13 Can’t-Miss New Year’s Celebrations to Kick off 2019 in Honolulu

Whether your ideal way of ringing in the new year is mingling in cocktail attire, dancing at a circus-themed event for the entire family, or treating yourself to a three-course dinner with whisky pairings, we have you covered with these eight options.

December 24, 2018

Marisa Hartzell,

Under the Banyan Big Top at the Moana Surfrider

8 p.m. to midnight

Photo: Courtesy of Moana Surfrider

For a new year’s celebration fit for the whole family, don’t miss Moana Surfrider’s circus-themed event, “Under the Banyan Big Top.” The outdoor event will feature circus acts and performances, face painting and balloon animals. Ring in the new year with DJ Baby G with a full drink menu and limited food menu from Moana’s circular Beach Bar while the keiki enjoy popcorn and candy. Besides the beachfront view of the fireworks, the tickets include party favors and self-parking validation.

$125 general admission, $75 keiki admission, presale tickets available until Dec. 25, Moana Surfrider, 2365 Kalākaua Ave., honoluluboxoffice.com/moana.

Black Tie Affair at Hideout at The Laylow Waikīkī

8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Photo: Courtesy of Hideout

For a swanky evening at one of Waikīkī’s most Instagrammable locations, check out the “Black Tie Affair” at Hideout at The Laylow Waikīkī. Spend your evening cuddled next to multiple fire pits, lounge poolside or take in the views of Kūhiō with a craft cocktail. DJs Revise and Tittahbyte will provide the entertainment for the evening; don’t miss the Champagne toast at midnight and passed pūpū from 8 to 10 p.m. Feeling for a celebratory dinner before the party? Hideout will be open for dinner prior to the event with reservations.

$75 general admission. Guests looking to purchase a table (either a couch on the lanai or a seat at one of the fire pit areas) can email Ben Buckley at bbuckley@laylowwaikiki.com. Tables start at $1,000 for up to 8 people. The Laylow, Autograph Collection, 2299 Kūhiō Ave., eventbrite.com.

Casino Night in Macau at 53 By The Sea

9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Photo: Courtesy of 53 By The Sea

Feeling lucky? 53 By The Sea will hold a casino night-themed party with casino-inspired games, live music and a cigar lounge. Enjoy gourmet pūpū and craft cocktails with a sweeping view of Waikīkī, Diamond Head and the shores of Kakaʻako in your best black-tie attire. Try your luck at the high-rollers table and finish the night off with a Champagne toast with a front-row view of the fireworks show.

$150 general admission, $275 and up for VIP, 53 By The Sea, 53 Ahui St., 53bythesea.com.

Enter the Dragon at RumFire and Sheraton Waikīkī

8:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

Photo: Courtesy of Rumfire

Start off the year celebrating a traditional Chinese symbol of strength and good fortune with the “Enter the Dragon” New Year’s Eve event at RumFire in Sheraton Waikīkī. Dance the night away to multiple DJs spread across their Infinity Edge Pool deck and have a front-and-center ocean view of the fireworks. Feel like splurging? Champagne room tickets include a dedicated bar, a reserved area for viewing the fireworks and, of course, Champagne.

$125 general, $250 Champagne room tickets, RumFire at Sheraton Waikīkī, 2255 Kalākaua Ave., hnltix.com.

Whisky Dinner at Square Barrels

7 p.m. to midnight

Photo: Courtesy of Square Barrels

If you’re looking for a more intimate evening, Square Barrels in Downtown will hold a three-course prime rib dinner paired with specialty whiskies from around the world. With five different 0.75 ounce pours of whiskies being served throughout the evening and a Champagne toast at midnight, you can bet that this more refined evening will still start off 2019 with more than a slight buzz.

$204, Square Barrels, 1001 Bishop St., Suite 108, hnltix.com.

Waikīkī Beach Marriott New Year’s Eve Party

7 p.m. to midnight

Photo: Courtesy of Waikīkī Marriott

Toast your way into 2019 on the Moana Terrace at the Waikīkī Beach Marriott with music from the Kailua Bay Buddies and a panoramic view of Waikīkī. If you reserve a pool cabana or an oceanfront table for you and your crew, enjoy a complimentary bottle of Champagne and NYE party favors.

$50 general admission, $250 and up for reserved seats, Moana Terrace at Waikīkī Beach Mariott, 2552 Kalākaua Ave., honoluluboxoffice.com.

Pink Party at The Royal Hawaiian

8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Photo: Courtesy of The Royal Hawaiian

Celebrate the new year at Waikīkī’s most famous pink hotel, The Royal Hawaiian, for a pink-themed New Year’s Eve party. Enjoy delicious cuisines at the Chef’s Table buffet, dance to tunes from DJ Teley, and mingle in style right in front of the beach. The all-ages event also offers complimentary valet parking and party favors with admission.

$225 general admission, $150 keiki ticket, $215 and up for reserved seating, The Royal Hawaiian, 2259 Kalākaua Ave., honoluluboxoffice.com.

Crazy Rich NYE at Addiction at The Modern Honolulu

9 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Photo: Courtesy of Addiction

For a more wild evening, Singapore-style, celebrate the new year at one of Honolulu’s hottest nightclubs, Addiction at The Modern Honolulu, for its “Crazy Rich NYE” event. Dance to DJ Compose and Anit underneath 40,000 lights in the nightclub. If you have a VIP ticket, start the party at 9 p.m. with a complimentary hosted Champagne bar, with the general admission ticket holders starting the party fashionably late at 10 p.m.

$40 general admission, $50 and up for VIP, Addiction Nightclub at The Modern Honolulu, 1775 Ala Moana Blvd., nightout.com.