Your Guide to the Perfect Weekend in Honolulu: Nov. 15–19, 2017

A lineup of the weekend’s best events.

November 15, 2017

Marisa Heung,

Winter in Hawai‘i means two things: the holidays and epic North Shore surf. Head north and watch the world’s best surfers compete in three competitions hosted by the World Surf League, plan your stress-free Thanksgiving and find unique gifts for loved ones at one-day-only sales.

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF WORLD SURF LEAGUE/FREESURF MAGAZINE/HEFF

Vans Triple Crown of Surfing

Now through Dec. 20

Cooler trade winds and rainy days? It must be winter in Hawai‘i. The North Shore’s legendary winter swells attract the best surfers in the world every year as the World Surf League hosts three competitions at Hale‘iwa, Sunset Beach and Banzai Pipeline. While you can watch the Hawaiian Pro, Vans World Cup of Surfing and Billabong Pipe Masters live online, watching local surf darlings John John Florence or Kelly Slater battle a 10-footer in person is nothing short of awe-inspiring. All contests are free to attend and draw thousands of spectators every year, so before you go, check out our guide to the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing for details and tips for an experience as epic as the surf.

Free, Haleʻiwa Aliʻi Beach Park, 66-167 Hale‘iwa Road, Hale‘iwa. For more information on this event, go here.

Wiki Wiki One-Day Vintage Collectibles & Hawaiiana Show

Sunday, Nov. 19 at 10:30 a.m. (Early entry at 9:30 a.m.)

Vintage Santas, antique coins, kitschy hula dancers with the rhythmic, swaying hips—all of these and more can be found at the ninth annual Wiki Wiki One-Day Vintage Collectibles & Hawaiiana Show, this Sunday at the Blaisdell Center Hawai‘i Suites. Held three times a year, this event is the ultimate rummaging experience that puts your neighborhood garage sale to shame. Featuring 93 tables of local and Mainland vendors showcasing unique vintage (meaning 20 years and older) finds—prints, fashion, ‘ukulele, even pricey, sought-after Ni‘ihau shell lei. Anyone looking for holiday gifts with that je ne sais quoi are sure to find all of them (and even a little something-something for themselves) here.

$4.50 for general admission, $15 for early entry. For more information on this event, go here.

PHOTO: Rawpixel

Plan Your No-Cook, Stress-Free Thanksgiving

Now until Nov. 23

Everyone loves Thanksgiving. But many of us could live without the hours of prepping, sauna-level kitchen temperatures and post-cooking exhaustion before Thanksgiving dinner’s even begun. This year, take yourself out of the kitchen (and the stress out of your holiday) by letting one of these restaurants take care of the menu. Whether you prefer to eat out or at home, you’ll find in-house dining and to-go options (with everything from fine-dining menus, such as The Kāhala Hotel & Resort’s, to Zippy’s moderately priced meals) so convenient and gourmet and easy that you’ll never miss those hours in the kitchen. But don’t wait to make your plans—spots are filling up fast!

Lyon Arboretum Holiday Plant and Craft Sale

Saturday, Nov. 18, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Since Hawai‘i has no hopes of a winter wonderland, why not go for a tropical one? The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Lyon Arboretum will offer many tropical and unusual plants during its holiday plant and craft sale. Pick up colorful ti, native ferns, orchids, succulents and (for those who like their plants bloodthirsty) even carnivorous plants. Vegetable, fruit and herb plants will make lovely (and practical) additions to your garden. Plus, purchase handmade holiday wreaths, ornaments, oshibana crafts and Hawaiian honey at the sale for an additional dose of local holiday cheer.

Note: There won’t be any parking available for the general public at Lyon Arboretum, but a free shuttle service is offered, with two pick-up/drop-off points along Mānoa Road. You can also park your car on the street and walk over.

Free, Harold L. Lyon Arboretum, 3860 Mānoa Road. For more information on this event, go here.

Looking for more things to do? Check out our events calendar.