Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Dec. 1–7
Take in the Honolulu City Lights, shop an eco-friendly holiday market and listen to Yo-Yo Ma under the stars.
Photo: Ron Slauson Photography, Courtesy of Honolulu City Lights
Honolulu City Lights
Saturday, Dec. 3, through Sunday, Jan. 2, 2023
View Christmas trees decorated in various themes by City and County of Honolulu departments. Shaka Santa, Tūtū Mele and the snowman family will also be there spreading holiday cheer. On Dec. 3, Mayor Rick Blangiardi will light the city’s 50-foot holiday tree, as well as the lights strung up around Honolulu Hale and the Civic Center grounds. McKenna Maduli will host. Find more details on opening night and special events throughout the season in our guide here.
530 S. King St. Parking is available in the municipal lot at Alapa‘i and Beretania streets. honolulu.gov
SEE ALSO: The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Happenings on O‘ahu
Photo: Jason Bell, Courtesy of Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra
Yo-Yo Ma
Thursday, Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m.
The acclaimed cellist returns to Honolulu as part of “The Bach Project with Yo-Yo Ma”. The tour began in 2018 and is taking Ma to 36 locations around the world to play Johann Sebastian Bach’s six suites for solo cello, in hopes of highlighting music’s ability to unite humanity and foster communication in times of division.
$20 for lawn seating (terrace and pool seating sold out). Waikīkī Shell, 2805 Monsarrat Ave., (808) 768-5400, myhso.org
Photo: David Croxford
Christmas Tree Sale at Helemano Farms
Through Wednesday, Dec. 23; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, noon until dark; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. until dark
Head to this family farm in Wahiawā to pick your own Hawai‘i-grown Norfolk pine or cypress tree. The whole ‘ohana (even dogs!) can wander through the farm to find the perfect tree.
$60–$250 for Norfolk pine (up to 12 feet), $70–$220 for a cypress (up to 10 feet). 1750 Whitmore Ave., Wahiawā, helemanofarms.com
Photo: James Kimo Garrett, Courtesy of SALT at Our Kaka‘ako
A Pinch of Salt
Saturday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m.
Swing by Salt at Our Kaka‘ako for its annual holiday shopping event, with pop-up shops by local merchants and small businesses scattered throughout the center. Select Salt at Our Kaka‘ako vendors will also be offering special deals.
Free, pets welcome, Salt at Our Kaka‘ako, 691 Auahi St., saltatkakaako.com, @saltatourkakaako
Photo: Joe Marquez The Smoking Camera, Courtesy of Ballet Hawai‘i
The Nutcracker
Friday, Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 4, noon
After a two-year pandemic hiatus, Ballet Hawai‘i returns to Blaisdell Concert Hall to perform its version of the beloved holiday classic, uniquely set in 1858 in the Kingdom of Hawai‘i. Expect guest dancers from New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet and Carolina Ballet, and accompaniment by Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra.
From $40, Blaisdell Concert Hall, 777 Ward Ave., ballethawaii.org, @ballethawaii
Photos: Courtesy Sustainable Coastlines
Sustainable Coastlines Hawai‘i North Shore Cleanup
Saturday, Dec. 3, 3 p.m.
Show some goodwill towards the planet at Sustainable Coastline Hawai‘i’s last large-scale cleanup of 2022. Bring the whole ‘ohana (pets too) to the North Shore where you’ll remove microplastic using sifters.
Free, Moku‘auia Beach, right by Mālaekahana, click here to register and reserve your spot, sustainablecoastlineshawaii.org, @sustainablecoastlineshawaii
Photos: Hontas Higa, Foodland
Shop Local Holiday Cards and Gift Wrap
Available now
If you like to send your season’s greetings and present with a touch of aloha, be sure to check out our handy roundup of locally designed holiday cards, wrapping paper, gift tags and more from popular Hawai‘i artists.
Photos: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Theatre Center
Christmas with the Mākaha Sons
Saturday, Dec. 3, 1 and 7 p.m.
Join the celebrated Hawaiian music group as they welcome the holidays with some special guests, including Raiatea Helm, Jerry Santos, Kamuela Kimokeo, Kumu Hula Keli‘i Puchalski, Halau Kawai‘ulaokalā and more.
From $35, Hawai‘i Theatre Center, 1130 Bethel St., (808) 528-0506, hawaiitheatre.com, @hawaiitheatre
Photo: Noland G. Ugalde Photography, Courtesy of Jingle Rock Run
Jingle Rock Run
Sunday, Dec. 4, 3 p.m.
Don your reindeer antlers, cue up a Christmas music playlist and pack holiday snacks for this festive fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Hawai‘i. This year, the 2.5-mile Jingle Rock Run will be held at a new location, Ko Olina Resort. Participants will enjoy live entertainment along the route and at the festival grounds.
$30 for keiki ages 2 to 12, $40 for those 13 and older. Ko Olina Resort, parking available off Kekai Place, Kapolei, jinglerockrun.com
Mauka Market
Saturday, Dec. 3, 4 p.m.
Focused on sustainable and natural products that help restore our ecosystems and strengthen local economies, this pop-up will feature 20-plus local, ethical vendors to shop, along with food vendors and live music courtesy of Creative Natives Hawai‘i.
Free, Waiwai Collective Mō‘ili‘ili, 1110 University Ave., (808) 892-1813, waiwaicollective.com, @waiwaicollective, mauka.market, @maukamarket
