Family Holiday Events in Hawaiʻi-2020
Where to count down to 2021, see the lights, make crafts and other fun in our list of almost 30 events on O'ahu. Make your reservations quickly as we anticipate most of these events will sell out.
Updated: Dec. 22, 2020
Itʻs officially the holiday season and weʻre ready to celebrate! Here is our list of events and activities to get your family in the spirit of things. Please note that many centers are still working on the details of their events—including Honolulu Hale’s plans for a virtual viewing of the city department’s themed Christmas trees—so check back for the latest updates throughout December.
If you are planning an event, let us know! Email us at info@honolulufamily.com or submit the details to our calendar.
Ongoing
Shining Bright Celebration at Windward Mall
Starting Nov. 21, Monday through Saturday at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Sunday at 5, 6 and 7 p.m.
Instead of the traditional snowfall, this year the 25-foot Christmas tree will be the center of a music-and-light show three times every night. The eight-minute show will also be accompanied by a holiday performance by 24-VII Danceforce at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday through Dec. 20.
Free. Windward Mall, 46-056 Kamehameha Highway, Kāne’ohe, (808) 235-1143, windwardmall.com, @windwardmall
Show Aloha Land at Aloha Stadium
Daily, Friday, Nov. 27 through Saturday, Jan. 9. Time slots available every half hour from 6 to 11 p.m.
Drive through more than a million LED lights set to holiday songs, played through your FM radio, at this glowing display to benefit the Show Aloha Challenge. Each ticket is good for a single car to maneuver its way through the 20-minute drive. At the end, pick up meals from Show Aloha Land vendors and park to eat in front of a 50-foot tree lit up for the night. Do not try to arrive early. Cars that get there before the allotted time slot will have to drive out and return later. Sponsor First Hawaiian Bank is offering 10% off for cars after 9 p.m. Most early time slots before Christmas are gone. Fifteen percent of gross ticket sales sold for Jan. 3-9 will be donated to Make-A-Wish Hawaiʻi.
$50 per car. Aloha Stadium, 99-500 Salt Lake Blvd., showalohachallenge.com, text to (808) 356-2994, @showalohachallenge
See also: We Tried It: Show Aloha Land at Aloha Stadium
Photo: Courtesy of Waikīkī Trolley
Holiday Lights Trolley Tour
Dec. 9 through Dec. 27, tours depart at 6, 7 and 8 p.m.
You can’t walk through the lights this year, but the festive trolley is still running. The 45-minute ride will take families through Downtown Honolulu and Waikīkī to see Shaka Santa, the moving lights by the Board of Water Supply and all the buildings in their holiday best. All trolleys will start and end at Victoria Ward Park, will operate only half full and no one will be allowed to disembark. Reservations are required and often fill up quickly. The trolleys will run on Christmas Day. We did recently see some spots still open on Dec. 26.
$15 for adults, $10 for kids 3 to 11 years old, kids 2 years and younger are free but must sit on an adult’s lap. (808) 591-2561, waikikitrolley.com/holiday-lights-tour
Honolulu City Lights
Dec. 9 through Dec. 27
Many of the displays are going up at Honolulu Hale, even if you can only drive by them. The 50-foot-tall tree, Shaka Santa and Tūtū Mele and other exhibits will be lit up every day until just after Christmas. Families can park to walk over and take photos in front of their favorites, as long as they abide by the social distancing markers. The city says it will also have virtual viewings of other areas. We are still waiting for the details about that.
530 S. King St. Parking is available in the municipal lot at Alapai and Beretania streets.honolulu.gov
Christmas Tree Sales
Photo: Karen DB
Helemano Farms
Open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from noon until dark; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. until dark through Dec. 22
It’s a true sign of the season in Hawai’i when this family farm in Wahiawā opens for Christmas tree sales. Take the kids for a day in the country to wander through the fields and pick your own homegrown Norfolk pine or cypress. Dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash. Read our guide to the farm to find out about the types of trees available, which ones sell out first and what to expect if you visit.
Prices range from $50 for a 5-foot Norfolk pine up to $175 for a 12-foot tree. 1750 Whitmore Ave., Wahiawā, (808) 622-4287, helemanofarms.com
Photo: Courtesy of Habilitat
Habilitat Christmas Tree Fundraiser
Starting Nov. 28, noon to 9 p.m. on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.
Pre-order and pick up or go in-person to select your favorite tree at this annual fundraiser for Habilitat’s programs for people overcoming substance abuse and homelessness. Habilitat brings in Douglas, Noble, grand and Nordmann fir trees from Oregon ranging from 2 to 10 feet tall.
Sites are at Central Union Church, Stadium Mall, by the old Kmart in Kapolei, Kāne’ohe Bay Shopping Center and Koko Marina Center, hawaiichristmastrees.com
Want to take a photo with Santa? See our list of ways to get in touch with the jolly elf, virtually and in person, here.
Tuesday, Dec. 22
Photo: Courtesy of the Battleship Missouri
Zoom for a Cause with Santa Claus at the Battleship Missouri
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Visit virtually with Santa Claus from the deck of the Battleship Missouri. Three packages are available offering everything from a simple 10-minute e-visit to a recording and Christmas morning video message.
$15 to $50, $5 for each additional child. $5 extra for links for others to view the visit. eventbrite.com/e/zoom-for-a-cause-with-santa-claus-tickets
Socially Christmasʻd
Runs through Wednesday, Dec. 23. Four time slots available nightly: 5:10, 6:10, 7:10 and 8:10 p.m.
Add to your list of drive-through events this light display at Kailua United Methodist Church. The lot has hosted drive-in movies throughout the last few months, but now will be turned into a path with lights, a 30-foot-tall Santa and other inflatables and characters. At the end, families will park in front of an LED wall showing Christmas scenes from around the world and a cameo from Santa (and, of course, he knows your childrens’ names) with a message from the North Pole. The website says the experience should last about 35 to 60 minutes. You will be asked to stop the car a few times.
$37, 1110 Kailua Road, Kailua, 808christmas.com/events/event/socially-christmasd/
Wednesday, Dec. 23
Zoom for a Cause with Santa Claus at the Battleship Missouri
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Visit virtually with Santa Claus from the deck of the Battleship Missouri. Three packages are available offering everything from a simple 10-minute e-visit to a recording and Christmas morning video message.
$15 to $50, $5 for each additional child. $5 extra for links for others to view the visit.eventbrite.com/e/zoom-for-a-cause-with-santa-claus-tickets
Photo: Courtesy of Kailua Events
Socially Christmasʻd
Runs through Wednesday, Dec. 23. Four time slots available nightly: 5:10, 6:10, 7:10 and 8:10 p.m.
Add to your list of drive-through events this light display at Kailua United Methodist Church. The lot has hosted drive-in movies throughout the last few months, but now will be turned into a path with lights, a 30-foot-tall Santa and other inflatables and characters. At the end, families will park in front of an LED wall showing Christmas scenes from around the world and a cameo from Santa (and, of course, he knows your childrens’ names) with a message from the North Pole. The website says the experience should last about 35 to 60 minutes. You will be asked to stop the car a few times.
$37, 1110 Kailua Road, Kailua, 808christmas.com/events/event/socially-christmasd/
Friday, Dec. 25
Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Theatre for Youth
“Da Holidays” by Honolulu Theatre for Youth
6 a.m. on KGMB and 8 p.m. on K5
The HTY team wrote this original production which includes short stories, sketches and songs about the holidays in Hawaiʻi.
Christmas With the Animals
2 p.m.
The Honolulu Zoo won’t be inviting crowds to watch the animals open gifts in person this year. But you can watch them receive (and eat!) their treats on online. The best part of the Virtual Christmas With the Animals Event is that you can watch every one of the zoo animals enjoy their gifts without racing around from exhibit to exhibit. Zookeepers will also give keiki some of the inside scoops on their favorite animals.
facebook.com/HonoluluZoo or on the Honolulu Zoo Society’s YouTube channel.
Ballet Hawai’i’s The Nutcracker
7 p.m.
The live performance won’t go on, but fans of Tchaikovsky’s beautiful The Nutcracker can watch a special show on KITV, sponsored by Hawai’i Public Radio. The story of little Clara, her beloved nutcracker doll and the menacing rat king will feature more than 175 local and national performers in previously recorded footage of Ballet Hawai’i’s shows with guest artists including New York City Ballet’s prima ballerina Megan Fairchild and Joaquin DeLuz. The program will also include performances by the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra and narration by Punahou graduate, dancer and actress Amanda Schull. Watch for the costumes by Christine Darch, Anne Namba and Kini Zamora.
Airs on KITV Friday, Dec. 25 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 26 at 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 26
Photo: Courtesy of Ballet Hawai’i
Ballet Hawai’i’s The Nutcracker
3:30 p.m.
The live performance won’t go on, but fans of Tchaikovsky’s beautiful The Nutcracker can watch a special show on KITV, sponsored by Hawai’i Public Radio. The story of little Clara, her beloved nutcracker doll and the menacing rat king will feature more than 175 local and national performers in previously recorded footage of Ballet Hawai’i’s shows with guest artists including New York City Ballet’s prima ballerina Megan Fairchild and Joaquin DeLuz. The program will also include performances by the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra and narration by Punahou graduate, dancer and actress Amanda Schull. Watch for the costumes by Christine Darch, Anne Namba and Kini Zamora.
Airs on KITV Saturday, Dec. 26 at 3:30 p.m.
“Da Holidays” by Honolulu Theatre for Youth
4 p.m. on KHNL
The HTY team wrote this original production which includes short stories, sketches and songs about the holidays in Hawaiʻi.
Thursday, Dec. 31
New Year’s at Noon
Two time slots: 9 to 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The annual celebration at the Hawaiʻi Children’s Discovery Center will be a little different this year. Instead of ringing in 2021 with a big party, the center will celebrate with mini balloon drops throughout the center once during each of the two regular play time slots.
Reserve tickets in advance for either 9 to 11 a.m. or 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. $10 for kamaʻāina and military, $12 for general admission, kids 1 year and younger are free. 111 ʻOhe St., (808) 524-5437, discoverycenterhawaii.org
Pineapple Drop at Home
6 p.m.
Celebrate the Town Center of Mililani’s annual Pineapple Drop by streaming it live at home. Special guest Kapena will perform at 6 p.m. followed by the pineapple drop at 7 p.m., in sync with the ball drop in New York City.
Watch it on Town Center’s Facebook page, @TownCtrMililani or @towncenterofmililani on Instagram.
Past Events
Wednesday, Nov. 25
Royal Hawaiian Center Tree Lighting
6 to 7 p.m.
Watch this annual celebration virtually on Facebook. Live entertainment and hula performances lead up to a virtual visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. From their workshop at the North Pole, they will countdown to the lighting of the 34-foot Christmas tree and a “snowfall” of local flowers.
Free. Royal Hawaiian Center, 2201 Kalākaua Ave., (808) 922-2299, royalhawaiiancenter.com
Saturday, Nov. 27
Santa’s Arrival at Pearlridge Center
10:15 to 10:30 a.m.
Santa arrives at the center’s Wai Makai Center Court. See the details for photos with Santa here.
98-1005 Moanalua Road, ‘Aiea, (808) 488-0981, pearlridgeonline.com, @pearlridge
Friday, Dec. 4
Home Alone and Home Alone 2 at American Renaissance Academy
6 p.m.
Watch this double feature about a plucky kid left alone (twice!) who takes on some bungling burglars and the sting of aftershave. These movies are rated PG. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with the movies starting at 6 and 8 p.m. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time online.
$30 for one car with up to five people or one household. Enter at 300 Franklin Ave., Kapolei, ara.eventbrite.com
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at American Renaissance Academy
6:30 p.m.
The classic claymation movie about the reindeer with a red nose, an island of misfit toys and a snow monster plays on the big screen. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. The movie is rated G and runs 47 minutes.
$20 for one car with up to five people or one household. Enter at 300 Franklin Ave., Kapolei, ara.eventbrite.com
Mele Kalikimaka Honolulu at Diamond Head Theatre
Dec. 4 through Dec. 20. Shows are Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 21 through Wednesday, Dec. 23, 7:30 p.m.
Hear the songs of the season, from Andy Williams to Mariah Carey, in this live and on-stage performance. Diamond Head Theatre is keeping its audience to 25% of the usual capacity for social distancing and masks are required. The hour-long shows are almost sold out. We found the most open seats on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday performances Christmas week.
$22. 520 Makapu’u Ave., (808) 733-0274, diamondheadtheatre.com, @diamondheadtheatre
Elf at Aloha Drive-In Movies
8 p.m.
Watch the Will Ferrell classic in your car. The story of Buddy, the orphan human raised by elves, runs 1 hour and 37 minutes and is rated PG.
$40 for a car with up to five passengers or one family, $60 for a parking spot in the first two rows and two bags of popcorn. 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., alohadriveinmovies.com, instagram.com/alohadriveinmovies
Saturday, Dec. 5
Zoom for a Cause with Santa Claus at the Battleship Missouri
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Visit virtually with Santa Claus from the deck of the Battleship Missouri. Three packages are available offering everything from a simple 10-minute e-visit to a recording and Christmas morning video message.
$15 to $50, $5 for each additional child. $5 extra for links for others to view the visit.eventbrite.com/e/zoom-for-a-cause-with-santa-claus-tickets
Photo: Courtesy of Ward Village
Spot the Elf at Ward Village
3 to 6 p.m.
Ward Village will have several Saturday photo op spots at South Shore Marketplace throughout the season. On Saturday, elves will appear inside magical bubbles. Kids can also go on a hunt to find hidden elves throughout the shops and restaurants, take photos and post with #spottheelfatward for a chance to win gift cards. The other photo ops are large toy soldiers on Dec. 12 from 3 to 6 p.m., and living topiaries on Dec. 19.
wardvillage.com, instagram.com/wardvillage
Free Photos with Santa at Royal Hawaiian Center
4 to 7 p.m.
Stop for a socially distanced photo op with Santa and Mrs. Claus who will be behind a holiday-themed window across from the Cheesecake Factory. Bring your own camera, reservations are not required.
Free. Royal Hawaiian Center, 2201 Kalākaua Ave., (808) 922-2299, royalhawaiiancenter.com, @royalhwnctr
Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu City Lights
Kids and their grownups ride the holiday train that transports them across the grounds of the Civic Center.
Holiday City Lights Television Special
6 to 7 p.m. on Olelo53 and KGMB. The special reairs on various stations from Dec. 6 through Christmas Day.
Honolulu’s City Lights will be drive by only this year, but you can enjoy the festival’s history and colorful lights in a television special highlighting its 35 years.
See the full schedule on honolulu.gov
Home Alone and Home Alone 2 at American Renaissance Academy
6 p.m.
Watch this double feature about a plucky kid left alone (twice!) who takes on some bungling burglars and the sting of aftershave. These movies are rated PG. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with the movies starting at 6 and 8 p.m. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time online.
$30 for one car with up to five people or one household. Enter at 300 Franklin Ave., Kapolei, ara.eventbrite.com
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at American Renaissance Academy
6:30 p.m.
The classic claymation movie about the reindeer with a red nose, an island of misfit toys and a snow monster plays on the big screen. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. The movie is rated G and runs 47 minutes.
$20 for one car with up to five people or one household. Enter at 300 Franklin Ave., Kapolei, ara.eventbrite.com
Sunday, Dec. 6
Home Alone at American Renaissance Academy
6 p.m.
Watch this classic film about a plucky kid left alone who takes on some bungling burglars and the sting of aftershave. The movie is rated PG. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with the film starting at 6 p.m. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time online.
$30 for one car with up to five people or one household. Enter at 300 Franklin Ave., Kapolei, ara.eventbrite.com
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at American Renaissance Academy
6:30 p.m.
The classic claymation movie about the reindeer with a red nose, an island of misfit toys and a snow monster plays on the big screen. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. The movie is rated G and runs 47 minutes.
$20 for one car with up to five people or one household. Enter at 300 Franklin Ave., Kapolei, ara.eventbrite.com
Sounds of the Season with the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra
7:30 p.m.
Wintry melodies take centerstage at this streaming performance. Families will hear Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons,” Piazzolla’s “Four Seasons of Buenos Aires,” “White Christmas” and “Mele Kalikimaka” with vocalist Pomaika’i Lyman and a hula by Kanoe Miller.
$20 per device. hawaiitheatre.com
Thursday, Dec. 10
The Grinch drive-in movie at Holy Nativity School
5 p.m.
The grinch is back in a modern, fast-paced Whoville that’s all about light displays and Christmas parties. The remake of the Dr. Seuss classic runs an hour and 40 minutes. Gates open at 4 p.m. and tickets must be purchased ahead of time. The Friday, Dec. 11 and Saturday, Dec. 12 shows are sold out.
$30 for a car with up to five passengers or one household, $38 for a car plus popcorn from Candy Carousel. 5286 Kalaniana’ole Highway, tickettailor.com/events/kanikanoacreative
Home Alone 2 at Aloha Drive-In Movies
5:30 p.m.
Kevin McCallister made it to the big city in this sequel to the Maccauley Culkin classic. But this time, the kid who is flush with cash runs into two burglars he’s very familiar with as they prepare for a big holiday heist. Home Alone 2 is rated PG and runs two hours.
$40 for a car with up to five passengers or one family, $60 for a parking spot in the first two rows and two bags of popcorn. 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., alohadriveinmovies.com, instagram.com/alohadriveinmovies
Elf drive-in movie at Holy Nativity School
7:20 p.m.
Watch the Will Ferrell classic in your car. The story of Buddy, the orphan human raised by elves, runs 1 hour and 37 minutes and is rated PG. Gates open at 6:45 p.m. and tickets must be purchased ahead of time.$30 for a car with up to five passengers or one household, $38 for a car plus popcorn from Candy Carousel. 5286 Kalaniana’ole Highway, tickettailor.com/events/kanikanoacreative
Friday, Dec. 11
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas at Aloha Drive-In Movies
5:30 p.m.
The lesson against materialism is a little heavy handed, with a dash of bullying a small green child also in the storyline, but the characters in this live-action version of the Christmas classic is still entertaining for the family. Jim Carrey is an adept Grinch who tries to steal the spirit out of Whoville. The film is rated PG and runs an hour and 44 minutes.
$40 for a car with up to five passengers or one family, $60 for a parking spot in the first two rows and two bags of popcorn. 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., alohadriveinmovies.com, instagram.com/alohadriveinmovies
See also: Where to Eat at Hawai‘i International Film Festival’s Ala Moana Drive-In Movies
Aloha Drive- In Movies
Elf
Elf drive-in movie at Holy Nativity School
7:20 p.m.
Watch the Will Ferrell classic in your car. The story of Buddy, the orphan human raised by elves, runs 1 hour and 37 minutes and is rated PG. Gates open at 6:45 p.m. and tickets must be purchased ahead of time.
$30 for a car with up to five passengers or one household, $38 for a car plus popcorn from Candy Carousel. 5286 Kalaniana’ole Highway, tickettailor.com/events/kanikanoacreative
Mele Kalikimaka with Henry Kapono and Friends
7:30 p.m.
Henry Kapono and other favorite local entertainers join together in a livestream concert to benefit the Henry Kapono Foundation. Jerry Santos, Ledward Ka’apana, Sistah Robi Kahakalau, Kapena, Alx Kawakami and Josh Tatofi perform in this holiday concert. The concert is free, but donations are being accepted. Meet and greets with Henry Kapono are also available for $150. Make sure to reserve your ticket in the right time zone. It will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in Eastern, Central, Pacific and Hawai’i standard time followed by a concert for Japan audiences on Sunday.
Free but donations are requested. hawaiitheatre.com
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation at Aloha Drive-In Movies
8 p.m.
$40 for a car with up to five passengers or one family, $60 for a parking spot in the first two rows and two bags of popcorn. 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., alohadriveinmovies.com, instagram.com/alohadriveinmovies
Saturday, Dec. 12
Photo: Courtesy of the Battleship Missouri
Zoom for a Cause with Santa Claus at the Battleship Missouri
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Visit virtually with Santa Claus from the deck of the Battleship Missouri. Three packages are available offering everything from a simple 10-minute e-visit to a recording and Christmas morning video message.
$15 to $50, $5 for each additional child. $5 extra for links for others to view the visit. eventbrite.com/e/zoom-for-a-cause-with-santa-claus-tickets
Santa’s Secret Workshop at the Hawai’i Children’s Discovery Center
1 to 3 p.m.
Spend an hour making crafts and having holiday fun before an hour of playtime at the center. Space is limited and payments must be made within five days after confirmation to reserve your spot. The morning sessions are already sold out.
$35 for one adult and one child, $25 for members, $10 for each additional adult. 111 ‘Ohe St., (808) 524-5437, discoverycenterhawaii.org
Photo: Courtesy of Storybook Entertainment Hawai’i
Free Photos with Santa at Royal Hawaiian Center
4 to 7 p.m.
Stop for a socially distanced photo op with Santa and Mrs. Claus who will be behind a holiday-themed window across from the Cheesecake Factory. Bring your own camera, reservations are not required.
Free. 4 to 7 p.m. Royal Hawaiian Center, (808) 922-2299, 2201 Kalākaua Ave., royalhawaiiancenter.com, @royalhwnctr
Dive’n’Movie Night: Frozen 2
Free admission at 6 p.m., the movie begins at 6:15 p.m.
Watch Frozen 2 at the Wave Pool for a socially distant movie night. Families will be let in free at 6 p.m., when the water rides close, and space is first come, first serve. All day admission is $25.
Wet’n’Wild Hawai’i, 400 Farrington Highway, Kapolei, (808) 674-9283, wetnwildhawaii.com, @wetnwildhawaii
Elf drive-in movie at Holy Nativity School
7:20 p.m.
Watch the Will Ferrell classic in your car. The story of Buddy, the orphan human raised by elves, runs 1 hour and 37 minutes and is rated PG. Gates open at 6:45 p.m. and tickets must be purchased ahead of time.
$30 for a car with up to five passengers or one household, $38 for a car plus popcorn from Candy Carousel. 5286 Kalaniana’ole Highway, tickettailor.com/events/kanikanoacreative
Sunday, Dec. 13
Santa’s Secret Workshop at the Hawai’i Children’s Discovery Center
1 to 3 p.m.
Spend an hour making crafts and having holiday fun before an hour of playtime at the center. Space is limited and payments must be made within five days after confirmation to reserve your spot. The morning sessions are already sold out.
$35 for one adult and one child, $25 for members, $10 for each additional adult. 111 ‘Ohe St., (808) 524-5437, discoverycenterhawaii.org
Elf drive-in movie at Holy Nativity School
5:30 p.m.
Watch the Will Ferrell classic in your car. The story of Buddy, the orphan human raised by elves, runs 1 hour and 37 minutes and is rated PG. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and tickets must be purchased ahead of time.
$30 for a car with up to five passengers or one household, $38 for a car plus popcorn from Candy Carousel. 5286 Kalaniana’ole Highway, tickettailor.com/events/kanikanoacreative
Wednesday, Dec. 16
Photo: Courtesy of Kailua Events
Socially Christmasʻd
Runs through Wednesday, Dec. 23. Four time slots available nightly: 5:10, 6:10, 7:10 and 8:10 p.m.
Add to your list of drive-through events this light display at Kailua United Methodist Church. The lot has hosted drive-in movies throughout the last few months, but now will be turned into a path with lights, a 30-foot-tall Santa and other inflatables and characters. At the end, families will park in front of an LED wall showing Christmas scenes from around the world and a cameo from Santa (and, of course, he knows your childrens’ names) with a message from the North Pole. The website says the experience should last about 35 to 60 minutes. You will be asked to stop the car a few times.
$37, 1110 Kailua Road, Kailua, 808christmas.com/events/event/socially-christmasd/
Thursday, Dec. 17
Aloha Drive- in Movies
Elf
Elf at Aloha Drive-In Movies
5:30 p.m.
Watch the Will Ferrell classic in your car. The story of Buddy, the orphan human raised by elves, runs 1 hour and 37 minutes and is rated PG.
$40 for a car with up to five passengers or one family, $60 for a parking spot in the first two rows and two bags of popcorn. 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., alohadriveinmovies.com, instagram.com/alohadriveinmovies
Socially Christmasʻd
Runs through Wednesday, Dec. 23. Four time slots available nightly: 5:10, 6:10, 7:10 and 8:10 p.m.
Add to your list of drive-through events this light display at Kailua United Methodist Church. The lot has hosted drive-in movies throughout the last few months, but now will be turned into a path with lights, a 30-foot-tall Santa and other inflatables and characters. At the end, families will park in front of an LED wall showing Christmas scenes from around the world and a cameo from Santa (and, of course, he knows your childrens’ names) with a message from the North Pole. The website says the experience should last about 35 to 60 minutes. You will be asked to stop the car a few times.
$37, 1110 Kailua Road, Kailua, 808christmas.com/events/event/socially-christmasd/
Friday, Dec. 18
Socially Christmasʻd
Runs through Wednesday, Dec. 23. Four time slots available nightly: 5:10, 6:10, 7:10 and 8:10 p.m.
Add to your list of drive-through events this light display at Kailua United Methodist Church. The lot has hosted drive-in movies throughout the last few months, but now will be turned into a path with lights, a 30-foot-tall Santa and other inflatables and characters. At the end, families will park in front of an LED wall showing Christmas scenes from around the world and a cameo from Santa (and, of course, he knows your childrens’ names) with a message from the North Pole. The website says the experience should last about 35 to 60 minutes. You will be asked to stop the car a few times.
$37, 1110 Kailua Road, Kailua, 808christmas.com/events/event/socially-christmasd/
The Santa Clause at Aloha Drive-In Movies
8 p.m.
Toy advertising executive Scott Calvin never expected what would happen the night he slipped on a red coat lined with fur. This comical and magical film about the origins of Santa (feel free to debate the line “arose such a ladder”) is another family favorite. The film is rated PG and runs an hour and 37 minutes.
$40 for a car with up to five passengers or one family, $60 for a parking spot in the first two rows and two bags of popcorn. 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., alohadriveinmovies.com, instagram.com/alohadriveinmovies
Saturday, Dec. 19
Photo: Courtesy of Bishop Museum
Winter Weekend: A Saturday of Play at Bishop Museum
Timed slots are 9:30 a.m. to noon, 1:30 to 4 p.m.
Play pā’ani games, learn about birds that make their winter homes in the Islands, walk through a snowglobe in the planetarium and learn other reasons why the season is special in Hawai’i. Kids can earn stamps on their “Winter Weekend Passport” to exchange for a goody bag from the museum.
$14.95 for kama’āina and military adults, $10.95 for kids 4 to 17 years, kids 3 years and younger are free. General admission is $24.95. 1525 Bernice St., (808) 847-3511, bishopmuseum.org, @bishopmuseum
Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru
1 to 6 p.m.
Salt Lake Shopping Center is dressing up for the holidays with help from ‘Ohana Baptist Church. Families can drive through a wintry scene complete with snow, Frosty, carolers, hot chocolate and treat bags for kids. Donations of toys will also be accepted on site.
848 Ala Liliko’i St., (808) 735-8822, saltlakeshoppingcenter.com, @saltlakeshoppingcenter
Free Photos with Santa at Royal Hawaiian Center
4 to 7 p.m.
Stop for a socially distanced photo op with Santa and Mrs. Claus who will be behind a holiday-themed window across from the Cheesecake Factory. Bring your own camera, reservations are not required.
Free. Royal Hawaiian Center, 2201 Kalākaua Ave., (808) 922-2299, royalhawaiiancenter.com, @royalhwnctr
Socially Christmasʻd
Runs through Wednesday, Dec. 23. Four time slots available nightly: 5:10, 6:10, 7:10 and 8:10 p.m.
Add to your list of drive-through events this light display at Kailua United Methodist Church. The lot has hosted drive-in movies throughout the last few months, but now will be turned into a path with lights, a 30-foot-tall Santa and other inflatables and characters. At the end, families will park in front of an LED wall showing Christmas scenes from around the world and a cameo from Santa (and, of course, he knows your childrens’ names) with a message from the North Pole. The website says the experience should last about 35 to 60 minutes. You will be asked to stop the car a few times.
$37, 1110 Kailua Road, Kailua, 808christmas.com/events/event/socially-christmasd/
Photo: Courtesy of Ballet Hawai’i
Ballet Hawai’i’s The Nutcracker
7 p.m.
The live performance won’t go on, but fans of Tchaikovsky’s beautiful The Nutcracker can watch a special show on KITV, sponsored by Hawai’i Public Radio. The story of little Clara, her beloved nutcracker doll and the menacing rat king will feature more than 175 local and national performers in previously recorded footage of Ballet Hawai’i’s shows with guest artists including New York City Ballet’s prima ballerina Megan Fairchild and Joaquin DeLuz. The program will also include performances by the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra and narration by Punahou graduate, dancer and actress Amanda Schull. Watch for the costumes by Christine Darch, Anne Namba and Kini Zamora.
Airs on KITV Saturday, Dec. 19 and Friday, Dec. 25 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 26 at 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 20
A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play
4 p.m.
Seats at the recording of Mānoa Valley Theatre’s radio rendition of A Christmas Carol already sold out, but you can listen to the Charles Dickens’ classic dressed up with sound effects, on Hawai’i Public Radio. Gather the kids around for a 1940s-style show around the radio. The one-hour recording may re-air another day. We’ll let you know.
Free. HPR-1, 88.5 FM, the HPR mobile app or hawaiipublicradio.org
Socially Christmasʻd
Runs through Wednesday, Dec. 23. Four time slots available nightly: 5:10, 6:10, 7:10 and 8:10 p.m.
Add to your list of drive-through events this light display at Kailua United Methodist Church. The lot has hosted drive-in movies throughout the last few months, but now will be turned into a path with lights, a 30-foot-tall Santa and other inflatables and characters. At the end, families will park in front of an LED wall showing Christmas scenes from around the world and a cameo from Santa (and, of course, he knows your childrens’ names) with a message from the North Pole. The website says the experience should last about 35 to 60 minutes. You will be asked to stop the car a few times.
$37, 1110 Kailua Road, Kailua, 808christmas.com/events/event/socially-christmasd/
