Visiting Hawaii in December

The Christmas tree at the Ala Moana Shopping Center in Honolulu, a place to go while visiting Hawaii in December.

Visiting Hawaii in December – Pros and Cons

While winter weather in parts of the US can be frightful, Hawaii can offer an escape from the cold. Many people may not know that December is a prime time to travel to Hawaii. The holidays are popular months to visit the islands. During this time, tropical flora continues to grow, beaches still sparkle, and festivities abound on every island. As a result, visiting Hawaii in December can be the best time to enjoy all the Aloha State has to offer.

But visiting Hawaii in December can be expensive. This is because most of the prices increase at hotels and rental accommodations towards the end of the month.

However, the first two weeks of December tend to be both less expensive and not as crowded. Although December is a wet month even in Hawaii, most of the days is primarily sunny and warm. Temperatures range from 65 to 80 degrees.

Christmas in Hawaii

Once you’re settled in, experience a Hawaiian Christmas where Santa doesn’t ride around in a reindeer sleigh. In Hawaii, Santa, or Kana Kaloka, may wear red shorts and an Aloha shirt. Families can watch the Hawaiian Santa arrive in his red canoe on Hawaiian beaches. And then, children can line up and tell him their wish list for Christmas.

There are endless holiday activities for the whole family to do on the Hawaiian Islands. Vacationers on Oahu can visit the enormous Christmas tree standing over 50 feet tall in the Honolulu City Lights display. Kids and parents can enjoy milk and cookies by attending a free Christmas ornament night in mid December. Before the fun is over, be sure to snatch up a Christmas tree ornament of Santa surfing the waves to remember your holiday in Honolulu.

December Activities

Oahu

Visitors can book holiday performances at the historic Hawaii Theatre Center, in Honolulu. Throughout December, you can enjoy an evening of music and dance. There are Christmas performances like Hawaii Kalikimaka where many Hawaiian performers will entertain. In mid-December, the Oahu Choral Society and Hawaii Symphony Orchestra perform Handel’s Messiah and other classic Christmas favorites.

Watch the roads get decked in boughs of holly on one of the many holiday parades in Oahu during December. This month features the Kaimuki Christmas Parade, the Wahiawa Town Christmas Parade and the Kaneohe Christmas Parade. This parade has up to 20 floats, 5 bands and over 1,800 marchers. The Pearl City Shopping Center Parade and the Honolulu City Lights Parade are also popular events to attend.

Along with all the festivals and parades, there are plenty of crafts for all to enjoy. Make your own holiday ornaments with the Island Glassworks in Kailua. At this place, guests will learn skill of glassblowing. After you have had a chance to study the art, you can return home with a new Christmas decoration.

Big Island

Another exciting outing is to take your family and friends to the Big Island‘s Waikoloa Hilton in South Kohala. Here, you’ll find an enchanting display of Christmas decorations, including a Christmas train. There is also the Na Lima Hana Holiday Craft Fair in Waikoloa Village, the Waimea Christmas Twilight Parade and Holualoa Music & Light Festival.

For other fun adventures, have a snowman building competition and see who can make the best snowman out of sand. If you have a craving for real snow, go to the Big Island where you can often find fresh snow on Mauna Kea.

Maui

On Maui, there are multiple free shows performed throughout the month at the Whaler’s Village. While at this place, you can witness the tangle of innumerable Christmas lights that adorn Lahaina’s famous banyan tree. Groups can go skating at the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, which has an ice rink where you can skate right next to the ocean. Family-friendly activities are also held at the Maui Ocean Center. Here, “Scuba Claus” celebrates “Fish-mas” with underwater presentations at the aquarium.

Kauai

There is a Christmas Crafts Fair at the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kauai. You can also attend the Christmas Parade and Festival of Lights in Lihue. There are Christmas tree lighting ceremonies in both Kilauea and Waimea, a Kauai Christmas Hula Concert and an Annual Breakfast with Santa. Here, kids and parents can dine with St. Nick and learn all about the spirit of Christmas.