Christmas is undoubtedly the most wonderful time of year: a season full of love, family, generosity, friendship, community, and traditions. From witnessing the amazing light displays found across the Hawaiian Islands to watching Santa make an appearance via outrigger canoe, it isn’t truly Christmas in Hawaii until you’ve done these 11 things.
- Make a “snowman” on the beach.
Scott Schiller/Flickr You won’t have to worry about your sandman melting, though you might have to worry about your creation being swept away with the tide…
- Attend your favorite local Christmas parade.
The Royal Coconut Coast/Facebook With countless Christmas parades happening across the islands, you’re sure to find one close to home.
- Witness Santa arrive on an outrigger canoe.
Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort/Facebook Because everyone knows that reindeer don’t thrive in a tropical climate. Santa arrives by outrigger canoe this Saturday at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort.
- Experience the beautiful lights that adorn Honolulu Hale.
Kyle Nishioka/Flickr Though you’ve missed the famous tree lighting ceremony and lights parade that is the Honolulu City Lights, the beautiful displays will be up through January 1, and are an absolute must-visit in the Hawaiian capital.
- Blast the AC while drinking hot chocolate.
Dave Dugdale/Flickr It may be 80 degrees outside, but we can pretend we live in a winter wonderland, can’t we?
- Drive through the Waikele Neighborhood famous for their Christmas light display.
surfshooterhawaii/YouTube Screenshot This neighborhood goes all out for Christmas, putting together an extensive synchronized light show. It is so impressive that it was actually featured on the ABC special, “The Great Christmas Light Fight” in 2015.
- See someone surfing in a Santa hat.
Paul Oka/Flickr What’s better than a holiday trip to the beach?
- Experience the magic that is Christmas in Polynesia.
Polynesian Cultural Center/Facebook Or at least attend a Christmas-themed luau. Each year at the Polynesian Cultural Center, 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.
- See blooming poinsettias and decked out palm trees.
Forest and Kim Starr/Flickr Did you know that poinsettias can grow as tall as trees in Hawaii, and that they bloom near December 25?
- Hang out under Lahaina’s magical banyan tree.
Luxurious Destinations/Facebook Every year, Lahaina’s banyan tree, which was planted in 1873 and is the oldest in the state, is decked out in colored Christmas lights - and we just can’t get enough of this incredible view.
- Sing (or listen to) Bing Crosby’s “Mele Kalikimaka.”
Scott Schiller/Flickr
You won’t have to worry about your sandman melting, though you might have to worry about your creation being swept away with the tide…
The Royal Coconut Coast/Facebook
With countless Christmas parades happening across the islands, you’re sure to find one close to home.
Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort/Facebook
Because everyone knows that reindeer don’t thrive in a tropical climate. Santa arrives by outrigger canoe this Saturday at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort.
Kyle Nishioka/Flickr
Though you’ve missed the famous tree lighting ceremony and lights parade that is the Honolulu City Lights, the beautiful displays will be up through January 1, and are an absolute must-visit in the Hawaiian capital.
Dave Dugdale/Flickr
It may be 80 degrees outside, but we can pretend we live in a winter wonderland, can’t we?
surfshooterhawaii/YouTube Screenshot
This neighborhood goes all out for Christmas, putting together an extensive synchronized light show. It is so impressive that it was actually featured on the ABC special, “The Great Christmas Light Fight” in 2015.
Paul Oka/Flickr
What’s better than a holiday trip to the beach?
Polynesian Cultural Center/Facebook
Or at least attend a Christmas-themed luau. Each year at the Polynesian Cultural Center, 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.
Forest and Kim Starr/Flickr
Did you know that poinsettias can grow as tall as trees in Hawaii, and that they bloom near December 25?
Luxurious Destinations/Facebook
Every year, Lahaina’s banyan tree, which was planted in 1873 and is the oldest in the state, is decked out in colored Christmas lights - and we just can’t get enough of this incredible view.
How many of these magical things have you done so far this season? If you need some guidance on Christmas events to experience, check out these 9 amazing holiday light displays and these 10 beautiful Christmas towns.
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