Celebrating during the holiday season without snow or cold weather may seem weird for some, but that’s just normal Christmas in Hawaii, and we certainly make up for a lack of snow with incredible Christmas displays, light parades, and celebrations sure to put even the Grinchiest of people into the holiday spirit. While the Hawaiian Islands as a whole celebrate Christmas beautifully – from snowmen made out of the sand on Kauai beaches to the snow-topped Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island – there are a few Hawaiian cities and towns that are a little merrier this holiday season.

1. Honolulu
Honolulu, HI, USA
Honolulu City Lights/Facebook
Honolulu City Lights is perhaps the largest Christmas celebration in the state. The event began in 1985 when former Mayor Frank F. Fasi held a free event that featured holiday lights and a concert on the main lawn, and lights that stretched downtown to the civic center. The annual event usually begins in early December and goes until the start of the new year.
2. The Ritz Carlton in Kapalua
1 Ritz Carlton Dr, Lahaina, HI 96761, USA
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua/Facebook
The Ritz Carlton in Kapalua has got the right idea: what is better than admiring beautifully decorated Christmas trees from the swimming pool? The entire resort is decked out for the holidays – from the hotel lobby to the expansive swimming pools – and there are a variety of holiday festivities throughout the month of December. This is the perfect spot for a Christmas getaway, regardless of where you call home.
3. Laie
Laie, HI 96762, USA
Polynesian Cultural Center/Facebook
Home to Brigham Young University’s Hawaii campus and the Polynesian Cultural Center, Laie is a small town with a lot of Christmas spirit. Christmas in Polynesia brings a winter wonderland to Hawaii, complete with a canoe ride to admire the center’s beautiful lights, live musical performances that pay tribute to holiday traditions around the world, arts and crafts, and photos with Santa.
4. Waimea
Waimea, HI 96743, USA
The Royal Coconut Coast/Flickr
Waimea is the place to be on the Big Island in early December. The annual Waimea Lighted Christmas Parade features enchanting floats decked with twinkling lights. After the parade, a large Christmas party at Hofgaard Park will feature live music and entertainment.

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5. Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, USA
U.S. Pacific Fleet/Flickr
While technically not a town, ships and submarines with homeports in Hawaii participate in the annual Pearl Harbor Holiday Festival of Lights. Evening boat tours offer service members, their families, and DoD civilians closeup views of the decorations and lights. Get information about Pearl Harbor boat tours from each island on its website.
6. Kailua-Kona
Kailua-Kona, HI, USA
Parades in Kona/Facebook
From the annual Christmas parade to a variety of Christmas concerts and a lighted boat parade, Kailua-Kona is full of holiday spirit. Join in the festivities for the parade that usually takes place on a Saturday in December. Visit the Parades In Kona Facebook page for all the event details.
7. Lahaina
Lahaina, HI, USA
Luxurious Destinations/Facebook
Though Christmas lights make their way into all areas of Lahaina, the best Christmas light display is definitely at Banyan Tree Park. The banyan tree – planted in 1873 and the oldest in the state – is covered in colored lights, making for one magical experience.
8. Kapolei
Kapolei, HI, USA
Kapolei City Lights/Facebook
Every December, Oahu’s "second city" is taken over by the Kapolei City Lights, a Christmas event that began in 2001 and keeps getting bigger every year. In addition to the annual parade, Kapolei Hale will be decked out with Christmas cheer through January 1st.
9. Lihue
4396 Rice St, Lihue, HI 96766, USA
Kauai Festival of Lights/Faceebook
If you will be spending the holiday season on Kauai, Lihue is the place to be. The annual Kauai Festival of Lights is a magnificent display of holiday cheer – from fantastic themed trees to Hawaiian-inspired decorations, all with the help of local artisans, and using recycled materials whenever possible. The lights are set to be illuminated Thanksgiving to New Years' Day.

Don’t forget to check out these 8 Christmas light displays, and add your favorites to your holiday calendar! Mele Kalikimaka, everybody!

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Best Christmas Towns in Hawaii

Tori Jane | November 22, 2021

Where is the best place to spend Christmas in Hawaii? 

Sure, Hawaii might be a bit more tropical and warm than, say, the North Pole, but that definitely doesn’t mean we don’t know how to do Christmas! The island of Oahu is our favorite place to spend the holidays; in fact, if you’re not a fan of the typical white Christmas and are hoping to find somewhere a little warmer than that, Hawaii is the perfect destination. With a cozy average winter temperature within the 70-degrees-range, you can enjoy all the festivities of the holidays without the chill. For example, there’s the Honolulu City Lights event, which has gone on for more than three decades, or you can always hang out and wait for Santa Claus himself to arrive at the island via canoe. Of course, you’re not limited to only Oahu; each island has its own traditions and events, so make sure to check them out as well. Any place in Hawaii is the best place to spend Christmas in Hawaii!   

What are some fun things to do at Christmas in Hawaii?  

Hawaii is just as magical during Christmas time as it is year-round. Sure, we may not have white Christmases, but we still love the holidays. There’s plenty to do; for example, you can attend local Christmas/holiday parades no matter which island you’re on (or plan to be on). You can also tour some amazing lights displays, and attend different events all over the state. You’ll have to hang out and watch Santa arrive on Oahu by canoe, and the world-famous Waikele neighborhood loves going all-out for the holidays.

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