Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Dec. 4–10, 2025
Celebrate Kapolei City Lights, explore a winter wonderland, roll your own sushi, see a voyaging art exhibition and more.
Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Parks and Recreation
Kapolei City Lights Opening Night
Saturday, Dec. 6, 5 to 9 p.m.
Kick off the holiday season in Leeward O‘ahu with an illuminated parade, rocking block party and mayor’s tree lighting ceremony. The parade starts at 5:30 p.m. at Kapolei High School, ending at Kapolei Hale. The festive lights, trees and displays will be on view through Sunday, Jan. 4.
Family-friendly, free, Kapolei Hale, 1000 Uluohia St., Kapolei, honolulu.gov, @honolulu_parks
SEE ALSO: Your Insider Guide to Honolulu City Lights
‘Twas the Light Before Christmas on Ice
Thursday, Dec. 4, through Sunday, Jan. 4
The immersive winter wonderland at Hawai‘i Convention Center is back this year with even more holiday cheer, namely an indoor ice rink. Plan a date night or family outing to explore the 56,000-square-foot fantasy land. You’ll stroll through dazzling light tunnels, wander in a fir forest, watch a multi-sensory show, sip hot cocoa, glide across the ice and more.
Family-friendly, $31.50–$52 adult admission, $21.50–$31.50 keiki admission, $77 VIP admission, Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., Waikīkī, alohaimmersive.com, @twas.honolulu
SEE ALSO: The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Happenings on O‘ahu
Photo: Courtesy of Aloha Harvest
Cook & Kōkua: Sushi & Poke Edition
Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sign up for this cooking class for a good cause, supporting Aloha Harvest’s mission to end food insecurity. You’ll learn how to cut fish, make poke and roll your own sushi, led by expert Paul Santos of Ahi and Vegetable. Take home your creations, plus recipe cards and a sushi-making kit.
$172.57, use code HNLMAG for a 25% discount, former Nami Kaze restaurant space, 1135 N. Nimitz Hwy., Iwilei, eventbrite.com, @alohaharvest
SEE ALSO: This Holiday Season, Give the Gift of Experience
Photo: Abe McAulton
Jingle Rock Run
Sunday, Dec. 7, 3 p.m.
Bring the whole family to this holiday-themed festival and walk to raise funds for Make-A-Wish Hawai‘i. The 2.5-mile sunset stroll passes Ko Olina’s scenic lagoons and will delight with a few surprises along the way. Plus, you’ll enjoy keiki activities, entertainment, food trucks and photo ops with Santa.
Family-friendly, $40 adult registration, $30 child registration, free for keiki under 2 years old, Ko Olina Resort, wish.org/hawaii, @makeawishhawaii
SEE ALSO: Things to Do on O‘ahu in December 2025 and January 2026
Photo: Monte Costa, 1976
E Ola Mau Hōkūle‘a – Half a Century of Voyaging
Sunday, Dec. 7, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Attend the opening of this new art exhibition honoring the 50th anniversary of the Hawaiian voyaging canoe, Hōkūle‘a. The exhibition features painting, sculpture, poetry, photography, printmaking and mixed-media works celebrating traditional wayfinding by Native Hawaiian and Hawai‘i-based artists. After opening night, the exhibit will be open Wednesday to Friday, noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Sunday, Jan. 18.
Free, Inspiration Hawai‘i Museum, 900 Richards St., Downtown, hokulea.com, @hokuleacrew
SEE ALSO: Kalapana: A Nā Mele Performance 50 Years in the Making
Laura Dornbush is a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine. @ldornbush
