5 Festive Things to Do When Stationed in Hawaii

“Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say, on a bright Hawaiian Christmas Day”—and if you are stationed in Hawaii, then you know there is nothing quite like spending the holidays where the palm trees sway. Spending the holiday season on an island comes with huge contrasts from your typical holiday traditions on the mainland.

We get it, there is gratitude for being able to live in paradise, but you might also feel homesick. Whether you just started island living or you are finding yourself with PCS orders in time for Christmas, O’ahu offers many meaningful ways to celebrate the season.

The holidays on O’ahu will show that you might not need the snow-dusted rooftops and snow-covered streets for you to feel all the holiday magic. Throughout the island, you will find lights wrapped up palm trees, Santa in “aloha-attire”, the sounds of ukulele playing Mele Kalikimaka, and hula dancers swaying to Christmas classics. The values of hospitality and community gathering spread through the island from “Mauka to Makai” (mountains to sea) all season long.

The spirit of aloha can be found in many different ways in which the island celebrates the holiday. As military families, finding the holiday magic in local traditions wherever we get stationed allows us to embrace different traditions and cultures, wherever we go.

Here are some great ways you and your military family can create new holiday traditions while stationed in the Aloha State.

1. Honolulu City Lights

Spot Shaka Santa and Tūtū Mele at Honolulu Hale, where one of O‘ahu’s most beloved holiday displays comes to life. This free, family-friendly celebration lights up the entire month, with festive decorations glowing from 6 p.m. until dawn. A towering 50-foot holiday tree anchors the lawn, surrounded by wreaths created by local artists, indoor Christmas tree exhibits, and countless colorful motifs that make the area sparkle.

The tradition began in 1985 and remains a local favorite. This year, the magic expands with the Thomas Square Christmas Illumination, featuring glowing tunnels, 50 lit trees, and more dazzling installations. For an extra-special experience, hop on the Waikiki Trolley to Honolulu City Lights. You’ll ride through historic downtown, enjoy carols, spot Santa, and then spend 1.5 hours exploring the displays before catching the double-decker trolley back when you’re ready to end the night.

2. Visit Helemano Farms for a Norfolk Pine

For a holiday experience you can only have in Hawai‘i, take a trip out to Helemano Farms and pick out a beautiful Norfolk Pine for your home. Instead of the traditional fir trees found on the mainland, local families and military families stationed on O‘ahu often choose these island-grown pines that fill your home with a light, fresh scent and a uniquely tropical holiday feel.

The farm is family-owned, eco-friendly, and offers a peaceful, festive atmosphere where you can stroll through rows of trees, take photos, and enjoy a slower pace away from the busy city. Choosing a Norfolk Pine is not just about the tree—it’s about embracing where you are, starting new traditions, and celebrating the season with a touch of aloha.

3. Aloha-Style Entertainment

Waikīkī shines extra bright during the holidays, blending classic Christmas charm with unmistakable island style. Wander through the shoreline resorts to see their aloha-inspired décor—towering tropical trees, ocean-themed ornaments, twinkling lights, and Santas dressed in island attire. Each hotel adds its own creative twist, making it the perfect self-guided holiday stroll.

Don’t miss the festive performances at Ala Moana Center, where you can catch a Christmas hula show that beautifully blends Hawaiian culture with the holiday spirit. Throughout Waikīkī and other popular areas, you’ll find seasonal displays that celebrate the magic of Christmas through a Hawaiian lens—warm, vibrant, and full of aloha.

4. Holiday Luau

For a truly Hawaiian way to embrace the holidays, spend an evening at a festive luau—where the spirit of celebration is woven into every song, story, and shared meal. Hawai‘i has long celebrated special occasions by gathering with family and friends around traditional favorites like kālua pig, lomi lomi salmon, poi, fresh island sides, and sweet treats.

Holiday luaus add an extra layer of magic, blending cultural performances with seasonal cheer. Enjoy graceful hula, fire-knife dancing, live music, and storytelling as you relax under the warm island sky. It’s a meaningful way for military families to connect with local tradition, experience the joy of gathering, and create holiday memories that feel both special and uniquely Hawaiian. You can experience a Luau at different places throughout O’ahu. You can always use your military perks at the Hale Koa Resort, which is part of the Armed Forces Recreation Centers (AFRC) Resorts.

5. Deck the Hulls at the Battleship Missouri

Spend part of your holiday season aboard the Battleship Missouri on Ford Island, where history meets festive cheer. “Deck the Hulls with Santa” aboard this iconic battleship. Check out the twinkling décor, photo ops, and a chance to meet Santa in a truly unforgettable setting. It’s a perfect way to celebrate the season while honoring the legacy of the “Mighty Mo,” making it a meaningful outing for military families stationed on O‘ahu. It’s a unique way to celebrate the season while connecting with an important piece of Hawai‘i’s military history.

As you settle into the holiday season in paradise, let this be the year you try something new. We know it is tough to travel from place to place, keeping all traditions alive, and this can be something the whole family can enjoy. Whether you’re walking through island lights, sharing a meal at a luau, choosing a Norfolk Pine, or discovering local traditions for the first time, each experience is an opportunity to create memories you’ll carry long after you leave O’ahu.

Embrace the beauty of where you are, honor the culture, and celebrate the season you are in. Mele Kalikimaka—may your holidays be filled with island magic!