What makes a festival on Kauai so much fun for malihini (visitors) and kamaaina (residents)? Well, they’re easy to find, they have interesting cultural themes, there’s always good food and good music, shopping is varied and reasonable, and there’s entertainment and activities for children, too. And of course, there’s plenty of aloha for everyone, especially over the holidays!
Kauai’s multicultural population, history, and flora and fauna contribute themes that are lively, interesting and educational. There are many native Hawaiian ceremonies, music concerts, lei contests, and hula competitions. Japanese festivals include bon dances at Buddhist temples, cultural and art fairs, and events centered on Okinawan culture.
December is a months of many Festivals and Events due to the busy Holiday Season. While on the island it will be well worth your time to pick out a few of these below to attend… Have fun & Happy Holidays to you and yours!
December 2009, Festivals & Events
Hyatt Holiday Craft Fair
December, TBD 2009
Enjoy handmade arts and crafts displayed by more than 60 island crafters including Ni‘ihau shell lei, koa wood jewelry, lauhala woven picture frames and much more. The event is held annually at the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa. For more information, call 808-240-6337.
The Annual Festival Of Lights/Lights On Rice Parade
December 4, 2009
Watch the lighting of Christmas decorations on the grounds of the Historic County Building. This family event includes local entertainment, Christmas caroling and a parade of floats. Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. and proceeds down Rice Street ending at the Historic County Building. For more information, call 808-826-1469.
Christmas Craft Fair At Kaua‘i Museum
December 4, 2009
Enjoy the annual Christmas Craft Fair at the Kaua‘i Museum. Visit the museum, support local artisans, enjoy delicious food and participate in Hawaiian music and hula performances. The event is from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. For more information, call 808-245-6931.
Easter Seals Hawai‘i Gingerbread Festival
December 12, 2009
Easter Seals Hawai‘i on Kaua‘i will be selling gingerbread houses for the annual Gingerbread Festival at Kukui Grove Shopping Center. Participants can get together to construct a gingerbread house with family, friends or co-workers. Gingerbread Festival packages must be pre-ordered. Packages can be reserved by calling 808-245-7141. All proceeds raised will benefit Easter Seals Hawai‘i for the Kaua‘i Early Intervention Program.
Annual Boat Parade Of Lights
December 13, 2009
The Nawiliwili Yacht Club’s Annual Boat Parade of Lights will take place at Nawiliwili Harbor starting at 6:30 p.m. Boats lit by strings of holiday lights and decorations will motor around the commercial harbor, jetty wall area and Kalapaki Bay for about an hour. The public is invited to view the parade from the jetty or harbor area adjacent to the U.S. Coast Guard Nawiliwili Moorings. For more information, call 808-742-2512.
Holiday Hula Christmas Celebration
December 13, 2009
Enjoy a Hawaiian Christmas performance by Na Hula ‘O Kaohikukapulani. The event includes chants, hula, Christmas melodies, a silent auction and pupus. For more information, call 808-335-6466.
Waimea Town Parade
December 19, 2009
Waimea Town gets decked-out with holiday cheer! Celebrate with street-front lighting and the annual 
parade, which starts at 6:00 p.m. Come early to enjoy the refreshments and entertainment following the parade. For more information, call 808-338-9957.
Audobon Christmas Bird Count
December 19, 2009
Join the Koke‘e Museum and volunteer for the annual Christmas bird count. Trek into some of the most botanically-rich areas of the island and enjoy the opportunity to see Kaua‘i’s native birds. For more information, call 808-335-9975.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
December 31, 2009
Enjoy an aerial fireworks display in the early evening at Po‘ipu Beach Park. The event is free. For more information, visit www.poipu-beach.org.
Tags: Kauai Christmas, Kauai Events, Kauai Holidays
Shelah Abubo is the owner of Jean & Abbott Properties a Kauai based rental agency specializing in luxury Kauai Vacation Rentals. Born & raised on Kauai, Shelah knows the Island intimately and has found her passion in sharing her knowledge and expertise with island travelers and guests.
Aloha Jean & Abbott Folk!
We are currently residing at one of your beautiful vacation rentals, amazing place this Ikena Makana is! I have done a little bit of research on what activities we can take part in ‘kauaian style’ and wanted to mention the Waipa Festival we will be attending tomorrow, didn’t see it on your list (I have copied the details below) It seems like it will be very authentic and local-style!
Thanks again for the fantastic help with our rental!
Waip’a Festival:
December 5, 2009
Saturday
4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
North Shore: Waipa
$35 adults, $20 youth 10-17, Keiki Free
Activities at a Glance
* Outdoor Event
* Child-Friendly
* Hawaiian Culture
* Hula
* Live Entertainment
* Live Music
For More Information
Melinda Sandler
Phone: (808) 826-9969
http://www.waipafoundation...
A traditional lu’au with live entertainment, Silent Auction and keiki activities. The event begins at 4pm with the opening of the Imu (a traditional underground oven) a delicious Luau including Garden-fresh ingredients, vegetarian cuisine, and the fresh catch of the day. Entertainment by the Kamaainas, Na Leo O Wainiha, Hula by Halau Palahiwa O Kaipuwai.
This is the first fundraising event to support the creation of the Waipa Community Kitchen, a facility that will feature a Certified Kitchen, Poi Mill and Hale Imu to serve as a place for farm families and community groups to process agricultural products, learn cooking techniques, and create a small business incubator.
Comment by Rick Jennisen — December 4, 2009 @ 1:25 pm
Kauai is truly magical ….
Happy (and safe) Holidays!
Comment by North Shore Kauai — December 16, 2009 @ 9:22 pm