December is the most expensive month to visit Honolulu. That single fact should frame every other detail. Hotel rates along Waikiki Beach climb 50-70% above their annual averages, and round-trip flights from Los Angeles or San Francisco roughly double compared to what you'd pay in September or October. The weather, though, is genuinely comfortable. Daytime temperatures sit around 26°C (79°F) and drop to about 21°C (69°F) after dark, with 76% humidity that the Pacific trade winds keep from feeling heavy.
December ties with January as the wettest month at 72mm of rainfall spread across roughly 8 days, but these tend to be short tropical showers that pass in 20-30 minutes rather than all-day soakings. The windward valleys around Manoa and Kailua collect more rain than the Waikiki strip. You might get caught in a downpour on the Manoa Falls Trail, but 45 minutes later the sun is back and the forest smells like wet ginger and eucalyptus.
What earns December its keep is the calendar. The Honolulu Marathon sends roughly 25,000 runners through Kapiolani Park on the second Sunday. Honolulu City Lights transforms the grounds of Honolulu Hale into a free holiday display that runs from the first Saturday of December through early January. Humpback whales begin showing up in the channel between Oahu and Maui. And the North Shore delivers 15-to-25-foot swells at Pipeline and Sunset Beach, drawing big-wave surfers and spectators from around the world. If you can absorb the cost, the timing has real pull.
Why visit in December
- Daytime highs of 26°C (79°F) with trade winds make December noticeably more comfortable for outdoor activities than the 29°C (84°F) days of August and September
- Humpback whale season opens in mid-November, and December offers early sightings from boats out of Waianae Harbor with fewer competing tour vessels than the peak whale months of February and March
- The Honolulu Marathon on the second Sunday of December is one of the largest marathons in the world, with roughly 25,000 participants and no time limit, giving the city a distinct energy all race week
- North Shore big-wave season peaks in December, with 15-to-25-foot swells at Pipeline (Ehukai Beach Park) and Sunset Beach offering world-class surf spectating from the sand for free
- Honolulu City Lights at Honolulu Hale runs the entire month with a 15-meter tree and nightly light displays, and it costs nothing to visit
Worth knowing
- Hotel rates run 50-70% above annual averages and mainland flights often cost double compared to shoulder months like May or October, making December the single most expensive month
- December ties with January for the wettest month at 72mm of rainfall across about 8 rainy days, and the Manoa and Nuuanu valleys can see heavier, longer downpours than the Waikiki coast
- Waikiki sidewalks, popular restaurants in Kaimuki and Kakaako, and trails like Diamond Head feel noticeably more packed than shoulder months, with weekend dinner waits stretching past 45 minutes
- The Honolulu Marathon closes major roads including Kalakaua Avenue and sections of the H-1 freeway on race day Sunday, making cross-town driving impossible for several hours
Best for
Think twice if
December in Honolulu feels like a mild, breezy version of summer. Daytime highs average 26°C (79°F) with overnight lows around 20.6°C (69°F). Humidity sits at 76%, noticeable but rarely oppressive thanks to consistent trade winds off the Pacific. Rainfall reaches 72mm across roughly 8 days, making this the wettest month alongside January. Showers typically arrive in the morning or late afternoon and pass within 20-30 minutes, though the windward valleys around Manoa and Kailua collect heavier, longer rains. Ocean temperatures hover near 25°C (77°F), still warm enough for comfortable swimming.
Seasonal caution
- North Shore surf reaches 15-to-25-foot faces in December, with powerful rip currents at Sunset Beach and Pipeline. Multiple drownings occur every winter season. Obey lifeguard red-flag warnings and stay on the sand unless you are an experienced surfer.
- Flash flooding occurs in Honolulu's valleys after heavy rain, particularly along the Manoa Falls Trail and in the Nuuanu Valley. Check the National Weather Service flash-flood advisories before starting any valley hike.
- New Year's Eve consumer fireworks across residential neighborhoods in Kalihi, Salt Lake, and Waipahu produce thick smoke that drops air quality to unhealthy levels on the morning of January 1. Travelers with respiratory conditions should stay indoors until midday.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26 | 20 | 71 |
| Feb | 25 | 20 | 44 |
| Mar | 26 | 20 | 58 |
| Apr | 26 | 21 | 59 |
| May | 27 | 22 | 60 |
| Jun | 28 | 23 | 17 |
| Jul | 29 | 23 | 18 |
| Aug | 29 | 23 | 25 |
| Sep | 29 | 23 | 19 |
| Oct | 29 | 23 | 28 |
| Nov | 27 | 22 | 31 |
| Dec | 26 | 21 | 72 |
Headline events
Honolulu Marathon
Second Sunday of December
One of the world's largest marathons, drawing roughly 25,000 runners on a course from Ala Moana Boulevard past Diamond Head to a finish in Kapiolani Park. The race has no cutoff time, making it popular with first-time marathoners from Japan and the US mainland. About 60% of participants fly in from Japan, giving race weekend a distinctly international atmosphere across Waikiki hotels and restaurants.
Honolulu City Lights
First Saturday of December through early January
A free holiday light display on the grounds of Honolulu Hale, the city hall building in downtown Honolulu. Features a 15-meter Christmas tree, a light parade on the opening Saturday, and the Shaka Santa figure that has been a local fixture since the festival began in 1985. The display runs nightly and draws large crowds, though weeknights are considerably quieter.
Best things to do in December
Watch big-wave surfing on the North Shore
spectatingDecember delivers the North Shore's most consistent large swells, with 15-to-25-foot waves breaking at Pipeline (Ehukai Beach Park) and Sunset Beach. You can watch from the sand for free. The power of these waves is hard to grasp until you see a surfer dwarfed by a 6-meter wall of water. The sound alone, a deep percussive boom, carries hundreds of meters down the beach.
December is typically the most consistent month for large north swells, with wave heights that drop off significantly by MarchBooking tipDrive to the North Shore before 8am. Parking near Pipeline fills completely by mid-morning on big swell days, and Kamehameha Highway backs up for kilometers.
Whale watching off the Waianae Coast
wildlifeHumpback whales begin arriving in Hawaiian waters in November, and by December you have a reasonable chance of spotting mothers with calves from a boat tour departing Waianae Small Boat Harbor on the west side of Oahu. Morning departures tend to find calmer seas. Expect breaching, tail slaps, and blow spouts from distances of 30-100 meters.
December marks the early weeks of humpback season, which runs through April. Fewer tour boats are running compared to peak whale months in February and March, so sightings feel less crowded.Booking tipBook morning departures at least a week ahead. Afternoon wind chop makes the ride rougher and sightings harder.
Run or spectate the Honolulu Marathon
sportsThe course starts on Ala Moana Boulevard at 5am, passes through Waikiki and along the base of Diamond Head, and finishes in Kapiolani Park. About 60% of participants come from Japan, giving the event a distinctly international atmosphere. There is no time limit, so the course stays open into the afternoon. Spectating is free, and the finish-line scene in Kapiolani Park has a warm, unhurried energy that lasts for hours.
The Honolulu Marathon is held on the second Sunday of December every year. It cannot be experienced any other month.Booking tipRegistration stays open through race weekend, but hotels near the start line on Ala Moana Boulevard book out 3-4 months ahead for marathon weekend.
Hike Diamond Head at sunrise
hikingThe 1.3-kilometer trail to the 232-meter summit of Diamond Head State Monument involves steep stairs and a dark tunnel, but December's cooler 21-24°C morning temperatures make the climb more comfortable than the 28°C summer mornings. Sunrise from the top reveals the full sweep of Waikiki, the Ko'olau Range, and the open Pacific. The light at that hour turns the water a pale turquoise.
December mornings are 4-6°C cooler than August mornings, making the exposed trail noticeably easier. Sunrise is around 7:00am, a more manageable wake-up than the 5:50am summer sunrise.Booking tipDiamond Head requires advance reservations through the Hawaii DLNR website. Book 2 weeks ahead for sunrise time slots, which sell out fastest.
Walk through Honolulu City Lights at Honolulu Hale
festivalThe grounds of Honolulu Hale in downtown Honolulu are transformed with a 15-meter tree, lit displays, and the Shaka Santa figure that locals have grown up with since 1985. The opening night parade on the first Saturday draws thousands. On weeknights later in the month the crowds thin and you can walk the grounds at a comfortable pace. The warm evening air at 22-23°C makes it a pleasant outdoor stroll.
Honolulu City Lights runs only from the first Saturday of December through early January. It is specifically a December event.Booking tipNo booking needed. The display is free. Go on a weeknight to avoid weekend crowds. Parking at the municipal lot on Beretania Street is free after 6pm.
Hike Manoa Falls after a rain shower
hikingThe 2.6-kilometer round-trip trail through the Manoa Valley rainforest leads to a 45-meter waterfall. December's higher rainfall keeps the falls flowing strong and the forest canopy thick. The trail smells of wet earth, ginger, and eucalyptus after a shower. Expect mud. The canopy filters the rain, so even a mid-hike shower feels more like a gentle drip than a downpour.
December's 72mm of rainfall keeps Manoa Falls at strong flow. In dry months like June (17mm) and July (18mm), the falls can slow to a trickle. The surrounding forest is noticeably greener and more lush after the November-December rains.Booking tipNo reservation needed, but the small parking lot at the trailhead fills by 9am on weekends. Arrive early or take a rideshare from Waikiki, which takes about 20 minutes.
Explore Chinatown on a weekend morning
culturalHonolulu's Chinatown district along North King Street and Maunakea Street is at its liveliest in December. The Oahu Market and Maunakea Marketplace sell fresh lei, tropical fruit, and prepared foods from Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, and Thai stalls. The smell of roasting duck and incense fills the narrow streets. December mornings sit at a comfortable 22-23°C, good for walking between stalls.
December and early January bring New Year preparation shopping to Chinatown, with specialty mochi, citrus, and floral offerings that are harder to find in other months. The energy is noticeably higher than in a typical month.What to eat in December
In season: fruit
Lilikoi (Passion Fruit)
Hawaii-grown passion fruit hits its winter peak in December and January. You'll find it at the KCC Farmers Market on Saturday mornings and in shave ice syrups, butters, and cocktails across Kaimuki and Chinatown. The flavor is tart and floral with a sharpness that cuts through richer holiday dishes.
On menus now
Ozoni
A clear dashi-based soup with mochi, chicken, and vegetables eaten on New Year's Day throughout Honolulu's Japanese-influenced households and restaurants. The Kanto-style version with rectangular mochi tends to be most common in Hawaii. You'll start seeing it on menus in the last week of December.
Haupia
A coconut milk pudding set with cornstarch that appears on every holiday dessert table in Honolulu from Thanksgiving through New Year's. The texture is firm enough to cut into squares, silky, and lightly sweet. Bakeries in Chinatown and Liliha stock haupia pie throughout the season.
Kalua Pig
Slow-cooked pork prepared in an underground imu oven, seasoned with Hawaiian sea salt, and served shredded alongside poi and lomi lomi salmon. Kalua pig appears at holiday luaus and family gatherings across Oahu in December. The smoke flavor is deep and the meat falls apart at a touch.
Festival food
Mochi
Pounded rice cakes prepared at mochitsuki ceremonies held in late December at Buddhist temples across Honolulu, including Honpa Hongwanji Mission on Pali Highway. Hawaii's Japanese community has kept this tradition alive for over a century. The texture is sticky, warm, and slightly sweet when eaten fresh from the mortar.
Regular events in December
Mochitsuki at Honpa Hongwanji MissionFree
Traditional Japanese mochi-pounding ceremony where families gather to pound steamed rice into soft mochi using wooden mallets and stone mortars. Held at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin and other Buddhist temples across Honolulu. Open to visitors, and you can try pounding the mochi yourself.
Last two weekends of DecemberHawaii Kai Festival of Lights Boat ParadeFree
Decorated boats cruise through the Hawaii Kai Marina channel on a Saturday evening in mid-December. Residents line the marina walls and bridges to watch. The parade typically features 20-30 boats strung with lights reflected in the still harbor water.
Mid-December Saturday eveningNew Year's Eve Fireworks at Waikiki BeachFree
A professional fireworks display launched from barges off Waikiki Beach at midnight on December 31. Hotels along Kalakaua Avenue host rooftop viewing parties, but the beach itself is free and fills with thousands of spectators by 11pm.
December 31 at midnightHonolulu Marathon ExpoFree
A multi-day fitness and running expo at the Hawaii Convention Center in the days before the marathon. Open to the public with vendor booths, product demonstrations, and local food stalls. Free entry is separate from race registration.
Thursday through Saturday before the race SundayBest places this December
Ehukai Beach Park (Pipeline)
beachThe world's most famous surf break sits right off this small North Shore beach park. In December, you can stand on the sand and watch surfers ride 15-to-20-foot barrels less than 50 meters from shore. The wave's power is audible, a deep thud you feel in your chest. Arrive before 8am for parking on big swell days.
North ShoreHonolulu Hale
landmarkThe seat of city government becomes the centerpiece of Honolulu City Lights in December. The Spanish Colonial building is framed by the 15-meter tree and the Shaka Santa display. Worth visiting on a weeknight when crowds are thinner and the warm evening air sits at 22°C.
DowntownKapiolani Park
parkThis 121-hectare park at the base of Diamond Head serves as the Honolulu Marathon finish line on race day and a low-key gathering spot the rest of the month. The banyan trees provide deep shade, and the views toward Diamond Head in December's softer winter light photograph well. Weekend art fairs and food trucks run through the holidays.
WaikikiManoa Falls Trail
trailA 2.6-kilometer round-trip hike through dense rainforest to a 45-meter waterfall. December rain keeps the falls at strong flow and the canopy thick with new growth. The trail smells of damp earth and wild ginger after morning showers. The lower sections get muddy, so sturdy footwear helps.
ManoaAla Moana Beach Park
beachA wide, calm beach directly across from Ala Moana Center. The reef-protected swimming area is calmer than Waikiki and attracts more locals than tourists, even in December. Sunset views toward the Waianae Mountains are strong from the park's western end. Water temperature still hovers at 25°C (77°F).
Ala MoanaChinatown and Oahu Market
marketThe heart of Honolulu's Chinatown district along North King Street. In December, vendors stock New Year specialties including fresh mochi, kumquat, and floral offerings. The open-air market mixes the smell of roasting duck, fresh fish, and tropical flowers. Morning visits before 10am are best.
ChinatownDiamond Head State Monument
trailThe 232-meter volcanic crater is Honolulu's most recognizable landmark. December's cooler morning temperatures of 21-24°C make the exposed, steep 1.3-kilometer trail more comfortable than summer. Advance reservations are required. The 7:00am sunrise slot offers the best light and smallest crowds.
Diamond HeadBishop Museum
museumHawaii's largest museum in the Kalihi neighborhood covers Polynesian natural history and Hawaiian cultural artifacts across a sprawling campus. December's occasional rainy mornings make this a strong indoor alternative to beaches and trails. The Hawaiian Hall alone takes 90 minutes to walk through properly.
Kalihi
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Insider tips
New Year's Eve in Honolulu is unlike any other US city. Residents set off consumer-grade fireworks across neighborhoods like Kalihi, Salt Lake, and Waipahu, and the smoke on January 1 is thick enough to trigger air quality advisories. If you have asthma or any respiratory sensitivity, keep windows closed and stay indoors until mid-morning on the 1st.
The KCC Farmers Market at Kapiolani Community College on Saturday mornings from 7:30 to 11am sells local lilikoi, apple bananas, honey, and prepared plate lunches at prices well below what you'll find at hotel-adjacent shops in Waikiki. It's a 10-minute drive from Waikiki or a short ride on TheBus Route 1.
For whale watching, tours departing from Waianae Harbor on the west side put you closer to the humpback congregation areas than Waikiki-based boats, which spend 30-40 minutes motoring out past Diamond Head before reaching open water.
Skip Diamond Head on weekends. The parking lot fills by 7:30am on Saturdays and Sundays in December, and the trail gets congested enough that you're stopping every 30 seconds on the staircase sections. Weekday sunrise slots are noticeably quieter.
If the Honolulu Marathon closes your driving route on race Sunday, don't try to work around it. Major arteries including Kalakaua Avenue and portions of the H-1 freeway are shut for hours. Plan a beach day within walking distance of your hotel, or go watch the race.
Avoid these mistakes
- Underestimating North Shore surf. December waves at Pipeline and Sunset Beach regularly exceed 15 feet, and rip currents are powerful enough to pull experienced ocean swimmers out. Multiple drownings happen every winter season. If lifeguards post a red flag, the water is genuinely dangerous. Watch from the sand.
- Booking no restaurant reservations and expecting to walk in. December's peak crowds mean popular spots in Kaimuki and Kakaako fill their tables, with weekend waits stretching past an hour. Make reservations at least a few days ahead for any sit-down dinner you care about.
- Only packing for sun and heat. December evenings at 21°C (69°F) with trade winds feel cool after a day at the beach, and the rain showers catch visitors off guard. A light layer and a rain shell save you from a miserable evening.
- Driving to the North Shore without checking surf reports. On flat days, Pipeline and Sunset Beach look ordinary. On big swell days, Kamehameha Highway gridlocks by mid-morning. Check the NOAA surf forecast the night before and leave Waikiki by 7am if the swell is up.
Practical tips for December
Book flights and hotels at least 3-4 months ahead for December travel to Honolulu. The Christmas-to-New-Year's week, roughly December 20 through January 2, is the single most expensive window, and rates drop noticeably if you can travel the first two weeks of December instead. Diamond Head requires advance reservations through the Hawaii DLNR website, and popular sunrise slots sell out 2 weeks ahead. The Honolulu Marathon closes major roads including Kalakaua Avenue and sections of the H-1 freeway on race day Sunday, so plan around it. Most restaurants and shops close or reduce hours on Christmas Day (December 25), though Waikiki hotels maintain their own dining. Car rental demand peaks in December, so book early or consider relying on TheBus, Honolulu's public transit system, which runs on holiday schedules December 25 and January 1 with reduced frequency. Tipping follows standard US practice at 18-20% for sit-down meals. Hanauma Bay requires advance reservations for non-residents, and December slots go faster than usual.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Honolulu?
December is a good time if you can handle peak pricing. The weather is comfortable at 26°C (79°F) with manageable rain, and the event calendar is strong. The Honolulu Marathon, Honolulu City Lights, whale-watching season, and North Shore big waves all land in December. The trade-off is cost. Flights and hotels run 50-70% above annual averages, and crowds at Waikiki, Diamond Head, and popular restaurants are at their highest. If budget flexibility is not a concern, December delivers. If you're price-sensitive, May, September, or October offer similar weather at significantly lower cost.
What is the weather like in Honolulu in December?
Expect daytime highs around 26°C (79°F) and overnight lows near 21°C (69°F). Humidity sits at 76%, kept comfortable by trade winds. December is tied with January as the wettest month at 72mm of rain across about 8 days, but showers tend to be short, typically 20-30 minutes, and rarely wash out a full day. The windward side around Kailua and the mountain valleys around Manoa get noticeably more rain than Waikiki and the leeward coast. Ocean temperature is around 25°C (77°F), comfortable for swimming without a wetsuit.
Is Honolulu crowded in December?
Yes. December is peak tourist season in Honolulu. Waikiki sidewalks, the Diamond Head trail, Hanauma Bay, and North Shore lookouts are at their busiest. Restaurant waits in popular neighborhoods like Kaimuki and Kakaako can exceed 45 minutes on weekends without a reservation. The Honolulu Marathon adds roughly 25,000 runners and their families to the city on race weekend. If crowds are a deal-breaker, September and October are the quietest warm-weather months.
Can you swim at the beach in Honolulu in December?
South shore beaches like Waikiki and Ala Moana Beach Park have calm, reef-protected water year-round, and ocean temperatures in December hover around 25°C (77°F). The North Shore is a different situation entirely. December surf regularly exceeds 15 feet at Pipeline and Sunset Beach, with powerful rip currents. Only experienced surfers should enter the water on the North Shore in winter. Lifeguards are on duty at most popular beaches and post colored flags indicating current conditions.
What should I book in advance for a December trip to Honolulu?
Flights and hotels should be booked 3-4 months ahead, especially for the December 20 through January 2 window. Diamond Head sunrise reservations fill up about 2 weeks out. Whale-watching tours from Waianae Harbor should be reserved at least a week ahead, and morning departures go first. Hanauma Bay requires advance reservations for non-residents. Restaurant reservations for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve should be made as early as possible. Car rentals spike in December, so book early or plan to use TheBus.
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