Aloha and welcome to our annual Maui Christmas guide! At the moment, all events on this page are from 2022. Once the venue begin to announce what they’re offering, we’ll begin updating this page in November 2023, but it won’t be complete until December 2023. In the meantime, if you are planning a 2023 Christmas vacation to Maui, we have some advice:
- Review the events on this page. Most of them are repeated year after year. As such, you can get an idea of what might be coming up in December 2023.
- Subscribe to our free newsletters that are generally issued twice per week. You’ll stay up to date all Hawaii travel advice, news and ideas. Plus, we’ll announce that this page is up to date via our newsletter. Subscriptions are free and you can unsubscribe at any time.Carefully enter your email address at this link to subscribe to our free newsletters.
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Are you planning to spend this Christmas holiday on Maui? What a special time to visit! You’ll find the island decked out in lights, ornaments and Christmas cheer. Maui really knows how to celebrate the holidays with warm Aloha.
As you’re making your Christmas vacation plans, we want to give you some special and meaningful ideas to celebrate the holiday season with Maui-style. Here are our suggestions for the top things to do for Maui Christmas 2022.
See Lahaina’s famous banyan tree wrapped in Christmas lights
The sprawling banyan tree is wrapped in thousands of Christmas lights. Where else but in Maui will you find such a sight as this one? The banyan tree is located at Banyan Tree Court, just off Front Street in Lahaina town. These Christmas lights are scheduled to be on from 5:30pm to midnight, starting December 3, 2022 throughout the remainder of the month of December. For parking near the banyan tree, we recommend the free parking lot off of Prison Street.
Christmas Shopping
Christmastime is a special time to shop in Maui. Consider buying locally made crafts and artwork for gifts.
You can find the big department stores in Kahului, but there are several shopping centers that are closer to the resort areas.
West Maui (Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kapalua)
- Lahaina’s Front Street and side streets have lots of shops.
- We like Whalers Village in Kaanapali.
- Lahaina Cannery Mall will be decked out with Christmas trees decorated by local community groups.. See their events calendar to enjoy cultural activities along with special holiday entertainment and photos with Santa.
- Lahaina Gateway is another shopping area in the Lahaina area.
- Outlets of Maui in Lahaina
South Maui
- We really enjoy the Shops at Wailea in Wailea. Check out their events calendar to find a free Polynesian show and other great entertainment. Note this special holiday performance on December 23.
Other unique Maui shops
- If you want to experience a cooler climate, go upcountry to the paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) town of Makawao where you can browse through unique shops — such as Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center which is decorated for the Hui Holidays.
- The former sugar cane plantation town of Paia has some small, local shops.
Attend a Christmas Church Service
Attending a Christmas service is a wonderful way to celebrate the good news of hope for this season. It’s even more special when you do so in Maui.
Here are some services that have caught our eye for 2022. We’ll list these churches that are near the resort areas. To help you find a service near your accommodations, we’ll list the churches in geographical order.
West Maui – Kapalua, Lahaina areas
- Maria Lanakila Catholic Church in Lahaina and Sacred Hearts Mission Church in Kapalua are holding mass on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. See this link for the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services at both churches.
- Lahaina United Methodist Church will hold an outdoor Christmas Eve Service at 4:30pm. See this link for more information.
- Harvest at Kumulani Chapel in Kapalua holds Christmas Eve services at 4pm, 6pm and 8pm. Christmas Day service will be held at 10am. This church is an open-air, mostly outside church church.
- Lahaina Baptist Church holds Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6pm. See this link for more information.
South Maui – Kihei, Wailea
- Hope Chapel in Kihei welcomes visitors for Christmas Candlelight services starting December 23 and will hold three candlelight services on December 24. Check their events page for more details.
- St. Theresa Roman Catholic Church in Kihei offers several Christmas Eve and Christmas Day mass times.
- Calvary Chapel South Maui holds Christmas Eve Candlelight Services at 5:30pm and again at 7:30pm.
- Trinity Episcopal Church by the Sea services TBD.
When you arrive on Maui, pick up a copy of the Maui News as Christmas Eve approaches. They’ll have more information about church services across Maui. Additionally, ask your concierge if they know of services that will be near to where you’re staying.
See Santa Claus as he visits Maui
Santa normally makes a few quick visits to Maui before heading back to the North Pole to load up his sleigh. Most often he’s dressed in his Aloha attire.
- On Saturday, December 17th and Thursday, December 22nd, Santa stops by the Shops at Wailea for free photos. Santa plans to be there from 4pm to 7pm. For the free photo, guests are asked to bring a canned good donation to benefit the Maui Food Bank. See this link for more information as well as this short instagram video.
- Santa arrives by catamaran on Kaanapali Beach in front of Whalers Village on Sunday, December 18th at 8:30am. He’ll be sticking around for about an hour to spread holiday cheer and pose for selfies. See this link for more information.
- Ali’i Nui hosts their special Holiday Santa Sail on Wednesday, December 21st. Lean more here.
- On Christmas Eve, Santa arrives by outrigger canoe at Polo Beach in front of the Fairmont Kea Lani at approximately 12pm. See this link for more information.
- See the Halona Kai Holiday Village, (details are listed further down on this list) where Santa makes an appearance.
- At Montage Kapalua Bay, Mr. and Mrs. Claus stop by for photos under the Banyan Tree from 5pm to 6pm on December 21st and 23rd. While you’re there, check out Mrs. Claus’ cherished gingerbread collection in the resort lobby. See this link for more information.
- On Christmas Eve, Santa arrives by outrigger canoe at Wailea Beach in front of the Grand Wailea at approximately 9am. See this link for more information.
Savor a Christmas feast
Many resorts across Maui will offer scrumptious multi-course dinners and/or buffets with menus specially designed for the holidays. Most hotel-based restaurants will be open. Check directly with your hotel for details.
One quick source to search for restaurant availability online is via OpenTable. (Make sure you customize the search criteria.) I recommend you make reservations as soon as possible.
Explore the Hawaiian island-style Christmas decorations
Christmas decorations in Hawaii are really special. You may find tropical flowers adorning Christmas trees, tropical fish ornaments and other unique island-style decorations. The hotels really do a fantastic job decorating for Christmas. For a nice stroll, head out on the oceanfront paths in either Kaanapali or Wailea or both. Along the way, pop into the hotels to check out their lobbies.
Enjoy special holiday activities at Halona Kai Holiday Village
From December 23 through 25, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort hosts their second annual Halona Kai Holiday Village. This year’s village features a dinner buffet with festive music, Christmas-themed activities, a visit from Santa Claus and a holiday movie shown with hot chocolate and popcorn. Halona Kai Holiday Village is located at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort in Kaanapali. See this link for more information and to book tickets.
Kiss your loved one under the Mistletoe at Montage
Montage Kapalua Bay invites guests and locals to step under the mistletoe and snap a special photo once again this year. Mistletoe at Montage will be located at the resort’s entrance. If you share your photo publicly on social media with the hashtages #MontageMistletoe and #MontageMemory, your photo might be featured on the resort’s Instagram account. While you’re there check out Mrs. Claus’ gingerbread collection in the hotel’s lobby. See more information about Mistletoe at Montage as well as other special holiday options at this link.
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We recommend you speak to your hotel’s concierge for more options that will be held onsite or nearby your accommodation. Also, pick up a copy of the Maui News when you are on island for additional restaurants and holiday activity suggestions.
The holiday time is a popular time to visit Maui. As such, be prepared by reading our advice — What you need to know about planning a Hawaii vacation around a holiday. If this is your first visit to Maui, check out our popular Maui vacation planner to help you make your itinerary.
We hope you’ll have a wonderful Christmastime on Maui. While you’re there, make sure you know how to wish someone a Merry Christmas in the Hawaiian language.
If you’ll be staying on Maui through New Year’s Eve, check out our guide for possible Maui New Year’s celebrations.
19 comments
Bringing mom and dad to Maui for the first time and staying at Papakea.
Where’s the best or closest place to take my four-year-old nephew to see Santa?
What are some activities we should consider for my parents who are in their late 60s?
What restaurants are close by for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals?
Thank you!!!
Kaanapali and Kapalua activities and restaurants are closest to Papakea.
Top 5 things to do on Maui (not Christmas related) https://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/01/18/top-5-things-you-must-see-and-do-on-your-maui-vacation/
Santa arrives on an outrigger canoe at the Grand Wailea in December. You can also visit Santa at Queen Kaahumanu Center mall during the holiday season
This year we have so many wide-eyed keiki added to our family over the past 3 years and they are the perfect age to take a drive by a street of holiday lights… but whea? We’re in Wailuku.
Maybe see the lights on the big banyan tree in Lahaina. From what we’ve seen, the Grand Wailea has a lot of lights at the entrance that you could drive past. Hope that helps a little.
Bringing my family to Maui fir Christmas….3 teens, dad, mom me(Grama). Where is a great place for Christmas Day meal? I would like to make reservations. Also, Christmas Eve church service? Other Christmas activities you might suggest. Thank you
We won’t have this post updated until December. In the meantime, review what’s listed for an idea of what will likely happen again this coming Christmas.
Where on Island will you be staying?
The Wailea hotels have Christmas Day meals, and you might also try Mama’s Fish house or the Hali’imaile General Store.
Kings Cathedral at 777 Maui Veteran’s Hwy has Christmas Eve as well as Christmas Day services and it’s centrally located.
Don’t forget
Keawalai’i congregational church candlelight service. One not to be missed. In the old church by the ocean in Makenna
I’m looking for a nice show and/or dinner on December 24th. Is it more quiet that day on Maui or are there things going on? If so, which events can you recommend? Mahalo
Some luaus operate on Christmas Eve. Here’s a list of luaus on Maui: https://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/02/26/maui-luaus-prices-schedules-and-reviews/ Please consider that luaus often change dates, times, pricing, etc and we’ve not updated that list is a while. The links should all still be active for further investigation, checking availability, pricing, etc.
Also, if you are staying in a hotel, check to see what they might be offering. Ask your concierge for their advice.
Don’t forget holiday shopping at Ma’alaea! There you’ll find local retail stores as well as Pacific Whale Foundation’s retail store. Pacific Whale Foundation’s store has all kind of gift giving options, from apparel, to household to specialty foods. Many of the items are eco-friendly and/or made on Maui or in the Islands. Biggest benefit of shopping there is that all of the profits go back into research and education for protecting our marine animals and environment! Shopping to make a difference!
We are planning to be on Maui for Christmas 2020. We are seniors, our daughter and son-in-law, and three teenagers. Our daughter worked at the grand Wailea during their opening years
Coming to Maui to Celebrate Christmas 2020.
Where can we have a nice Christmas lunch or dinner to celebrate the holiday ? How soon can we make the reservation ? Any concerts , parades or nay events scheduled ? We
are close to Lahaina , Napili and Kaanapali.
What activities are available ?
Due to COVID-19, most hotels and many restaurants are closed right now. So, it’s far too soon to even guess what’s going to happen in Maui for Christmas 2020. Additionally, the islands are not even open for tourism without first quarantining for 14 days at the moment.
Venues don’t typically announce what they’re going to offer until November or December. Subscribe to our free newsfeed to be in the know when we release the new holiday events.
We are going to Maui for the first time the week of Christmas and would love any itinerary advice with our two girls (8 and 10). Is the Santa canoeing to the Fairmont Kea Lani free to the public? Thanks.
Also, any suggestions to best place to go to for Christmas dinner?
The Santa arrival is open to the public as it is held on a beach. All beaches in Hawaii are open to the public.
This is our Maui itinerary, which you can adapt to your interests: https://www.govisithawaii.com/2016/08/02/seven-day-maui-vacation-itinerary/