Swap snow boots for flip-flops and spend Christmas in Oahu where twinkly nights meet sun-kissed days. December brings Honolulu City Lights, winter surf on the North Shore, whales rising offshore, and plenty of kid-friendly attractions to fill your schedule between shave ice stops. This merry list blends annual events, festive markets and fireworks with culture-packed museums, scenic ranch tours and breezy boat days. You’ll end up with an Oahu Christmas that feels joyful, relaxed and full of great stories to take home with you.
Honolulu City Lights at Honolulu Hale
Honolulu City Lights sets the holiday tone for the whole of December. The celebration lights up Honolulu Hale—city hall—with a towering tree, a row of decorated evergreens inside, and the famous Shaka Santa and Tutu Mele smiling out front. Families wander the grounds for selfies with oversized ornaments, peek at the wreath contest entries in the lobby and hop on gentle keiki rides scattered across the lawn. The opening night tree lighting and electric light parade usually happen in early December, then the displays glow nightly through the season, so you can slot this into your schedule whenever it fits best.
We love the atmosphere here. It feels local and welcoming, with food trucks serving plate lunches, malasadas and cool drinks while island music floats through the civic center. Kids point out their favorite wreaths—some crafted from beach finds, others from lauhala and flowers—and they quickly adopt Shaka Santa like an old friend. Walk a slow loop, stage a family photo beneath the palms, then settle on a bench to snack and people-watch.
If you want to extend the fun, book the Waikiki Trolley’s holiday lights tour that includes a loop past downtown’s displays—kids love the open-air ride and jingling soundtrack. Whether you’re coming from the beach or wrapping up a museum day, Honolulu City Lights delivers a warm, cheerful dose of Christmas, Oahu-style.
Waikiki holiday displays, lobby strolls and fireworks
Waikiki leans into the season with palm-framed decorations, lobby showcases and sparkling skies. Start with a relaxed evening stroll along Kalakaua Avenue to see surfboard garlands, lit-up palms and shop windows dressed for the holidays. Many hotels join the fun in their lobbies: the Royal Hawaiian goes big on pink-and-gold glamour, the Moana Surfrider sets a stately tree against its historic columns, and Sheraton Princess Kaiulani often features a detailed gingerbread village that draws noses to the glass. These displays are free, easy to reach, and perfect pauses between dinner and dessert.
Keep an eye out for Santa’s very Hawaiian entrance: he typically arrives by outrigger canoe at Waikiki Beach on a mid-December morning, waving from the water to squeals of delight. Even if your dates don’t line up, you’ll find carolers, hula and live music across Waikiki throughout the month, especially at Royal Hawaiian Center and Waikiki Beach Walk. Grab a box of holiday flavors from Honolulu Cookie Company—think macadamia shortbread dipped in chocolate—and nibble as you wander.
Cap it off with fireworks. Hilton Hawaiian Village shoots a lively show most Friday nights, and New Year’s Eve brings a longer display launched offshore that lights up the curve of Waikiki. Stake out a patch of sand, listen to the sound of the ocean, and watch the colors bloom over Diamond Head. For a sweet end to the night, share a hula pie at Duke’s Waikiki—macadamia nut ice cream on a cookie crust under hot fudge and whipped cream—or pick up Island Vintage Shave Ice dressed in lilikoi and haupia for a tropical twist on holiday treats.
North Shore surf watching and Haleiwa holidays
North Shore surf watching and Haleiwa holidays
December brings the North Shore’s famous winter waves, and watching them roll in counts as a holiday event all by itself. Drive up for the day and station the family at safe, comfortable vantage points like the lawn at Ehukai Beach Park (Pipeline), the overlook above Shark’s Cove or the dunes behind Waimea Bay. When the swell is up, you’ll see walls of water fold into perfect barrels and surfers streak across their faces like tiny action figures.
If conditions align, major surf contests often run in December, which adds a thrill—towering scaffolds, flags fluttering, and commentators buzzing through speakers. Between sets, refuel with Matsumoto Shave Ice in Haleiwa Town, where syrups in tropical flavors spill over a mountain of finely shaved ice. We’re partial to lilikoi and coconut with sweet azuki beans, but the rainbow never fails to charm. For something heartier, Kua ‘Aina’s char-grilled burgers taste great after a breezy bluff walk.
Haleiwa dresses up for the season, too. Shops string twinkle lights, windows display beachy wreaths and the annual Haleiwa Christmas parade typically rolls through town in early December with bands, classic cars and community crews waving from floats. Build your day with short beach park stops, a lookout or two, an hour of town strolling and a sunset pause at Haleiwa Beach Park where the sky often turns cotton-candy pink. Pack a light jacket—the trade winds feel refreshing—and a camera, because these are scenes that just beg to be shared.
Polynesian Cultural Center with festive touches
Cold-weather traditions feel very far away at the Polynesian Cultural Center, yet the spirit of togetherness fits the season perfectly. Spend a day exploring six island villages—Hawai‘i, Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, Fiji and Aotearoa—where friendly cultural hosts teach dances, games and crafts. Kids try basic hula, test their balance on a log, watch coconut husking and learn how voyagers navigated by the stars. Canoes cut across a tranquil lagoon, and the lively canoe celebration adds drums, movement and smiles that carry through the afternoon.
December often brings small festive touches—think carols woven into live music and seasonal decor around the marketplace—while the core experience stays the same. We like the ease of it: you set your pace and bounce between hands-on demos, shows and mellow breaks by the water when legs need a rest. The lū‘au plates satisfy after a busy day, with kalua pork, poke, taro rolls and haupia enjoyed to a soundtrack of traditional Polynesian music and laughter.
Pearl Harbor in December: ships, planes and remembrance
December adds extra resonance to a Pearl Harbor visit. The anniversary of December 7 brings commemorative programs and visiting veterans, and the whole site is filled with stories. Families can shape the day around three engaging stops that balance depth with hands-on discovery. Start aboard the Battleship Missouri, where surrender documents recall the end of World War II. Stand on the teak deck, look up at the big guns and explore the maze of cabins and passageways while guides share moments that turn history into something vivid and human.
Next, step into the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, set in historic hangars that still bear marks from the attack. Aircraft from multiple eras sit wingtip to wingtip, from prop planes to sleek jets. Flight simulators give older kids a fun challenge, and interactive displays bring engineering to life. When hunger calls, the museum’s café in Hangar 37 serves plate lunches and burgers with runway views, so you can refuel without breaking your stride.
Round out the experience at the USS Bowfin Submarine and Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum. Duck through hatches, peek at the tiny galley and climb into the periscope for a spy’s-eye view of the harbor. The museum adds context with models, artifacts and hands-on stations that explain how a crew worked in tight quarters. Cooler December weather makes climbing around decks and hangars feel easy, and everything sits close enough to tailor the route to your crew’s pace. You leave with a fuller sense of Oahu’s place in world history and plenty to talk about over dinner.
Kualoa Ranch movie sites tour
Kualoa Ranch turns December into a lush, green storybook. Winter rains often paint the valleys a deeper shade, and the cooler air feels perfect for a half-day tour. The classic movie sites tour rolls through Ka‘a‘awa and Hakipu‘u Valleys in open-air vehicles, stopping at filming spots and props from beloved adventures. Kids love spotting dinosaur footprints, peering into a hillside WWII bunker now lined with memorabilia, and striking heroic poses at dramatic lookouts. Guides layer in behind-the-scenes tidbits and local history, weaving cattle ranching and ancient fishponds into the tale.
The fun stretches beyond films. Secret Island offers a mellow beach scene with kayaks, SUP boards and volleyball, great for families who want a splash of activity without a full ocean day. When appetites kick in, the ranch café serves satisfying plates—think kalua pork sandwiches, fresh greens and banana bread—under wide verandas with mountain views.
Holiday spirit shows up in simple ways here: twinkle lights around the visitor center, wreaths on wooden signs, and the kind of landscapes that make family photos feel extra special. By the end, the kids recount the day in scenes, and you’ve got a set of snapshots ready for your holiday cards.
Whale watching on a Makani Catamaran day sail
Whale watching on a Makani Catamaran day sail
Humpback whales return to Hawaii’s warm waters each winter, and December often kicks off excellent sightings right off Oahu’s south shore. A day sail with Makani Catamaran lets you scan the horizon from a stable, twin-hulled boat with wide open decks and comfy seating. You’ll slip out of Kewalo Harbor, watch Honolulu’s skyline slide by, and feel the sails fill as trade winds carry you along.
Keep eyes peeled for telltale signs: a spout like a puff of steam, a glistening back, a tail that lifts high before a dive. Guides share whale facts in friendly, bite-sized notes, and the crew happily points out spinner dolphins and green sea turtles when they appear. In between sightings, just enjoy that classic December combo—warm sun, sparkling water, and Diamond Head drifting past in postcard style. The vibe stays upbeat and relaxed, and a breezy playlist sets the tone without overpowering the sound of the ocean.
Bishop Museum for hands-on science and star stories
On a December afternoon, Bishop Museum delivers two kinds of holiday magic: big, curiosity-sparking exhibits and star-filled stories that echo the season. Start in Hawaiian Hall, where towering canoes, feathered regalia and everyday artifacts anchor conversations about voyaging, monarchy and community. The space invites slow wandering, with labels written clearly enough for kids to follow along and questions that naturally pop up as you move from floor to floor.
Then head to the Science Adventure Center, always a hit with families. Kids feel an earthquake simulator rumble, send waves across a tank, and watch lava demonstrations that explain how molten rock behaves. The planetarium ties it together with shows on Polynesian navigation and the winter night sky over the islands—perfect for December evenings when you’re spotting Orion from your lanai. Programs often highlight how old-school navigators followed stars, swells and birds to cross the Pacific, a tale that resonates long after you leave.
Iolani palace and a downtown lights stroll
Iolani Palace adds a royal chapter to your Christmas in Oahu. The restored residence of Hawaii’s last monarchs sits a short stroll from Honolulu City Lights, which makes it easy to pair a daytime palace visit with an evening of twinkly fun. Inside, gleaming koa wood, the crimson-and-gold throne room and delicate featherwork invite close looks while the audio tour tells stories of music, diplomacy and daily life. Kids latch onto details—telephones and electric lights ahead of their time, secret-sounding doors and the idea of royal balls under sparkling chandeliers.
In December, wreaths often adorn the lanais and columns, and the lawns feel like an urban oasis for a snack break. After your tour, wander Bishop Street toward Chinatown for a flavor detour. Liliha Bakery on Nimitz serves its cult-favorite coco puffs—choux pastry filled with chantilly cream—and the old-school counter service adds charm. If you prefer to stay close, grab musubi and tropical drinks from a nearby market and picnic under a banyan.
As twilight arrives, make your way to Honolulu Hale for the city’s light displays, or walk south toward the harbor to see ships strung with festive lights.
Christmas markets and makers across the island
Christmas markets and makers across the island
Oahu’s markets turn gift shopping into a fun outing, especially in December when makers roll out festive goods. The Mele Kalikimaka Marketplace at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center typically pops up in early December with rows of local vendors selling everything from lauhala ornaments and hand-dyed pareo to hot sauces, jams and small-batch cookies. Families wander, sample and chat with crafters, and kids love picking a special gift for grandparents back home.
Ward Village hosts regular makers markets that take on a holiday spin, bringing ceramics, prints, soaps and jewelry under string lights, often with live music and food trucks on the side. On the Windward side, Aloha Home Market in Kailua adds cozy, beach-town energy with surf art, shell garlands and ukulele strums floating through the tents. Royal Hawaiian Center and Ala Moana Center fold holiday showcases into their programming too—think hula, mele and seasonal pop-ups between shops—so you can mix browsing with entertainment.
What to buy? We reach for farm-direct coffee, macadamia nut butter, local honey, kapa-inspired prints and pineapple-shaped shortbread tins from Honolulu Cookie Company in limited-edition holiday designs. For a treat break, track down Holey Grail Donuts when they pop up in town; taro donuts fried to order and dusted with seasonal spices taste like island holidays in a warm paper sleeve. Markets fit easily between beach time and evening plans, and they give your crew a feel for Oahu’s creative scene while ticking gifts off the list in a single, happy swoop.
Ko Olina sunset strolls and festive bites
Ko Olina’s pathway lines up holiday scenery with soft, simple pleasures. The four crescent lagoons on Oahu’s leeward coast stay calm year-round, which makes them perfect for a late afternoon swim or a mellow snorkel before the sun dips. In December, palms twinkle, resort courtyards glow, and carols float on the air as you walk the paved seaside path. Families stop to watch green sea turtles rise for a breath, snap photos on the small bridges and settle on the grass for a front-row seat to sunset.
The vibe feels unhurried here. Build an easy evening: splash in Lagoon 2 or 3, rinse off, then wander to dinner as the sky turns golden. Monkeypod Kitchen Ko Olina buzzes with live music and open-air energy; kids guzzle wood-fired pizzas and garlic truffle fries while adults sip a lilikoi foam mai tai. Save room for cream pie—banana or chocolate—served chilled with a flaky crust. If you prefer picnic style, Island Country Markets stocks bentos, fresh poke and tropical juices you can enjoy under the palms.
Holiday details add charm without demanding a schedule. You’ll spot wreaths on tiki torches, trees dressed in coastal ornaments, and families posing under strings of lights. The lagoons’ gentle waters reflect the glow in a way that makes every snapshot sing. When you’re ready to wrap, stroll back under the stars with sleepy kids and happy hearts. It’s a west side evening that feels both festive and calm, and it pairs beautifully with a busy day elsewhere on the island.
Looking for more Oahu inspiration? Check out our guide to visiting Oahu with friends, and hit up the top adrenaline-junkie hotspots.
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