Ultimate Guide to Waikiki Christmas Events & Dining

Aloha and welcome to our annual Waikiki Christmas guide! Here, you will find all you need to plan the perfect Waikiki Christmas holiday.

Venues don’t typically announce what they are hosting for the coming holiday until November or December. So, this page will be in transition until December. As we update this page for the upcoming New Year’s Eve, we will note those events with 2024 at the end of that listing.

In the meantime, it is helpful for you to look through the events that were held this past Christmas. Most events are repeated each year, so there’s a good chance the venues will host a similar event for Christmas 2024.

We recommend you bookmark this page and make a note in your calendar to start checking for updates in November. Additionally, subscribe to our free newsletters to stay up to date on Hawaii travel news, advice and our ever-popular Aloha Friday Photos feature. Newsletter subscribers will be alerted when this page is fully up to date. We typically issue two newsletters per week. You are free to unsubscribe at any time. To get your free subscription, carefully enter your email address at this link.

waikiki christmas

If your idea of a winter wonderland includes sun, sand and gently swaying palm trees, then Waikiki Beach is the place for you!  It’s a wonderful place to experience the Christmas season with Aloha.

To help you make your holiday plans, we compiled our annual Waikiki Christmas list that’s now fully up to date for Christmas 2023! Here, you’ll find a list of special events to do to get you into the Mele Kalikimaka spirit along with great places to dine in celebration of the season.

We’ve organized all the special Christmas events and dining options as follows:

  • The very best holiday-related things to do and see during your Christmas vacation on Oahu
  • Waikiki Christmas dining advice
  • Christmas Eve church services in Waikiki

Special events and fun things to see and do in December for the Christmas holiday in Waikiki, Honolulu & Oahu

Things to see and do that are in or near Waikiki

* Take a stroll through the many Waikiki hotel lobbies to see their Christmas decorations. See examples of Waikiki Christmas decorations from years past. (Free)

* The Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki has beautiful Christmas displays including a 34-foot Christmas tree in the Royal Grove. The center hosts holiday performances and Santa arrives for photos. These special holiday events are scheduled to take place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays through December 23rd. Check this link for more details and updates. (Free)

* See the amazing Christmas sand sculptures at their porte cochere and lobby areas of the Sheraton Waikiki. (Free)

* Ala Moana Center, Hawaii’s largest shopping mall, will be decorated for the season. Locals and visitors delight in seeing the traditional 50-foot “Big Santa” structure atop the center’s makai parking deck overlooking Ala Moana Boulevard. The center hosts holiday hula performances on Centerstage daily at 5:00 p.m. On Sundays, Ala Moana Center hosts a Keiki (children’s) Hula Show at 1:00 p.m. See this link for more information. (Free) 

Waikiki Beach Walk hosts live Christmas music and hula performances for the Seven Days of Christmas Holiday Mele Showcase. Performances will run nightly from December 19  through  the 25th at 6pm. This Christmas Mele event is free. See this link for more information. (Free)

* Blue Note Hawaii at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort hosts several Christmas concerts:

* The International Market Place hosts a Gift of Mele with a free holiday concert featuring Hawaii artist Anuhea. This concert will be held on December 20th at 6:30pm to 8pm on Queen’s Court within the International Market Place. (Free)

* Honolulu Zoo’s Holidays with the Animals event is back for 2023 on December 16th.

Things to see or do that would require transportation from Waikiki

* See the Honolulu City Lights and displays in downtown Honolulu in and around the grounds of the Honolulu Hale at 530 S King Street. This annual display is free and open to the public from December 2 through December 29. The displays are nice to see in the day, but we enjoy seeing the lights at night. When open, be sure and go inside the Honolulu Hale to see  amazing Christmas trees decorated by organizations and the local community.  Since downtown Honolulu isn’t walkable from Waikiki. If you do not have a rental car, here are some ways to see the Honolulu City Lights from Waikiki:

  • Prince Waikiki hosts festive Holly Jolly Waikiki Trolley rides to see holiday decorations and Honolulu City Lights.
  • Use public transportation on Oahu’s TheBus. Use Google Maps to help you generate the bus routes.
  • The Holiday Lights tour offers rides that originate from Kewalo Basin that is past the Ala Moana Center from Waikiki. Sometimes select hotels book trolley transportation to the lights for their guests, so check with your hotel to see if they might offer this service.

* On the North Shore, in Laie, the Hukilau Marketplace is hosting fun and free events that kids of all ages will enjoy. Their Christmas decorations and festive lights along with live entertainment can be enjoyed by all. Santa Claus will be on hand for photos. Kids will particularly enjoy the Christmas train rides. These activities will be held nightly from 6pm to 8:30pm from December 15th through 22nd. See this link for more information. Note that the Hukilau Marketplace is adjacent to the Polynesian Cultural Center, which is a fun place to visit to learn about the Polynesian cultures. (See our review on the Polynesian Cultural Center.)  Use this link to get 10%-off your entrance fee.

* Enjoy Show Aloha Land which is a ride/drive through Christmas light show at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. The show boasts more than 2.5 million LED lights. (For an idea of this show, see this KHON2 segment.) See the Frequently Asked Questions for more information and to book tickets. Note that this is in Honolulu, but not near Waikiki. Check for public transport options via TheBus.

* Over on the west side of Oahu, Kapolei is decked out in Christmas lights and decorations with the 2023 theme of “A Westside Wonderland.” This festive spot is most convenient for folks staying in Ko Olina. Learn more about Kapeolei City Lights. (Free)

* At Hawaii Theater in Honolulu, Hawaii musician Kalani Pe’a will perform Kalani Pe’a’s Hawaiian Christmas Show on December 23 at 7:00pm. See this link for more information and tickets. 

* Football fans can catch the Hawaii Bowl is on December 23rd at 5:30 p.m. HST.

* College basketball fans can catch the hoops action of the Diamond Head Classic on December 21, 22 and 24.

Waikiki/Honolulu Christmas Dining & Special Options

Many restaurants will be offering delicious Christmas menus — most with traditional foods, but with a lovely Hawaii-spin on Christmas staples. We’ve created a new page listing restaurants in and near Waikiki for Christmas dining.

Some restaurants book up in early to mid-December. So, we recommend you look at that Waikiki Christmas dining page and aim to book by late November.

Christmas Bars in Waikiki

A fun new trend that seems to be going on throughout the USA is pop-up Christmas bars. Some of them have over-the-top decorations and holiday-inspired cocktails and mocktails served in festive barware.

Here are Waikiki’s top pop-up Christmas bars:

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Luau

For something that you probably can’t experience back home, a luau on Christmas can offer both a fun experience and an opportunity to learn about the culture. We have two different lists – one for luau options in Waikiki and one for luau options outside of Waikiki with transportation offered with an additional fee outside of Waikiki.

Here are some luau companies in Waikiki that will be hosting a luau on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day:

  • Queens Waikiki Luau at International Market Place in the heart of Waikiki hosts their luau on Christmas Eve. Pricing starts at $109 for adults. They have three seating options – Front Row SeatingMiddle Row Seating and Back Row Seating.
  • Waikiki Starlight Luau at the Hilton Hawaiian Village offers their luau on  Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Pricing starts at $235 per adult and $140.25 per child.
  • Aha Aina, A Royal Hawaiian Luau presents a Christmas Day Luau on their oceanfront lawn.

Here are luau companies outside of Waikiki that are operating at Christmas with an option of adding transportation from Waikiki:

  • Aloha Kai Luau at Sea Life Park presents a Holiday Luau Package . As previously mentioned, this luau is outside of Waikiki. It’s about a 30 – 45 minute drive. If you don’t have a rental car, they offer transportation for an additional fee. (Added 12/13)
  • Ka Moana at the historic Aloha Tower offers their luau on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Transportation from Waikiki can be provided for an additional fee. For their top-of-the-line experience, check out their Celebrity Seating. (Added 12/16)
Shaka Santa and Mele Tutu by the Christmas tree in front of Honolulu Hale presented as part of Honolulu City Lights
Shaka Santa and Mele Tutu by the Christmas tree in front of Honolulu Hale presented as part of Honolulu City Lights

Waikiki Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Church Services

Here are churches that are in the Waikiki area that will be holding special Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day services.

* Waikiki Beach Gathering, which is also known as “Church on da Beach” holds “Christmas Eve service on da beach.” This special event is called ‘Twas the Night. Gathering time is at 6:30pm at the beach by 2729 Kalakaua Avenue. See this link for more information.

* Harbor Church Honolulu holds their Christmas Eve services on December 24th this year. See this link for more information.

* St. Augustine by-the-sea Catholic church holds mass on Christmas Eve (5pm and 8pm) and on Christmas Day (6am, 8am, 10am, 5pm). Check their schedule of services is listed on their website.

Waikiki Baptist Church – Christmas Eve worship services at  9am and again at 10:45am. 

* St Mark’s Honolulu Episcopal Church – holds Lauds of the Nativity on Christmas Eve morning at 10:30am. Then, in the evening, they host Christmas Eve Solemn Midnight Mass at 11pm. On Christmas Day, Lauds starts at 10:30am followed by Procession and Solemn Mass at 11am. See this link for more information.

* Fort DeRussy Chapel across from Hale Koa Hotel will host Christmas Eve service at 5pm.

* Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Waikiki holds Christmas Eve Candle Light service at 6pm. Prior to the Christmas Eve Candle Light service, the church invites you to sing Christmas Carols at 5pm in front of Eaton Square.

* For more Christmas Eve services, check with the concierge at your hotel and/or pick up a copy of the Star-Advertiser, which usually has Christmas Eve service information, when you’re on the island.

Notes

  • We recommend you make book tickets and make reservations as soon as possible to secure the time and place you like.
  • Should you have further questions, contact the venues directly. From each link that we’ve provided in this article, you should be able to navigate to the venue’s telephone number or a contact form.
  • Unless otherwise stated, you can assume that taxes and gratuities are not included in the listed prices. When you make your reservations, please confirm these details.
  • As we’ve created the dining lists, we’ve aimed to find restaurants with great views, special holiday menus or a unique setting.
  • Most Waikiki Beach hotel-based restaurants will be open on Christmas. Check directly with the concierge of your accommodations for their special Christmas meals and events.
  • Once you arrive on Oahu, pick up a copy of the Star Advertiser, the local newspaper, which may provide additional dining options and events.
  • All times, pricing and information are accurately reported at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
  • We anticipate that we’ll be adding more events and dining options, so do check back. We released this 2023 page on 12/5/23. Additions made after 12/5/23, will be indicated by the date they were added in a light gray font.
  • If you are visiting Waikiki for the first or second time, check out the following articles to help you enjoy your visit:
  • If you’ll be on Oahu through New Year’s Eve, check out our Waikiki, Honolulu, Oahu New Year’s Eve Guide, which will be updated in mid to late December.
  • Learn how to say Mele Kalikimaka, Hawaii’s way to say Merry Christmas.

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29 comments
    1. It’s very possible, though we can’t guarantee it. We’ve seen Christmas decorations up in Hawaii until New Year’s Day.

  1. We have reservations at Orchids on Xmas Eve for the Dinner Buffet….same price and menu as Xmas day dinner buffet . I noticed you did not include so I thought I would share.

    1. I’m glad to hear they’ll be open for Christmas this year as Orchids is one of our favorite places to dine in Waikiki. Mahalo.

      At the moment, the list is a mix of 2015 and 2016 event/dinners. We normally receive the press releases from the Halekulani about what their restaurants are offering for Christmas. If I remember correctly, Orchids was either closed last year for Christmas Eve or was fully booked, so that’s why Orchids is currently not showing on the list. The list won’t be complete until December.

    1. Some may be open. We’ve just learned that the Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki will be open on Christmas Day.

  2. Hi Sheila

    Can you recommend the most atmospheric restaurant with Hawaiian dancers for Christmas Eve please? And can you please keep me posted on all events leading up to Christmas day please?

    Regards.

    Lela

    1. We don’t keep track of who would have dancers at dinner. I’m guessing House Without A Key at the Halekulani will have live Hawaiian music and a hula dancer as they do other days throughout the year. Their oceanfront setting is wonderful, too.

      We can’t send out individual updates, however, you can easily keep track of them by bookmarking this page and checking back.

      Enjoy your Waikiki Christmas!

  3. Hi Sheila,

    Thanks for your information.

    Do you know of any reputable Catering companies that can deliver Christmas lunch/dinner [Turkey/Ham/Salads etc.] for a family dining event?

    1. No, we don’t know of any for Christmas. You might call some of the restaurants we’ve listed that have those items on their menu or check with local grocery stores like Foodland or Safeway. I doubt they’d deliver, though.

      1. Not catering, but Zippy’s on Oahu is offering traditional Christmas plates that you could pick up and bring to your family.

    1. I don’t tend to think of the Royal Hawaiian Center as a mall per se. It’s more of an outdoor shopping center with a beautiful courtyard.

      Also look at the Santa meeting/greeting/photo opportunities at the Honolulu City Lights and the Battleship Missouri Memorial which are both listed in the article.

  4. I read on TripAdvisor that SAnta arrives in an outrigger canoe somewhere in Waikiki.
    Do you know anything about that?

    1. Santa visited by canoe last weekend and was hosted by the Outrigger.

      We understand that Santa is going to visit Waikiki Beach again. He’s due to arrive at the Halekulani by canoe at 4:30pm on Christmas Eve.

      1. Awesome! Thanks so much for the info. If you find out he’s arriving by canoe anywhere else, please let us know. What fun!

    1. Some of Oahu’s top restaurants are in Waikiki. They attract both visitors and locals.

      As is the case in most places across the nation, many locals cook and share their own Christmas meals with their families at home.

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