New Year’s Eve Parties, Fireworks Show and Other Events
Here’s where you can ring in the new year with food, Champagne and friends.
Photo: Unsplash
2023 Waikīkī New Year’s Fireworks
Saturday, Dec. 31, midnight
Sponsored by the members of the Waikīkī Improvement Association, Waikīkī will come alive with a dazzling fireworks show. Make an evening of it by reserving a late dinner in the neighborhood or bring a picnic basket and set up at the beach to view the show. The fireworks barge will be located about a mile off the beach, and the fireworks themselves will be visible throughout Waikīkī and surrounding areas. The show will start promptly at midnight and will last about eight to 10 minutes.
Waikīkī Beach, waikikiimprovement.com
Buho Cantina’s Party Into the New Year
Saturday, Dec. 31, 10 p.m., to Sunday, Jan. 1, 2 a.m.
Waikīkī fireworks and Mexican food? Yes, please. This New Year’s Eve celebration takes place on Buho Cantina’s rooftop. Dress to impress for a photo booth and enjoy a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and a taco buffet.
$50 for online presale tickets through Dec. 30, $70 door cover charge, bottle service packages begin at $650, Buho Cocina y Cantina, 2250 Kalākaua Ave., @buhocantina, for tickets: instabio.cc/4120407e0ZWKc
International Market Place’s Grand Party
Saturday, Dec. 31, 9 p.m., to Sunday, Jan. 1, 2 a.m.
Ring in the New Year from the Grand Lānai.For the first time ever, International Market Place is hosting an exclusive New Year’s Eve party on the Grand Lānai, allowing guests to attend multiple parties at participating restaurants. Tickets are required. Satellite bars will be available to ticket holders to sip libations while enjoying live entertainment by Henry Kapono, Tavana, DJ Romeo Valentine and DJ Jem. Each restaurant will offer a no-host, full bar and specialty lite bite tasting menus. Ticket includes one parking validation: first hour free, $2 per hour for the second, third and fourth hour. Standard rates apply after 4 hours. This is a special evening, so dress to impress.
General admission tickets start at $115 and increase in tiers as the event date nears, International Market Place, 2330 Kalākaua Ave., @intlmktplace, for tickets: ticketsauce.com
The Laylow’s New Year’s Eve Party
Saturday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m., to Sunday, Jan. 1, 1 a.m.
Check out the midnight soiree in the heart of Waikīkī, where you can dance to tunes spun by DJ Tropic Bomba, enjoy party favors and appetizers, and give a Champagne toast at midnight.
$75 presale tickets, $95 day of, VIP bottle service begins at $900, The Laylow, 2299 Kūhiō Ave., @laylowwaikiki
Surfjack’s Glitz and Glam New Year’s Eve
Saturday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m., to Sunday, Jan 1, 1 a.m.
A silent disco dance party with music by DJs KYWO Kyle Woods and LahainaSoul Jordyn Kilgore. The entry fee includes Champagne, party favors and a Champagne toast at midnight. You can swing by early to eat dinner at Mahina & Sun’s, which is located in the hotel and open from 5:30 p.m. to midnight. Free parking is available at the Hyatt Centric Garage.
$50, free for hotel and restaurant guests, Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club, 412 Lewers St., @thesurfjack
New Year’s Eve Midnight Cruise
Saturday, Dec. 31, 10:15 p.m., to Jan. 1, 12:30 a.m.
Ring in 2023 aboard the Star of Honolulu with a gourmet dinner, Champagne, special New Year’s Eve party favors, pier-side hula, Hawaiian music, jazz and an ocean view of the fireworks show. The ship will depart from Aloha Tower Marketplace at 10:15 p.m.
$200, Star of Honolulu, 1 Aloha Tower Drive, Pier 8, starofhonolulu.com/nye-specials, @starofhonolulu
‘Alohilani’s New Year’s Eve 2023 Disco Ball
Saturday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m., to Sunday, Jan. 1, 12:30 a.m.
Disco dance your way into the new year on multiple dance floors at ‘Alohilani’s outdoor SWELL Pool and Bar deck. Enjoy music by DJs Spider and Evil One, as well as cocktails and Champagne, and view special appearances by comedy drag queen Candi Shell, the Dancing Queens and Roller Girl. Tickets are available here.
$175 to $625, ‘Alohilani Resort, 2490 Kalākaua Ave., @alohilaniresort
The District’s Bling NYE 2023
Saturday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m., to Sunday, Jan. 1, 4 a.m.
With a dress code of “classy with bling,” this fancy party has a live DJ, Champagne and dancing all night long. General admission tickets include two drink tickets and are sold online and at the door. VIP perks include a dedicated VIP line, two drink tickets and one Champagne welcome drink. VIP-ers also get exclusive access to the Champagne room, which has snacks and party favors. Tickets are available here.
$40 to $75, The District, 1349 Kapi‘olani Blvd., @thedistricthi.com
Mililani’s New Year’s Eve Pineapple Drop
Saturday, Dec. 31, 5 to 7 p.m.
A family-friendly event with live performances by musical group Ten Feet, the Asian Lion Dance Team and Ryugen Taiko. Countdown with the crowd as the center’s illuminated 12-foot pineapple descends at 7 p.m., synched to the famous Times Square Ball Drop at midnight in New York. There will be giveaways throughout the event, including hundreds of free LED Foam Light Wands, while supplies last.
Family-Friendly Event, 95-1249 Mehe‘ula Parkway, Town Center of Mililani, towncenterofmililani.com, @towncenterofmililani
Photo: David Becker/WireImage
Bill Maher New Year’s Eve 11th Anniversary
Saturday, Dec. 31, 8 to 10:30 p.m.
Bill Maher returns for his 11th time to Hawai‘i for his New Year’s Eve special. The witty comedian will be joined by special guests Jeff Ross and Wendy Liebman. Tickets are required for everyone age 4 and older. There are still several seats available closer to the stage, and you’ll find plenty of spots on the lawn.
$49.50 to $550, Tom Moffatt Waikīkī Shell, 2805 Monsarrat Ave., blaisdellcenter.com, @billmaher
Discovery Center’s New Year’s at Noon
Saturday, Dec. 31, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Skip dealing with overtired keiki on New Year’s Eve and go to a party planned especially with the little ones in mind. Countdown to noon with a balloon drop and more fun activities. The center will close at 1 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
Family-Friendly Event, Hawai‘i Children’s Discovery Center, 111 Ohe St., discoverycenterhawaii.org, @hawaiichildrensdiscoverycenter
Turtle Bay Resort’s New Year’s Eve Soiree
Saturday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m., to Sunday, Jan. 1, 12:30 a.m.
Enjoy live music and entertainment by Cirque du Soleil-esque performers and fire-knife dancers. There will also be tasty bites, fresh cocktails, wine, a live DJ and music by Island Kings.
$45, complimentary for resort guests, Turtle Bay Resort, 57-091 Kamehameha Highway, turtlebayresort.com, @turtlebayresort
Tom Segura
Saturday, Dec. 31, 7 and 9:30 p.m.
One of the biggest names in the comedy business, Tom Segura has multiple Netflix stand-up specials including Ball Hog, Disgraceful and Mostly Stories. You’ve probably also seen him on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Conan and in movies like Instant Family and Flinch. He’s currently a co-host on Your Mom’s House podcast with his wife and fellow comedian Christina Pazsitky. For the 7 p.m. show, orchestra seats are sold out; a handful of seats scattered throughout the balcony, loge and upper balcony areas are available. For the 9:30 p.m. show, there are a few orchestra seats still available. But if you want to sit together with a friend, your best bet is in the upper balcony.
$69 to $150, Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., hawaiitheatre.com, @hawaiitheatre
