Maui Christmas 2024 – Special Holiday Events & Things to Do

Aloha and welcome to our annual Maui Christmas guide! It is up to date for Christmas 2024.

 

Christmas is such a special time to visit Maui! 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.

A note about Lahaina:

Before we go any further, we feel that it’s necessary to share this somber note about Lahaina. We’ve been creating these lists of special things to do for Christmas in Maui for more than a decade. Typically we list things to do in Lahaina, but the wildfires of last year forever changed the town. As of late 2024, very little has been rebuilt. Most of Lahaina is not open to the public at this time. Only a small area on the northern end of Lahaina is open to the public.

Visitors are asked to be compassionate towards Maui residents as many fire victims are displaced in temporary housing. Where possible please try to support the local economy.

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 (Kaanapali, Kapalua)

• On December 22 and 23, there will be a Kokua For Maui pop up shop at Sheraton Maui Resort’s Maui Ballroom. This shop will feature products from Lahaina small businesses and artisans who were impacted by the wildfires. There will be live entertainment both days. On Sunday, Santa will make a stop for complimentary photos. This Kokua For Maui Shop and Show Aloha event will run from 9:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday and Monday.
• Whalers Village in Kaanapali has many shops and restaurants that visitors find interesting. In fact a few of our favorite Maui restaurants, Leilani’s on the Beach, Hula Grill and Monkeypod Kitchen are located in Whaler’s Village.
• In year’s past, we listed several shopping spots in Lahaina. Sadly, many were destroyed in the wildfire. Since the fires, Lahaina Cannery Mall has reopened. They host free cultural events and art shows.

South Maui

• We really enjoy the Shops at Wailea in Wailea. They host great cultural programs and musical entertainment throughout the year, but the Shops at Wailea add special events in December. Here are some highlights for this December:
  • Santa makes a visit to the the shops for free photos on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m in December through the 21st. Santa’s helpers will hand out complimentary Peppermint Macadamia Nut cookies courtesy of Honolulu Cookie Company. A canned good donation, which will go to the Maui Food Bank, is encouraged.
  • Shops at Wailea present a beloved weekly music series the “Mele Kalikimaka Show” each Wednesday through Christmas Day. The shows are held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on December 4, 11, 18 and 25.
  • The Shops at Wailea host live holiday music on the following days and times:
    • Saturday, December 7 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m – Holiday Jazz at The Shops with Joe Cano
    • Saturday, December 14 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. – Festival of Harps with Madrigal Singers in Costumes
    • Saturday, December 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Maui Community Band
    • Friday, December 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Holiday Concert with Napua Greig & Halau
    • Sunday, December 21 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Festival of Harps
  • Check out their events calendar to find a free Polynesian show, cultural activities taking place in December.

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. 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 survived the fire, but public access is prohibited for the time being. Their sister church, Sacred Hearts Mission Church in Kapalua typically holds mass on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
• Honolua United Methodist Church holds Christmas Eve  Service at 6:30 p.m. for 2024. Check this link for more details.
• Harvest Kumulani Church in Kapalua usually holds a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6:00 p.m. and at 8:00 p.m. See this link for more details.
• Lahaina United Methodist Church was destroyed in the August fire. They are temporally holding services at Lahuiokalani Ka’anapali Congregation Church in Honokowai. They are holding Christmas Day service starting at 10am. See this link for more information.

South Maui – Kihei, Wailea

• Hope Chapel in Kihei welcomes visitors for Christmas Eve Candlelight services starting December 22 at 6:00 p.m. Then they will hold three candlelight services on December 24 at 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Check this page for more details.
• St. Theresa Roman Catholic Church in Kihei offers several Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services as follows:
  • Christmas Eve 5:00 p.m. (English)
  • Christmas Eve 7:00 p.m. (Spanish)
  • Christmas Eve 10:00 p.m. (English)
  • Christmas Day mass at 7:00 a.m. and and 9:30 a.m.
• Calvary Chapel South Maui hosts two Christmas Eve Candlelight services — one starting at 5:30 p.m and the second at 7:00 p.m. See this link for more information.
• Trinity Episcopal Church by the Sea holds Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7:00 p.m. services. Christmas Day service will be at 9:00 a.m. See this link for more information.

For other worship opportunities, check with the concierge at your hotel.

See Santa Claus as he visits Maui

Santa always 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 fun Aloha attire.

• Santa stops by the Shops at Wailea for free photos. Guests are asked to bring a canned good donation to benefit the Maui Food Bank. For the week leading up to Christmas, Santa will be at the Shops at Wailea on Saturday, December 21 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
• Ali’i Nui hosts their special Holiday Santa Sail on December 15, 21 and 23 this year. Learn more here.
• On the morning of December 21, Santa arrives by catamaran on Ka’anapali Beach at at 10:00 a.m. at Whalers Village. See this link for more details.
• On Christmas Eve, Santa arrives by outrigger canoe at Polo Beach in front of the Fairmont Kea Lani. We don’t yet know the exact time, but in many years past, it’s been held at approximately 12pm. See this link for more information.
• On Christmas Eve, Santa arrives by outrigger canoe at Wailea Beach in front of the Grand Wailea between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. See this link for more information.
• Santa visits the Halona Kai Holiday Village – See the details of Halona Kai Holiday Village further down on this list.

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 resort-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.

For a dinner and show, the restaurant Seascape at the Maui Ocean Center is hosting Home For The Holidays with Grammy award-winning Amy Hanaiali’i on December 13, 20 and 25. See this link for more information.

Explore the Hawaiian island-style Christmas decorations

Christmas decorations in Hawaii are really special and often convey a great sense of place. You may find tropical flowers adorning Christmas trees, tropical fish ornaments and other unique Hawaii-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 and entrances. Some of the best resorts for seeing Christmas lights are:

• Ritz Carlton Maui at Kapalua
• Grand Wailea in Wailea in South Maui has thousands of festive lights fronting the resort
• Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea in South Maui

Enjoy special holiday activities at Halona Kai Holiday Village 

The fourth annual Halona Kai Holiday Village at the Hyatt Regency Maui, is set to take place from December 24 and 25. This year’s family-friendly village features a buffet dinner with festive music, Christmas-themed activities, a visit from Santa Claus and a holiday movie under the Hawaiian night sky. Halona Kai Holiday Village is located at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort in Kaanapali. See this link for more information and to book tickets.

Catch a Christmas Performance

Hanau Ke Ali’i, A King is Born will be a presentation of hula and music to honor the birth of Christ. Over 100 dancers are set to take the stage in this performance at Castle Theater in Kahului. Learn more here.

See the Festival of Lights at Maui Ocean Center

A new holiday experience for 2024 is the Festival of Lights at Maui Ocean Center. The ocean-themed light displays include honu (sea turtles), whales, jelly fish and coral. During this event, there will be live music, food and a special diver presentation in the 750,000-gallon exhibit. Additionally, in the Sphere Theater, there will be a showing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” This event is limited to two evenings only — December 14 and 21.

Finally, what about the tradition of Lahaina’s famous banyan tree wrapped in thousands of lights?

Due to the tragic wildfire in August last year, the 150-year-old banyan tree was badly burned, but it is recovering with new growth. Access to Lahaina is highly restricted and the tree will not be wrapped in thousands of lights as it has been in the past. We hope that as Lahaina heals, this banyan tree Christmas tradition can be continued in the future. 

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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. Another helpful resource is our guide to a December vacation in Hawaii.

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.

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