For many people looking for a tropical paradise to enjoy the Christmas season, Hawaii has become the go-to annual holiday vacation destination. It’s no surprise that December has become a favorite travel time in the islands, with the unofficial Christmas flower, the poinsettia, in bloom and excellent weather both on land and sea.
Most visitors come to Hawaii when the weather is at its best, not when it is at its worst everywhere else. As a result, the peak season is usually from mid-December through March or mid-April. If you’re thinking about going to Hawaii, the latter two weeks of December (around Christmas) are the best time to go. However, this is one of the most expensive times of the year to visit Hawaii.
Best Places to Visit in Hawaii in December
If you’re thinking about going to Hawaii in December, here’s a rundown of what to anticipate.
1. Take in the Holiday Lights
The Christmas season in Hawai’i begins with the annual Honolulu City Lights festival, when Shaka Santa and Tutu Mele take their places in front of Honolulu Hale and the sky-high pine tree towering over them is lit.
Families go to Downtown Honolulu to take photos in front of the gigantic decorations placed throughout the grounds, as well as the various Christmas trees within Honolulu Hale, each with a different theme and decorated by the City and County of Honolulu personnel.
You May Like:
- Know the Top 10 Best Famous Places to Visit Pacific Northwest, USA!
- What Are the Best Places to Visit in Hawaii – Top 10 Ultimate Guideline For Perfect Destination!
- Explore the Top 10 Best Beautiful Places to Visit in Big Island Hawaii, USA!
Throughout the month of December, the grounds are available to visitors daily from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and experiencing the beauty of the season is always free to all.
2. The Polynesian Cultural Center’s Christmas Countdown
The Countdown to Christmas at the Polynesian Cultural Center is jam-packed with family-friendly activities. A scavenger hunt, train rides, and a designated snow day with inner tube rides are all planned for the kids. Local musicians will serenade you while you take photographs with Santa and watch a real Nativity.
The events are free and take place over a 10-day period in December leading up to Christmas, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., excluding Sundays. After a day on O’ahu’s north shore, it’s the ideal holiday activity.
3. Pay a Visit to the Hawaiian Christmas Trees
To find the perfect island Christmas tree, visit Helemano Tree Farms in central O’ahu. Choose from a variety of trees and watch as the experienced staff cuts down the tree you carefully selected. Ho’oluana Tree Farm near Hilo on the Big Island provides a comparable experience.
If you’re feeling up to it, you can cut down your own tree, or if you’d rather leave it to the pros, a tree of your choice can be felled for you.
In upcountry Maui, Kula Botanical Garden grows and sells Monterey Pine Christmas trees, wreaths, and centerpieces. After you’ve chosen your tree, walk through the plants, rock formations, and koi ponds of this tranquil garden situated along the slopes of Haleakala.
4. The Great Island
A beautiful Christmas parade along Ali’i Drive in Kailua-Kona takes place during the second week of December.
This month also sees the Kona Surf Film Festival at the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. If you like to ride the waves, here is the place to go for some outdoor screenings of independent films about the ocean. Fast and Furious will not be screened here.
5. Attend a Surfing Contest
Winter in Hawaii means large waves on O’ahu’s north shore. Two well-known surfing championships will bring the world’s greatest surfers to the island. If you can’t make it to the beach during these championships, many of the events may be seen live online, allowing surfing aficionados all over the world to watch the action.
Surfers compete in the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing in three of the world’s most iconic surf spots: Hale’iwa, Sunset Beach, and Pipeline.
6. Participate in the Honolulu Marathon
Active runners should sign up for the Honolulu Marathon, which is held annually on O’ahu in early December. The 26.2-mile route begins near Waikiki at Kapi’olani Park and continues past Diamond Head and through some of Honolulu’s most beautiful residential districts in east Honolulu.
You’ll pick up your well-earned medal and finisher’s jersey at the finish line, which maintains a high-energy and celebratory environment, and nibble on Leonard’s malasadas. If a marathon is too much for you, you could compete in the Start to Park 10K or the Kalakaua Merrie Mile instead.
7. Maui
Maui is always at the top of my list of the greatest Hawaiian Islands to visit in December. Arriving on this island during the winter months is like discovering your private heaven.
You May Like:
- Discover the 10 Best Unbelievable Places to Visit in Hawaii for Young Adults!
- Spend Your Vocation With 10 Best Unbelievable Places to Visit in the Ozarks, USA!
Staying on the island’s South Shore or western side (the two areas with the most lodgings) almost guarantees nice weather. At this time of year, the typical high temperature is in the mid-70s. Rainfall is very scarce in this area of Maui.
8. Go to Maui Ocean Center
The Maui Ocean Center is ideal for seeing marine life without entering the water. There is a sea turtle lagoon and a 35-foot shark tunnel inside this aquarium.
Want to spice up your Hawaii vacation with something out of the ordinary? Consider going shark diving at Maui Ocean Center. This dive allows you to get up close and personal with many of the sharks. If you have small children who are afraid of the water, this is a fantastic alternative.
9. Oahu
The world’s best professional surfers gather each December to participate in the Triple Crown of Surfing on Oahu’s North Shore. The prize money exceeds $1 million. While you’re there, check out the greatest North Shore food trucks and the best North Shore beaches.
During December, all Hawaiian Islands celebrate the Festival of Lights. On Oahu, the mayor officiates at the lighting of a massive pine tree and other ancient trees in front of Honolulu Hale.
10. Kauai
This month on Kauai, there is a lot going on. Let’s start with the Lihue Lights on Rice Parade. Head to Lihue’s historic county building, where Christmas decorations will illuminate the entire region, as well as a procession down Rice Street and local entertainment.
The Waimea Lighted Christmas Parade is normally held a week before Christmas and is a great way to spend time with locals while enjoying delicious refreshments and entertainment.
Conclusion
Hawaii has become the go-to annual holiday vacation destination for many people looking for a tropical paradise to celebrate the holiday season. With the unofficial Christmas flower, the poinsettia, in bloom and excellent weather on land and sea, it’s no surprise that December has become a popular travel time in the islands. If you’re thinking about going to Hawaii in December, here’s a quick rundown of what to anticipate.
