Sip The Season

Savor the holiday season at a pop-up bar, where creative cocktails and mocktails are shaken, stirred, and swizzled with cheer. Make a stop at Sippin’ Santa, Prince Waikiki’s holiday-themed tiki bar serving cocktails with a festive flair, plus holiday-themed beer, snacks, and collectible merchandise. Sip on a Kris Kringle Colada or Rudolph’s Rum Rhapsody in a scene set with delightful holiday décor and live local musicians performing seasonal hits nightly. Prince Waikiki is the exclusive Hawaii partner of Sippin Santa, and this is our second year hosting this fun tiki-themed pop-up holiday bar! See the Sippin’ Santa menu.

Seasonal Shows & Entertainment

Celebrate the season with a night out at The Hawaii Theatre, Honolulu’s historic performing arts center that spotlights plenty of festive productions throughout December. Treat your ears to The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert, where you’ll watch the film while the musical score is performed live by The Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra. Or, see three-time Grammy winner Kalani Pe‘a’s perform his Hawaiian Christmas Show, a celebration of the holiday season starring much-loved songs from western and Hawaiian roots.

Best of all, guests of Prince Waikiki receive 10% off tickets to “Hawaii Theatre Presents” shows, as well as one complimentary bottle of water for all events!

For a drop-in entertainment experience, spend an afternoon at the Waikiki Beach Walk — an open-air shopping, dining, and entertainment district — and catch some of the annual Seven Nights of Christmas – Holiday Mele Showcase. This week-long event celebrates traditional hula and song by local hula hālau (hula schools) and well-known entertainers. Enjoy Hawaiian dance and song in the spirit of Christmas, listen to an all-Ukulele band, or watch performances by veteran master hula teachers and award-winning musical artists.

See Honolulu Sparkle

Our oceanside neighborhood really sparkles this time of year, and there are plenty of ways to see the city all lit up. Honolulu City Lights is a locally-loved annual festival, kicking off with a block party and tree-lighting ceremony on December 3. Admire a towering 50-foot Christmas tree and wreath exhibition, visit Santa’s Village, and enjoy special events all month long.

Take a twinkle-lit tour of Honolulu’s brightest lights and festive sights aboard the Holly Jolly Waikiki Trolley, a 40-minute round-trip ride departing hourly from Prince Waikiki in the evening. On Friday nights, enjoy a view of the Waikiki fireworks at 7:45 p.m. and end the night with a ride on the Holly Jolly Waikiki Trolley at 8:30 p.m.

Holiday Markets & Local Gifts

For goods, treats, and special holiday experiences, look for our Holidaze Pop-Ups, bringing talented local artists, small businesses, pop-up workshops, and galleries to the Prince Waikiki lobby every Friday in December. Check a few names off your list at the Mele Kalikimaka Marketplace, a one-stop local holiday shop for made-in-Hawaii products, gifts, and crafts. If buying a gift doesn’t feel personal enough, get creative at the Waikiki Aquarium’s Holiday Gift Making Workshop, where you’ll learn techniques like quilling, paper layering, and embossing to create a one-of-a-kind present.

Up for a short drive? Visit the Hukilau Marketplace at The Polynesian Cultural Center, a throwback to 1950s Hawaii offering nostalgic food and local goods. During the holidays, this community destination comes alive with festive family activities, including train rides, scavenger hunts, pictures with Santa, live music, and more special events.

Want to do your holiday shopping without leaving Prince Waikiki? Make your way to the brand-new Mana Up, now open in our lobby! Here, you can shop for everything from food to fashion, beauty to home decor — all crafted by local makers and artisans using locally-sourced ingredients and products. There’s no better way to take an authentic piece of O‘ahu home with you!

For the Keiki

Little ones will love Show Aloha Land, a true winter wonderland in the heart of Honolulu. This annual festival boasts a dazzling display of nearly three million lights choreographed to holiday music, 3,900 square feet of fresh “snow” for tobogganing, a bouncing town, a human snow globe, zip lining, three trains, and a food court.

If you’re looking for something to do indoors, spend quality time together with a holiday-themed event at the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center. Sign up for Santa’s Secret Workshop, an hour-long holiday workshop for parents and kids, followed by time to play and discover in the Center’s galleries. Or, register for Kids in The Kitchen, a children-only workshop all about learning to bake a classic holiday treat — gingerbread cookies.

‘Tis The Season to Plan a Trip

You’ve made your to-do list, checked it twice, and now it’s time to book your perfect Prince Waikiki stay. Whether you’re booking an extended escape or want to personalize your experience, make your holiday getaway extra special with our vacation packages, offers, and limited-time promotions.