7 Fun Things to Do in Hawaii in December
Posted by Maris on 6th Dec 2023
How can the holiday season be filled with cheerful music and unlimited comfort food and still seem like the most hectic time of year? Rather than dealing with inclement weather and last-minute gift purchasing, spend Christmas in the sand.
Locals participate in many of the same Christmas rituals as mainlanders, such as seeing festive lights and searching for the right Christmas tree. However, there are countless one-of-a-kind possibilities to celebrate the holidays in Hawaii.
Continue reading to learn more exciting things to do in Hawai'i in December.
Take in the Festive Lights
The Christmas season in Hawai'i begins with the annual Honolulu City Lights festival, when Shaka Santa and Tutu Mele take their places in front of Honolulu Hale and the sky-high pine tree towering over them is lit.
Families go to Downtown Honolulu to take photos in front of the gigantic decorations placed throughout the grounds, as well as the various Christmas trees within Honolulu Hale, each with a different theme and decorated by the City and County of Honolulu personnel.
Throughout the month of December, the grounds are available to visitors daily from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and experiencing the beauty of the season is always free to all.
The Polynesian Cultural Center's Christmas Countdown
Countdown to Christmas at the Polynesian Cultural Center is jam-packed with family-friendly activities. A scavenger hunt, train rides, and a designated snow day with inner tube rides are all planned for the kids. Local musicians will serenade you while you take photographs with Santa and watch a real Nativity.
The events are free and take place over a 10-day period in December leading up to Christmas, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., excluding Sundays. After a day on O'ahu's north shore, it's the ideal holiday activity.
Pay a visit to the Hawaiian Christmas Trees.
To find the perfect island Christmas tree, visit Helemano Tree Farms in central O'ahu. Choose from a variety of trees and watch as the experienced staff cuts down the tree you carefully selected. Ho'oluana Tree Farm near Hilo on the Big Island provides a comparable experience.
If you're feeling up to it, you can cut down your own tree, or if you'd rather leave it to the pros, a tree of your choice can be felled for you.
In upcountry Maui, Kula Botanical Garden grows and sells Monterey Pine Christmas trees, wreaths, and centerpieces. After you've chosen your tree, walk through the plants, rock formations, and koi ponds of this tranquil garden situated along the slopes of Haleakala.
Go Snowboarding!
Mother Nature bestows a light, powdery blanket of snow on the slopes of Mauna Kea on the Big Island when the meteorological circumstances are exactly right.
Because there are no lodges or ski lifts on the mountain, you'll need to rent all of the essential equipment as well as a four-wheel-drive car before ascending. Snowboarders will need to be driven to the top of the slope and then picked up at the bottom to return for another ride.
While it may not be the easiest snowboarding experience, many would say that the unique setting and breathtaking views are well worth the effort.
Attend a Surfing Contest
Winter in Hawaii means large waves on O'ahu's north shore. Two well-known surfing championships will bring the world's greatest surfers to the island. If you can't make it to the beach during these championships, many of the events may be seen live online, allowing surfing aficionados all over the world to watch the action.
Surfers compete in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing in three of the world's most iconic surf spots: Hale'iwa, Sunset Beach, and Pipeline.
The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational- Fifty-five surfers have been invited to compete in this historic surfing event. Waves must be constantly above 20 feet in order for the Eddie to run, therefore the years that it does run are extremely remarkable, and everyone comes to witness.
Participate in the Honolulu Marathon
Active runners should sign up for the Honolulu Marathon, which is held annually on O'ahu in early December. The 26.2-mile route begins near Waikiki at Kapi'olani Park and continues past Diamond Head and through some of Honolulu's most beautiful residential districts in east Honolulu.
You'll pick up your well-earned medal and finisher jersey at the finish line, which maintains a high-energy and celebratory environment, and nibble on Leonard's malasadas. If a marathon is too much for you, you could compete in the Start to Park 10K or the Kalakaua Merrie Mile instead.
Go Whale Seeing
The warm waters of the Hawaiian Islands attract humpback whales to its coast throughout the winter months, making it the greatest time to see these majestic beasts. While the whales are in Hawai'i to breed and give birth, you may often see them breaching off the coast of Maui, one of their favorite sites.
The Pacific Whale Foundation not only offers whale viewing eco-tours from Lahaina and Ma'alaea Harbor, but it also generates funds for marine conservation and education, allowing you to have an unforgettable experience while simultaneously making a difference.