Your Guide to the Perfect New Year’s Weekend: Dec. 29, 2022–Jan. 4, 2023
Happy New Year! See fireworks in Waikīkī, shop for Fukubukuro mystery bags and watch the pineapple drop in Mililani with the keiki.
Pop, Fizz, Clink
Saturday, Dec. 31, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at a party at the International Market Place’s Grand Lānai, which will be sectioned off so that guests with tickets can access multiple parties at participating restaurants. Listen to live entertainment by Henry Kapono, Tavana, DJ Romeo Valentine and DJ Jem. Each restaurant will provide a no-host full bar and a tasting menu, and you can check out the giant illuminated pineapple on the rooftop. Complimentary appetizers and New Year’s Eve swag will be available while supplies last. Parking isn’t guaranteed, so consider ride-hailing services such as Uber or Lyft.
Starts from $115, International Market Place, Grand Lānai, Level 3, shopinternationalmarketplace.com, @intlmktplace
SEE ALSO: New Year’s Eve Parties, Fireworks Show and Other Events
Photo: Courtesy of Blue Note Hawai‘i
The Green
Friday, Dec. 30, through Sunday, Jan. 1, 6:30 and 9 p.m. shows
Popular local roots reggae band The Green performs live—you might know it for iconic songs like “Loving I” and “Coming Home.” The band’s earned multiple awards and nominations since 2009—most recently, its sixth album, Brand New Eyes, was nominated for the fans-choice 2021 Album of the Year by Surf Roots TV & Radio.
$65–$95, Blue Note Hawai‘i, 2335 Kalākaua Ave., bluenotehawaii.com, @bluenotehawaii
SEE ALSO: Your Ultimate Guide to Concerts and Live Music in Honolulu
Photo: Tracy Chan/Downtown Art Center
DAC Holiday Invitational 2022
Through Friday, Dec. 30
Downtown Art Center’s holiday exhibition closes this week, so stop by to view works curated by Gina Bacon Kerr. The show features more than 30 Hawai‘i artists, including Allison Roscoe, Debbie Pacheco, Drew Matsumoto and Jonathan Clark.
1041 Nu‘uanu Ave., Second Floor, downtownarthi.org, @downtownartcenter
Tom Segura: I’m Coming Everywhere Tour
Saturday, Dec. 31, 7 and 9:30 p.m. shows
A big name in the comedy business, Tom Segura has multiple Netflix stand-up specials including Ball Hog, Disgraceful and Mostly Stories. He’s been on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Conan and in movies like Instant Family and Flinch. For the 9:30 show, there are still a few upper balcony seats available.
$69–$150, Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., hawaiitheatre.com, @hawaiitheatre
SEE ALSO: The Lineup: Where to Catch Comedy in Honolulu
Photo: Brie Thalmann
Go Ice Skating
Saturday, Dec. 31, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 1, noon to 4 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m.
Close out the year—or ring in the new one!—by donning your ice skates and visiting Ice Palace, which finally reopened last week after closing in 2020. The space has been renovated with a new snack bar, repainted walls and new bleachers. Read more here.
Family-Friendly Event, $16, 4510 Salt Lake Blvd., icepalacehawaii.com, @icepalacehawaii
Photo: David Becker
Bill Maher
Saturday, Dec. 31, 8 to 10:30 p.m.
Bill Maher returns to Hawai‘i for his annual New Year’s Eve special. The popular 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–$550, Tom Moffatt Waikīkī Shell, 2805 Monsarrat Ave., blaisdellcenter.com, @billmaher
Pineapple Drop
Saturday, Dec. 31, 5 to 7 p.m.
If you’re looking for a keiki-friendly event for New Year’s, come to Mililani, where an illuminated 12-foot pineapple descends at 7 p.m., synched to the famous Times Square Ball Drop at midnight in New York. View live performances by musical group Ten Feet, the Asian Lion Dance Team and Ryugen Taiko. 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: Maria Kanai
Final Week for Show Aloha Land
Through Saturday, Dec. 31, 4:30 to 11:30 p.m.
If you haven’t visited the mega winter wonderland at Aloha Stadium yet, this is your last week to ride the holiday trains there, jump around in bounce houses, play in snow, chase bubbles, and drive or walk through a dazzling Christmas light show.
Family-Friendly Event, $39.95 per person for anyone over 2 (includes all attractions and drive-thru), $46.95 per car for drive-thru only, Aloha Stadium, 99-500 Salt Lake Blvd., showalohaland.com, @showalohaland
SEE ALSO: We Tried It: Show Aloha Land
Photo: Courtesy of Waikīkī Improvement Association
2023 Waikīkī New Year’s Fireworks
Saturday, Dec. 31, midnight
Fireworks are scheduled to go off at midnight in Waikīkī, so consider reserving a late dinner in the neighborhood or bringing a picnic basket to the beach to view the show, which will last eight to 10 minutes. The fireworks barge will be located a mile off the beach, and the fireworks will be visible throughout Waikīkī and surrounding areas.
Family-Friendly Event, Waikīkī Beach, waikikiimprovement.com
Fukubukuro Events
Ala Moana Center
Sunday, Jan. 1, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
More than 30 retailers at Ala Moana Center will participate in Fukubukuro, a Japanese retail tradition in which shoppers can grab bags filled with mystery merchandise worth at least double the price of the bags. Arrive early as many bags sell out shortly after stores open. Shoppers can enjoy performances from taiko drum master Kenny Endo and Taiko Center of the Pacific, with two exhilarating taiko and Japanese lion dance performances. The performances will take place at 1 p.m. at Centerstage and at 3 p.m. at the ‘Ewa Wing Stage.
Family-Friendly Event, Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., alamoanacenter.com, @alamoanacenter
Photo: Courtesy of Royal Hawaiian Center
Royal Hawaiian Center
Sunday, Jan. 1, and Monday, Jan. 2
Participating restaurants and retailers include Dean & DeLuca, Jimmy Choo, Tim Ho Wan and more. Festivities begin on New Year’s Day with a traditional Japanese taiko drum performance in the Royal Grove.
Family-Friendly Event, Royal Hawaiian Center, 2201 Kalākaua Ave., royalhawaiiancenter.com, @royalhwnctr
Photo: Courtesy of International Market Place
International Market Place
Saturday, Dec. 31, and Sunday, Jan. 1
International Market Place will celebrate Fukubukuro early, on the 31st. Participating retailers include Michael Kors, Sunglass Hut, Mitsuwa Marketplace, MCM Worldwide, Vera Bradley and more. Present your Fukubukuro bag to the customer service desk to participate in a lucky draw for gift cards and merchandise from select retailers.
Family-Friendly Event, International Market Place, 2330 Kalākaua Ave., shopinternationalmarketplace.com, @intlmktplace
