Hawaiʻi in Winter

Hawaiʻi in winter features mild weather, cooler nights and rain that keeps landscapes lush and green. December, January and February bring plenty of sunshine for outdoor explorations and sporting events, while indoor attractions warm up travelers with inspiring stories and interactive exhibits. Winter is the best season for surfing in Hawaiʻi, with experienced surfers loving the consistent swells throughout the islands. Winter is also the heart of whale watching season, with the beloved giants coming to warm Hawaiʻi waters. End-of-year gatherings and holiday parades light up cities and towns, but travelers seeking rest and relaxation can enjoy amenity-filled resorts.

Holiday Celebrations in Hawaiʻi 

Winter is one of the most popular times to visit Hawaiʻi, especially during the holiday season when festive events and decorations can be found across every island. Marvel at thousands of lights dazzling downtown centers throughout December during Honolulu and Kapolei City Lights, Kauaʻi Festival of Lights and the Molokaʻi Christmas Light Parade & Hoʻolauleʻa. Shop locally for your holiday gifts during the Mele Kalikimaka Marketplace, a two-day Christmas market in Honolulu. Check local community calendars to see dates and times for annual Christmas Boat Parades held along harbors and seaways. Hawaiʻi is one of the best places to be for New Year’s Eve Celebrations, with many cities, towns and resorts hosting lively parties and fireworks. 

Big Wave Surfing 

Winter marks Hawaiʻi’s world-famous surf season, when powerful north swells transform the islands into a global stage for big-wave surfing. On Oʻahu, the North Shore becomes the epicenter, with legendary breaks like ʻEhukai Beach Park (Banzai Pipeline), Waimea Bay and Paumalū (Sunset Beach) drawing elite surfers and spectators. Maui’s Peʻahi is known for some of the largest rideable waves on earth, while its Honolua Bay offers more sheltered winter surf conditions. On Kauaʻi, Hanalei Bay delivers consistent winter swells framed by dramatic mountains, and Kona’s popular surf break, nicknamed Banyan’s, is a top winter surf spot on the island of Hawaiʻi.

Winter Sports & Events 

Cheer on professional and amateur athletes or test your own endurance at sporting events throughout winter. Runners from around the world participate in the Honolulu Marathon that’s held on the second Sunday in December and the Maui Oceanfront Marathon that’s held mid-January. Golfers of all levels flock to Hawaiʻi for year-round play, while professional golfers come during the Sony Championship Hawaiʻi and Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai, both on the PGA Champions tour. Cheer on college athletes as the University of Hawaiʻi’s men’s and women’s basketball teams play their home games, or football teams during the annual Hawaiʻi Bowl. Visit the island of Hawaiʻi in February for the family-friendly Panaʻewa Stampede Rodeo. 

Museums & Indoor Attractions 

Take a break from the rainy season weather to experience indoor museums and cultural centers throughout the state. Honolulu is home to several must-visit institutions like the Bishop Museum, Honolulu Museum of Art, Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Children’s Discovery Center, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum and Hawaiʻi’s Plantation Village. Varied attractions on Hawaiʻi Island include the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, Lyman Museum and Mission House, Mokupāpapa Discovery Center and Huliheʻe Palace. On Kauaʻi, learn geological history of the islands at the Kōkeʻe Natural History Museum and see cultural displays at the Kauaʻi Museum. Visit the Maui Ocean Center for exhibits exclusively showing native Hawaiian creatures, or head inland to learn island history at the Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House. 

Shopping in Hawaiʻi 

Hawaiʻi has the perfect spots to find holiday gifts for all your friends and family. Head to the Ala Mona Center in Honolulu, the world’s largest open-air shopping mall, to wander over 290 stores and dining options. Buy high-end goods from boutiques along International Marketplace or nearby at shops in the Royal Hawaiian Center. For those looking for a deal, head to the Waikele Premium Outlets in Central Oʻahu. Shopping delights meet stunning water views with the oceanfront Whalers Village in Maui, while Queens Marketplace and adjacent Kings’ Shops in Waikōloa Beach Resort on Hawaiʻi Island offer a range of local to national brands. Must-visit shopping spots on Kauaʻi include The Shops at Kukuiʻula on the South Shore and Princeville Center on the North Shore. Shoppers wanting to buy locally can find quaint storefronts in Lānaʻi City on Lānaʻi or in Kaunakakai on Molokaʻi. 

Family Fun in Winter 

Have amazing family experiences across Hawaiʻi without breaking the bank. Many festivals and events throughout the islands are free to attend including Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival on the island of Hawaiʻi, Pearl Harbor Memorial Day Parade on Oʻahu, Ka Molokaʻi Makahiki on Molokaʻi, Waimea Town Celebration on Kauaʻi, Love Hawaiʻi Celebration on Lānaʻi and the Upcountry Winter Fest on Maui. Attractions on Oʻahu with free admission include the Pearl Harbor National Memorial Visitor Center, Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden, U.S. Army Museum of Hawaiʻi and the John Young Museum of Art. The Hilton Hawaiian Village has Friday Night Fireworks that lights up Waikīkī Beach every week.

Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting Hawaiʻi in Winter 

Is winter a good time to visit Hawaiʻi? 

Winter is a wonderful time to visit Hawaiʻi, offering a warm tropical escape from the cold temperatures elsewhere. While it is peak travel season, especially around the holidays, it’s also a festive season with cultural events and celebrations. Winter is also the best time for experienced surfers to enjoy big waves and whale watching in Hawaiʻi. 

What’s the weather like in Hawaiʻi in winter? 

Hawaiʻi’s winter weather is generally mild and pleasant, with warm days and cooler evenings. It is the wet season, so expect passing rain showers, but still plenty of sunshine. Ocean conditions vary, with calmer waters on the south shores and larger surf along the northern coasts. 

When is surf season in Hawaiʻi? 

Hawaiʻi’s surf season is centered in the winter, when ocean swells are at their largest and most consistent. From December to March, surfers flock to iconic breaks for challenging waves, while calmer shores remain better suited for beginners. 

What are the best festivals in Hawaiʻi in winter? 

The best festivals in Hawaiʻi in winter include The Triple Crown of Surfing competitions, Honolulu Marathon and Honolulu and Kapolei City Lights on Oʻahu. Christmas and other holiday celebrations are held throughout the islands. New Year's in Hawaiʻi features parties and fireworks in both small towns and large cities. 

Which popular festivals happen in Hawaiʻi in December? 

Top festivals in Hawaiʻi in December include the Honolulu and Kapolei City Lights on Oʻahu and Christmas with the Chefs on the island of Hawaiʻi. Each island has its own local holiday celebrations that bring festive lights and cheer. The Triple Crown of Surfing consists of three elite competitions that take place on Oʻahu’s North Shore starting in November and continuing into December. 

Which popular festivals happen in Hawaiʻi in January? 

Top festivals in Hawaiʻi in January include the Maui Oceanfront Marathon on Maui, Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualālai on Hawaiʻi Island and the Ka Molokaʻi Makahiki on Molokaʻi. Hawaiʻi is a popular destination to celebrate the New Year, with all islands holding celebrations and fireworks throughout the first week of the year. 

Which popular festivals happen in Hawaiʻi in February? 

Top festivals in Hawaiʻi in February include Maui Whale Festival on Maui, Waimea Town Celebration on Kauaʻi, and the Panaʻewa Stampede Rodeo and Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival on the island of Hawaiʻi. Lunar New Year celebrations can be found statewide, but the largest celebration takes place in Honolulu’s Chinatown. 

Is Hawaiʻi crowded in winter? 

Winter is Hawaiʻi’s busiest travel season due to holiday vacations and peak tourist demand, so expect larger crowds at beaches, resorts and attractions.