Things to Do on O‘ahu in December 2024 and January 2025
See Hawai‘i’s first Cirque du Soleil residency show, laugh along with Frank DeLima and cheer on football and golf games this winter.
THEATER
White Christmas
Nov. 22 to Dec. 14
The feel-good film from the ’50s has found new audiences as a musical in the 21st century, featuring 17 Irving Berlin songs.
$41–$68, Diamond Head Theatre, 520 Makapu‘u Ave., diamondheadtheatre.com, @diamondheadtheatre
SEE ALSO: The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Happenings on O‘ahu
Photo: Credit Erik Kabik
THEATER
Cirque du Soleil: ‘Auana
Opens Dec. 5, Wednesday–Sunday, 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.
Hawai‘i’s first Cirque residency debuts this month with a brand-new 80-minute show incorporating acrobatics, comedy, hula, music and incredible costumes in a performance showcasing Hawai‘i mo‘olelo and history. Kama‘āina get 30% off.
$76–$217, Outrigger Waikīkī Beachcomber Hotel, cirquedusoleil.com, @cirquedusoleil.auana
SEE ALSO: Cirque du Soleil: ‘Auana Debuts in December
Original photo courtesy of Blue Note Hawai‘i. Composite: James Nakamura
COMEDY
Frank DeLima Holiday Brunch
Sunday, Dec. 15, 1 p.m.
Celebrate 50 years of comedy with this local legend. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., so come early to eat (there’s a $10 food/drink minimum)—that way, you can avoid choking while you laugh along. Seating is first come, first served in whatever section you purchased a ticket for.
$35–$45, Blue Note Hawai‘i, bluenotehawaii.com, @bluenotehawaii
SEE ALSO: Your Ultimate Guide to Concerts and Live Music in Honolulu
COMEDY
Kalani Pe‘a’s Hawaiian Christmas Show
Saturday, Dec. 21, 7 p.m.
The Grammy winner’s third annual Christmas show will feature kumu hula Olana Ai, Natalie Ai Kamauu, kumu hula Shelsea Ai, Hālau Lilia Makanoe, Starr Kalāhiki and 24-VII Danceforce; hosted by Mele Apana. Pe‘a’s fifth album, Kuini, came out this summer and pays tribute to the women who shaped his life.
$45–$100, Hawai‘i Theatre, 1130 Bethel St., hawaiitheatre.com, @kalanipeamusic
SPORTS
The Hawai‘i Bowl
Tuesday, Dec. 24, kickoff at 3 p.m.
This postseason game featuring teams from the Mountain West and Conference USA starts with a pregame concert and ceremony. Group ticket packages are available. You can also watch live on ESPN.
Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, thehawaiibowl.com, @thehawaiibowl
SPORTS
Sony Open
Jan. 6–12
Come see the world’s best golfers play the largest charity golf event in the Islands. More than $250 million has been donated to local nonprofits to date. There’s free admission on Monday and Tuesday; otherwise, daily tickets are $40, with other types of passes and discounts available.
Wai‘alae Country Club, sonyopeninhawaii.com, @sonyopenhawaii
EXHIBIT
Kenyatta Kelechi: Laulima
Through Jan. 12
In this exhibit, wet plate photography reminiscent of the 19th century gives a vintage look to portraits of modern Hawaiian families and their relationships to the ‘āina.
$15 museum admission for kama‘āina, Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 S Beretania St., honolulumuseum.org, @honolulumuseum
SEE ALSO: Capturing Kānaka Through ManaChrome
VOLUNTEER
Sanctuary Ocean Count
Wednesday, Jan. 25, 8 a.m. to noon
Help keep tabs on our seasonal underwater friends during peak whale season. Volunteers gather at sites around the Islands to monitor whale behavior, such as breaching. Their efforts help the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary study the animals. Registration for the event opens Jan. 6. There will be other counts on Feb. 22 and March 29.
Free, multiple locations, oceancount.org
