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Is Hawaii a good place to go for Christmas?

Hawaii is fun for Christmas because of the local parades, hula performances, mele (music), and events around the Hawaiian Islands. Honolulu has many popular events around City Hall and the malls. For a large list of the annual events, see our Things to Do in Hawaii During Christmas.



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It is also a wonderful time of year, with towns, major shopping areas, hotels, and homes decorated to mark the festive season. You can experience a Hawaiian Christmas with exciting luaus, sumptuous Christmas feasts, and even a Christmas Eve cruise on one of the islands' many dinner cruises.

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With the unofficial Christmas flower, the poinsettia, in bloom, and perfect temperatures both on land and sea, it is no surprise that December has become a favorite travel time in the islands. If you are considering a Hawaiian vacation in December, here's an overview of what to expect.

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Oahu is the best Hawaiian island for Christmas. Oahu is the least busy, the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit, and offers the most Christmas activities. The island of Hawai'i is a close second best as the days are warmer and there are fewer rainy days in December.

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Pacific Ocean temperatures on Honolulu shores are warmer than those of Hilo, but both are still swim-worthy at 77 and 73 degrees, respectively. Ocean temperatures in December all around the Hawaiian islands rest comfortably at about 77 degrees.

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However, in most cases, rain tends to fall at night in Hawaii. If the rain worries you, consider booking your stay on the leeward side of the islands, as they tend to be drier. You can also look at the islands with the least rain in December, which include Big Island and Maui.

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But, there are important differences between Maui and Oahu vacations. If you're looking for a typical Hawaiian tourist vacation, Oahu offers Waikiki Beach, historical memorials and modern culture. Meanwhile, travelers should head to Maui to enjoy outdoorsy adventures, from snorkeling to hiking volcanic peaks.

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It is not necessary to present a passport if you're traveling from the United States as a U.S. citizen. You are only required to show proof of identification when traveling to the beautiful Aloha State.

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One of the busiest times in Hawaii is the 10-day vacation period from December 22nd to New Year's Eve. Daily arrivals are 20% higher than the December average in the days leading up to Christmas as people arrive from across the world, mainly from the west coast of America and Canada, for their Christmas vacation.

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You should plan to spend around $342 per day on your vacation in Hawaii, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, $77 on meals for one day and $37 on local transportation. Also, the average hotel price in Hawaii for a couple is $427.

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It can be very expensive. Hidden costs like resort fees and exorbitant parking prices can easily break the budget. But there are ways to save on the cost of a vacation to Hawaii. Traveling before or after the peak summer season can save considerably.

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The last two weeks of December are one of the peak seasons for Hawaii tourism, with people flocking to the islands' scenic and serene shorelines. Late December sees occupancy rates skyrocket to max capacity levels. Planning a last-minute trip will be difficult—if not impossible—during this time.

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Some months bring more tourists and visitors to Hawaii than others. If you're planning a January visit to Hawaii, you may be wondering how busy the state will be during your trip. Compared to late December, when many visitors flock to Hawaii to celebrate the holidays, January is slightly less crowded.

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Christmas Island Dry Season (May – Sep) The dry season brings with it lower humidity, beautiful picturesque sunsets, blue skies and of course less rain!

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A passport is necessary and a visa may be required. Refer to your travel agent or the Department of Immigration and Border Protection for further details. Duty free purchases may be made for travel to and from Christmas Island.

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From spotting endangered seabirds to snorkelling with turtles and dolphins, there's a lot to delight wildlife lovers in this natural paradise. Throw in beach and jungle walks, world-class diving and year-round festivals, and you'll never be short of things to do.

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While many vacations are five to seven days long, we recommend staying for at least 10 days to enjoy your Hawaiian vacation. The time change is difficult to adjust to at first and takes about 3 days to get fully acclimated. So, allowing a couple days to get over the jet lag is important.

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Hawaii is a beautiful state with six main islands to explore. Each island has beautiful beaches and natural beauty, but if you're a first-time visitor, O?ahu is the best island to visit. The Hawaiian island that is home to the state capital (Honolulu) has something for everyone.

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In 2019 we estimated that a comparable mid-range trip to Hawaii would cost $10,100 for a family of four. In 2021 the same trip cost $8,914. The price increased 37 percent in 2022 to $12,239 as demand for Hawaii vacations surged once travel restrictions ended.

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