The holiday season on Maui is festive and glorious, and if you’re spending Christmas with us this year, you will find plenty of activities and events to help you celebrate.
See Lahaina’s famous banyan tree wrapped in Christmas lights
The sprawling banyan tree is always a spectacular sight but especially during the holidays, when it is wrapped in Christmas lights. Find it off Front Street in Lahainatown.
Have yourself a Merry Fish-mas at Maui Ocean Center
Don’t miss Scuba Clause and Elf hosting interactive underwater presentations at the Open Ocean exhibit of the Maui Ocean Center. They wear special dive masks that allow them to speak the audience. Through Dec. 24. For more information see this link.
Shopping
Buy yourself a little something special at the shops of Lahaina, Whaler’s Village in Kaanapali or the Shops at Wailea in – can you guess? – Wailea. Locally made crafts and artwork make great gifts.
Put Christ in Christmas
Count your blessings at glorious Christmas Eve services at the following houses of worship:
- Kumulani Chapel in Kapalua will hold three Christmas Eve candlelight services at 5pm, 7pm and 11pm. See this link for more information.
- Maria Lanakila Catholic Church in Lahaina is holding candlelight Christmas Eve masses at 6pm and midnight. Caroling is scheduled for 11:30pm.
- Hope Chapel in Kihei offers three Christmas Eve services at 4pm, 6pm, 8pm and 10pm. The 8pm and 10pm services will be candlelight services.
Catch a free Christmas show at Whaler’s Village
This popular retail center in the heart of Kaanapali offers a number of performances from delightful strolling carolers.
Santa Claus is coming to town
Your favorite bearded elf will be making a few quick visits to Maui before returning to the North Pole to load up his sleigh. The following venues are hosting Santa’s arrival:
On December 20th, Santa and his elves arrive via outrigger canoe at Kaanapali Beach on Sunday afternoon. Hula Grill hosts this event including free cookie decorating and ornament making for kids starting at 3:30pm.
At approximately 9:45 Christmas Eve Santa makes a pit stop in South Mauiat the Makena Beach & Golf Resort. Santa has visited this resort in a variety of ways — by outrigger canoe, by jet ski, by jet boat and by sleigh. It will be exciting to see how Santa will arrive this year! This event is free and open to the public.
On Christmas Eve day, Santa makes a grand appearance via outrigger canoe at noon on PoloBeachin front of the Fairmont Kea Lani.
Last but not least – feast!
Many Maui resorts will offer scrumptious multicourse dinners and/or buffets with menus specially designed for the holidays. Some of our favorite Maui restaurants that will be open on Christmas are Nick’s Fishmarket and MALA in Wailea; Mala Ocean Tavern; Pacific’O in Lahaina and the Plantation House and Pineapple Grill in Kapalua. Most hotel-based restaurants will be open. A quick source to check for restaurant availability online is via OpenTable, though it’s not a comprehensive listing.
We recommend you speak to your concierge for more options that will be held onsite or nearby your accommodation. Also, pick up a copy of the Maui News when you are on island for additional restaurants and holiday activity suggestions.
We hope you’ll have a wonderful Christmastime on Maui. While you’re there, make sure you know how to wish someone a Merry Christmas in the Hawaiian language.
If you’ll be staying with us through New Year’s Eve, check out our guide for where see Maui New Year’s fireworks.