Maui Events in December

Events & Festivals on the island of Maui

Tori C. Derrick

11-29-2025

Tori C. Derrick

President & certified Hawaii travel expert with 15+ years of experience in Hawaii tourism.

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If you’re heading to Maui in December 2025, you’re in for a treat. December is when the Valley Isle feels extra magical, with cooler evenings, festive lights wrapped around palm trees, whale season kicking off, and holiday celebrations with a uniquely Hawaiian twist. Instead of snowflakes and sleigh bells, you’ll get ocean breezes, outrigger canoes, hula, and the sound of slack-key guitar drifting through warm island nights.

Maui doesn’t host as many large “mainland-style” festivals in December due to the holiday season. Still, the events it does offer are deeply beloved, family-friendly, and wildly popular with both residents and visitors. These are the top 5, the ones you’ll hear locals talk about, the ones resorts build entire holiday programs around, and the ones that will genuinely enhance your Maui vacation.

2025 Events and Festivities

Grand Wailea Resort – Tree Lighting Ceremony & Holiday Celebration

One of the most famous holiday events on Maui, the Grand Wailea hosts a massive annual tree-lighting celebration complete with live Hawaiian entertainment, hula, seasonal treats, and a spectacular lighting ceremony. The tree is enormous; it towers over the already-stunning open-air lobby.

Why It’s Popular:
This is the go-to holiday kickoff event in South Maui. Visitors and residents alike flock to it. The resort goes over the top with decorations — think giant ornaments, torch-lit walkways, and ocean views that glow at sunset. It’s a holiday moment that feels tropical, elegant, and totally Maui.

If You Go:
Arrive before sunset to wander the grounds. The lighting ceremony usually draws a big crowd, so getting there early pays off.

When: Mid-December 2025
Where: Grand Wailea Resort, Wailea
More Info: https://www.grandwailea.com/

 

Santa’s Arrival by Outrigger Canoe (Wailea)

Santa doesn’t ride a sleigh on Maui; he paddles in by outrigger canoe! Each Christmas Eve, Santa and Mrs. Claus make an unforgettable arrival at Polo Beach. Kids line the sand, adults grab photos, and everyone soaks in the sunshine and holiday fun.

Why It’s Popular:
This is one of Maui’s most iconic December traditions. Families plan their vacations around it. It’s joyful, unique, and honestly one of the cutest photo ops you’ll ever get in Hawaii.

If You Go:
Bring sunglasses and your camera — Santa usually lands right at lunchtime, and the beach fills up fast.

When: December 24, 2025
Where: Polo Beach, Wailea (Hosted annually by the Fairmont Kea Lani)
More Info: https://www.fairmont-kea-lani.com/

Holiday Movies Under the Stars (Whalers Village, Kāʻanapali)

Whalers Village hosts free outdoor holiday movie nights on the lawn near Kāʻanapali Beach. Families bring blankets and snacks and settle in under the stars for festive classics and animated favorites.

Why It’s Popular:
It’s simple, nostalgic, and perfectly Maui: ocean breeze, palm trees, twinkle lights, and a movie with your toes in the grass. It’s a beloved Kāʻanapali holiday tradition and very accessible no matter where you’re staying.

If You Go:
Bring a light jacket; December evenings can get a little breezy.

When: December 5-28, 2025
Where: Whalers Village, Kaanapali
More Info: https://www.whalersvillage.com/

 

“Nutcracker Sweets” at ʻĪao Theater (Wailuku)

Maui OnStage produces a charming holiday performance each year, the most popular being Nutcracker Sweets, a family-friendly variation of the classical ballet. The historic ʻĪao Theater — one of the most beautiful small theaters in Hawaii — adds vintage charm to the experience.

Why It’s Popular:
It’s one of the island’s few annual live holiday performances, and locals adore it. Perfect for families, couples, or anyone who loves theater with a local twist.

If You Go:
Shows often sell out, reserve early if you’re visiting in mid-December.

When: Mid-December 2025
Where: Historic Iao Theater, Wailuku
More Info: https://www.mauionstage.com/

 

Start of Maui’s Whale Watching Season (Islandwide)

December is when thousands of North Pacific humpback whales return to Maui’s warm waters. Tour boats operate daily out of Maʻalaea and Kāʻanapali, offering close-up views of breaches, tail slaps, and calf-and-mother pairs.

Why It’s Popular:
Whale watching is huge on Maui — people come from all over the world for it. Even from shore, you’ll often see blows and splashes. In December, sightings are already excellent, and tours feel extra magical during the holiday season.

If You Go:
Morning tours = calmer seas. Afternoon tours = dramatic lighting for photos.

When: Begins December 2025 (peaks Jan-March)
Where: Ma'alaea Harbor, Lahaina area
More Info: https://pacificwhale.org/

December on Maui has a vibe you won’t find anywhere else — one minute you’re watching whales breach off Kaʻanapali, the next you’re sipping a tropical cocktail while holiday lights glow across Wailea’s resorts. The island celebrates the season in a way that blends Hawaiian culture with festive cheer: Santa swaps reindeer for an outrigger canoe, open-air malls turn into movie nights under the stars, and historic theaters come alive with holiday performances.

If you only pick a few events, make sure you hit the Grand Wailea tree lighting and Santa’s canoe arrival — they’re Maui icons. And definitely plan a whale-watching tour… It’s hands-down one of the best December activities on any Hawaiian island.

Tori C. Derrick

Published by: Tori C. Derrick

President & certified Hawai'i travel expert with 15+ years of experience in Hawai'i tourism.

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