Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Weekend in Honolulu: December 9–11

Lei Chic’s guide to the weekend’s best events.

Photo: Courtesy of Etho Maria Haute Joaillerie

Shop: Designer Meets and Trunk Shows at Neiman Marcus

Saturday, Dec. 9 and Sunday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fashionistas and lovers of all things luxury are in luck: This weekend, Neiman Marcus will host several meet-and-greets with designers, as well as designer trunk shows, at its store in Ala Moana Center. Prepare to be tempted by all that glitters at these exclusive trunk shows: Etho Maria Haute Joaillerie (shown above), known for the impeccable craftsmanship and superior design that goes into each piece of wearable art; Graziela, the newest, hottest jewelry line to come out of Brazil, featuring diamonds and Paraiba sapphire set in 18-karat gold; Armani Collezioni, which will give you a chance to preview its Resort 2017 Collection showcased on models both days from noon to 2 p.m.; and Barton Perreira, luxury design label that features unique, handmade clothing suitable for both European- and Asian-fit frames. Neiman Marcus also brings in two designers for you to meet and their newest pieces for you to fall in love with: jewelry designer Julie Wong and local fashion designer Amos Kotomori. 

Neiman Marcus, Ala Moana Center. For more information on these events, call 948-7432, For more information on Neiman Marcus, go here.

Shop: Mele Kalikimaka Marketplace Festival

Saturday, Dec. 10 and Sunday, Dec. 11

Honolulu City Lights presents the Mele Kalikimaka Marketplace Festival this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to shop local holiday gear just in time for Christmas. Expect to find local products, gourmet gifts, Native Hawaiian arts and crafts, holiday pop-up shops and year-end inventory specials from Hawai‘i vendors. Bring the kids for some fun activities including a Christmas carnival and Winter Wonderland, make-and-take Ben Franklin crafts, meet-and-greet with Rudolph and a photo op with Santa Claus. Bonus: All children 12 years and under get into the event for free!

$3–$4, free for children 12 and under. Neal S. Blaisdell Center, 777 Ward Ave. For more information on the Mele Kalikimaka Marketplace Festival or Honolulu City Lights, go here. 

Photo: Courtesy of Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa

Drink: Love of Libations: Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Friday, Dec. 9, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Irish literary figure and liquor afficionado Oscar Wilde once said: “After the first glass of absinthe, you see things as you wish they were. After the second, you see them as they are not.” But don’t take his word for it: Attend the Moana Surfrider’s December Love of Libations event and find out for yourself. Hosted by sommelier Micah Suderman of Southern Wine & Spirits, each interactive monthly event is designed to celebrate all things beverage and entertainment—whether or not this month’s entertainment will be your absinthe-impaired antics, only time will tell. Either way, this is the perfect opportunity to partake in la fée verte (the green fairy), a famous source of inspiration for some of history’s favorite creatives including Ernest Hemingway, Vincent van Gogh and Marcel Proust. Great minds think alike, right? Complimentary self-parking is available at the Sheraton Princess Ka‘iulani garage.

$25, 21 and over only. Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, 2365 Kalākaua Ave. For more information on this and future events at Moana Surfrider, go here.

Run: The Kalākaua Merrie Mile

Saturday, Dec. 10, 7 a.m.

Taking place just a day before the Honolulu Marathon, the Kalākaua Merrie Mile is for overachievers looking for a marathon warm up … and the rest of us, who just want a quick and easy workout. This event is totally no-pressure, starting in waves based on predicted race time, so everyone is encouraged to go however fast or slow they want. The one-mile run goes down Kalākaua Avenue, and whether your time is 6 minutes or 60, everyone gets a commemorative race shirt at the end, plus an invite to a fun post-run beach party at Waikīkī beach, which includes free food and drink to refuel that body. To register, just head to the Honolulu Marathon Expo, held at the Hawai‘i Convention Center today from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. to sign up and grab your race packet at the same time.

$55, Kalākaua Avenue. For more information on the Kalākaua Merrie Mile, go here.

Photo: Courtesy of Hawaii Kai Towne Center Festival of Lights Boat Parade

Watch: 20th Annual Festival of Lights Boat Parade

Saturday, Dec. 10, 4 to 8 p.m.

Get ready to light up your Saturday evening at a Christmas tradition that has taken place in Hawai‘i Kai for 20 years! The annual Festival of Lights Boat Parade is a magical, family-friendly evening filled with holiday entertainment, a concert and, of course, boats positively glowing with holiday spirit. The festival kicks off at 4 p.m. with a performance by Hālau Hula Mai Ka Pu‘uwai a ka Mana‘o; at 5 p.m. Hawai‘i artist Mailani takes the stage for a very special Christmas concert. The main event begins around 6 p.m., when boats elaborately decked out in Christmas lights and gear parade through the Hawai‘i Kai Marina waterway until 8 p.m. Don’t forget to get there early: The first 1,000 attendees all receive a special light-up wand, and you don’t want to have to fight some 5-year-old for the last one.

Hawai‘i Kai Towne Center, 333 Keāhole St. For more information on Hawai‘i Kai Towne Center, go here or visit its Facebook page.

Laugh: Jo Koy at Hawai‘i Theatre

Saturday, Dec. 10, 8 and 11 p.m.

Need more laughs than your ugly Christmas sweater can provide? Grab tickets to see one of Jo Koy’s two performances on Saturday night at the Hawai‘i Theatre. Koy began his stand-up career in Las Vegas in 1994 and hasn’t stopped since: He’s starred in stand-up specials such as Jamie Foxx Presents: Laffapalooza! and appeared on Carlos Mencia’s Punisher tour. His biggest claim to fame, though, is probably his appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2005, where his performance earned him a rare standing ovation. Currently, he’s a regular guest on E!’s Chelsea Lately. Bottom line: if you don’t know him, you should, and if you need a good cry, you’ll be crying buckets of happy tears by the end of his show.

$35–$45, Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St. For more information and to purchase tickets, go here.