Christmas in Hawaii was inspired by past blog posts from Megan Shute. Megan is a professional write who resides on Oahu. She compiled photographs from social media that supports Oahu’s local attractions and features Christmas time in Hawaii.
Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, it’s officially the Christmas season. When you think of a traditional holiday season, the Hawaiian Islands are probably the last place to cross your mind. After all, you won’t find freezing temperatures or snow here, unless you head to the summit of the Big Island’s Mauna Kea, that is. However, Christmas in Hawaii is pretty incredible, and here are eleven reasons why.
Surfing Hawaiian Santa is so much cooler than regular Santa
Santa can shed his big, red suit and clunky boots in this tropical climate and don a festive Hawaiian shirt instead – or simply not zip up his suit.

Cliff/Flickr
Make a “snowman” on the beach.
You won’t have to worry about your sandman melting though you might have to worry about your creation being swept away with the tide…

Scott Schiller/Flickr
Witness Santa arriving on an outrigger canoe
Because everyone knows that reindeer don’t thrive in a tropical climate. Santa arrives on Waikiki Beach by outrigger canoe.

Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort/Facebook
Experience the beautiful lights that adorn Honolulu Hale
The beautiful light displays at the Honolulu Hale will be up through January 1 and are an absolute must-visit in the Hawaiian capital.

Kyle Nishioka/Flickr
Drive thru a holiday wonderland at Aloha Stadium
Enjoy a leisurely drive through a Christmas landscape.

Provided by Honolulu KHNL
Blast the AC while drinking hot chocolate
It may be 80 degrees outside, but we can pretend we live in a winter wonderland, can’t we?

Dave Dugdale/Flickr
See someone surfing in a Santa hat
What’s better than a holiday trip to the beach?

Paul Oka/Flickr
See blooming poinsettias and decked out palm trees
Did you know that poinsettias can grow as tall as trees in Hawaii, and that they bloom near December 25?

Forest and Kim Starr/Flickr
You never have to worry about bad weather changing your holiday plans
There will be no blizzard that forces you to miss your annual family holiday celebration in Hawaii.

Sam Posnick/Flickr
Christmas dinner is followed by a trip to the beach — wearing Santa hats and leis, of course
Because we want to be festive AND still enjoy our days off at the beach. Besides, what’s better than a holiday trip to the beach?

Rob Bertholf/Flickr
Telling other “Mele Kalikimaka” instead of “Merry Christmas”
Bing Crosby said it best: “Mele Kalikimaka is Hawaii’s way to say Merry Christmas to you.”

Daniel Ramirez/Flickr
Hawaiian Christmas music is quite unique
What other states in America can say that they have completely unique Christmas tunes sung by the famous Bing Crosby?