Waikiki, Honolulu, Oahu New Year’s Eve Fireworks, Dinners & Events

Looking for this year’s events? You’ll find it at this link —> Waikiki/Honolulu New Year’s Eve fireworks and dining. <— Click that link.

—–

The following list of events from 2013 is for reference purposes only. 

If you’re ready to give 2013 a warm welcome, Oahu is the place to do just that. You’ll find fireworks, dancing, music and special dining to make your New Year’s Eve memorable. Here’s what’s going on this December 31, 2012.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks

* We have confirmed that there will be New Year’s Eve fireworks on Waikiki Beach! The fireworks will shoot from a barge off of Waikiki Beach. The display starts 5 minutes before midnight with one firework each minute until 11:59pm when a rapid fire display will occur to say goodbye to 2012. Then as the clock strikes midnight a 10 minute show will light up Waikiki’s night sky. (Updated/added 12/13/12)

* Aloha Tower Marketplace hosts their New Year’s Eve Block Party in Honolulu with eight stages including over 50 performers throughout the evening. The midnight fireworks show will be one of Hawaii’s best. This event is open to guests 21 and older. See this link for more details, ticketing  and parking options. If you’re going to this block party from Waikiki Beach, I recommend you look into public transportation options. Use Google Transit and/or TheBus to help you find the exact route and timetable that suits your needs.

* New Year’s Eve “Party of the Year” at Kaka’ako Waterfront Park will feature entertainment  plus a fireworks show every hour starting at 9pm until the clock strikes midnight. Entertainment will include fire dancers, live music, light shows, food trucks and more. This is an event doubles as the Official Vans Triple Crown Wrap-up Party where attendees might meet professional surfers. This New Year’s Eve party is open to all ages. General admission is $25. Children 10 and under get in for free. See this Ticketmaster link to order tickets. If you are staying Waikiki Beach, I recommend you use Google Transit and/or TheBus to help you find public transportation. If you’re up for a 45 minute to hour walk, it is somewhat walkable from Waikiki Beach.

* If you’re staying on Oahu’s leeward coast or on the North Shore, the most convenient fireworks show will be in Ko Olina. If you aren’t a guest at one of the resorts, you will need to pay a $20 parking fee per car. Other than that, there are no additional fees to watch the dazzling show that will span across all four lagoons. See our post about the Ko Olina New Year’s Eve fireworks show for more details. (Updated 12/19/12)

* If you’re in Waikiki for Friday, December 28, don’t miss the Friday night fireworks display from the Hilton Hawaiian Village at 7:45pm.

New Year’s Eve Dinner/Cocktail Cruises

* The Star of Honolulu is offering four different cruise options all with fireworks views. Pricing starts at $75. See their cruise options here.

New Year’s Eve Waikiki Concerts, Parties & Clubs

* Ocean view Tiki’s Grill & Bar at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel will present two live bands, drink specials and a midnight champagne toast at their 2013 Tiki Drop New Year’s Eve Party. Tickets to this party are $15 and you can order online. They’ll also offer a special four-course New Year’s Eve Dinner. You can find all those details with pricing here.

* The Hilton Hawaiian Village New Year’s Eve Party features a concert with  Holunape and Danny Couch. Per the press release, “Danny, who performed for ten years with Don Ho at the Hilton Dome, is one of Hawaii’s leading vocalists and songwriters. He returns to Hilton Hawaiian Village to headline his own show with a repertoire that includes a wide array of contemporary music ranging from old standards to current hits.  With his gentle warmth and dazzling voice, he continues to thrill and delight his many fans from the islands and around the world.  A multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning artist, Danny has penned songs that are heard worldwide, including his hauntingly beautiful, “These Islands,” that was used internationally by the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau to promote Hawaii.”  Tickets are $100 and include a half-bottle of champagne. For more information about ticketing, see this link. (Added 12/13/12)

* How about a luau for New Year’s Eve? The Waikiki Starlight Luau at the Hilton Hawaiian Village moves to a special location at the Great Lawn on Monday, December 31.  The evening starts with a lavish feast of tropical modern luau cuisine including honey and mustard baked ham, charred beef, kalua pork, seared island fish, pineapple and vegetable fried rice, lomi lomi salmon and much more. Musicians and dancers will transport you through the Polynesian Islands for a colorful evening of entertainment. The Waikiki Starlight Luau’s New Year’s Eve special costs $125 for adults and $67.50 for children under the age of 12, children under 3 are free. For more information, see this link. (Added 12/13/12)

* The Royal Hawaiian hosts the Pink Party set beside Waikiki Beach with live musical performances and DJs. General admission is $50. See the Pink Party details here.

* Oceanfront RumFire at the Sheraton Waikiki hosts Avenge 2013 New Year’s Eve Party. Per this flyer, tickets for this event start at $75.

* Addiction at the Modern Honolulu hosts their New Year’s Eve party including DJs. Tickets start at $50 (pre-sale) and can be purchased online.

Waikiki New Year’s Eve Prix-Fixe Menus
(Listed in order of pricing.)

• Tiki’s Bar & Grill at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel offers a four course dinner for $59.
• DK Steak House at the Marriott Waikiki Beach offers a four course dinner for $68. Their full a la carte menu will also be available. See this link for the menu.
• Tropics Bar & Grill at the Hilton Hawaiian Village will offer a four course dinner for $70.
• Top of Waikiki offers a five course dinner from $75 (for earlier seating). (Added 12/20/12)
• Hau Tree Lanai at the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel offers four courses with entremet for $100. (Note this location is about a 15 to 25 minute oceanside walk towards Diamond Head from the heart of Waikiki.)
• Beachhouse at the Moana Surfrider offers four courses for $100. A special child’s menu for $45 will be available for earlier seating.
• Bali Steak and Seafood at the Hilton Hawaiian Village offers a four course set menu for $160 for the first seating and $180 for the second seating.
• Nobu Waikiki at the Waikiki Parc is offering a multi-course New Year’s Eve dinner for $180.
• Azure at the Royal Hawaiian presents a five course dinner for $195. Dinner also includes admission to the Pink Party described in the above New Year’s Eve Waikiki Parties & Clubs section.

Waikiki New Year’s Eve Buffet Menus

• Oceanarium Restaurant at the Pacific Beach Hotel offers a buffet with pricing at $49.95 for adults and $21.95 for children. See their menu here.
• Kai Market at the Sheraton Waikiki offers a buffet with pricing beginning at $89 for adults and $44.50 for children. See this link for details and the menu see this link.

—

As you’re making your Waikiki and Honolulu New Year’s Eve plans and reviewing this list of great things to do, please note the following:

• 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 of the provided links indicate whether taxes and/or gratuity are included.
• All pricing, schedules and plans were accurate at the time of publishing.
• Several Waikiki Beach hotel-based restaurants will be open on New Year’s Eve. Check directly with the concierge of your accommodations for their special meals and events.
• As New Year’s Eve approaches, most likely, I’ll be adding more events, so do check back.
• Learn  how to say Happy New Year in Hawaii: Hau’oli Makahiki Hou!

Note to journalists, bloggers and publishers  – if you are referencing this page for your own article please provide a link to this post and/or GoVisitHawaii.com. This post is a result of hours of research, phone calls, emails, etc.