While some Christmas holidays are best enjoyed tucked away at home as the snow falls and temperatures drop, others are destined to be more focused on warm weather and far away fun. This year, leave the cold behind and instead, enjoy a great Christmas getaway to the Big Island of Hawaii. Between the amazing year-round weather, enticing island vibes, and seemingly endless lineup of fun activities to enjoy, there’s no better place on the map to make the most of a Christmas away from home. While your visit this way in December won’t come with any snow, it will come with plenty of festive holiday spirit built into every moment. Yes, you’ll be swapping out your snow boots for flip flops, but when you head to the Big Island over the holidays, you wouldn’t want it any other way. The following are just a few of the many Christmas 2021 activities and attractions you can enjoy this year when travel plans bring you to the island.
Enjoy a Holiday Parade
When music, lights, and festive cheer are all on your must-have Christmas list this year, you’ll find plenty of it at the annual Kailua-Kona Community Christmas Parade. This vibrant and undeniably colorful spectacle is a favorite on the island amongst locals and visitors alike. The parade starts at 5:00 pm on December 11th and travels along the main route of Ali’i Drive. When the floats and performances have passed you by, you’ll want to be sure to stick around until after dark when the parade is followed by a sensational Christmas fireworks display to enjoy! This is a family-friendly event that will be filled with fun photo opportunities and is an attraction you simply won’t want to miss when you’re spending Christmas on the Big Island.
Finish Up Last Minute Shopping
If you don’t want to pack presents when you head to the Big Island, or you’re simply needing to pick up some last-minute gifts, you’re in luck when you spend the holidays here. Kailua Village is an ideal place to enjoy some holiday shopping in festive style. Kailua Village is dotted with delightful stores as well as restaurants and boutique retailers too. That means that you can pair your name-brand purchases with one-of-a-kind handcrafted goods if that’s more your style. If you’re all caught up on your shopping and are just looking to enjoy a festive atmosphere, this is an amazing place to simply stroll, and people watch or catch a live musical performance around Emma’s Square during the holiday season.
Make It a Boat Parade
Chances are, if you’re headed to the Big Island over Christmas, you’re looking to make the most of some serious time on the water. So why not pair that water fun with a holiday parade? That’s exactly what you’ll enjoy at the Kalikimaka Boat Parade this year. The Kalikimaka Boat Parade is an annual tradition on the Big Island with great viewing areas located around the Kailua Pier. If you happen to be dining during the boat parade you may be in luck as well as many village restaurant patios provide a great vantage point over the water as decorated boats sail by. Keep an eye on the event calendar for the official parade date to come!
Embrace a Little Tradition Through Performance
Traveling to the Big Island of Hawaii for the holidays doesn’t mean sacrificing all of those Christmas traditions. In fact, if you head over to the Kahilu Theater on December 23rd, you’ll be able to enjoy a performance of The Nutcracker by The West Hawaii Dance Theater & Academy. While in-person seating is limited, the performance will also be accessible via live stream in 2021. Altogether, the performance includes more than 70 dancers as well as guest performers from the Carolina Ballet, Matsuyama Ballet, and the Bolshoi Ballet too. It’s an event that you’ll love whether you’ve made The Nutcracker an annual show to enjoy, or it’s your first time experiencing the holiday magic on stage.
Check Out the Kona People Exhibition
When you’re looking to include some culture into your holiday getaway to the Big Island of Hawaii this year, the Kona People exhibit at the Donkey Mill Art Center is a good addition to any itinerary. Running November 29th through December 18th, this exhibit includes the work of artists and Kona farmers to capture the spirit of the Kona People in portraiture. Displays feature everything from drawings and digital media to paintings that depict the essential balance between the land, the farmers, and the work they produce.
Book Your Stay Today
Whether you’re traveling to the Big Island over Christmas, or you have plans another time of year, the team at Venture Hawaii has the accommodation to elevate your experience from start to finish. Reach out today to learn more about our beautiful vacation rentals across the island and how we can help you plan an unforgettable trip.
The idea of a Hawaiian getaway is endlessly appealing. Turning that vision into a reality is inspiring! When you have time to spare in the name of a great getaway and Hawaii is on the top of your must-visit list, putting your focus on the Big Island never disappoints. This exciting and scenic destination offers up much in the way of adventures to be had on land, but there are just as many to be enjoyed on the blue waves that lap the shoreline. When the sea is calling your name, the following are a few on-the-water activities in Hawaii you just won’t want to miss while you’re here.
Paradise Sailing Hawaii
There’s nothing more exciting than setting your travel sights on the Big Island of Hawaii and no more romantic way to see the sights once you’re there than with the professionals at Paradise Sailing Hawaii. This premier boat tour agency out of Kailua is open daily from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm and provides guests with options to book incredible catamaran sailing tours that show you some mesmerizing landscapes from a watery vantage point. Small numbers of passengers make for a more intimate experience while quality vessels keep the voyage comfortable at all times. Book a four-hour day cruise or a sunset cruise when you’re looking to pair your experience with some stunning colors too. Booking with this family-owned company is a great way to make the most of your on-the-water fun while supporting the destination you’ve come to enjoy as well!
Hawaii Whale Watching Tours
Taking time to unwind on the Big Island is always a delight, but if you’re looking to be truly inspired, make sure to make time for whale watching while you’re here. This promises to be one of the most memorable on-the-water experiences you can have with good reason. The deep coastal trenches that surround the Big Island make the waters a perfect natural habitat for over 18 different marine mammals to pass through annually, including humpback whales. Melon-headed whales, sperm whales, and orcas also make their way through these waters, providing a one-of-a-kind opportunity that isn’t observed around any of the other islands in this quantity.
Booking a whale watching tour with a company like Ali‘i Ocean Tours or Captain Zodiac is a good place to start. These tours take you to those off-shore destinations where whales congregate and offer up spectacular views—particularly when whales are prone to breaching. If you’re more in the mood to do some independent whale watching, that works too. Great places to catch sights of these magnificent marine creatures from the shoreline include Kapa’a Beach Park and Lapakahi State Historical Park too.
Diving with Manta Rays
The Kona Manta Ray is the second largest of its species and calls the waters surrounding the Big Island home. For diving enthusiasts, this offers up a unique opportunity that’s not to be missed when you’re visiting. Night diving with manta rays is truly thrilling and gives divers a feeling of being transported to a nearly other-worldly destination. Do note that you’ll need to be certified to participate in guided dives. Not to worry, getting that certification is worth the effort. Night dives put you up close to these amazingly graceful creatures in their natural habitats. There’s nothing like seeing a gentle giant swim by boasting a wingspan of up to 18 feet! Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii offers a night dive experience that provides guests with a two-location dive to enjoy. This is an activity that many consider bucket-list worthy and usually a highlight of a visit.
Hawaii Ocean Sports
If your idea of on-the-water fun happens more above the waves, there’s no shortage of options for customizing your adventures on the Big Island. While Hawaii Ocean Sports offers all kinds of personalized cruises to enjoy, they also provide guests with access to a vast number of watersport rentals that are sure to please! Spend a day paddleboarding your way along the coastline, kayaking through an afternoon, or putting your skills to the test on a hydro bike which is truly a unique experience for everyone. Ocean Sports rents out boogie boards, snorkel gear, noodles, and floats as well. Safety is always a priority so all you have to do is ask to rent life vests that will keep your time on the water exciting and secure for everyone involved.
Book Your Hawaiian Getaway Today
No matter when you arrive in Hawaii, the passionate property professionals at Venture Hawaii Rentals are ready and waiting to make sure you’re booked into accommodations that allow you to make the most of your experience. This sunny and beautiful destination offers up much in the way of inspiration. At Venture Hawaii Rentals, we have the properties to match! Reach out today to learn more about our many options and to begin planning your next island escape!