Aloha and welcome to our annual Maui Christmas guide! We have begun updating this page for Christmas 2024. It will be in a state of transition while venues announce what they’re offering. For any event or entry that’s been updated for 2024, we will designate it with a bold, red 2024, like this: 2024. As you will see, we’ve already confirmed many events and special things to do for this coming Christmas holiday. If you do not see the bold, red 2024 beside an event, you can assume that event was from last year. It’s quite possible that a similar event from last year will be held again for 2024, but the venue has not announced yet.
Christmas is such a special time to visit Maui! You’ll find the island decked out in lights, ornaments and Christmas cheer. Maui really knows how to celebrate the holidays with warm Aloha. As you’re making your Christmas vacation plans, we want to give you some special and meaningful ideas to celebrate the holiday season with Maui-style.
A note about Lahaina:
Before we go any further, we feel that it’s necessary to share this somber note about Lahaina. We’ve been creating these lists of special things to do for Christmas in Maui for more than a decade. Typically we list things to do in Lahaina, but the wildfires of 2023 forever changed the town. As of late 2024, very little has been rebuilt. Most of Lahaina is not open to the public at this time. Only a small area on the northern end of Lahaina is open to the public.
Visitors are asked to be compassionate towards Maui residents as many fire victims are displaced in temporary housing. Where possible please try to support the local economy.
Christmas Shopping
Christmastime is a special time to shop in Maui. Consider buying locally made crafts and artwork for gifts.
You can find the big department stores in Kahului, but there are several shopping centers that are closer to the resort areas.
West Maui (Kaanapali, Kapalua)
- We like Whalers Village in Kaanapali. 2024
- In year’s past, we listed several shopping spots in Lahaina. Sadly, many were destroyed in the wildfire of August 2023. Since the fires, Lahaina Cannery Mall has reopened. They host free cultural events and art shows. 2024
South Maui
- We really enjoy the Shops at Wailea in Wailea. They host great cultural programs and musical entertainment throughout the year, but the Shops at Wailea add special events in December. Here are some highlights for this December:
- Santa makes a visit to the the shops for free photos on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m in December through the 21st. Santa’s helpers will hand out complimentary Peppermint Macadamia Nut cookies courtesy of Honolulu Cookie Company. A canned good donation, which will go to the Maui Food Bank, is encouraged. 2024
- Check out their events calendar to find a free Polynesian show, cultural activities taking place in December. 2024
Other unique Maui shops
- If you want to experience a cooler climate, go upcountry to the paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) town of Makawao where you can browse through unique shops — such as Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center which is decorated for the Hui Holidays. 2024
- The former sugar cane plantation town of Paia has some small, local shops. 2024
Attend a Christmas Church Service
Attending a Christmas service is a wonderful way to celebrate the good news of hope for this season. It’s even more special when you do so in Maui.
Here are some services that have caught our eye. We’ll list these churches that are near the resort areas. To help you find a service near your accommodations, we’ll list the churches in geographical order.
West Maui – Kapalua, Lahaina areas
- Maria Lanakila Catholic Church in Lahaina survived the fire, but public access is prohibited for the time being. Their sister church, Sacred Hearts Mission Church in Kapalua typically holds mass on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
- Honolua United Methodist Church holds Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7pm. See this link for more details.
- Harvest Kumulani Church in Kapalua holds Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6pm. See this link for more details.
- Lahaina United Methodist Church was destroyed in the August fire. They are temporally holding services at Lahuiokalani Ka’anapali Congregation Church in Honokowai. They are holding Christmas Day service starting at 10am. See this link for more information.
South Maui – Kihei, Wailea
- Hope Chapel in Kihei welcomes visitors for Christmas Eve Candlelight services starting December 22 at 6:00 p.m. Then they will hold three candlelight services on December 24 at 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Check this page for more details. 2024
- St. Theresa Roman Catholic Church in Kihei offers several Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services as follows:
- Christmas Eve 5:00 p.m. (English) 2024
- Christmas Eve 7:00 p.m. (Spanish) 2024
- Christmas Eve 10:00 p.m. (English) 2024
- Christmas Day mass at 7:00 a.m. and and 9:30 a.m. 2024
- Calvary Chapel South Maui typically holds Christmas Eve services. TBD for 2024
- Trinity Episcopal Church by the Sea holds Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7:00 p.m. services. Christmas Day service will be at 9:00 a.m. See this link for more information. 2024
When you arrive on Maui, pick up a copy of the Maui News as Christmas Eve approaches. They’ll have more information about church services across Maui. Additionally, ask your concierge if they know of services that will be near to where you’re staying.
See Santa Claus as he visits Maui
Santa normally makes a few quick visits to Maui before heading back to the North Pole to load up his sleigh. Most often he’s dressed in his fun, Aloha attire.
- Santa stops by the Shops at Wailea for free photos. Guests are asked to bring a canned good donation to benefit the Maui Food Bank. For the week leading up to Christmas, Santa will be at the Shops at Wailea on Saturday, December 21 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. 2024
- Ali’i Nui hosts their special Holiday Santa Sail on December 15, 21 and 23 this year. Learn more here. 2024
- On the morning of December 23rd, Santa arrives by catamaran on Ka’anapali Beach at Whalers Village. See this link for more details.
- On Christmas Eve, Santa arrives by outrigger canoe at Polo Beach in front of the Fairmont Kea Lani. We don’t yet know the exact time, but in many years past, it’s been held at approximately 12pm. See this link for more information. 2024
- On Christmas Eve, Santa arrives by outrigger canoe at Wailea Beach in front of the Grand Wailea between 8am and 9am. See this link for more information. 2024
- At Montage Kapalua Bay, Mr. and Mrs. Claus stop for photos. See this link for more information.
- Santa visits the Halona Kai Holiday Village, (details are listed further down on this list) 2024
Savor a Christmas feast
Many resorts across Maui will offer scrumptious multi-course dinners and/or buffets with menus specially designed for the holidays. Most hotel-based restaurants will be open. Check directly with your hotel for details.
One quick source to search for restaurant availability online is via OpenTable. (Make sure you customize the search criteria.) I recommend you make reservations as soon as possible.
Explore the Hawaiian island-style Christmas decorations
Christmas decorations in Hawaii are really special and often convey a great sense of place. You may find tropical flowers adorning Christmas trees, tropical fish ornaments and other unique Hawaii-style decorations.
The hotels really do a fantastic job decorating for Christmas. For a nice stroll, head out on the oceanfront paths in either Kaanapali or Wailea or both. Along the way, pop into the hotels to check out their lobbies and entrances.
Some of the best resorts for seeing Christmas lights are:
- Ritz Carlton Maui at Kapalua – While you’re there, check out the Holiday Hale in the lobby for a sweet treat.
- Grand Wailea in Wailea in South Maui has thousands of festive lights fronting the resort.
- Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea in South Maui
Enjoy special holiday activities at Halona Kai Holiday Village
The fourth annual Halona Kai Holiday Village at the Hyatt Regency Maui, is set to take place from December 24 and 25. This year’s family-friendly village features a dinner buffet with festive music, Christmas-themed activities, a visit from Santa Claus and a holiday movie under the Hawaiian night sky. Halona Kai Holiday Village is located at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort in Kaanapali. See this link for more information and to book tickets. 2024
Catch a Christmas Performance
Hanau Ke Ali’i, A King is Born will be a presentation of hula and music to honor the birth of Christ. Over 100 dancers are set to take the stage in this performance at Castle Theater in Kahului. Learn more here. 2024
Finally, what about the tradition of Lahaina’s famous banyan tree wrapped in thousands of lights?
Due to the tragic wildfire in August 2023, the 150-year-old banyan tree was badly burned, but is showing signs of life. Access to Lahaina is highly restricted and the tree will not be wrapped in thousands of lights as it has been in the past. We hope that as Lahaina heals, this banyan tree Christmas tradition can be continued in the future.
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We recommend you speak to your hotel’s concierge for more options that will be held onsite or nearby your accommodation. Also, pick up a copy of the Maui News when you are on island for additional restaurants and holiday activity suggestions.
The holiday time is a popular time to visit Maui. As such, be prepared by reading our advice — What you need to know about planning a Hawaii vacation around a holiday. If this is your first visit to Maui, check out our popular Maui vacation planner to help you make your itinerary.
We hope you’ll have a wonderful Christmastime on Maui. While you’re there, make sure you know how to wish someone a Merry Christmas in the Hawaiian language.
If you’ll be staying on Maui through New Year’s Eve, check out our guide for possible Maui New Year’s celebrations.
Subscribe to our free newsletter to get Hawaii travel inspiration and advice. We will use the newsletter to announce when this page is up to date for the coming Christmas season. To get your free subscription, carefully enter your email address at this link.
19 comments
Bringing mom and dad to Maui for the first time and staying at Papakea.
Where’s the best or closest place to take my four-year-old nephew to see Santa?
What are some activities we should consider for my parents who are in their late 60s?
What restaurants are close by for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals?
Thank you!!!
Kaanapali and Kapalua activities and restaurants are closest to Papakea.
Top 5 things to do on Maui (not Christmas related) https://govisithawaii.com/2008/01/18/top-5-things-you-must-see-and-do-on-your-maui-vacation/
Santa arrives on an outrigger canoe at the Grand Wailea in December. You can also visit Santa at Queen Kaahumanu Center mall during the holiday season
This year we have so many wide-eyed keiki added to our family over the past 3 years and they are the perfect age to take a drive by a street of holiday lights… but whea? We’re in Wailuku.
Maybe see the lights on the big banyan tree in Lahaina. From what we’ve seen, the Grand Wailea has a lot of lights at the entrance that you could drive past. Hope that helps a little.
Bringing my family to Maui fir Christmas….3 teens, dad, mom me(Grama). Where is a great place for Christmas Day meal? I would like to make reservations. Also, Christmas Eve church service? Other Christmas activities you might suggest. Thank you
We won’t have this post updated until December. In the meantime, review what’s listed for an idea of what will likely happen again this coming Christmas.
Where on Island will you be staying?
The Wailea hotels have Christmas Day meals, and you might also try Mama’s Fish house or the Hali’imaile General Store.
Kings Cathedral at 777 Maui Veteran’s Hwy has Christmas Eve as well as Christmas Day services and it’s centrally located.
Don’t forget
Keawalai’i congregational church candlelight service. One not to be missed. In the old church by the ocean in Makenna
I’m looking for a nice show and/or dinner on December 24th. Is it more quiet that day on Maui or are there things going on? If so, which events can you recommend? Mahalo
Some luaus operate on Christmas Eve. Here’s a list of luaus on Maui: https://govisithawaii.com/2008/02/26/maui-luaus-prices-schedules-and-reviews/ Please consider that luaus often change dates, times, pricing, etc and we’ve not updated that list is a while. The links should all still be active for further investigation, checking availability, pricing, etc.
Also, if you are staying in a hotel, check to see what they might be offering. Ask your concierge for their advice.
Don’t forget holiday shopping at Ma’alaea! There you’ll find local retail stores as well as Pacific Whale Foundation’s retail store. Pacific Whale Foundation’s store has all kind of gift giving options, from apparel, to household to specialty foods. Many of the items are eco-friendly and/or made on Maui or in the Islands. Biggest benefit of shopping there is that all of the profits go back into research and education for protecting our marine animals and environment! Shopping to make a difference!
We are planning to be on Maui for Christmas 2020. We are seniors, our daughter and son-in-law, and three teenagers. Our daughter worked at the grand Wailea during their opening years
Coming to Maui to Celebrate Christmas 2020.
Where can we have a nice Christmas lunch or dinner to celebrate the holiday ? How soon can we make the reservation ? Any concerts , parades or nay events scheduled ? We
are close to Lahaina , Napili and Kaanapali.
What activities are available ?
Due to COVID-19, most hotels and many restaurants are closed right now. So, it’s far too soon to even guess what’s going to happen in Maui for Christmas 2020. Additionally, the islands are not even open for tourism without first quarantining for 14 days at the moment.
Venues don’t typically announce what they’re going to offer until November or December. Subscribe to our free newsfeed to be in the know when we release the new holiday events.
We are going to Maui for the first time the week of Christmas and would love any itinerary advice with our two girls (8 and 10). Is the Santa canoeing to the Fairmont Kea Lani free to the public? Thanks.
Also, any suggestions to best place to go to for Christmas dinner?
The Santa arrival is open to the public as it is held on a beach. All beaches in Hawaii are open to the public.
This is our Maui itinerary, which you can adapt to your interests: https://govisithawaii.com/2016/08/02/seven-day-maui-vacation-itinerary/