The Best New Year’s Eve Fireworks, Parties & Events in Honolulu 2014

Ring in 2015 with these New Year’s Eve celebrations in Honolulu.

December 23, 2014

Diane Lee,

Last updated 12:01 p.m., Dec. 30, 2014

Parties and Events

Get out of the house and kick off the start of the new year with these killer parties around town.

Kaka‘ako

Party of the Year

This New Year’s Eve celebration at Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park has something for everyone. There’s E.K. Fernandez carnival rides for kids and grownups who are young at heart. There’ll be more than 40 Eat the Street food trucks, a beer garden and multiple stages of entertainment. This year, Los-Angeles-based hip hop band Far East Movement will entertain partygoers. The fireworks show kicks off every hour starting at 9 p.m., capping off with a grand finale display at midnight.

6 p.m.-1 a.m., $45 general admission all ages, $79.95 general admission fast pass, $149.95+ for VIP tickets, Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park, nyehawaii.com.

New Year’s Eve at Bevy

Countdown to the new year with DJ Timo, Kevin Koga and Gnaraly at Bevy. There’s no cover charge for this party, but you can order a bubbles-and-bites package for two starting at $40. There’ll be party favors and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.

8 p.m., Bevy, 661 Auahi St., 594-7445, info@bevybar.com.

MMXV

Got a glitzy, glamorous outfit? Check out the M Nightclub’s Old Hollywood-themed NYE block party. This soiree comes with a complimentary champagne toast, party favors and fireworks viewing at midnight.

9 p.m.-4 a.m., 21+, $40 general admission, VIP packages starting at $400, M Nightclub, Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., 529-0010, info@mnlhnl.com, flavorous.com/mnlhnl.

An Evening with Bill Maher Aloha Live Stand-Up Tour

Don’t want to celebrate the arrival of 2015 with the typical champagne and fireworks party? Political commentator and stand-up comedian Bill Maher returns to Honolulu for the fourth time for what’s becoming a New Year’s Eve tradition. Watch out for possible celebrity appearances (actor Sean Penn, director Michael Moore and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder showed up last year).

8 p.m., $45-$150.50, Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, 777 Ward Ave.

Waikīkī

House of Cards

It’s no secret Hawai‘i loves Las Vegas. The Modern Honolulu Hotel’s ballroom will turn into the ninth Hawaiian Island with table games and nightclubs. A $100 general admission ticket will get you entry at 9 p.m. If you really want to visit Sin City, though, you’ll have to pay $50 more for VIP status and to enter your name in a contest to win a Las Vegas giveaway package.

7 p.m., $100 general admission, $150+ VIP, Modern Honolulu Hotel, 1775 Ala Moana Boulevard, flavorus.com/event/House-of-Cards-NYE-2015/273316?afflky=8GW2UM

Casino Royale

This James-Bond-themed New Year’s Eve party has a strict dress code: Dress to impress. Ladies, that means your favorite gown or evening outfit. Gentlemen, show off your suave tuxedo. A $350 early-bird VIP ticket gets you $10,000 in Lux Bux to spend at the roulette, craps and black-jack tables. You’ll eat like a high roller: sushi, seafood, lobster, filet mignon and dessert stations. At the stroke of midnight, local entertainer Al Waterson and American Idol finalist Jordan Segundo will sing Auld Lang Syne, while a digitally projected clock countdowns to 2015.

Doors open 8 p.m., casino opens 9 p.m., $350 early-bird VIP ticket, $500 after early-bird, group VIP tickets available, ages 21+, Trump International Hotel, 223 Saratoga Road, luxvipevents.com.

Reveal

RumFire’s newly remodeled oceanfront bar and cabanas opens on New Year’s Eve. Rain or shine, the party will go. Your deejays for the night: Tina T, Evil One, Technique and DJMiked. You can watch the fireworks display from the pool deck and enjoy a 3D light show, plus performances from aerialists and go-go dancers.

8:30 p.m.-2:30 a.m., $85 presale (ends Dec. 30), $100 regular, $50 after midnight, rumfirewaikiki.com.

Crystal

Hawai‘i’s favorite gay bar is throwing a classy NYE party complete with crystal decor, party hats and horns and a professional face painter. Hit the dance floor with music from DJ Javier from Spain.

8 p.m.-2 a.m., $15 for advanced VIP entry, $15 for kama‘āinas at the door, $20 general admission at the door, 134 Kapahulu Ave., second floor, hulas.com.

The Godfather Bash

If you’re a fan of The Godfather, you won’t want to miss The Godfather Bash. Attire is “gangster chic,” so dress up as Don Corleone, Johnny Fontane or your favorite mobster. Win prizes for the best mafia costume.

9 p.m., $30 presale ticket or $45 at the door (includes buffet), $45 presale VIP ticket or $55 VIP ticket at the door (VIP ticket includes buffet, cocktail, champagne toast), Il Lupino Trattoria & Wine Bar, 2233 Kalākaua Ave., 922-3400.

CabaRAE: New Year’s Eve 2015

Waikīkī’s newest variety show and ultra lounge will be ringing in 2015 with a special NYE performance. Afterwards, join DJ SuperCW and the entire CabaRAE cast for a champagne toast at midnight.

9-11 p.m. show, 11 p.m.-2 a.m. for 21+ after party, $50-100, cabarae.com.

Waikīkī Fireworks

If you’re looking for a low-key celebration, stake out a spot at the barge near Waikīkī Beach. The Waikīkī Improvement Association is sponsoring this free 10-12 minute fireworks show. The show starts 11:55 p.m. on Dec. 31, so get there early to beat the crowds. Tune your radio to Hawaiian 105 KINE FM to hear music accompaniment choreographed by Fireworks by Grucci.

Free, 11:55 p.m., Waikīkī Beach.

Downtown Honolulu

Punk Rock New Year’s Eve

If punk music is your thing, Downbeat Diner & Lounge is the place to be. Hear live performances from Never Enough, 86 List and Order of The White Rose.

9 p.m., $2, 42 N. Hotel St., 533-2328, downbeatdiner.com.

Dress to the Nines

Skip huge crowds and long lines in favor of bar hopping at Bar 35, Brasserie Du Vin and Eleven44. One wrist band gives you access to these three downtown bars on New Year’s Eve, plus complimentary sparkling wine, all-night happy hour specials and party favors.

5 p.m.-midnight, $10 in advance, $15 at the door, 21+, Bar 35, 35 N. Hotel St.; Brasserie Du Vin, 1115 Bethel St.; Eleven44, 1144 Bethel St.

Mililani

New Year’s Eve Pineapple Drop

New York City has its famous New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square. Mililani has a big, round, lighted pineapple that will drop from a 60-foot flag pole in Mililani Town Center. This one’s family-friendly, too; you don’t ever have to wait until midnight for the finale. Join local bands Streetlight cadence and Crimson Apple to welcome 2015.

5 p.m. live entertainment, 7 p.m. pineapple drop, free, Town Center of Mililani, 95-1249 Meheula Parkway.

NORTH SHORE

New Year’s Eve Bash Featuring Nesian N.I.N.E.

If you’re into reggae and R&B music, local band Nesian N.I.N.E. will entertain you with their soulful sounds. The show will cost you $30, but for $50 more you can dine on sashimi, stone-fired pizzas and a variety of hot food selections from an all-you-can-eat buffet.

7 p.m.- 2 a.m., $30 per person (show only), $80 per person (all-you-can-eat buffet dinner and show), $35 per child ages 4-12, free for children under 3, Turtle Bay Resort, Kuilima Ballroom, 447-6805, turtlebayresort.com/Events/Special-Events/New-Years-Eve.

New Year’s Eve Party in Surfer, the Bar

If you don’t mind the drive to Kahuku (lucky you if you already live there), chill out at this low-key bash complete with party favors and a champagne toast at midnight.

8 p.m.-2 a.m., $20 (tickets available at the door), 21+, the Surfer bar, 57-091 Kamehameha Highway, turtlebayresort.com/content/new-years-eve-party-surfer-bar.

Fireworks Displays

Don’t want to spend money attending NYE parties? Stake out a spot near Kāhala, Waikīkī, Kaka‘ako or Ko‘Olina to watch the fireworks. Here’s a list of fireworks displays around town, courtesy of the Honolulu Fire Department.