Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Dec. 15–21, 2022
Have brunch with Santa, explore a giant snow globe, and watch Kermit and Miss Piggy on the big screen with live orchestral music.
Mālama Māmā and Keiki Market
Saturday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Check out mom- and family-owned vendors, ‘ono food, live music, lion dancing and more at this pop-up market. It looks like there’s plenty of gift potential, especially with Christmas right around the corner. Think clothes, crafts, skateboards, surfboards and more. Bring a gently loved toy or keiki book to swap.
Family-Friendly Event, $1 entry donated to UH Mānoa Children’s Center, Waiwai Collective, 1110 University Ave., #100, waiwaicollective.com, @waiwaicollective
Photo: Courtesy of KOA Theater
Pride & Prejudice
Through Sunday, Dec. 18; Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 4 p.m.
See a unique adaptation of what’s arguably Jane Austen’s most popular novel. This production is full of slapstick humor, chaos and the absurdities that come with finding your perfect match in life.
$20–$35, KOA Theater, 780 S. Beretania St., koatheater.com, @koatheater
SEE ALSO: The Lineup: Musicals, Plays and Theater Performances Happening in Honolulu
Merry & Bright Brunch With Santa
Sunday, Dec. 18, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Have brunch with your favorite man in red with a delicious-sounding menu of spicy ‘ahi poke, mochi pancakes, kalbi, and chicken and biscuits. There will also be holiday-themed sweet treats. Keiki can meet and greet Santa Claus, get their faces painted and enjoy other festivities.
Family-Friendly Event, $72 for adults; $47 for keiki 3 to 10 years old; ‘Alohilani Ballroom, ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach, 2490 Kalākaua Ave., alohilaniresort.com, @alohilaniresort
SEE ALSO: The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Happenings on O‘ahu
Photo: Courtesy of ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach
Candy Cane Lane Speakeasy
Through Friday, Dec. 30
By day, this holiday pop-up plays Christmas movies for keiki and ʻohana. By night, beginning at 5 p.m., it transforms into an adults-only speakeasy with delicious holiday cocktails.
Family-Friendly Event, ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach, 2490 Kalākaua Ave., alohilaniresort.com, @alohilaniresort
SEE ALSO: Visit These Christmas Bar Pop-Ups in Honolulu for Holiday Cheer
Photo: Courtesy of the Lei Bus
Take Christmas Photos at the Lei Bus
Saturday, Dec. 17, and Sunday, Dec. 18, noon to 3 p.m.
If you want a change from the holiday beach backgrounds, the Lei Bus will be at Kāhala Mall decked out in special holiday décor. Take your own festive photos with the vintage Volkswagen bus for free—it’s perfect for the ’gram.
Family-Friendly Event, free, next to Macy’s at Kāhala Mall, 4211 Wai‘alae Ave., kahalamallcenter.com, @theleibus
Photo: Courtesy of Bishop Museum
Winterweekend: A Saturday of Play
Saturday, Dec. 17, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Join Bishop Museum for a holiday-themed event with outdoor activities, trivia questions and a walk-through of the planetarium’s snow globe. Guests will receive a “Winter Weekend Passport”—keiki earn stamps for their passports with each activity they participate in. Show a fully stamped passport and get a goodie bag! And don’t forget to dress up in your favorite Christmas outfit.
Family-Friendly Event, free with museum admission, Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice St., bishopmuseum.org, @bishopmuseum
Adam Brading as William Beals in the Bingham Bedroom of the 1821 Mission House. Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiian Mission Houses
Hawaiian Mission Houses Holiday Tour & Tea
Friday, Dec. 16, and Saturday, Dec. 17, 6 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m.
View three History Theatre portrayals of Dr. Nathaniel Bright Emerson, Dr. Sarah Eliza Pierce Emerson and Mary Tenney Castle. Actors dressed in period costumes will portray the historical figures, sharing what their lives were like in 19th century Hawai‘i. The tour ends with a printing press demonstration in Ka Hale Paʻi, the print shop, followed by themed 19th century refreshments provided by Tea at 1024.
$45, tours are limited to 10 people per tour, 553 S. King St., missionhouses.org, @hawaiian_mission_houses
Santa Paws
Saturday, Dec. 17, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dogs wanna meet Santa, too! Bring your family and four-legged friends for photos with Santa—holiday costumes are encouraged and lots of tail wagging is expected.
Family-Friendly Event, suggested $10 donation, Neiman Marcus at Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., Level 1, @hawaiianhumane
Photo: Da Photo Chick – Geralyn Camarillo
Na Leo Pilimehana Concert
Saturday, Dec. 17, 5 p.m.
Enjoy a buffet dinner with a live performance by Na Leo Pilimehana, a trio of friends since childhood who have recorded 20 No. 1 hits. The dinner begins at 5:30 p.m., but if you get there when doors open at 5 p.m. you can enjoy a free performance by Maunalua, another award-winning trio.
$185–$1,750, Hawai‘i Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., naleopilimehana.com, @naleopilimehana
Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Friday, Dec. 16, and Saturday, Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 18, 4 p.m.
Calling all Muppet fans—this year, the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra is performing the musical score of the film The Muppet Christmas Carol live. Hear all your favorite tunes as you watch this Christmas classic with Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit and Michael Caine as stingy Ebenezer Scrooge. There are only a handful of seats left in loge, balcony and upper balcony areas, so if you want to sit together with a friend or family, your best bets are orchestra or parterre seats, which begin at $48.
Family-Friendly Event, $18–$68, Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., myhso.org/muppet, @hawaiisymphonyorchestra
SEE ALSO: Things to Do on O‘ahu in December and January
Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Youth Symphony
Hawai‘i Youth Symphony presents “He Makana O Nā Mele: The Gift of Music”
Saturday, Dec. 17, 6 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 18, 9 p.m.
A televised gala produced with Hawai‘i News Now, this special features performances by young musicians from across the state, with special guests Raiatea Helm, Ginny Tiu, Iggy Jang and more. You can view encore performances on KGMB on Dec.17 at 6 p.m., and on KHNL on Dec. 18 at 9 p.m. Nā Mele benefits HYS programs and financial aid programs.
Photo: Honolulu Zoo Society
Holiday with the Animals
Saturday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m.
The zoo’s holiday festivities return after a two-year hiatus. Celebrate the season with the animals as they “unwrap” (more like devour, occasionally demolish) their gifts and goodies.
Family-Friendly Event, included with zoo admission, 151 Kapahulu Ave., honoluluzoo.org, @honoluluzoo
Fundraiser for Aloha Cancer Project: Super CW
Friday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m.
In celebration of the late Christa Wittmier’s birthday, the Aloha Cancer Project is throwing a fundraiser and silent auction at Nextdoor. Drink specials include Pau Vodka and Three Tres Tequila. Wittmier was a beloved socialite, DJ and blogger who passed away from cancer in January 2019.
$10 suggested donation, Nextdoor, 43 N. Hotel St., nextdoorhi.com, @nextdoorhi
