Hawaii is a great destination during Christmas! Mellow weather suits perfectly for sightseeing or water sports, while longer nights get illuminated by thousands of twinkling Christmas Lights, filling hearts with joy and Christmas cheer.
Kauai Festival of Lights (November 28–December 31, 2023)
Enjoy Christmas Kauai-Style during the annual Kauai Festival of Lights in Lihue County Park. One of the largest Christmas light displays in Hawaii runs from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day with thousands of decorations and shimmering lights. The main highlight of the display is the beautiful Hokulea Aloha Tree. The lights go on every night from 6 pm to 11 pm. Admission is free.
Honolulu Hale in Oahu (December 2, 2023–January 1, 2024)
Honolulu City Lights attract large crowds to Honolulu Hale (or Honolulu’s City Hall). The lights are switched on during the first weekend of December and stay until New Year's Day. The main highlights of the vibrant light display include a large 50-foot (15-m) Christmas Tree and the beloved statues of Shaka Santa and Tūtū Mele, a Hawaiian equivalent of Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Honolulu Christmas lights can be experienced the best on a trolley tour. The Waikiki Trolley departs from Auahi Street in Ward Village every night during the holiday season. The trolley goes through historic downtown with some Christmas carols and stories to be shared during the tour. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children.
Banyan Tree Park in Maui (unconfirmed in 2023)
Lahaina Banyan Court Park, located at the corner of Front Street and Canal Street in Lahaina, is dressed up in thousands of Christmas lights for the Christmas season. In particular, the oldest Banyan tree in Hawaii, located in the park, is totally illuminated with Christmas lights. The park also hosts kids' activities, like visits with Santa at the North Pole and photo ops with a 6-foot (2-m) Snowman. The park is lit up with holiday lights nightly in December.
Punalights on Big Island (unconfirmed in 2023)
Punalights is the oldest synchronized light show on the Big Island, running since 2008. This display, set up by Stanward Oshiro near his house, can be viewed in Lower Puna during December, from 7 to 9 pm. Christmas Lights are synchronized to music broadcast on 106.7 FM. The display consists of strings and garlands over the house, white-framed figurines on the lawn, and a 17-foot (5-m) Christmas tree in the center of the display.
