Plan your holiday season in Kaneohe with our detailed event guide. Whether you're a local or a visitor, this guide showcases the festive magic of Kaneohe.
One enchanting highlight of the season is the Honolulu City Lights, where vibrant decorations and sparkling lights transform downtown Honolulu into a beautiful holiday wonderland. In addition, the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade offers a unique tribute with a mix of solemnity and celebration, featuring colourful floats and local performances that reflect Hawaii's rich culture. And the Honolulu Marathon is something you definitely don’t want to miss, bringing together thousands of runners and spectators to celebrate the spirit of the holidays through fitness and community. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Kaneohe
- Honolulu City Lights (Honolulu)
- Honolulu Marathon (Honolulu)
- Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade (Honolulu)
- Kalakaua Merrie Mile (Honolulu)
- World Surf League: HIC Haleʻiwa Pro (Haleʻiwa)
- Hawaiʻi Holiday Craft & Gift Fair (Honolulu)
- What the Truck?! Event at Waikele Center (Waipahu)
- Aliʻi Sunday at Kawaiahaʻo Church (Honolulu)
- Rooftop Stargazing at Royal Hawaiian Center (Honolulu)
- Craft Fair & Sidewalk Sale at Koko Marina Center (Honolulu)
See these and even more events listed below!
Kaneohe Holiday Light Displays
Honolulu City Lights
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday event with creative light displays and local cultural activities.
Description:
Honolulu City Lights is a month-long celebration featuring a 50-foot Christmas tree, Shaka Santa, and Tūtū Mele, with festive decorations, wreaths, and live entertainment.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Honolulu City Lights
Festival of Lights Christmas Boat Parade at Hawaiʻi Kai
What to Expect:
Decorated boats competing for prizes in a festive holiday display.
Description:
The Festival of Lights Christmas Boat Parade at Hawaiʻi Kai features festively decorated boats competing for prizes as they make their way through the marina, showcasing a variety of themes and lights.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Festival of Lights Christmas Boat Parade at Hawaiʻi Kai
Kaneohe Holiday Markets and Shopping
Hawaiʻi Holiday Craft & Gift Fair
What to Expect:
Unique Hawaii-made gifts and snacks.
Description:
The Hawaiʻi Holiday Craft & Gift Fair features over 250 Hawaii vendors at the Blaisdell exhibition hall, offering handmade, retail, and unique gift items, as well as snacks. Vendors include artisans selling fashions, toys, collectibles, hats, caps, quilts, seasonings, and sauces.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Hawaiʻi Holiday Craft & Gift Fair
Craft Fair & Sidewalk Sale at Koko Marina Center
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with over 70 local vendors.
Description:
The Craft Fair & Sidewalk Sale at Koko Marina Center features over 70 local vendors showcasing handmade and locally produced items. Join us every third Saturday of the month from 10 AM to 2:30 PM to support local businesses and enjoy merchant collaboration discounts.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Craft Fair & Sidewalk Sale at Koko Marina Center
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 biggest and most fun family-run holiday craft fair, featuring gorgeous crafts, 'ono foods, and warmhearted vendors. Named Hawaii's Best Holiday Market by Food & Wine Magazine in 2019 and 2022, this event showcases local artisans and delicious food products.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Islandwide Crafts & Food Expo
Aloha Home Market: Hana Hou Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique blend of local artisans and food vendors.
Description:
Aloha Home Market: Hana Hou Holiday Market features Hawaii's finest furniture makers, artisans, jewelry makers, clothing designers, and food vendors. Admission is free, showcasing local talent and craftsmanship.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Aloha Home Market: Hana Hou Holiday Market
Mālama Hawaiʻi Market
What to Expect:
Highly-curated local artisans and vendors.
Description:
Mālama Hawaiʻi Market is a curated event featuring local artists, designers, vintage collectors, woodworkers, and food vendors, showcasing Hawaii's unique cultural and artisanal offerings.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Mālama Hawaiʻi Market
Kaneohe Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Friday Night Tempo at Capitol Modern
What to Expect:
Live music performances by local artists in a family-friendly setting.
Description:
Friday Night Tempo at Capitol Modern is a free, family-friendly evening of live music featuring local artists like Mike Lundy and Maryanne Ito. The event includes performances by AGS Vinyl DJ and takes place in the galleries and Sculpture Garden of the Hawai'i State Art Museum, with admission free for all ages.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Friday Night Tempo at Capitol Modern
Kaneohe Other Holiday Activities
Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade
What to Expect:
Commemorating Pearl Harbor 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 cheer teams and marching bands. It commemorates the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, celebrating the transition from bitter enemies to friends and allies.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade
Honolulu Marathon
What to Expect:
No time limit, fostering an inclusive and relaxed running environment.
Description:
The Honolulu Marathon is a 26.2-mile run through downtown Honolulu, past Iolani Palace, and around Diamond Head, culminating in Kapiolani Park. It features no time limit, making it accessible to all participants. Finishers receive a medal and can enjoy post-race festivities.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Honolulu Marathon
World Surf League: HIC Haleʻiwa Pro
What to Expect:
High-level surfing competition in iconic Hawaiian waves.
Description:
The Hawaiian Islands HIC Haleiwa Pro is a premier World Surf League (WSL) event held in Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii. It features top surfers competing in the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui Qualifying Series (QS) 1000, with notable wins by Erin Brooks and Jackson Bunch. The event showcases exceptional surfing skills and marks significant milestones for competitors, including qualification for the Sambazon World Junior Championships.
Where: Haleʻiwa | More Info: World Surf League: HIC Haleʻiwa Pro
Kalakaua Merrie Mile
What to Expect:
Fun one-mile race with a beach party and commemorative medals.
Description:
The Kalakaua Merrie Mile is a fun one-mile race in Waikiki, Hawaii, that starts at Monsarrat Avenue and ends at Queens Beach. The event features a beach party and is great for runners of all ages, including children. The race is named after King Kalakaua, known as the Merrie Monarch, and includes commemorative race shirts and finisher medals for paid registrations.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Kalakaua Merrie Mile
What the Truck?! Event at Waikele Center
What to Expect:
Diverse array of local street foods.
Description:
What the Truck?! at Waikele Center features 50+ local vendors serving a diverse array of Hawaiian, Filipino, Samoan, Chamorran, Puerto Rican, Thai, Vietnamese, and Soul food. The event is family and pet-friendly, smoke-free, and does not serve alcohol. It is located just off the freeway going west and is known for its variety of street foods.
Where: Waipahu | More Info: What the Truck?! Event at Waikele Center
Rooftop Stargazing at Royal Hawaiian Center
What to Expect:
Free public stargazing event with a personal view of the moon and Hawaiian night sky.
Description:
Join us for our monthly Rooftop Stargazing Event at the Royal Hawaiian Center, located on the fourth floor of Building A. This free public event offers a close-up look at the moon and the Hawaiian night sky. First come, first served.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Rooftop Stargazing at Royal Hawaiian Center
Aliʻi Sunday at Kawaiahaʻo Church
What to Expect:
Honoring Hawaiʻi's aliʻi with cultural recognition and community unity.
Description:
Aliʻi Sunday at Kawaiahaʻo Church is a traditional celebration honoring Hawaiʻi's aliʻi (royalty) with worship services, cultural recognition, and community unity.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Aliʻi Sunday at Kawaiahaʻo Church
Butterfly Tea at The Veranda
What to Expect:
Interactive Monarch Butterfly dome with kid-friendly activities.
Description:
Join us at The Veranda for a delightful Butterfly Tea, featuring a keiki tea set, milkshake options, and interactive activities like the Monarch Butterfly dome. Enjoy light bites and celebrate with kid-friendly activities every second Saturday.
Where: Honolulu | More Info: Butterfly Tea at The Veranda
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Kailua (4 miles)
- Honolulu (7 miles)
- East Honolulu (9 miles)
- Pearl City (11 miles)
- Waipahu (14 miles)
- Mililani Town (14 miles)
- Ewa Gentry (15 miles)