Who needs snow to get into the holiday spirit when there’s festively lit coconut palm trees, mai tais and a surfing Santa? Oahu may not be covered with a blanket of snow, but locals love to celebrate the holiday season, so put away your winter coats and snow boots, grab your board shorts and bikini, and head to paradise for a fun-filled holiday celebrated in true Hawaiian style. From holiday themed luaus, to Christmas parades and New Year’s Eve firework shows, Oahu offers everything one needs to celebrate the season in true tropical fashion.
Thanksgiving at "Rock-A-Hula®!"
Nov. 23, 2017
Create a new Thanksgiving tradition at Rock-A-Hula®. Includes dinner, super premium beverages, dazzling Rock-A-Hula® show and exciting Meet-and-Greet®, plus special Thanksgiving dessert!
Then, enjoy a feast for your senses with hula, fire-knife dancing and superstar tribute performances.
Honolulu City Lights
Opening night: Dec. 2, 2017. Displays open nightly through Jan. 1, 2018.
Opening night festivities attract thousands of visitors and residents as downtown Honolulu lights up the holiday season from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Mayor Kirk Caldwell flips the switch at 6 p.m. for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Honolulu Hale, as the Electric Light Parade begins at Aala Park and makes its way down King Street through downtown Honolulu. There will also be food booths, keiki rides and decorated trees and wreaths on display in the Honolulu Hale Courtyard, as well as visits with Santa. Stroll through the "Corridor of Lights" and see the magical light displays on downtown Honolulu buildings.
Honolulu's festive holiday season officially kicks off with the annual Honolulu City Lights. It begins on December 6 with the lighting ceremony of the 50-foot pine tree fronting Honolulu Hale, the city hall, followed by a holiday concert and the Electric Light Parade, which proceeds down King Street. The Honolulu City Lights festival goes from December 5 through January 2 and features the city's perennial favorites, the 21-foot Shaka Santa and Tutu Mele and displays throughout Santa's Enchanted Forest in the Honolulu Hale courtyard. The festival, is organized each year by a hard working nonprofit organization, dedicated to ensuring Honolulu City Lights is a fun and free event for the whole family.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Anniversary Parade
Dec. 7, 2017
Locals and visitors alike will gather at Fort DeRussey in Waikiki for the annual Pearl Harbor Memorial Anniversary Parade to honor the memory of those who bravely served our country. The evening parade begins at 6 p.m. and proceeds down Kalakaua Avenue, ending at the Waikiki Shell for a concert. The annual event features over 2,000 marchers and 10 bands.
12 Days of Christmas at the Polynesian Cultural Center
Dec. 9 - Dec. 22, 2017
Leave the lights of Waikiki behind and venture out to the laid back coastal area Laie, known for its luau feasts at the Polynesian Cultural Center. December 9 through 22, the Polynesian Cultural Center presents the 12 Days of Christmas, a holiday event featuring fun for the entire family. Take a leisurely boat ride in the lagoon or take a ride on the keiki (children’s) train. Enjoy live entertainment by award-winning Hawaiian performers and enjoy shopping discounts throughout the village center. On December 19, the center will haul in fresh snow for kids (and adult kids) to build a snowman, have a snowball fight or make snow angels.
Watch Santa Paddle into the Outrigger Waikiki Resort
Dec. 9, 2017
Old Saint Nick doesn’t need reindeer to make his decent upon the islands. On Oahu, Santa arrives by outrigger canoe! Santa and his helpers make their appearance at 9 a.m. on Dec. 9 when they paddle ashore at the Outrigger Waikiki Resort.
Hula dancers, Hawaiian signers and child hula dancers will greet jolly ol’ Saint Nick with dance and song. Afterward, have a free photo taken with Santa. Show up early to get a good seat as this is a popular event!
Holiday Pops Featuring Amy Hanaialii
Dec. 9, 2017
Enjoy a well-deserved break from the hustle and bustle of the holidays with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra (HSO) at its annual Holiday Pops concert, part of its music that POPS series, featuring Grammy-nominated vocalist Amy Hanaialii at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9. The 18-time Na Hoku Hanohano award winner will fill the stage with song, hula and holiday joy as she joins the HSO for the first time singing songs from her Na Hoku award-winning Christmas Album, A Hawaiian Christmas.
Amy, who has been praised for her powerhouse vocals, will perform local holiday favorites such as Po Lai E (Silent Night), Hamau E Na Kanaka (Hark The Herald Angels Sing) and Mele Kalikimaka, popular holiday movie favorites, as well as beautiful arrangements of holiday classics such as Little Drummer Boy, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and White Christmas.
The Nutcracker
Dec. 15 - Dec. 17, 2017
Don't miss Ballet Hawaii's holiday tradition, its annual production of "The Nutcracker" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The performance features a stunning cast of local and international dancers, and each performance is accompanied by musicians of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. To make your night out even more special, have dinner at the award-winning restaurant, Chef Chai beforehand.
Ballet Hawaii is offering special VIP packages, featuring dinner at the restaurant on December 18 before its opening showing of "The Nutcracker." (See the website for the details.) "The Nutcracker" runs from December 15 through 17 at the Neil S. Blaisdell Center Concert Hall.
Kapolei Ki-hoalu Kristmas Festival
Festival to feature 15 artists in the Slack Key Guitar genre kicking off the Christmas shopping season! These artists are some of Hawaii's finest artists in the slack key guitar genre who perform as solos, duos, trios, and other combinations. Festival kicks off the Christmas Shopping Season at Ka Makani Ali'i Shopping Center for West
Magical Christmas at "Rock-A-Hula®!"
Dec. 24 - Dec. 25, 2017
Come to the show born in Paradise, with the energy of a volcano and the star-power of a Vegas review. Tribute artists like “Elvis” take you back to ‘60’s Hawaii. “Michael” and “Katy Perry” dazzle you with mega multi-media performances. Book your dinner and show packages now for one of Waikiki's hottest shows
Three selections to choose from; all include gourmet food, super premium beverages, Waikiki’s Biggest Show® and exciting Meet-and-Greet®, plus special Christmas music and dessert! It’s an evening worth sharing with your whole family. Click here for flyer.
If you already have dinner plans, complete your evening with the “Premier Cocktail®” or “Rockin’ Show®” package.
Green Room: Ultimate "Celebrity Experience"
- Adult: $185, Child: $111
- 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
- 4-Course Maine Lobster, Tenderloin Steak & Wild Salmon Dinner, Kona Blend Coffee and Tea, Private Table with Special Christmas Dessert
- Green Room® Reception
- “Be on Stage” Backstage Tour
- 2 Super Premium Beverages
- Photo with a star (per 2 persons)
- Post-Show Meet-and-Greet
Stageside VIP: Get the "VIP" Treatment
- Adult: $149, Child: $89
- 6:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m
- 4-Course Maine Lobster, Tenderloin Steak & Wild Salmon Dinner, Kona Blend Coffee and Tea, Private Table with Special Christmas Dessert
- VIP Welcome Reception
- 2 Super Premium Beverages
- Post-Show Meet-and-Greet
Luau: Fun "Hawaiian" Night
- Adult: $109, Child: $66
- 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m
- Luau Buffet Dinner, Carving station, with Luau pig, roast beef, lomilomisalmon to dessert station, Kona Blend Coffee and Tea with Special Christmas Dessert
- 1 Original E Komo Mai Tai®
- Premier seats for show
- Post-Show Meet-and-Greet®
New Year’s Eve at Aloha Tower
Dec. 31, 2017
Get ready to ring in the New Year in style. One of the best locations on Oahu to view the New Year’s Eve midnight firework show, the iconic Aloha Tower live entertainment featuring some of Hawaii's best local bands at several stages around the property grounds.
In addition, there will be mechanical bull rides, fire dancers, food trucks, and specials inside the tower's tenants of Gordon Biersch and Hooters.
Night Circus at RumFire
Dec. 31, 2017
For an upscale, modern New Year's Eve event you and your friends will be talking about well after Jan. 1, look no further than Night Circus at the Sheraton Waikiki. The annual event takes place at the hotel's popular restaurant/bar, RumFire, known for its specialty drinks, lively ambience and great views. Night Circus will be better, featuring four DJs spinning Top 40 hits, go-go dancers, fire dancers, aerialists and more.
The New Year's Eve Night Circus takes place at the hotel's bar, RumFire, as well as near its two pools, providing a stellar view of the Waikiki fireworks at midnight.
Rock-A-Hula® Midnight New Year’s Eve Party in Waikiki with Elvis!
Dec. 31, 2017
Rock New Year's Eve in Hawaii with the "Rockin' Eve with Elvis" celebration event. Waikiki's largest cast rings in the new year with an exciting countdown and fireworks effects on our theater-sized screen! Choose between two dinner packages and one cocktail package, all including "champagne" and party favors.