5 Fun Things to Do on Maui For the Holidays
The holidays in Hawaii present all kinds of fun opportunities to enjoy events, festivals and entertainment for the young and old alike. Here are five unique ways to spend your Christmas holiday on Maui!
1. Enjoy a Festive Hawaiian Performance
Maui has a vibrant arts and culture community. Special holiday performances and exhibits can be enjoyed all over the island. Check out the community arts center, Hui No’eau Visual Arts, in Makawao for holiday events, classes and exhibitions.
See local talent in live holiday performances while doing some shopping at Queen Ka’ahumanu Center. Sit down for dinner and take the regularly offered, but still spectacular, live performance, “Ulalena”, which portrays the stories and legends of Hawaiian culture at the Maui Theater in Lahaina.
2. Take an Upcountry Maui Holiday Tour
Taking a tour of Upcountry Maui is a fun way to spend the day. Start by catching a breathtaking sunrise on Haleakala, stop at the Pukalani Superette for some poke then head over to Kula and take a walk through the Kula Enchanted Gardens. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the island as you travel over to ‘Ulupalakua, where you can finish up your afternoon with a wine tasting at Maui Winery. Both the Enchanted Gardens and Maui Winery have multiple holiday events — be sure to check their websites for details.
3. Go Santa Hunting on Maui
Santa can be found in all kinds of surprising places on Maui during the Christmas season. Every year, he makes scheduled appearances at the beaches, arriving by outrigger canoe, jet ski, boat and sometimes sleigh. He is usually bearing gifts and sometimes has his elves in tow. Check the local papers when you arrive to see where you can find him. Starting December 14th, you can also see Santa’s Hawaiian brother, Scuba Claus, at the Maui Ocean Center every day during their twelve days of Fish-mas event. While you’re there, take in a free Ukulele lesson or learn how to weave your own fish net!
4. Take in Local Maui Swap Meets, Markets and Town Parties
There are local swap meets, farmer’s markets and town parties happening all over Maui nearly every day of the week, especially around the holidays. Every Friday, there is a Maui Friday town party promoting local businesses and celebrating local artists and musicians. These parties are held in either Lahaina, Kihei, Makawao or Wailuku and offer fun for all ages. Of the many swap meets on the island, the swap meet held in Kahului on Saturdays is a favorite for locals and visitors alike. This swap meet is a fantastic place to find quirky and unique gifts at a bargain price. If you’re in Lahaina in the beginning of December, be sure to catch the lighting of the Banyan Tree. This is a fun-filled event featuring local musicians, food and shopping during the day followed by an awe-inspiring lighting of Lahaina’s 144 year old, 1/4 mile large Banyan Tree at dusk.
5. Plant a Native Hawaiian Christmas Tree, Then Stuff Your Belly at a Christmas Luau
Nothing says Christmas like having your own Christmas tree. If you’re in Hawaii for the holidays, you can help restore the ecosystem by decorating a native Hawaiian tree and then planting it before you leave. The Plant a Wish Foundation will even let you rent a tree for decoration and then pick it up and plant it for you when you’re done enjoying it! If you’re on Maui for Christmas Day itself, don’t miss the opportunity to eat to your heart’s content at a Hawaiian Luau on the beach. Sipping Mai-tais, watching for whales and trying to see the green flash at sunset with a fully belly and surrounded by the people that you loves makes for a truly special Christmas holiday!
If you do plan on visiting Maui during the holidays, be sure to make your reservations far in advance. Some of our Maui vacation villas are already booked for next Christmas season! Contact Hawaii Bound Vacations today for help planning your next holiday in Hawaii!
