10 Things to do in Kauai at Christmas

Hawaiian Christmas is a combination of ancient and modern traditions, with palm trees taking the place of pine trees. You can enjoy the best Luau shows, island caroling, festivals of lights and a variety of activities on Kauai for the whole family. Some of the best things to do at this time of year include Christmas concerts and parades, as well as celebrations near the beach.

You can also join in the traditional Santa hunt that offers a tour of the entire island, as well as the annual Christmas tree lighting. If you plan to spend more than 7 days on Kauai, you can stay for a New Year's Eve celebration Hawaiian style - here are all the options for celebrating an authentic Hawaiian Christmas on Kauai!

Christmas on Kauai is a time of celebration with a completely different culinary experience, where you can taste the contrast of flavours. Traditional Hawaiian treats are usually prepared at this time of year, so it's well worth signing up for a food tour. You'll get the chance to experience most of the island by sampling dishes from the south, north and west. This way you'll experience the aloha spirit through fresh seafood, farm dishes and tropical fruits.

You can do it on your own, but at Christmas time the island is crowded and it's best to opt for the best local tours and excursions as they offer private, queue-free experiences. It's ideal if you plan to spend at least three days on Kauai, so you can spend three to four hours meeting local chefs, discovering the secrets that make Hawaiian food special and strolling along dreamy beaches.

Pork is usually the star of Christmas dinners on Kauai. Some of the Christmas dishes not to be missed are:

• Baked suckling pig: one of the most consumed dishes on the island during Christmas, it is usually prepared on a bed of charcoal in the sand, where it is cooked wrapped in banana leaves.
• Manapuá: it is a dish of Asian influence, which is made with wheat flour and roast pork.
• Pasteles: are side dishes that were adopted from Puerto Rico during the Plantation Era, which is prepared with pork, beef, seafood and plantain dough.
• Mochi: a Japanese dessert made with guava, ginger and passion fruit or lilikoi.

The best Luau shows are a great way to celebrate the holiday season, as the lively atmosphere allows you to experience something different. While enjoying your holiday in the Pacific, you'll have the opportunity to indulge in traditional feasting and fire dancing. Keep in mind that Christmas is high season on Kauai, so you'll be in for a busy holiday season. To be sure to book in advance.

Spending Christmas on Kauai is definitely a great idea, as it combines the spirit of Christmas with the traditions of Kauai. At a luau you can enjoy the talented hula dancers, a Polynesian dance accompanied by Hawaiian chanting. The best part is that the experience often includes a tasting of fish dishes and sweets made from farm produce. In fact, sometimes there is a buffet and open bar.

There are options from 152 euros at beaches, hotels, cruise ships, sugar cane plantations and more. You can usually find an arts and crafts fair, which comes alive during the festivities with elements of the season. You may be able to enjoy the show on Christmas Eve, but check with your service provider.

Every year at Christmastime, the search for Santa begins on Kauai with interactive activities, children's entertainment, gifts and shows at the best local beaches. During the Christmas holidays, Santa usually visits the island in a canoe, arriving for the colourful Festival of Lights. His tour is a local tradition, not to be missed if you're looking for things to do with children.

You can also visit the Kukui Grove Mall where you'll find Santa's House throughout the month of December, with a stand that welcomes letters from children and adults. In addition, you can enjoy the light shows and nightly Christmas events. If you prefer a more luxurious option, I recommend booking a catamaran with Santa on the Wailua River, as he often makes appearances and offers shows for all ages.

Another not-to-be-missed event is the annual Lights on Rice parade, which usually kicks off the holiday season on the first Friday in December. It's usually held on Garden Island and is completely free. The route features floats, decorated vehicles, hula dancers, bicycles and even horses. For the best views of the show, I suggest positioning yourself on Rice Street, located near the Kauai Museum and Lihue Airport. Thousands of spectators attend each year, so it's advisable to arrive early.

It usually starts around 6:00 p.m. and features recycled ornament contests, visits from Santa, craft exhibits and a variety of free activities that highlight the beauty of the island . Enjoy the parade route and stroll along Ho'olako Street, a picturesque fishing village. You may also pass Umi Street, where some of Kauai's best beaches are hidden.

Kauai's warm, tropical climate makes it a dream Christmas destination, especially if you take advantage of local festivals. The Kauai Festival of Lights is an annual event held at the Historic County Building Park. All activities are free, and ideal if you're looking for things to do on the island at night. They usually run from late November through New Year's Eve, with entertainment options until 23:00 hrs.

It's definitely one of the best things to do on Kauai in December. It offers visits from Santa, children's zones and Christmas workshops. It's a multi-faceted event where you can have a great time during your Christmas holidays. In particular, I recommend you take a look at the exhibits that chronicle past editions and collect the history of the festival.

The Kauai Christmas tree is very different from the typical pine tree, as Hawaiians generally prefer to use their own palm trees. On some islands there are pine trees to accommodate the needs of tourists, but this is rare. Exploring this culture during Christmas is quite an experience, especially when it comes to the official lighting of the big tree.

It takes place every year in the heart of the island, specifically during the last days of November and the first days of December. You can appreciate its breathtaking beauty with decorations that include lights, strings and ornaments typical of Hawaiian culture. In fact, it's likely that Lei crafts will be added to replace the Christmas baubles.

The sounds of the ocean breeze are contrasted with the caroling, carioca rhythms and Christmas concerts that take place on the island. If you're looking for things to do on Kauai in December, I suggest you take advantage of the live shows that honour the Christmas spirit. They usually take place downtown and you can enjoy performances by the local chorale.

Some concerts are free, however most chorale shows start at 10 euros. Christmas is certainly different from other places in the United States, but it still has a special touch. Instead of singing "Merry Christmas", the marching bands often wish Mele Kalikimaka. They've even adapted traditional songs to Hawaiian words and rhythms.

To enjoy the Hawaiian warmth, there's nothing better than sharing with your loved ones under the palm trees, taking in the panoramic ocean views. Some beaches and nature reserves allow you to camp for free or at low cost. But you can also stay at fully equipped resorts, which often host parties under the stars. While the breeze hits your face, all you'll have to do is sip tropical cocktails, appreciate the light decorations and attend Christmas concerts.

There are plenty of things to do on Kauai in December, such as taking advantage of humpback whale season, when humpbacks give birth to their calves in the island's warm waters. The most special part of spending Christmas on the best local beaches is enjoying the Luau shows, as well as the Christmas Eve rituals that are often accompanied by hula dancing and ukulele rhythms. Some of the most recommended beaches for Christmas are:

• Hanalei Bay: For a heavenly Christmas, I recommend a trip to the town of Hanalei. Its dreamy shores offer waterfront entertainment as well as activities for the whole family. You can visit art galleries, enjoy ukulele concerts and tour the fields of taro, an exotic plant that grows in Hawaii. In addition, each year's tropical light decorations add to the holiday spirit.
• Shipwreck Beach: Head south of Kauai for an exotic Hawaiian beach, where the waves offer ideal surfing conditions. If the tide stays medium, you can enjoy a dive off the cliffs. Swimming without a guide or lifeguard is not recommended as the tide is higher than normal in December. Please note that Christmas shows and live entertainment are occasionally offered.

For a unique and one-of-a-kind experience, the Waimea Christmas Parade is a must-attend event. It's an annual event that lights up the island with themed floats and spreads cheer at every stop with dancers, local bands and children's activities. It's ideal if you're looking for things to do on Kauai at night, as it usually starts around dusk on Main Street.

It usually ends at Hofgaard Park with a massive concert for the whole family. Note that the Waimea Bridge is usually closed during the parade, so be cautious about visiting attractions in the area on this day. Additionally, both the parade and concerts are free and are considered a local tradition.

The parade was first held in 1973 and was later incorporated into the activities of the Waimea Town Celebration, an annual festival that runs from December to February and has been held on the island since 1976. It offers a week of cultural entertainment and food tastings. Typically, the event's itinerary also includes:

• Tasting evenings of tropical cocktails, local food and craft beers.
• Costume contests, sometimes with a Hawaiian or Christmas theme.
• Canoe races on the Wailua River.

If you plan to stay at least 7 days on Kauai, you can extend the fun on the island and take advantage of New Year's Eve events. New Year's Eve or Hau'oli Makahiki Hou celebrations take over every area. The best place to enjoy New Year's Eve is Poipu Beach, where the fireworks display takes place every year. This beach offers a completely different experience, as the sky is splashed with colours around 20:00 hrs, and not at 00:00 hrs as is customary in other regions.

In the surrounding area you'll find live entertainment, as well as street food stalls, where you can enjoy a street food dinner. You can also eat at the Kauai Poke Company, one of the best stands that fuses Asian food with Hawaiian dishes. Fireworks can be heard on other islands, and can even be seen from lookouts, campgrounds and mountains. Another option is to take advantage of the fireworks display in Lihue, especially from Vidinha Stadium and the local beaches.

If you prefer to celebrate in style, you can take advantage of the lavish parties at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa In this case, you'll need to book in advance to enjoy the splurge until dawn. There's usually an open bar, live music and a toast around midnight. Additionally, on the island you'll find luau shows, cruises under the stars, waterfront parties and more.

Kauai is a magical island with lively plans for a different kind of Christmas. In this destination, be prepared to substitute dressy clothes for beach sandals. In particular, take the opportunity to explore the cultural contrasts, as well as alternate between mountain, beach and town plans. Here are some tips to make the most of your stay:

• December is peak season on Kauai, as many visitors flock to Kauai for its exciting holiday offerings. Be sure to plan ahead so you can find the best flights, accommodation and prices.
• For an enjoyable experience, be sure to follow the safety rules at local beaches. If the tide is high, avoid wandering away from the shore. Also, it is not advisable to touch animals, fruits and flowers, as you may encounter poisonous species.
• To travel to the Hawaiian Islands you must apply for an ESTA permit, which costs around 13 euros and can be applied for online .
• Public transport on Kauai is poor compared with other islands. It is therefore recommended that you rent a car for convenience and freedom. Roads are generally well signposted, but I recommend buying an eSIM for internet access. In any case, use the free Maps Me website to have offline maps at hand.
• At Christmas, prices rise considerably, which is something you should bear in mind when preparing your trip.