmail.com
- Buy ornaments at Waikīkī Christmas Stores
- Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical (19-22 Nov, 25 Nov, 27-29 Nov)
- Hawai’i Holiday Craft & Gift Fair (30-31 Oct, 1 Nov & 18-20 Dec)
- Holiday Lights Tour 2026 (6-31 Dec)
- Kapolei City Lights (28 Nov-3 Jan)
- Moʻolelo Studios: Christmas Spectacular 2026 (4-22 Dec)
- Peruse sandcastle displays at Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort
- Royal Hawaiian Band Performances
- Twas the Light Before Christmas on Ice 2026 (1 Dec-3 Jan)
- View Ala Moana Center’s iconic Big Santa
- Whale Season (Dec-May)
Tue 1 December 2026
Wed 2 December 2026
Thu 3 December 2026
- Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kaimuki Christmas Parade
- Kapolei City Lights
- Merry Christmas to You With Henry Kapono
Fri 4 December 2026
- Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
- Wahiawa Town Santa Parade
Sat 5 December 2026
- A VeryMerryFest
- Aliʻiolani Craft Fair
- Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
- Honolulu City Lights Opening Night Party
- Kaimukī Holiday Craft Fair
- Kapolei City Lights
- Mayor’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony/Parade
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kaneohe Christmas Parade
- Mililani Ohana Holiday Parade
- Waianae Coast Rotary Community Christmas Parade
Sun 6 December 2026
- A VeryMerryFest
- Aloha Home Market in Kailua
- Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
- Honolulu City Lights
- Ho’okena for the Holidays
- Jingle Rock Run
- Kapolei City Lights
- Mānoa Community Christmas Parade
- Pearl City Christmas Parade
- Santa Hat 5K & 1M Family Fun Run/Walk
Mon 7 December 2026
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
- Pearl Harbor Memorial Anniversary Parade
- Waikīkī Makers Market
Tue 8 December 2026
Wed 9 December 2026
Thu 10 December 2026
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapahulu-Moiliili Christmas Parade
- Kapolei City Lights
- Debbie Gibson – Winterlicious
Fri 11 December 2026
- Haleʻiwa Town Christmas Parade
- Kama‘āina Christmas 2026
- Kapolei City Lights
- Nightmare Before Xmas
- Honolulu City Lights
Sat 12 December 2026
- A Downtown Family Christmas Parade
- ʻAiea Christmas Parade & Family Fun Fair
- Breakfast with Santa at Kani Ka Pila Grille
- Christmas On The Avenue
- Dive’n’Movie featuring The Grinch
- Ewa Beach Lions Club Christmas Parade
- Holiday 2026 JCCH Craft & Collectibles Fair
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kalākaua Merrie Mile
- Kapolei City Lights
- Mahalo I Kau Kumu Holiday Gift Fair & School Supply Drive for Teachers
- Mele Kalikimaka Marketplace
- Santa & Friends Hawaiian Wonderland
- The Nutcracker by Ballet Hawaiʻi
- Waimanalo Christmas Parade
Sun 13 December 2026
- Aloha Home Market in Kailua
- Honolulu City Lights
- Island Crafters Market
- Kapolei City Lights
- Mele Kalikimaka Marketplace
- The Nutcracker by Ballet Hawaiʻi
Mon 14 December 2026
Tue 15 December 2026
Wed 16 December 2026
Thu 17 December 2026
Fri 18 December 2026
- Cars & Coffee Hawaii After Dark – Holiday Edition!
- Candlelight Concert: Christmas Carols on Strings
- Hawai’i Holiday Craft & Gift Fair
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
Sat 19 December 2026
- Elf in Concert: Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra
- Hawai’i Holiday Craft & Gift Fair
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
- Made With Aloha Gift Fair
- Moanalua Christmas Parade
- The 5th Annual Kalani Peʻa Hawaiian Christmas Show
- Whitmore Christmas Village Parade
Sun 20 December 2026
- Aloha Home Market in Kailua
- Elf in Concert: Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra
- Hawai’i Holiday Craft & Gift Fair
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
- Made With Aloha Gift Fair
- Olomana Christmas Parade
Mon 21 December 2026
- Christmas Stocking Contest at A’o Cultural Center
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
- Robert Cazimero’s Christmas Week Show!
Tue 22 December 2026
Wed 23 December 2026
- Christmas Cookie Decoration at A’o Cultural Center
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
- Robert Cazimero’s Christmas Week Show!
Thu 24 December 2026
- 2026 Sheraton Hawaiʻi Bowl
- Charlie Brown Christmas
- Christmas Storytelling by the General Manager at Herb Kane Lounge
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
- Robert Cazimero’s Christmas Eve Show!
- Robert Cazimero’s Christmas Week Show!
Fri 25 December 2026
- Charlie Brown Christmas
- Cookies & Hot Cocoa at Herb Kane Lounge
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
Sat 26 December 2026
Sun 27 December 2026
Mon 28 December 2026
Tue 29 December 2026
Wed 30 December 2026
Thu 31 December 2026
- Dark Side of the Beach NYE
- Honolulu City Lights
- Kapolei City Lights
- PHAMily Fun Day: Kids New Year’s Zulu Time
- Tom Segura Live at the Blaisdell Concert Hall
- Waikīkī Beach New Year’s Eve fireworks show
- WAR: New Year’s Celebration
- New Year’s Eve Events in Oʻahu
Christmas Meals
Christmas Buffets
Wed 24 December 2025
- Christmas Eve Buffet at Plumeria Beach House at The Kahala Hotel & Resort
- Christmas Eve Dinner at The Buffet at The Hyatt
Thu 25 December 2025
- Christmas Buffet at Beachhouse at Moana Surfrider
- Christmas Buffet at Plumeria Beach House at The Kahala Hotel & Resort
- Christmas Buffet at Side Street Inn (Kapahulu)
- Christmas Celebratory Feast at Jade Dynasty Chinese Restaurant
- Christmas Day Dinner at The Buffet at The Hyatt
- 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 In Paradise at STRIPSTEAK Waikiki
- Christmas Feast at Quiora
- 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
- Special Christmas Dinner Menu at Waikiki Leia (until 24 Dec)
Thu 25 December 2025
- Christmas at Hideout: Holiday Dinner Menu
- 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 In Paradise at STRIPSTEAK Waikiki
- Christmas Day Dinner at Alaia at The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay
- Christmas Dinner at 53 By The Sea
- Christmas Feast at Quiora
- Christmas Special 7-Course Dinner at Bernini Honolulu
- Holidays Course Menu at Bar Maze
Christmas To-Go Meals
December 2025
- Hy’s Christmas Eve ʻOhana Feast-To-Go
- Christmas Meal To Go from Zippy’s Hawaiʻi (order from 28 Nov, pick-up on 24 Dec)
- A FEAST Christmas Kit (order ASAP, pick-up on 24 Dec)
- Christmas Special at Island Country Markets
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.
