Waikiki and Honolulu New Year’s Eve Fireworks and Events

Looking for what to do New Year’s Eve? See our updated post by clicking the following link:

Waikiki Honolulu Oahu New Year’s Eve

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The following list is for New Year’s Eve December 31, 2008 for reference purposes only. Once again, if you are looking for the events to say aloha to 2013, see this link to what’s happening on Oahu for New Year’s Eve.

There’s almost always a festival or celebration event going on in Honolulu and Waikiki, so you know they really put on exciting New Year’s Eve celebrations. Here’s a list of the excellent events going on around Waikiki and Honolulu to say good-bye to 2008 and welcome in 2009.

Aloha Tower Marketplace Entertainment and Fireworks
Aloha Tower Marketplace will ring in 2009 with an unparalleled New Year’s Eve celebration featuring waterfront dining, free live entertainment on multiple stages and a spectacular fireworks display over Honolulu Harbor at midnight. Center Stage festivities begin at 7pm with live entertainment, free giveaways, face painting, balloon animals and more.

Several Aloha Tower restaurants will host special menus and packages for the evening. (See this list of Aloha Tower dining options that will suit any budget.) If you’re looking for an extra special place to dine here, check out multi-award winning Chai Island Bistro. I’d love to be there myself.

Note that the photo on the right is from the fireworks display at Aloha Tower Marketplace. (Photo use by permission from Aloha Tower Marketplace.)

New Year’s Eve Dinner Cruises with the Star of Honolulu
The Star of Honolulu has five special new year’s eve cruises to celebrate the night.  You can choose from cocktails cruises to five-course dinners. The best bargain they’re offering, in my opinion, is the Midnight on Starlet Cocktail & Dance Cruise that’s $65 per person and includes a champagne toast, music, dancing, party favors and view of the fireworks.  See more about the Star of Honolulu new year’s eve cruises.

Waikiki Beach Fireworks
I don’t have the details of this year’s event just yet, but I have been informed that there will be a fireworks display from Waikiki Beach and that it will be similar to last year’s display.  Stay tuned for details.

Hilton Hawaiian’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Features The Bangles
The 80’s pop band, The Bangle will perform their greatest hits like “Walk Like
An Egyptian” and “Manic Monday” at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. VIP reserved tickets cost $200 and include a cocktail and glass of sparkling wine during the concert.  Reserved seats sell for $90 and $130.  For more information see this link.

Sheraton Waikiki New Year’s Eve with Foreigner
imageThe popular rock band, Foreigner will be performing at the Sheraton Waikiki on New Years Eve.  You can combine multi-course dinner packages with the concert.  Dinner and concert packages range in price from $275 to $400 depending on resort restaurant and seat selection.  You can get concert only tickets for as low at $130 that includes champagne toast and party hats and favors. For more information on the various packages, see this link to the event.

Moana Surfrider Westin New Year’s Eve Dinner and Music
If you are looking for a more sophisticated dinner celebration, then consider the events at the Moana Surfrider Westin. They are offering a range of dinners from appetizer buffets to special a la carte menus.  See more details for the Beachhouse at the Moana a a la cart menu.  The Banyan Courtyard will offer an appetizer buffet that you can learn more about with this link. A special seafood dinner buffet will be offered at the Lani Kai.

Third Annual Ravenchase Quest for Father Time Adventure Race
If you are looking for something out of the ordinary to do, then consider a treasure hunt in downtown Honolulu and Chinatown.  The cost is $125 per person which includes game play plus an open bar from 9pm-midnight, a pupu buffet, champagne toast, and party favors.  For more information see this link and scroll towards the bottom of the page.

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I will update this post as and when I discover more Honolulu and Waikiki New Year’s Eve events. Stay tuned to all top news, reviews, travel advice for Hawaii visitors with free daily e-mails updates or via RSS subscription.

Do you have a New Years Eve event in Hawaii that you’d like to share? Please comment or use the contact form on my About Go Visit Hawaii page.

Hau’oli Makahiki Hou (Happy New Year)!

Sheila Beal is the founder and editor of Go Visit Hawaii. You can connect with Sheila Beal on Twitter, Go Visit Hawaii on Facebook, or Instagram.

14 comments

  1. What a great list! Thank you so much. It makes me feel so connected to the place I love even though I’ll be on the mainland this New Years. Is there any word on whether any of these celebrations will be streaming live on the internet? Is anyone going to these events?

    Reply

  2. Hi Ami – I’ve not heard about any live streaming plans. I’ll let you know if I do.

    Personally, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a miraculous airfare sale to HNL around New Year’s Eve.

    Reply

  3. An airfare sale would be fantastic. With all of the hotel deals, the airfare really is the most expensive part of the trip nowadays. I’ll cross my fingers with you 😉

    Reply

  5. @ Julia – In Wailea, you’ll find fireworks. Here’s what the Grand Wailea has going on there:

    NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION
    Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa’s Bistro Molokini
    (808) 875-1234
    http://www.grandwailea.com/kealani
    An exciting and fun-filled evening with great food and fabulous entertainment, including a Fireworks Extravaganza

    Reply

  7. Thanks for the ideas. Made a reservation at Village Steak & Seafood (Hilton Hawaiian Village) for New Year’s. Is it good food? What is it like? Most restaurants are charging a price phix. $95 pp. here. Then, off to the beach for the fireworks. Let me know if there is anything else nearby for less. Have a 87 year old mom, we need to walk since the taxis are so hard to get. Mom in a wheel chair. K

    Reply

  9. I am so lucky and happy to find your site! I already registered and it becomes my new habit to see your mail every morning.

    Btw, finally, I will be able to stay on the year end and welcome 2009 in Waikiki. I am interested in the new year’s eve live with the Bangles, but on the other hand, I would like to watch the Fireworks. Do you know how to enjoy both events? If I join the Bangles, do you think I have to give up to watch the new year’s firework?

    Thanks and best regards,
    Rico

    Reply

  10. Hi Rico,

    I’m so glad to hear that you’re enjoying the site and hope that you’ll stick around even after your vacation so that you’ll get a little taste of Hawaii each day. We have a growing community here and we all help each other out in the comments.

    Oh my, what a tough decision between the Bangles and the fireworks. I”m inclined to think that you’ll probably have to choose between one or the other. It would probably be best to contact the Hilton Hawaiian directly to see if there will be a break in the concert for watching the fireworks. Here’s their number: Tel: (808) 949-4321

    Enjoy your time on Oahu and Happy New Year!

    Reply

  11. Dear Sheila,

    Thank you so much for your prompt kind reply. I shared your comment my families who will visit Hawaii with me, and they also found something congenial to Hawaii.

    Good suggestion! I call Hilton!!

    Thanks and regards,
    Rico

    Reply

  13. Hello, I’ve just arrived in Honolulu, I am traveling by myself and I’m wondering if there are any places you’d recommend for xmas day/new years eve? (or maybe even what to avoid if anything) I am open & flexible in what I like. Thank you, kind regards 🙂

    Reply
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