What to Expect When You Visit Hawaii This Holiday Season

Do Hawaiians Celebrate Christmas or Thanksgiving?

In a word, yes. Hawaii may do things differently than you are used to, but the celebrations come from a long historical and cultural significance.

Hawaiian residents celebrate, pause for reflection, give gifts, and feast on traditional foods as we all do, but it’s the differences that make it unique.

Suppose you’re planning on spending some of your holiday seasons in this part of the world. You’ll be welcomed and will learn something about Hawaii you didn’t know before.

Hawaiian Christmas Traditions

Hawaii graces its visitors with foods, celebrations, and a welcoming smile wherever you go.

Holiday seasons are a time for a celebration like every other place globally, except here, things are done a little differently.

Makahiki

Before Christianity, Hawaiians celebrated the tradition of Makahiki.

These indigenous traditions are based on the lunar calendar and run over four months, from October until March.

Because Christmas falls in that timeframe, it has now become a part of the celebrations.

This celebration is one of the bountiful islands and celebrates the local god, Lono.

Because of the long period of the celebratory season, this is a real mix of modern-day and traditional rejoicing.

Santa By Sea

Just like giving Santa a key to your door if you have no chimney, there’s no snow here for Santa’s reindeer and sleigh. Instead, Santa makes the best of his environment and arrives through the Pacific Ocean in an outrigger canoe.

Comet, Dancer, and his friends are replaced with guiding dolphins to ensure the jolly fellow makes it to shore in one, albeit salty and windswept, piece.

Hawaiian Lights

If you happen to be in Honolulu at Christmas time, you’ll be encouraged to see the 50-foot tree right in the center of the city.

Viewable for the entire month of December, locals and visitors alike.

There’s something about a giant lit-up tree that draws a crowd.

Forget Rockefeller center. Visit this one instead.

Traditional Feasting

Kalua pig is the choice if you need to compare it to modern-day American Christmas dinner. An oven-roasted turkey with all the trimmings is replaced with a kalua, an underground oven, where the pig is placed on cooking among banana leaves and hot rocks.

Patience is a virtue with this cooking method, as it is known as the slow cooker of all slow cookers.

Well worth the wait.

How’s The Weather?

Are you escaping the winter on the mainland? You’ve come to the right place. Hawaii’s weather is typically a balmy 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you find yourself missing the cool air and the snow peaks, there is still a way to find that in Hawaii, although you may need to climb a mountain or two. Cooler air from Alaska has been known to blow down, offering a snow sighting, but it melts pretty much straight away.

Events and Highlights We Hope Will Continue This December

Each Island has its events that showcase the Hawaiian way to celebrate.

It’s worth noting down festivities to ensure your stay is as memorable as you wanted it to be.

Mid-December in upcountry Maui Maui Wine hosts its annual Holiday tree Lighting in Ulupalakua. Live music, a movie for kids, and various family activities are all hosted around a 22-foot pine tree. Check the dates and plan to visit.

On Kauai, the Festival of Lights brings locals from their homes and visitors staying on the island all to witness this parade down Rice Street.

On the Westside, this town’s Christmas parade shows us all how it’s done. Floats created by families for all to enjoy and applaud cruise down the streets. Plenty of food and entertainment abound.

Are you staying on the Big Island? There’s more to see, and Waimea Christmas Twilight Parade is a must-see on the island.

If you happen to be in the beach-side town of Kailua-Kona, their Christmas Parade is a highlight. Kid's activities, live bands, food, and floats combine for a night to remember.

There are several activities, festivals, parades, and celebrations all over the Hawaiian Islands at this time of the year.

Do some research before heading out as dates and plans change.

We certainly hope many parades and tree lighting festivities will occur. If you see them happening, make sure you don’t miss all the fun.

Top Tips for the Holiday Season in Hawaii

Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii’s way of saying Merry Christmas.

You’re likely to hear the Bing Crosby version throughout your stay. Be warned; it will remain in your head for longer.

Dress for the Occasion.

Remember, it’s always reasonably warm here, but those sea breezes can get chilly, especially if you’re out at night. It is Winter, after all.

Buy any performance and show tickets early.

This is a busy time on the islands. There won’t be any disappointment if you plan ahead.

Know the Travel seasons.

The peak or high season for tourism in Hawaii is from December until the end of March or April. If you have your heart set on Christmas or Thanksgiving in Hawaii, make certain accommodations have vacancies. Again, it’s best to plan.

Didn’t plan for Christmas Dinner?

Most restaurants in Hawaii are open for Christmas, so finding a restaurant won’t necessarily be a problem. Buffets and upscale restaurants all cater to a wide range of tastes, so never fear if you forget the luau booking.

There’s no better time than the holiday season to soak up a celebratory atmosphere than in one of the most beautiful and welcoming places in the world.

Relax, join in the festivities and celebrate with Hawaii.