Winter in Hawaii: Best Things to Do in December and January

Winter in Hawaii is a magical time to visit and quite popular with “snowbirds” fleeing colder climates. It’s peak season so be sure to book your hotels and activities way in advance, if possible. Big events like the Honolulu Marathon, professional surfing competitions and the return of the humpback whales to Hawaiian waters are other draws for visitors to Hawaii in Winter.

Downtown Honolulu gets all dressed up with Honolulu City lights and hotels and shopping malls statewide will have lots of activities and holiday events (sometimes even fake snow!) Believe it or not, you might even be lucky enough to spot REAL snow atop the three highest peaks if you’re visiting Maui or Hawaii Island.

Culturally, this is also the makahiki season, celebrated from the rise of the Makali’i (Pleiades) constellation, and lasting for four months. It marks a time of peace, harvest, and renewal, with war forbidden and communities gathering for feasting, hula, and makahiki games like spear-throwing. Offerings were made at heiau (temples) to give thanks and to honor Lono, the Hawaiian god of agriculture and rain. I remember in elementary school we used to have makahiki games just before winter break.

>> More about the Makahiki season

Some of my favorite events take place over the winter in Hawaii. Humpback whales return to Hawaiian waters and the season usually runs from November to April (although early and late sightings may be possible in some places.) Whale watching tours are popular statewide, but I think the best viewings are from Maui. And while there’s nothing like getting up close with a whale watch cruise, it’s even possible to spot whales breaching from land!

One of the most important events for active islanders (and the tens of thousands of visitors who fly in for it) is the Honolulu Marathon in early December. I’ve completed the full marathon five times and I have to say that I really do appreciate the fact that it’s open to all skill levels – no cut-off time! Kicking off at 5am with fireworks, they keep the finish line open until the last person finishes, usually late into the evening, and the story of the final finisher to cross will make the evening news.

Christmas in Hawaii is unique – Santa literally arrives in a canoe at various locations around the islands. Honolulu City Lights around downtown Honolulu feature Santa in shorts and an aloha shirt (showing off a “shaka” and carrying a surfboard) and Mrs. Claus dressed up in her finest muumuu. You can find Christian church services on all islands, but one of the most unique are at Kawaiha’o Church in Downtown Honolulu (Oahu) where you can hear sermons in ‘Olelo Hawaii, the Hawaiian language. It’s also very near to I’olani Palace, so these are must-visits for history lovers. Mele Kalikimaka is the way to say “Merry Christmas” in Olelo Hawaii.

I’ve always loved the energy of the New Year in the islands as well. My friends and I have a tradition to write Letters to the Universe each year and to go to the easternmost beach for the first sunrise of the new year. There will be official fireworks displays on each island, but it is also traditional for tons of (illegal!) fireworks to go off in neighborhoods all over the islands. Efforts to control fireworks with limited permits have proved mostly ineffective so far, so if you’re sensitive to noise, smoke or traveling with pets you may want to plan to stay indoors and watch on TV instead!

Winter is also the season for big waves on the north facing shores of the islands. For example, the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational holding period runs from mid-December through mid-March. North shores of the islands are only for pros in the winter, and it means the south shores are calmer at this time as well. 

Honolulu City Lights (December 7 – December 31)

The grounds of Honolulu Hale and many areas around downtown Honolulu are dressed up with holiday decorations beginning in early December. In 2024, the opening night and official tree lighting ceremony has been set for December 7th. You can view the Electric Light Parade as it winds through downtown and ends up with the tree lighting at Honolulu Hale.

To visit Honolulu City Lights, you can find your own parking and walk. You can also view the parade in Chinatown. Starting with the opening night, the lights are on every evening through the month of December. More tips and details here.

City Lights Trolley Tours are another option, cost is $35 per adult and $25 per child ages 3-11. The trolley tour also includes entry to the Winter Wonderland for free hot cocoa, activities, crafts and photos with Santa Claus and his Grumpy Green Friend!

2024 Honolulu Marathon (Sunday, December 8)

In 2024, the annual Honolulu Marathon will take place on Sunday, December 8, 2024. It now also includes the Start to Park 10k and a Virtual Beachfest where you can run the 10k or full marathon distance wherever you live and on your own time and receive your finisher’s shirt and medal by mail!

The course itself is a gorgeous tour of Oahu’s south shore – starting with 5am fireworks at Ala Moana, weaving through downtown Honolulu (past the Honolulu City Lights holiday decorations), through Waikiki and around Diamond Head before heading out to Hawaii Kai along Kalanianaole Highway in an out and back stretch.

The final run through Kahala and up one last steep hill at Diamond Head before coming down to finish in Kapiolani Park with entertainment, malasadas and tons of good energy at the finish. Hop in the water right across the street or eat up (my tradition was always to go for a buffet lunch after the race) – calories don’t count for at least another 48 hours – you’ve earned it! 

Where to stay for the Honolulu Marathon

If possible, you’ll want to book far in advance for the dates of the Marathon as people train for it year-round and look forward to returning every year. My father’s favorite hotel for it’s proximity to the starting line was always the tk Staying on the east end of Waikiki to be close to the finish line (to stumble home without needing a taxi) is another option) 

I’ve always been living nearby so I didn’t need a hotel, but my dad and others who came from other parts of the state have stayed at a few places based on their proximity to the start and/or the finish line: 

Waikiki Prince
The Ilikai 
Hilton Hawaiian Village 
Kaimana Beach Hotel

>> The marathon takes place annually on the second Sunday in December, so the date for 2025 has been set for Sunday, December 14, 2025. Plan early as accommodations book up wayyy in advance!

The 2024 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational Tournament (Sunday, December 22)

“The Eddie” is an invitation-only event to honor the fearless waterman and Waimea Bay lifeguard, Eddie Aikau. It is a special tournament that brings out the biggest names in professional surfing, but only happens when the conditions are just right during the holding period which takes place each winter between mid-December to mid-March. The wave face heights in Waimea Bay must consistently reach 40 feet for the contest to run. Since 1984, the Eddie has run only 10 times, the last being in January 2023.

✨ In 2024, it has been announced that the “Eddie Will Go!” on Sunday December 22, 2024!✨

If you’re on Oahu and plan to watch in person, be prepared for major traffic congestion on the road in and out of Waimea Bay. Please watch from a safe distance and heed all instructions from locals and event staff. If you want to follow along online, it might be easier! Details on the event and it’s history at theEddieAikau.com.

Whale Watching in Maui (November – May, best time is December – March)

Whale watching tours usually run from late November to April in Maui, usually departing from Maalaea Harbor in central Maui or Lahaina Harbor on the west side. After the fires of 2023 in Lahaina, the harbor there was closed or operations limited. So Maalaea may still be your best best. 

Whale watching tours are offered at various times throughout the day with pros and cons for each. Mornings are when the wind is calmest though afternoon is nice and sunny (even if a bit windier) and evening cruises (sometimes with cocktails or dinner) at sunset are beautiful but again, possibly a bit windier. 

• Usually during the season, “whale sightings” are guaranteed and you may be eligible for another booking if whales are not spotted. 
• The best cruises have a certified marine naturalist on board to teach you about whale behavior and conservation efforts.
• Be sure to put on your reef-safe sunscreen as the reflection of the sun off the water can easily lead to sunburn. If you think you may get seasick, be sure you follow directions for your seasickness medicine of choice. 
• There are various whale watching companies out there but the ones that I would recommend the most based on asking around with Maui friends would be Trilogy.

Pro tip: If you prefer to stay on land, don’t miss the Maui Ocean Center – you can learn from naturalists about both animals and native plants. They also have fun after hours activities like yoga!

What’s the temperature like in Hawaii in Winter? 

Average high temperatures in Hawaii at sea level are usally in the around 82 F / 28 C and overnight lows are usually around 70 F / 20 C. But keep in mind that elevation and the trade winds can make a big difference.

My mother moved to Hawaii from snowy winters in the continental US and actually felt colder in Hawaii because buildings lack insulation and heating that you may be used to in a climate that experiences four seasons. You may want a light layer for evenings or chilly mornings keeping this in mind.

There’s more rain during the winter as well, but it often will be interspersed with sunshine (and LOTS of rainbows) so it’s still possible to enjoy the beach year-round. The water temperature doesn’t really go much lower than 75 F / 25 C even if the wind when you get out of the water makes it feel a bit cooler.

Does it snow in Hawaii? ☃

Believe it or not, it does snow in Hawaii! I was born and raised on the slopes of Haleakala on Maui, a dormant volcano standing above 10,000 ft in elevation which is one of the three highest peaks in the islands and therefore high enough to be dusted with snow a few times each winter. Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on Hawaii Island (the Big Island) are even higher and often will be snow covered much longer.

I always loved waking up on a cool winter morning – when the air is crisp and there are no clouds in the sky, its absolutely magical to glance up to majestic Haleakala and see it covered with snow! Then, turn around and see the blue waters of the ocean down below.