The 23 Best Events on O‘ahu in December 2019
Wrap up 2019 in an event-heavy bow with Broadway shows, sports classics and legendary musical acts to spare.
FUNDRAISER
CreativeMornings 2020 Speaker Nomination
Wednesday, December 4 | 6–9 p.m.
Aloha Beer Garden, $20
LOCAL LINEUP
Kimie Miner & Friends
Friday, December 6–Sunday, December 8 | 6:30 p.m. & 9 p.m. shows
Blue Note Hawai‘i, $25–$45, bluenotehawaii.com
SHOPPING
Kaimukī High School Craft and Gift Fair
Saturday, December 7 | 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
ROCK BAND
Jefferson Starship
Saturday, December 7 | 8 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Theatre Center
Hawai‘i Theatre, $69.50–$89.50, hawaiitheatre.com
HOLIDAY
Honolulu City Lights
Saturday, December 7 | 4 p.m.
PHOTO: RON SLAUSON
Honolulu Hale and Fasi Civic Center, free to attend
FITNESS
Honolulu Marathon
Sunday, December 8 | 5 a.m.
Begins at Ala Moana Regional Park, $171–$245
SURF
Billabong Pipe Masters
Sunday, December 8–Friday, December 20 (holding period) | Various times
Banzai Pipeline, free to attend
SEE ALSO:
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11 Things Locals Need to Know About 2020’s First-Ever Olympic Surf Competition at the Tokyo Games
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Carissa Moore Won the Surf World Title and Nabbed an Olympic Games Slot at the Lululemon Maui Pro
SHOPPING
Aloha Home Market’s Hana Hou Holiday Market
Sunday, December 8 | 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Kailua, free entry
MOVIE SCREENING
Hawai‘i Premiere of Chinatown Rising Documentary Film
Sunday, December 8 | 1–3 p.m.
Doris Duke Theatre, $12 for general admission and $8 for students with ID
SEE ALSO: Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: December 4–10, 2019
SKA BAND
Reel Big Fish
Wednesday, December 11 | 8 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of jonathan thorpe & Bamp Project
The Republik, $29.50
ROCK BAND
The Raconteurs
Thursday, December 12 & Friday, December 13 | 8 p.m.
The Republik, $52.50
BALLET
The Nutcracker
Photo: Courtesy of ballet hawai‘i
Two ballet companies take on Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic: Ballet Hawai‘i takes the stage first, at the Blaisdell, with a Hawaiian-themed spin set in 1858 in the Kingdom of Hawai‘i. Next, the Hawai‘i State Ballet performs a more traditional rendition at Mamiya Theatre at the Saint Louis Center for the Arts.
Friday, December 13–Sunday, December 15 | Various times
Blaisdell Concert Hall, $40–$125, ballethawaii.org
Friday, December 20–Sunday, December 22 | Various times
Saint Louis School, $16–$36, hawaiistateballet.com
REGGAE BAND
Rebelution
Saturday, December 14 & Sunday, December 15 | 8 p.m.
The reggae rockers from California are back this month for two shows on O‘ahu after one night in Maui. The Grammy-nominated group will be grooving out at The Republik with support from San Diego-based group, Through the Roots, and O‘ahu native artist Likkle Jordee. We can’t think of a better way to enjoy a mid month chilled out break from the holiday madness.
The Republik, $45, bampproject.com
FUNDRAISER
Jingle Rock Run
Sunday, December 15 | 3 p.m.
Hawai‘i State Capitol, $30–$45
COOKING CLASS
Local I’a Demo Dinner Series with Counter Culture
Monday, December 16 | 6:30 p.m.
The Mahi Mahi Piccata from the Demo class in August was served with venison bruschetta from forage Hawai‘i.
Photo: Katie Kenny
This month guests will learn how to make (and eat!) a fish and bananas dish with Gabe Sachter-Smith from Counter Culture. Read about the banana library Gabe runs in Waialua.
Kaimukī Superette, $40 for Local I‘a and Slow Food members / $45 for general public
SEE ALSO: What to Expect From an Environmentally-Friendly Cooking Class
MUSIC
Greyson Chance
Friday, December 8 | 8 p.m.
The Republik, $25–$35
MUSIC
Macy Gray
Thursday, December 19–Saturday, December 21 | 6:30 p.m. & 9 p.m.
Blue Note Hawai‘i, $45–$65
HOLIDAY
A Washington Place Christmas
Photo: COURTESY OF WASHINGTON PLACE FOUNDATION
Friday, December 20 | 5 p.m.
Washington Place, $10
BASKETBALL
Diamond Head Classic
Sunday, December 22–Wednesday, December 25 | Various times
Stan Sheriff Center, $10–$110
MUSICAL
Rent
Tuesday, December 24–Sunday, December 29 | Various times
Seen the movie so you think you can miss the live show? Think again. Powerhouse numbers such as “Take Me or Leave Me,” “One Song” and musical geek favorite “La Vie Bohème” will inspire a younger generation of “Rentheads.” Plus, two local actors have joined the cast, with Joshua Tavares (who hails from the Big Island) taking on the role of drag queen Angel Dumott Schunard. Just be ready to walk out of the Blaisdell singing the lyrics “five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes” over and over again.
Blaisdell Concert Hall, $50–$80
STANDUP COMEDY
Tom Segura
Saturday, December 28 | 7:30 p.m.
Hawai‘i Theatre, $50–$100
COMEDY
Howie Mandel
Sunday, December 29 | 8 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Theatre Center
Hawai‘i Theatre, $55–$85
SEE ALSO: 13 Can’t-Miss New Year’s Eve Celebrations in Honolulu to Kick off 2020
COMEDY
Bill Maher’s 9th Annual New Year’s Comedy Extravaganza
Tuesday, December 31 | 8 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of rick bartalini presents
Every year Bill Maher justifies his holiday in Hawai‘i by ringing in the new year at the Blaisdell with a big comedy act starring his famous friends. We get it. So we once again welcome the hilarious HBO host of Real Time to the Islands because we in turn get to LOL with Sarah Silverman and Larry Miller (plus there’s always a good chance of surprise appearances).
Blaisdell Concert Hall, $45.50–$95.50, blaisdellcenter.com
Read more stories by Katie Kenny
Looking for fun new ways to experience the city? HONOLULU’s got you covered with HNLTix, your brand-new local resource for all things social—fundraisers, concerts, comedy shows, expos and everything in between. Discover your next can’t-miss event, share your favorites with friends, or promote your own event and sell tickets online. To see what’s coming up next in Honolulu, visit HNLTix.com.
Find more events at honolulufamily.com/calendar and honolulumagazine.com/calendar.
