Christmas in Kona 2026: Holiday Events, Things to Do & Where to Stay
Christmas in Kailua-Kona looks a little different from Christmas on the mainland. Instead of wrapping up against snow, you might spend the morning by the ocean, stroll past palm trees along Aliʻi Drive, and end the day watching the light change over Kailua Bay.
But there is one important detail if you're planning a December 2026 trip: most of Kona's big community holiday celebrations happen before Christmas Day. You can catch parades, music and a lighted boat procession earlier in the month, while Christmas week itself is better planned around the ocean, local sights, a good meal and time together.
Here's what is on the 2026 calendar, what to expect if you're arriving closer to December 25, and how to make the most of a Kona Christmas.
Christmas events in Kona: key dates for 2026
The published 2026 Historic Kailua Village calendar and event organizers identify these seasonal dates. Events and schedules can change, so check the organizers' sites again before setting out.
Friday, November 27 — Kailua Kalikimaka Tree Lighting, 5 p.m. Historic Kailua Village's 2026 calendar lists the tree lighting as the start of the local holiday season.
Saturday, December 12 — Kailua Village Christmas Parade, 5:30 p.m. The parade association confirms the 2026 date and the theme “Mele Kalikimaka Magic.” The community procession takes place in Historic Kailua Village; check the official parade organizer for its latest route and street-closure information: official Kailua Village Christmas Parade website
Sunday, December 13 — Kailua Kalikimaka Sunday. The Kōkua Kailua Village Stroll is confirmed for 1–6 p.m. The Kailua Kalikimaka holiday concert is planned for December 13, but its time and program have not been independently confirmed. The 2026 village calendar also lists a Lighted Boat Parade, but its final 2026 date and time remain unconfirmed in current live event listings. Recheck organizer updates at Historic Kailua Village event calendar. These activities belong to the earlier holiday season, not Christmas Day programming.
Sunday, December 20 — Jingle Bell Beach Run, 7:30 a.m. The official event site confirms this holiday-themed 5K starts at Coconut Grove Marketplace on Aliʻi Drive. It can be a fun activity for visiting runners and families who enjoy the festive atmosphere. Online advance registration is required for participants; check the rules and deadlines at Jingle Bell Beach Run's official website.
If these festivities are the main reason for your trip, aim to arrive by December 12–13. If you'll be here December 20–26, keep reading: there is still plenty to enjoy, but don't build a Christmas-week itinerary around parades that already happened.
What to do in Kona during Christmas week
Make time for the waterfront. Historic Kailua Village is one of the easiest places to enjoy Kona without committing to a full-day outing. Walk along Aliʻi Drive, browse local shops, take in Kailua Bay and look for a place to stop for an unhurried meal. Huliheʻe Palace and Mokuʻaikaua Church are among the landmarks along this historic stretch. Check individual operating hours if you hope to go inside, particularly around December 24 and 25.
Plan an ocean day, but let conditions decide. Beach time can absolutely be part of a December trip. The water does not follow the holiday calendar, however: swells, currents, wind and visibility can change quickly. Check Hawaiʻi Ocean Safety's current advisories, heed lifeguards and posted warnings, and choose a different activity if conditions are poor. If snorkeling is on the agenda, go with someone else and only enter water that is appropriate for your experience. Hawaiʻi Ocean Safety's snorkeling advice
Look for humpback whales — with no promises. December marks the beginning of humpback whale season in Hawaiian waters. Some visitors spot them from shore; others choose a regulated tour. December is earlier than the typical peak season, so think of a sighting as a possibility rather than a guaranteed Christmas attraction. GoHawaii's whale-watching guide
Save room for a family day trip. Exploring Kona coffee country, the island's historic sites or another stretch of coast is a good way to balance quiet time downtown with time on the road. If you plan to visit a farm, museum, park or guided attraction on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, check that specific place's holiday schedule first. For a longer outing, use our three-day Kona itinerary.
Don't overlook the small stuff. An early coffee, a waterfront walk, time with family and an easy dinner can be more memorable than trying to fill every hour. Kona makes it possible to have a relaxed Christmas rather than simply moving the usual holiday rush to a different place.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining in Kailua-Kona
If a Christmas dinner out is important to your group, make the reservation part of the plan, not an afterthought. Holiday hours, prix-fixe menus, reservation policies and takeout availability vary by restaurant and may not be announced far in advance. We have not confirmed a 2026 Christmas Day opening schedule for individual downtown restaurants, so don't treat any ordinary weekly hours as a holiday guarantee.
A useful approach is to pick the meal that matters most, contact the restaurant through its official reservation channel as soon as it posts holiday information, and have a backup meal plan. A condo with a full kitchen also gives families another option when everyone would rather eat together at home. For downtown dining options to research before the holidays, see our downtown Kona restaurant guide.
What is Kona weather like at Christmas?
Think warm-weather holiday, not a guarantee of cloudless skies. The west side of Hawaiʻi Island is generally drier than the windward side, but winter can still bring rain and changing surf. Pack light clothes for warm afternoons, something for a cooler evening or passing shower, comfortable walking shoes and sun protection. If you're planning a boat trip, swim or snorkel, check that day's conditions rather than relying on a seasonal average.
December can also bring an extra reason to look offshore: humpback whales begin returning to Hawaiian waters. Whether you see one or not, the coastline is worth exploring in its own right.
Where should you stay for Christmas in Kona?
For a Christmas trip, your choice of home base changes how much time you spend in the car. Resort areas farther north may suit travelers who want to spend most of their days on the property. Downtown Kailua-Kona makes a different kind of holiday easy: walk to coffee, shops, waterfront restaurants and evening strolls, then take a car when you're ready to see more of Hawaiʻi Island.
For families and groups who would rather stay together, Kona Vista Paradise is a three-bedroom, two-bath penthouse condominium at Kona Plaza in Historic Kailua Village. It has a full kitchen, private lanai, and walkable access to downtown Kona's restaurants and waterfront. That can make the holiday meal and the time between outings a little simpler, without promising that any particular restaurant or attraction is open on December 25.
For property details and access to the booking link, explore Kona Vista Paradise.
A few questions about Christmas in Kona
Is the Kona Christmas Parade on Christmas Day?
No. The official 2026 parade date is Saturday, December 12, at 5:30 p.m. If you're visiting December 24–25, look for other activities instead.
Are there Christmas events on December 20?
The Jingle Bell Beach Run is scheduled for Sunday, December 20, 2026, at 7:30 a.m. The larger parade, holiday stroll and planned boat procession fall earlier in December.
Can you swim in Kona during December?
Sometimes, yes, but no beach is safe every day. Check conditions, posted warnings and lifeguard advice before entering the ocean, especially with children or less experienced swimmers.
Will restaurants be open on Christmas Day?
Some businesses may offer holiday service, but we have not verified which downtown restaurants will open December 25, 2026. Check restaurants' current holiday announcements and reserve directly where possible.
Is Christmas week a good time to stay downtown?
It can be, especially if your group values walking to everyday conveniences and going out together without driving for every meal. Your best location still depends on whether you prefer an active village or a more self-contained resort.
Make your Christmas in Kona your own
Some visitors want the full Kailua Kalikimaka celebration earlier in December. Others arrive just before Christmas to spend a few days with the ocean, island history and each other. Either way, the best plan is one that respects the actual event dates, leaves room for the weather, and gives your group a comfortable place to come back to.
Check the official event calendars again before traveling, reserve the experiences that matter most, and let the rest of the holiday unfold at island pace.
