Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, it’s officially the Christmas season, and here at Only In Hawaii, we couldn’t be more excited. When you think of a traditional holiday season, the Hawaiian Islands are probably the last place to cross your mind. After all, you won’t find freezing temperatures or snow here, unless you head to the summit of the Big Island’s Mauna Kea, that is. However, Christmas in Hawaii is pretty incredible, and here are eleven reasons why.
- Surfing Hawaiian Santa is so much cooler than regular Santa.
Cliff/Flickr Santa can shed his big, red suit and clunky boots in this tropical climate and don a festive Hawaiian shirt instead – or simply not zip up his suit.
- Christmas palm trees and Norfolk Pines.
Kauai Festival of Lights/Facebook Do I really need to say more? Our Christmas trees sure are unique here.
- Who needs snowflakes on your tongue when you can have sand between your toes?
Rob Berthoff/Flickr Personally, I would much rather be spending Christmas on the beach.
- Our “snowmen” are made out of sand.
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…
- Honolulu Hale goes all out for Christmas, and it is beautiful.
Kyle Nishioka/Flickr The 50-foot tall Norfolk Pine tree, Santa + Mrs. Claus, and elaborate decorations make for one stellar celebration.
- You can wear swimsuits and slippers instead of sweaters and boots.
Paul Oka/Flickr Not to mention going to the beach for a post-Christmas swim or surf session.
- You never have to worry about bad weather changing your holiday plans.
Sam Posnick/Flickr There will be no blizzard that forces you to miss your annual family holiday celebration in Hawaii.
- Santa doesn’t ride in with his reindeer pulling a sleigh – he rides in a red canoe pulled by dolphins!
Quinn Dombrowski/Flickr How cool is that?!
- You won’t freeze to death while admiring all the spectacular Christmas decorations.
Chadh/Flickr Hawaii is home to some incredible light displays, parades, festivals and decorations. You can even relish in the Christmas cheer while sitting poolside.
- Poinsettias can grow as tall as trees in Hawaii, and they bloom near December 25.
Forest and Kim Starr/Flickr Our Christmas spirit can grow in our backyards.
- Hawaiian Christmas music is quite unique.
Cliff/Flickr
Santa can shed his big, red suit and clunky boots in this tropical climate and don a festive Hawaiian shirt instead – or simply not zip up his suit.
Kauai Festival of Lights/Facebook
Do I really need to say more? Our Christmas trees sure are unique here.
Rob Berthoff/Flickr
Personally, I would much rather be spending Christmas 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…
Kyle Nishioka/Flickr
The 50-foot tall Norfolk Pine tree, Santa + Mrs. Claus, and elaborate decorations make for one stellar celebration.
Paul Oka/Flickr
Not to mention going to the beach for a post-Christmas swim or surf session.
Sam Posnick/Flickr
There will be no blizzard that forces you to miss your annual family holiday celebration in Hawaii.
Quinn Dombrowski/Flickr
How cool is that?!
Chadh/Flickr
Hawaii is home to some incredible light displays, parades, festivals and decorations. You can even relish in the Christmas cheer while sitting poolside.
Forest and Kim Starr/Flickr
Our Christmas spirit can grow in our backyards.
I mean, really, what other states in America can say that they have completely unique Christmas tunes sung by the famous Bing Crosby?
What is your favorite thing about Hawaii at Christmas time? Is it Santa Claus arriving in Waikiki via outrigger canoe? If you need more Christmas cheer, then take a look at our list of Christmas lights displays in Hawaii, they are so magical! Share your favorite holiday traditions with us in the comments. Mele Kalikimaka, everyone!
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Address: Hawaii, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Christmas In Hawaii November 23, 2020 Megan Shute What are the most enchanting Christmas towns in Hawaii? Celebrating Christmas without snow or cold weather may seem weird for some, but it’s normal practice 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 most Grinch-like 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, including our two favorites: Honolulu and Lahaina. Does Hawaii have any traditional Christmas tree farms? While we love palm trees wrapped with twinkling lights, there is something about a real Christmas tree that makes your house supremely cozy. And since we don’t have fireplaces from which to hang our stockings, the least we can do to immerse ourselves in Christmas spirit is to head to Oahu’s Helemano Farms to pick up a traditional Christmas tree. What are some unique Hawaiian Christmas traditions? In addition to making snowmen out of the sand at the beach and listening to our favorite Hawaiian Christmas songs, there are some events and activities that just can’t be missed, depending on which island you call home, of course. Some of our favorites are local Christmas parades, walk-through light displays, strolling through our favorite malls, and enjoying hot chocolate while blasting the air conditioning.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Christmas In Hawaii
November 23, 2020
Megan Shute
What are the most enchanting Christmas towns in Hawaii? Celebrating Christmas without snow or cold weather may seem weird for some, but it’s normal practice 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 most Grinch-like 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, including our two favorites: Honolulu and Lahaina. Does Hawaii have any traditional Christmas tree farms? While we love palm trees wrapped with twinkling lights, there is something about a real Christmas tree that makes your house supremely cozy. And since we don’t have fireplaces from which to hang our stockings, the least we can do to immerse ourselves in Christmas spirit is to head to Oahu’s Helemano Farms to pick up a traditional Christmas tree. What are some unique Hawaiian Christmas traditions? In addition to making snowmen out of the sand at the beach and listening to our favorite Hawaiian Christmas songs, there are some events and activities that just can’t be missed, depending on which island you call home, of course. Some of our favorites are local Christmas parades, walk-through light displays, strolling through our favorite malls, and enjoying hot chocolate while blasting the air conditioning.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Celebrating Christmas without snow or cold weather may seem weird for some, but it’s normal practice 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 most Grinch-like 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, including our two favorites: Honolulu and Lahaina.
Does Hawaii have any traditional Christmas tree farms?
While we love palm trees wrapped with twinkling lights, there is something about a real Christmas tree that makes your house supremely cozy. And since we don’t have fireplaces from which to hang our stockings, the least we can do to immerse ourselves in Christmas spirit is to head to Oahu’s Helemano Farms to pick up a traditional Christmas tree.
What are some unique Hawaiian Christmas traditions?
In addition to making snowmen out of the sand at the beach and listening to our favorite Hawaiian Christmas songs, there are some events and activities that just can’t be missed, depending on which island you call home, of course. Some of our favorites are local Christmas parades, walk-through light displays, strolling through our favorite malls, and enjoying hot chocolate while blasting the air conditioning.
