Waikiki Christmas 2010 Holiday Events & Where to Dine

For the current list of what to do for Christmas in Waikiki and Honolulu, click this link: Waikiki Christmas  — Special Holiday Dining & Things to See & Do

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The following list is from 2010 for reference purposes only. For 2012, click the above link.

Are you headed to beautiful island of Oahu to celebrate Christmas at Waikiki Beach? If so, you’ll find plenty of festive ways to enjoy the holiday season!

You’ll find everything from breakfast with Santa Claus to lavish Christmas dinner buffets to holiday lights and concerts. It’s definitely an exciting to be going to Waikiki Beach!

Before, we dive into our list of things to do and where to go, I want to share a few points of advice first.

• I recommend you make reservations, order tickets, etc. as soon as possible to secure the place and time you like.
• Unless otherwise stated, you can assume that taxes and gratuities are not included in the listed prices.
• Most Waikiki Beach hotel-based restaurants will be open on Christmas day. Check directly with the concierge of your accommodations for their special Christmas meals and events.
• As Christmas approaches, most likely, I’ll be adding more events, so do check back.
• Learn how to say Mele Kalikimaka, Hawaii’s way to say Merry Christmas.

I’m organizing this long and very detailed list by day, starting with Christmas Day and then working backwards. Here’s what’s going on in Waikiki Beach and Honolulu this Christmas 2010.

CHRISTMAS DAY, DECEMBER 25, 2010 – Special Holiday Brunches & Dinners

— CHRISTMAS BRUNCH —

* The Pikake Terrace of the Sheraton Kaiulani will serve a  Christmas brunch from 10:30am to 1pm. Pricing is $34 for adults and $17 for children ages 5 to 12. See the buffet menu here. For reservations call 808-921-4600.

* The Royal Hawaiian’s Monarch Room will present a Christmas buffet brunch (menu) from 10am to 2pm. Pricing is $88 for adults and $53 for children ages 6 to 12.  For more information and reservations, call 808.921.4600.

* Moana Surfrider’s Beachhouse will feature a Christmas brunch menu from 10am to 1:30pm. See the menu here. Pricing is $95 for adults and $55 per child ages 5 – 12. For more information and reservations, call (808) 921-4600 or email tdrc.hawaii@starwoodshotels.com

* Kai Market at the Sheraton Waikiki offers a Christmas buffet brunch from 10:30am to 3pm. See the menu here. Pricing is $55 for adults and $15 for children ages 6 to 12. For more information and reservations, call (808) 921-4600 or email tdrc.hawaii@starwoodshotels.com

— CHRISTMAS DINNER —

* Take a cruise with Santa Claus with Atlantis Navatek Cruises, “Hawaii’s smoothest cruise experience”.  The Santa Cruise will run from 5:30pm – 7:30 pm on December 25 and will bring Christmas cheer on the open ocean with holiday music, decorations and a special appearance by Santa Claus. Costs for the Santa Cruise are $89 per adult and $53 per child. There’s also a Christmas Royal Sunset Buffet Dinner for $121 per adult and $69 per child. For more information and reservations, call 1-800-548-6262.

* Waikiki’s18th floor, revolving-restaurant Top of Waikiki will offer a well-priced, four-course Christmas dinne at $42 per person. The menu includes Lobster Crab Cake with Basil Mango Vinaigrette Avocado Mango Salsa, Baby Romaine Cesear Salad,  Prime Rib with Au Jus & Horseradish Cream, Parsnip Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Green Beans & Maui Onion with Smoked Bacon. To finish, they have Parrot Bay Eggnog Coconut Custard for dessert. For reservations, call 808-923-3877 or book online at their website.

* Hau Tree Lanai will feature a Christmas dinner for $75 per person. Their romantic oceanfront setting is just about as close as you can get to the beach without getting splashed by a wave. See the second page of this link for their holiday menu. For information on reservations, see this link.

* The Pikake Terrace of the Sheraton Kaiulani presents Christmas dinner buffet from 5pm to 9:30pm. One of the featured menu items is Old Fashioned Christmas Turkey with Apple Macadamia Nut Stuffing. Sounds great to me! Pricing is $46 for adults and $23 for children ages 5 to 12. See the menu here. For reservations call 808-921-4600.

* The Royal Hawaiian’s Azure Restaurant will offer a gourmet four-course dinner for $125 per person. For reservations and more information about this beachfront restaurant, see this link.

*  Kai Market at the Sheraton Waikiki will offer a Christmas Day dinner buffet from 5pm to 9:30pm. The menu will feature traditional Hawaiian-style dishes. The price is $69 for adults and $15 for children ages 6 to 12. For more information and reservations, call (808) 921-4600 or email tdrc.hawaii@starwoodshotels.com

* P.F. Chang’s Waikiki at the Royal Hawaiian Center introduces a new “3-Course Meal” that will include an entrée, cup of soup, mini dessert, and glass of wine. Entrée choices include Asian Marinated New York Strip, Mahi-Mahi, Ooland Marinated Sea Bass, Asian Grilled Salmon, or Salmon Steamed with Ginger. Prices range from $29.95-$34.95 depending upon the entrée selection.

* Bali Steak & Seafood at Hilton Hawaiian Village will offer a four-course dinner from 5:30-9:00pm. (View Menu). Pricing is adults at $75; children at $45 (12 and under). For reservations, call 808-941-BALI (2254).

* Rainbow Lanai at Hilton Hawaiian Village presents a buffet from 5:30pm to 9:30pm. (View Menus.) Christmas Day dinner pricing is $65 for adults and $32 for children (12 and under).

* For Christmas day events, see this list Waikiki & Honolulu Christmas Events below.

CHRISTMAS EVE, DECEMBER 24, 2010 – Special Holiday Brunches & Dinners

* Oceanarium Restaurant at the Pacific Beach Hotel offers a budget-friendly Christmas Eve lunch buffet for $19.95. This restaurant features a unique setting beside a fantastic saltwater aquarium.

* Bali Steak & Seafood at Hilton Hawaiian Village will offer a four-course dinner from 5:30-9:00pm. (View Menu). Pricing is adults at $75; children at $45 (12 and under). For reservations, call 808-941-BALI (2254).

* The Royal Hawaiian’s Azure Restaurant will offer a gourmet four-course dinner for $125 per person. For reservations and more information about this beachfront restaurant, see this link.

* Hau Tree Lanai will feature a Christmas Eve dinner for $75 per person. Their romantic oceanfront setting is just about as close as you can get to the beach without getting splashed by a wave. See the second page of this link for their holiday menu. For information on reservations, see this link.

* College football fans can get into the season — the bowl season that is, with the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve. The game starts at 3pm at Honolulu’s Aloha Stadium.

* The Pikake Terrace of the Sheraton Kaiulani presents Christmas dinner buffet from 5pm to 9:30pm. One of the featured menu items is Old Fashioned Christmas Turkey with Apple Macadamia Nut Stuffing. Sounds great to me! Pricing is $46 for adults and $23 for children ages 5 to 12. See the menu here. For reservations call 808-921-4600.

* Rainbow Lanai at Hilton Hawaiian Village presents a buffet from 5:30pm to 9:30pm. (View Menus.) Christmas Eve dinner pricing is $55 for adults and $27 for children (12 and under).

* Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at Hope Chapel Waikiki. For more information, see their website.

* Don’t forget that every Friday night, there’s a fireworks show in Waikiki at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

* For additional Christmas Eve events, see this list Waikiki & Honolulu Christmas & Holiday Events below.

WAIKIKI & HONOLULU CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY EVENTS

* From December 5 – 30, downtown Honolulu will be decorated for the season with lights, Christmas wreaths, and holiday characters. Honolulu Hale at 530 South King Street is the center for the Honolulu City Lights. This annual event is free, but since it isn’t walkable from Waikiki, a great way to get to downtown Honolulu is to take the Waikiki Trolley. See this link for the special holiday lights trolley tour information, tickets and schedules.

* From December 21 – 25, enjoy the sounds of the Honolulu Madrigal Quartet singing Christmas carols at the Royal Hawaiian lobby from 5:30pm to 6:30pm.

* See a giant gingerbread village at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani. The impressive village is over 14.5 feet tall and 24 feet wide! It’s constructed with 200 gallons of icing, 100 pounds of dark chocolate, 30 pounds of white chocolate and lots and lots of gingerbread. (See a video of this gingerbread village.) The hotel’s chef and staff  spent more than 660 hours designing and constructing this gift to guests.For more information, please call Sheraton Princess Ka‘iulani at 808-922-5811

* Santa arrives by canoe on December 11 at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach at 9am. Welcome the world’s most famous elf as he arrives via outrigger canoe on the beach in front of the Outrigger Waikiki hotel. Keiki from Halau `O Pua Kahale will be on hand to greet Santa with a gift of hula. The arrival will be followed by complimentary photo-taking with Santa in the hotel lobby. Free and open to the public.

*  From December 18 through Christmas Day, Waikiki Beach Walk presents free daily entertainment in their Countdown to Christmas. The performances will take place from 6pm to 7pm except on December 19, the Honolulu Boy Choir will perform special holiday concert from 5pm to 6pm. Also, on the 21st, there will be special entertainment beginning at 4:30pm and going through 7pm. Call  808-931-3591 for more information.

* Santa will make a Waikiki stop on December 18 & 19 for breakfast at the Moana Surfrider. See this link for more information.

* Have breakfast with Hawaiian Santa on December 21 and 22 . This jolly breakfast will be held from 8am to 10am at Outrigger Reef on the Beach. Get your reservations in early for this special morning with Santa Claus. A buffet breakfast, picture taking, balloon art, and face painting are all part of the morning’s activities. The buffet menu will include scrambled eggs, steamed white rice, country fried potatoes, crispy bacon, Portuguese sausage, assorted pastries, fresh fruits, cereal and a choice of coffee, milk or Juice. $22.00 per person, inclusive of tax, tip and FREE photo with Santa; $11.50 children 5 – 11 years; children 4 years and younger eat free. Validated valet parking will be available at $5 per car. Reservations required: 808-924-4993.

* Decorated gingerbread will be on display at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach from December 20 – 24. View the creative gingerbread works of the Outrigger Waikiki’s employees as they show off their creative and culinary skills. The public is invited to enjoy the delightful gingerbread works of art at this annual event.  Free and open to the public.

* Ala Moana Shopping Center will host musical shows, photos with Santa, and candy cane train rides.

* Na Leo’s Holiday Music Spectacular will be held on December 21 – 23 Ala Moana Hotel’s Ballroom.  This year marks the 26th anniversary of the event. See this link to Na Leo for tickets and details.

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Will you be staying in Waikiki through New Year’s Day? ***   For New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2011, see this link: Waikiki & Honolulu 2011/2012 New Year’s Eve Fireworks, Dinners & Events ***