Everything you need for the holidays in Honolulu is in our comprehensive guide. Discover all the top festive events. From Honolulu old-timers to newcomers, our guide ensures a festive season full of wonder and delight.
One of the must-visit attractions during this time is the Honolulu City Lights, where the streets come alive with dazzling decorations and a festive atmosphere. Another highlight is the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade, showcasing a tribute to our nation's heroes with vibrant floats and community spirit. And the Waikiki Trolley Holiday Lights Tour is something you definitely don't want to miss for its unique opportunity to view the island's holiday lights from the comfort of a trolley. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Honolulu
- Honolulu City Lights
- Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade
- Waikiki Trolley Holiday Lights Tour
- Show Aloha Land
- Kapolei City Lights & Holiday Parade (Kapolei)
- The Platters Very Merry Christmas Show
- Hawaiian Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival (Hilo)
- Hilo Christmas Light Parade (Hilo)
- Kailua-Kona Christmas Parade (Kailua-Kona)
- Waimea Light Parade (Waimea)
See these and even more events listed below!
Honolulu Holiday Light Displays
Honolulu City Lights
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with unique Hawaiian cultural elements.
Description:
Honolulu City Lights is a month-long Christmas lights and decorations display featuring a large outdoor tree, Shaka Santa, and Tūtū Mele, along with an indoor tree display and a corridor of wreaths. The event includes free activities and events, food vendors, and children’s rides at cost.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Honolulu City Lights
Waikiki Trolley Holiday Lights Tour
What to Expect:
Holiday lights tour with festive stops and sing-alongs.
Description:
Embark on a holiday journey through historic downtown Honolulu, featuring festive holiday lights, a 50-foot Christmas tree, and joyful sing-alongs. Enjoy the city's holiday spirit in a seamless round-trip adventure.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Waikiki Trolley Holiday Lights Tour
Show Aloha Land
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday attractions with snow tubing and bubble zones.
Description:
Show Aloha Land is a holiday event featuring dazzling light displays, exhilarating snow tubing, and whimsical attractions like the Xavier Express Train and Vixens Bubble Zone. It offers a unique blend of festive thrills and warm holiday spirit.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Show Aloha Land
Kapolei City Lights & Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Historic and cultural decorations in a festive holiday setting.
Description:
Kapolei City Lights & Holiday Parade features historic, cultural, and recreational decorations inspired by Leeward Oahu communities, with a parade and block party showcasing live music, food trucks, and local vendors.
Where: Kapolei | More Info: Kapolei City Lights & Holiday Parade
Kauai’s Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Unique holiday light display using recycled materials.
Description:
Kauai’s Festival of Lights features a stunning display of lights at the Historic County Building, showcasing Kauai-style holiday decorations made from recycled materials. The event includes a 360-degree tour of previous exhibits and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Where: Lihue | More Info: Kauai’s Festival of Lights
Waimea Light Parade
What to Expect:
Electrified floats and community spirit.
Description:
The Waimea Light Parade is an annual event featuring illuminated floats and glo-stick marching units, showcasing the westside community's holiday cheer. The parade travels down Main Street and ends at Hofgaard Park with a holiday Christmas concert.
Where: Waimea | More Info: Waimea Light Parade
Hilo Christmas Light Parade
What to Expect:
Synchronized light displays along historic streets.
Description:
The Downtown Hilo Christmas Lights Parade is a vibrant celebration featuring festive lights and decorations along the streets of Hilo, showcasing a "Christmas Around the World" theme.
Where: Hilo | More Info: Hilo Christmas Light Parade
Honolulu Holiday Markets and Shopping
Hawaiian Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival
What to Expect:
Celebrating Hawaii's diverse arts, crafts, and food.
Description:
The Hawaiian Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival showcases Hawaii's diverse arts, crafts, and food, celebrating the state's cultural heritage through various artisans, crafters, and food vendors.
Where: Hilo | More Info: Hawaiian Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival
Islandwide Crafts & Food Expo
What to Expect:
Family-run holiday craft fair with local artisans and food makers.
Description:
The Islandwide Crafts & Food Expo is Hawaii's largest family-run holiday craft fair, featuring local artisans and food makers since 1987. It has been named Hawaii's Best Holiday Market by Food & Wine Magazine in 2019 and 2022.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Islandwide Crafts & Food Expo
Aloha Home Market: Hana Hou Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique Hawaiian-made products and local community support.
Description:
The Aloha Home Market is a premier pop-up market in Kailua, Hawaii, featuring local artists, makers, and small businesses selling unique Hawaiian-made items. The market offers a variety of products, including furniture, jewelry, clothing, and food, all while promoting the local community and supporting local artisans.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Aloha Home Market: Hana Hou Holiday Market
Honolulu Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Platters Very Merry Christmas Show
What to Expect:
Classic holiday music performance by The Platters.
Description:
The Platters Very Merry Christmas Show features classic holiday hits performed by the iconic vocal group, bringing timeless music to the stage.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: The Platters Very Merry Christmas Show
Honolulu Other Holiday Activities
Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade
What to Expect:
Commemorative event honoring Pearl Harbor survivors and veterans with a massed band and choir performance.
Description:
The Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade honors Pearl Harbor survivors, veterans, and active duty military by featuring floats, classic cars, balloons, and performances by marching bands and cheer teams. It commemorates the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, celebrating the service and sacrifice of those who preserved freedom and liberty.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade
Kailua-Kona Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven celebration with diverse participants.
Description:
The Kailua-Kona Christmas Parade is a vibrant community event featuring local marching bands, hip-hop dancers, and festive floats, including a Toys for Tots train and pets in Santa caps.
Where: Kailua-Kona | More Info: Kailua-Kona Christmas Parade
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Kaneohe (7 miles)
- East Honolulu (9 miles)
- Pearl City (10 miles)
- Kailua (10 miles)
- Waipahu (11 miles)
- Ewa Gentry (11 miles)
- Mililani Town (14 miles)