Featured Event of the Season
Show Aloha Land at Aloha Stadium
November 30, December 1-3, 7-10, and 14-30
The 4th Annual Show Aloha Land is back at Aloha Stadium this December! Along with the mesmerizing Christmas lights drive-through, families can take photos with Santa, play in the snow at Blitzen’s Snow Paradise, visit Rudolph’s Bouncer Land, take a swing on Comet’s Zipline, and so much more. Everything is included with admission and 100% of profits go to supporting local fundraisers, including those impacted by the Maui fires.
Tickets are on sale now at showalohaland.com.
November
Makahiki Festival at Waimea Valley
Saturday, November 4
Waimea Valley’s annual Makahiki Festival (Hawaiian New Year) is a day of ceremony, celebration, friendly competition, and culture. The day features the Te Moana Nui Games, a traditional Polynesian sports competition run by Tahiti Mana, as well as local vendors, live music, and performances by local hālau. In addition to the Makahiki festivities and in celebration of trees on Arbor Day, get a plant from Waimea’s botanical team from 8AM-12PM!
Find out more at waimeavalley.net.
Kamaaina Sundays at Iolani Palace
Sunday, November 12
Experience the vibrant celebration of Hawaiian culture at Iolani Palace on November 12 from 9AM to 2PM, where families and friends come together to create lasting memories. Guests can enjoy free audio tours of the Palace, exciting giveaways, live entertainment, family-friendly activities and ‘ono food from local eateries. Attendees are encouraged to bring their picnic blankets and chairs, allowing them to relax and fully enjoy the event.
For more information, please visit asbhawaii.com.
Family Sunday at Honolulu Museum of Art
November 19 and December 17
Held on the third Sunday of every month, Family Sunday features creative activities for keiki of all ages, entertainment, and community-focused programming across the Honolulu Museum of Art. Museum admission for kamaaina is free from 10AM–6PM, with Family Sunday activities including hands-on art making, musical performances, storytelling, and more until 4PM.
For more information, please visit honolulumuseum.org.
Waikiki Holiday Parade
Friday, November 24
The annual Waikiki Holiday Parade commemorates Pearl Harbor by honoring survivors and veterans in memory of the attacks from December 7, 1941. Local Hawaiian bands, marching bands from the mainland, military units, local officials and dignitaries march down torch lit Kalakaua Avenue along Waikiki Beach. It is held annually the Friday following Thanksgiving Day and hosts thousands of spectators, residents and visitors alike.
For more information, visit waikikiholidayparade.com.
December
Honolulu City Lights
Opening Night: Saturday, December 2
Honolulu Hale’s (City Hall) annual holiday celebration launches on December 2 at 4PM, with keiki rides, food and souvenir booths. Following the 6PM tree lighting ceremony, fun continues with a flashy Electric Light Parade, holiday concert and Santa photo ops. If your family can’t make opening night, you can still experience the winter wonderland of lights throughout the entire month of December.
For more information, visit honolulucitylights.com
Jingle Rock Run
Sunday, December 3
Join us for Make-A-Wish Hawaii’s annual holiday fundraiser, Jingle Rock Run! This year’s community walk/run will be a 2.5-mile route at Ko Olina. Show your holiday spirit by dressing in festive attire and show your support by creating a team of friends and family. Enjoy live entertainment along the route and at the festival grounds as you take in the sunset view from Ko Olina’s lagoons. Give the gift of a wish come true this holiday season!
To register, visit wish.org/hawaii.
Hawaii Youth Opera Annual Holiday Concert
Saturday, December 9
The Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus will hold its 63rd annual holiday concert in mid-December at Kawaiahaʻo Church. The performance will feature all members of the chorus in grades K-12 singing holiday favorites from Hawaii and around the world.
For exact dates and more information, please visit hyoc.org.
Aloha Home Holiday Market
December 3, 10, and 17
Aloha Home Market features Hawaii’s finest furniture makers, artisans, jewelry makers, clothing designers, food vendors, and more. Shoppers venture to Kailua from all over the island not only to enjoy an afternoon of amazing shopping, but also live entertainment from local up-and-coming musical artists, freshly prepared ono grinds, keiki activities, and more! Get ready for the holidays and discover unique and special gifts that can only be found in Hawaii!
For more information, visit alohahomemarket.com.
Mele Kalikimaka Marketplace at Blaisdell Exhibition Hall
December 16 and 17
The annual Mele Kalikimaka Marketplace on December 16th from 10AM-8PM and December 17th from 10AM-5PM in the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall is your “one stop local holiday shop”. Along with unique made-in-Hawaii products, there will also be holiday-themed attractions and entertainment, including a Gingerbread Workshop and a Ben Franklin make-and-take crafting station. Children 12 and under are free!
For more information, visit melekalikimakamarketplace.com.
Hawaii Magic Festival
Saturday, December 30
The IBM/International Brotherhood of Magicians (Hawaii Chapter) presents the 9th Annual Hawaii Magic Festival on December 30th at Kaimuki High School Auditorium. Hosted by “Magic Castle” regular Curtis Kam, the all-ages event dazzles with magic, prizes, comedy and audience participation. The event features 7 acts on stage at 7PM and many strolling magicians when doors open at 6PM.
Find more information at hawaiimagicfestival.com.
Ongoing Events
Monthly Family Fun Nights At Hawaii Academy
Honolulu Gym: First Fridays
Pearl Harbor Gym: Second and Fourth Saturdays
Need a night off? Hawaii Academy opens its doors so keiki (and participants of all ages) can immerse into gymnastics or general fitness activities while parents spend quality time alone. For $10/hour, ages 6 and up can revel in a safe and inspirational atmosphere at the Honolulu Gym (808-842-5642) from 8-10PM (First Fridays) and at the Pearl Harbor Gym (808-422-2223) from 5-8PM (Second and Fourth Saturdays).
For more information, visit hawaiiacademy.com.
Family Hui
It takes a Hui to raise a child and a Hui to raise a parent. Family Hui works to support, encourage, and empower families to meet the challenges of raising children to ensure all children are thriving, healthy, and safe. Family Hui is best known for its peer-led neighborhood groups. Through these meet ups, parents share and learn from one another and form lasting bonds.
Offering different events and activities, check out their website for more info at familyhuihawaii.org.
Weekly Events At Waimea Valley
Waimea Valley’s natural wonders are a place full of history, culture, and spirituality. Every Wednesday, kama`aina and military children ages 0-12 enter free with a parent/guardian for Kama`aina Keiki Day. Can’t make Wednesdays? Every third Sunday is La ‘Ohana day! Waimea Valley admission prices are 50% off for kama’aina and military families. Families can learn about Hawaiian history and culture, enjoy cultural demonstrations, play a few games of ‘ulu maika at the Hawaiian Games Site, or simply stroll through the luscious botanical gardens and visit Waimea’s beautiful waterfall.
Learn more about these events at waimeavalley.net.
Playing With Light
New Exhibit at Bishop Museum
Now through March 24, 2024
Playing With Light, created by Scitech in Perth, Australia and produced by Imagine Exhibitions, combines LIGHT, a fundamental element in our everyday lives, and PLAY, a means to ignite the imagination, in this fun exploration into light technology. Picture walking through a tunnel, illuminated by 20,000 individual LED lights. Now imagine being able to manipulate those lights to follow your every movement! Keiki and ʻohana will also be able to see their shadows come to life with computer vision technology; explore a walk-in kaleidoscope; and be challenged to dodge lasers as they try to get to their next destination. The exhibit will emphasize the importance of play as a means to learning.
To purchase tickets, visit bishopmuseum.org.
Stargazing In Waikiki At International Marketplace
Every 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 8PM-9PM
Come see the stars with us on the top level of International Marketplace’s parking garage. Take a guided tour of the stars and constellations with a local astronomer and a large 7-foot-tall telescope. View the planets, double stars, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies and more! See Mars, Jupiter and Jupiter’s moons! Listen to space and astronomy stories and ask any questions you have ever wondered about. Bright lights on the garage will be turned off during the show for a darker sky experience. Recommended for all ages; kids under 5 are free!
For more information, visit shopinternationalmarketplace.com.
Announcements
K-12 Parent And School Expo
Hosted by Hawaii Kids CAN
January 20, 2024
Hawaii is home to impactful and diverse schools and education organizations, but parents often struggle to find the best options for their children. As part of National School Choice Week 2024, the Inaugural Hawaii K-12 Parent and School Expo is designed to help families make firsthand connections with each other and local learning partners. This is an exciting opportunity for schools and organizations to showcase their unique contributions to Hawaii’s education ecosystem. The event will be held at Windward Mall, a fantastic gathering space for local families, with numerous retailers, community spaces, and food vendors.
For more information, visit hawaiikidscan.org.
Child Find
Child Find, formerly known as Operation Search, is the Hawaii State Department of Education’s process of identifying, locating, and evaluating children and youth who are suspected of having or have been identified as having a disability and may need special education and related services. If your child is between the age of 0 to 22 and is having difficulty speaking, listening, seeing, hearing, walking, using their hands, behaving, getting along with others, or learning, there are professionals who can help.
For more information, visit hawaiipublicschools.org.
Vote Now For Keikico Contest
American Savings Bank’s annual KeikiCo Contest is a business plan competition where students in grades 3-12 can showcase their best ideas to win $5,000 to $25,000 for their schools.
View and vote for your favorite student submissions before December 7th at asbhawaii.com.
Great Aloha Run
February 19, 2024
Registration is open for Hawaii Pacific Health’s 40th Annual Great Aloha Run, an 8.15-mile race from Aloha Tower to Aloha Stadium. There is a place for everyone who wants to participate, with divisions for every age group, elite athletes, wheelchair and hand-cycle competitors, military, and those who want to walk the course with friends.
Register online at greataloharun.com.
