Looking forward to holiday cheer in Aloha? Our guide has everything you need! From Aloha enthusiasts to curious visitors, our guide illuminates the city's seasonal offerings.
One popular event during this festive time is the Honolulu City Lights, a vibrant display of lights and decorations that transforms the city into a winter wonderland. In addition, Show Aloha Land features charming attractions that celebrate local culture and holiday spirit through immersive experiences. And the Pearl Harbor Memorial Anniversary Parade is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a poignant tribute combined with festive elements. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Join the Aloha Discussion!
Top Holiday Events In and Around Aloha
- Honolulu City Lights (Honolulu)
- Show Aloha Land (Honolulu)
- Pearl Harbor Memorial Anniversary Parade (Honolulu)
- Santa's Village - Skypark at Santa's Village (Skyforest)
- Kapolei City Lights & Holiday Parade (Kapolei)
- The Polar Express Train Ride (Perris)
- Christmas Train - Irvine Park Railroad (Irvine)
- Kailua-Kona Christmas Parade (Kailua-Kona)
- Holiday Performances at Kāhala Mall Center Stage (Honolulu)
- Magic of Lights - Los Angeles (Los Angeles)
See these and even more events listed below!
Aloha Holiday Light Displays
Honolulu City Lights
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with creative light displays and local traditions.
Description:
Honolulu City Lights is a month-long Christmas lights and decorations display at Honolulu Hale, featuring a large outdoor tree, Shaka Santa, and Tūtū Mele. The event includes a wreath contest, indoor tree display, and various family-friendly activities.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Honolulu City Lights
Kapolei City Lights & Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Holiday parade with community-themed decorations and live entertainment.
Description:
Kapolei City Lights & Holiday Parade features a block party with live music, food trucks, and local vendors, followed by a holiday parade showcasing decked-out vehicles and floats. The event celebrates Leeward O‘ahu community pride with historic, cultural, and recreational themes.
Where: Kapolei | More Info: Kapolei City Lights & Holiday Parade
Hilo Christmas Light Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday light parade with a "Christmas Around the World" theme.
Description:
The Downtown Hilo Christmas Light Parade is a festive event where participants and spectators celebrate the holiday season with vibrant light displays and community spirit.
Where: Hilo | More Info: Hilo Christmas Light Parade
Enchanted Forest of Light - Descanso Gardens
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations transforming the garden into a vibrant botanical artscape.
Description:
Descanso Gardens' Enchanted Forest of Light is a one-mile stroll through the garden featuring interactive light installations, including a field of color-changing tulips, the Ancient Forest, and the Japanese Garden with glowing red lanterns.
Where: La Cañada Flintridge | More Info: Enchanted Forest of Light - Descanso Gardens
Magic of Lights - Los Angeles
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light displays with digital animations.
Description:
Magic of Lights in Los Angeles features a dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience with over a mile of spectacular light displays, including larger-than-life Holiday Barbie, supersized Bigfoot Monster Truck, and life-sized dinosaurs in Prehistoric Christmas.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Magic of Lights - Los Angeles
Aloha Holiday Markets and Shopping
Hawaiian Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival
What to Expect:
Celebrating Hawaii's unique arts, crafts, and food culture.
Description:
The Hawaiian Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival showcases Hawaii's diverse arts, crafts, and food, promoting cultural heritage through educational events and community contributions.
Where: Hilo | More Info: Hawaiian Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival
Aloha Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Show Aloha Land
What to Expect:
Unique holiday event with snow tubing and festive light displays.
Description:
Show Aloha Land offers a variety of holiday attractions, including dazzling light displays, snow tubing, and whimsical train rides. The event features surprise-filled stops and a chance to capture cherished family photo moments alongside Santa. It also includes activities like Comets Zipline and Rudolph's Bouncer Land.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Show Aloha Land
Holiday Performances at Kāhala Mall Center Stage
What to Expect:
Live music performances by local artists.
Description:
Holiday Performances at Kāhala Mall Center Stage feature a variety of local musicians and artists performing live, creating a lively atmosphere for all ages.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Holiday Performances at Kāhala Mall Center Stage
Kailua-Kona Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven parade with diverse participants and decorations.
Description:
The Kailua-Kona Christmas Parade is a vibrant holiday event featuring elaborate floats, musical performances, and festive decorations along Ali'i Drive. Participants include bands, hip-hop dancers, and pets in Santa caps, creating a lively atmosphere for all ages.
Where: Kailua-Kona | More Info: Kailua-Kona Christmas Parade
The Polar Express Train Ride
What to Expect:
Live theatrical onboard entertainment with Santa and his helpers.
Description:
The Polar Express Train Ride is a live production where passengers relive the classic holiday story aboard a slow-moving train. The journey includes scripted scenes, live singing, dancing, and audience interaction. Passengers enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, read along with "The Polar Express," and receive a keepsake sleigh bell from Santa.
Where: Perris | More Info: The Polar Express Train Ride
Aloha Other Holiday Activities
Pearl Harbor Memorial Anniversary Parade
What to Expect:
Commemorating the anniversary of Pearl Harbor with a massed band and choir performance.
Description:
The Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade is an annual event held in Waikiki, Hawaii, on December 7th to commemorate the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. It features marching bands, choirs, military platoons, and other performances honoring Pearl Harbor survivors, veterans, and active duty military personnel.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Pearl Harbor Memorial Anniversary Parade
Waimea Christmas Twilight Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday parade with lighted entries and festive food zones.
Description:
The Waimea Christmas Twilight Parade is a festive holiday event featuring over 60 lighted entries, including festively dressed trucks and big rigs, which parade through the heart of Waimea town. The route includes stops at various food zones and concludes at the Kalani Schutte Waimea District Park for post-parade viewing. Santa visits with keiki at Parker Ranch Center, and the Canada-France Hawaii Telescope hosts a free Star Party.
Where: Waimea | More Info: Waimea Christmas Twilight Parade
Santa's Village - Skypark at Santa's Village
What to Expect:
Year-round holiday activities with a festive Christmas celebration.
Description:
Santa's Village - Skypark at Santa's Village is a year-round destination where visitors can meet Santa, Arrow, and other Northwoods creatures. The village transforms into a dazzling Christmas celebration during the holiday season, offering various activities like ice skating, ziplining, and archery. Guests can also enjoy special events, character meet-and-greets, and separately ticketed events like Breakfast with Santa and Tea with Mrs. Claus.
Where: Skyforest | More Info: Santa's Village - Skypark at Santa's Village
Christmas Train - Irvine Park Railroad
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday experience with Santa and festive lights.
Description:
Take a festive ride through historic Irvine Regional Park to meet Santa Claus. The Christmas Train departs from the train station and drops passengers off at the North Pole, where children can share their wish lists and have photos taken. After visiting Santa, guests board the train again to enjoy colorful Christmas lights and decorations on the ride back to Santa’s Village.
Where: Irvine | More Info: Christmas Train - Irvine Park Railroad
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Beaverton (3 miles)
- Bethany (4 miles)
- Hillsboro (6 miles)
- Tigard (6 miles)
- Tualatin (9 miles)
- Portland (9 miles)
- Lake Oswego (11 miles)
- Milwaukie (12 miles)
- Forest Grove (12 miles)
- Vancouver (14 miles)
- Wilsonville (14 miles)
- Newberg (14 miles)
- Lents (15 miles)
- West Linn (15 miles)
- Oregon City (16 miles)
- Gresham (21 miles)
- Camas (24 miles)
- Woodburn (24 miles)
- McMinnville (25 miles)
- Keizer (36 miles)
- Salem (39 miles)
- Longview (45 miles)