Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Dec. 18–24, 2025
Watch zoo animals open gifts, meet a celebrity chef, see a hula show, cheer on the Rainbow Warriors and more.
Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Zoo Society
Holidays with the Animals
Saturday, Dec. 20, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The zoo opens an hour earlier this Saturday to celebrate the season! Watch the residents, including giraffes, elephants, lemurs and sloths, open holiday presents filled with their favorite treats and gifts. Keiki can also meet Santa and visit with educators to learn about the wonders of wildlife from noon to 2 p.m.
Family-friendly, activities included with zoo admission ($10 adult kama‘āina, $6 child kama‘āina, free for age 2 and under), Honolulu Zoo, 151 Kapahulu Ave., Waikīkī, honoluluzoo.org, @thehonoluluzoo
SEE ALSO: The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Happenings on O‘ahu
Photo: Courtesy of Mutual Publishing and Ippy Aiona
Cookbook Signing with Chef Ippy Aiona
Friday, Dec. 19, noon to 2 p.m.
Need a foodie holiday gift? Snag a signed copy of the celebrity chef’s new cookbook, Growing Up Hapa in Hawai‘i, plus meet the local-boy-turned-star yourself. Beyond a collection of recipes, the book shares how Chef Ippy’s heritage, both Hawaiian and Italian, has shaped his journey from growing up in Waimea to starring on Food Network.
Free to attend, purchase the cookbook for $30, Homegrown, Pearlridge Center, 98-1005 Moanalua Road, ‘Aiea, mutualpublishing.com, @chefippy
SEE ALSO: Christmas and New Year’s Special Menus at O‘ahu Restaurants
Photo: Courtesy of MGF Hawai‘i
Hula Kalikimaka Ma Helumoa
Sunday, Dec. 21, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Good news: you don’t have to wait until spring to see performances by the renowned Prince Lot Hula Festival hālau. They are putting on a holiday show for a good cause with a goal of collecting 500 lbs of non-perishable food and $20,000 in cash for the Hawai‘i Food Bank. Bring your donations, watch hula performances, shop Native Hawaiian crafts and participate in hands-on cultural activities.
Family-friendly, free, 3 hours of free validated parking if you donate, Royal Hawaiian Center, The Royal Grove, 2201 Kalākaua Ave., Waikīkī, mgfhawaii.org, @plhfhawaii
SEE ALSO: Christmas Pop-Up Bars to Get You in the Holiday Spirit
Photo: Courtesy of Bess Press
Merriment & Mele Keiki Storytime
Saturday, Dec. 20, 4 to 6 p.m.
Listen to Kumu Mālia Helelā read ’Twas the Night Before Christmas in Hawai‘i, a local version of the classic poem, and share festive music. Wear your holiday pajamas, sip hot cocoa and shop the bookstore after hours.
Family-friendly, free, Da Shop, 3565 Harding Ave., Kaimukī, besspress.com, @besspress
SEE ALSO: Can’t-Miss Local Holiday Markets and Craft Fairs on O‘ahu
Photo: Courtesy of Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl
Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl
Wednesday, Dec. 24, 3 p.m. kick-off
Cheer on the University of Hawai‘i football team as they take on the University of California Golden Bears in this Christmas Eve matchup. The Rainbow Warriors are celebrating a winning season with an 8-4 record and their first return to the Hawai‘i Bowl since 2019. Enjoy keiki activities from 1 to 3 p.m., a pre-game ceremony with Taimane and halftime entertainment by Kapena.
Family-friendly, tickets range from $33 to $79, Clarence T.C. Ching Complex, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, 1105 Lower Campus Road, Mānoa, thehawaiibowl.com, @sheratonhawaiibowl
SEE ALSO: Your Insider Guide to ’Twas the Light Before Christmas on Ice
Laura Dornbush is a regular contributor to HONOLULU Magazine. @ldornbush
