In the Hawaiian Islands, Kauai is known for being a more relaxed and laidback island. That reputation applies to New Year’s Eve, too. With the exception of local firecrackers, New Year’s Eve will be fairly quiet. Here are some ideas for celebrating and welcoming in 2026 on Kauai.
Special New Year’s Eve Dining
Many of the resorts and restaurants will offer a festive atmosphere to celebrate the evening. Check directly with your resort for what they may be offering. For dinner reservations, a quick way to see what’s available is to check OpenTable.com.
Some special New Year’s Eve dinner options that have come to our attention are as follows:
- Moa Moa at the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort offers a four-course dinner as well as an a la carte menu for $85 per person. See this link for more information.
- 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay in Princeville is hosting a dinner options along with live music and midnight toast under the stars. General bar admission is $85.
- 1 Kitchen hosts a New Year’s Eve buffet for $195 per adult and $75 per child.
- Welina presents a prix-fixe dinner for $275 per adult.
- Red Salt at Ko’a Kea in Poipu has a special three-course dinner for $150 per person. See this link for the menu.
- For other options, check with the concierge at your resort.
Luau Options Open on New Year’s Eve
Anytime of year, a luau offers a festive environment, which makes it a fun option for New Year’s Eve. A luau includes dinner and a Polynesian show. Often a show’s grand finale is a thrilling fireknife performance.We’ve check for available luau options that are open for New Year’s Eve. Here are those options:
- Grand Hyatt Kauai in Poipu hosts their luau on New Year’s Eve. See this link to check availability and to book your spot. Be sure to use the dropdown arrows to see the “Activity details”. At last check there was limited availability. See this link for TripAdvisor reviews.
- Auli’i Luau at the Sheraton in Poipu is hosting their luau on New Year’s Eve, however they’re fully booked.
Will there be New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Kauai?
Poipu Fireworks? Unfortunately, no.
Typically Poipu Beach puts on an early evening event with food trucks, a family movie, and fireworks. Often times, the organization of this event comes together within just a week or two of New Year’s Eve. They haven’t held this event in the last two years. We’ve reached out to Poipu Beach Foundation to ask if they are hosting fireworks , but they have not responded. We’ve check with other sources and, unfortunately, it appears that the New Year’s Eve fireworks for Poipu is not happening for the third year in a row.
Private Fireworks
In general, Hawaii has a love affair with fireworks. (We know not everyone loves them.) As such, many folks in local neighborhoods put on their own show for their friends and family.With permits, firecrackers are legal to be ignited on Kauai between 9:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. for New Year’s Eve. Even if there are no public fireworks shows, look to the neighborhoods, you’ll likely see a steady flow of firecrackers.
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Notes:
You can assume that gratuities are not included in most pricing.
Make sure you are well informed to make the most of your time in Kauai. Check out our guide to everything you need to know for a December Hawaii vacation.
As we bid farewell to 2025 and welcome the new year of 2026, we wish you a Hau’oli Makahiki Hou, which is the Hawaiian way to say Happy New Year!
21 comments
Hi,
Would like to know if there will be fireworks this year on December 31st for celebrating the New Year 2016 in Poipu, Kauai, HI?
Many thanks.
Per our source, yes, there will be fireworks again this year.
Do you know if there will be enough parking available on site?
It depends on how many people decide to park in the area. To secure a parking spot, it’s best to arrive sooner rather than later.
what is the best place to eat prior to fireworks?
Not sure what’s available now. Brennecke’s is right on Poipu Beach Park near where the entertainment will be. Other choices would be Tidepools at the Hyatt and the Beach House, though they’re not immediately by Poipu Beach Park. Tidepools is closer than the Beach House.
PC, you could also look into the following restaurants, which are all a short walk to Poipu Beach Park.
Keoki’s Restaurant
Cafe Anuenue
Bangkok Happy Bowl/ RocknRoll Sushi
Puka Dogs
Plantation Gardens
Aloha and Happy New Year
Any fireworks on the North Shore?
None to our knowledge.
Heard there were fireworks in Kekaha at the Beach! Is this true? Thanks!
What is the schedule of events for New year’s Eve 2017/2018 for Kauai?
The current info is for 2016/2017.
We won’t know until late December
I would like to know if there are a New years Celebration with Fire Works In Kauai this year December, 31, 2017. I am staying in the Princeville area so prefer this area but please also let me know if there is celebrations in the other areas of the island.
Thank-you
We won’t know until December.
In the past, the island’s only fireworks show is in Poipu.
Great info…. thanks.
Any chance you know if there will be food trucks this year at Poipu Beach?
Yes, plans are in place for food trucks at Poipu Beach for New Year’s Eve.
Thanks Sheila!
Hi
I was just wondering about the time the fireworks start. On this page they mention sunset at around 8:15. Somewhere else they mention 9:20? Just wondering how to plan dinner
Thanks
We’re not sure where you’re reading that sunset is at 8:15pm. It’s much earlier than that – more than 2 hours earlier at the end of December.
Fireworks are at 8:15pm per our source.
I was at the fireworks last year. It gets very dark before the fireworks and it is easy to get separated from your family. My advice is to make sure everyone has flashlights so you can signal each other. Cell phones would help too, as would everyone having some idea of where your beach blanket/chairs are relative to some “landmark” (my landmark last year was the beach bathroom).
Also – unless you get to the food trucks early, be prepared for very long food truck lines around, say, dusk.