Thanksgiving in Hawaii: things to do on Oahu in November

Explore the many vibrant cultures of Polynesia and the Pacific Islands with a visit to the truly one-of-a-kind Polynesian Cultural Center. This essential Oahu attraction contains six separate villages, each representing a different Polynesian nation, with stacks of hand-on activities, live performances,  unique cultural artifacts and more. A visit here is a great way to introduce the kids to Polynesian culture and heritage, from classic Hawaiian hula lessons to Tahitian coconut bread and Tongan shuffleboard. Stick around for the colorful canoe pageant and evening luau.

Appetite well and truly whet for all things Polynesian? Wrap your day of culture with your choice of eye-popping luau at the Aloha Tower or Sea Life Park; entry to your pick of the two is included with the Go City Oahu pass.

Fall is a great time of year to go snorkeling. The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is filled with a wide variety of critters, from a rainbow of tropical fish to sea turtles and beyond. Even better, since you're in low season, you'll be able to enjoy this tropical paradise without the usual crowds. You'll still need to pre-book a spot for this protected cove online though; visitors are limited to protect the reef and its diverse wildlife.

Alternatively, join one of the snorkeling tours available with the Go City Oahu pass. This epic island circuit takes in the wildlife-rich waters of Haleiwa, as well as Diamond Head, the Dole Pineapple Plantation and delectable North Shore shrimp for lunch. Or head out for a sightseeing splash around Waikiki's Turtle Canyon which – as its name suggests – is one of Oahu's best spots for eyeballing Hawaii's native green sea turtles.

Honor our veterans and fallen soldiers during a time of year when remembrance and giving thanks is at the forefront of everyone's mind. And again, as it's low season you can expect shorter lines and fewer crowds. Take the USS Arizona Memorial narrated tour for a chance to learn more about the tragic events of December 7. Step aboard the 'Mighty Mo' and see the last battleship ever constructed in all her rebuilt glory. Explore the exhibits at the USS Bowfin Submarine and Museum. There's something for jet-heads here, too: the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum is catnip for fans of vintage aircraft and wartime bombers.

Looking for a broader overview? Hop an epic five-hour tour that takes in key Pearl Harbor sites as well as several more Honolulu highlights including Iolani Palace, Chinatown and the National Cemetery of the Pacific.

Oahu has plenty to offer anyone with a penchant for exploring museums and historic homes. Complete with period furniture and sumptuous decor, Iolani Palace is the beautifully preserved residence of the last two monarchs of Hawaii. Get to know these flamboyant kings and queens a little better and discover just how progressive they were for their time.

Just outside Honolulu in the lush Nuuanu Valley, the Queen Emma Summer Palace is a right royal retreat, complete with breezy terraces, opulent art, and artifacts including the young Prince Albert Edward's cradle, ahu'ula (feathered cloaks) and china gifted from Queen Victoria.

Elsewhere, science and culture enthusiasts will be in clover at the Bishop Museum, an absolute treasure trove of Polynesian art, artifacts and cool historical trivia. There's even a simulated active volcano display! 

This lively parade – usually held on Thanksgiving weekend – is a great way to kick off the holiday season with a bang. The event, which serves the dual purpose of honoring Pearl Harbor veterans and cranking up the festive holiday spirit, sees hula dancers, high school marching bands and other performers bring Kalākaua Avenue to thrilling, vibrant life. It's a slice of pure, unfiltered Hawaiian joy, and absolutely unmissable if you're in town for Thanksgiving. Expect sparkly costumes, military colors, live bands, fire dancers and even an appearance from Aloha Santa himself.

Best of all, the parade, which weaves its way to the big party in Queen Kapiolani Park, is absolutely free.

Each year the Royal Hawaiian Center hosts a spectacular calendar of events and appearances to officially kick off the holiday season. From festive musical performances and keiki hula to the official tree-lighting ceremony, this is the place to really get into the holiday spirit in Oahu. Kids will love the special seasonal activities designed just for them, and there are plenty of colorful decorations to admire. And, yes, there's another appearance from that man: Aloha Santa will arrive in his shorts, ready for (free!) festive selfies with his adoring fans.

We don’t usually include Turkey Trots in our Thanksgiving round-ups, mostly because we aren’t always in a position to run very far on Thanksgiving morning. That said, this five-mile fun run around Kapiolani Park and Triangle Park just had to make it on to the list for sheer craziness and awesomeness all rolled into one. There are prizes for the best costume, too: so lace up your shoes, don that full-body turkey suit you've been saving for a suitable occasion, and get running. It's a great way to preemptively burn off all those Thanksgiving dinner calories. It totally works that way... right? 

The Turkey Trot is free to watch, but runners need to register in advance. More info about registration can be found on the event website.

Nothing says Hawaii quite like a surfing Santa Claus built out of sand. Pay a visit to the Sheraton Waikiki to catch their impressive collection of holiday-themed sand sculptures. They usually star a model of the big man himself, and sculptures are free to view even if you aren’t staying at the hotel.