Big Island December holidays and weekly cultural events

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December & Weekly Gems

Holiday traditions under Makaliʻi stars and year-round cultural treasures

Your Cultural Guide

🎆 December: Music Under Makaliʻi & Holiday Light Parades

December on the Big Island means music under stars. The ancient Hawaiians used Makali'i (the Pleiades constellation) to mark the beginning of their new year. Modern celebrations blend this astronomical tradition with holiday festivities that reflect the island's multicultural heritage.

Hilo's giant Pineapple Drop on New Year's Eve creates a uniquely Hawaiian celebration at Mo'oheau Bandstand. This community-run event costs nothing and attracts families from across the island. The evening starts with ukulele carols at 7 PM, builds through cultural performances, and culminates with the pineapple drop at midnight.

Aunty Leilani Park, who helps organize the ukulele circle at Wai'oli Lounge, told me why they chose a pineapple: "Pineapples represent hospitality in Hawaiian culture. We're welcoming the new year with aloha, not just marking time."

The bandstand area accommodates wheelchairs and provides accessible parking. Food vendors line Kamehameha Avenue selling everything from plate lunches to shave ice. Local keiki perform hula and Christmas songs in Hawaiian, English, and sometimes Filipino or Japanese.

Holiday light displays happen throughout December at various locations. The most spectacular is the private residence display in Hawaiian Paradise Park—locals call it "Christmas House." The family who creates this display accepts donations for local food banks and provides a magical experience that rivals any theme park.

Waimea's Christmas parade down Mamalahoa Highway showcases the community's creativity with floats made from ranch equipment, local businesses, and school groups. The paniolo Santa arriving on horseback always gets the biggest cheers from keiki lining the route.

🗺️ Ongoing Weekly Gems

Wednesdays and Saturdays: Hilo Farmers Market Big Days

The Wednesday and Saturday markets transform downtown Hilo into a cultural exchange. Over 200 vendors sell everything from dragon fruit to handmade Hawaiian quilts. The market's wide aisles accommodate strollers and wheelchairs, with designated parking for kupuna and disabled visitors.

Arrive early for the best selection and to avoid midday heat. Bring cash—many vendors don't accept cards. Try to learn basic greetings in different languages. "Aloha," "Salamat," and "Mahalo" go far in creating connections.

🎵 Kanikapila Music Sessions

Sundays

Sunday evening music at Old Airport Pavilion. Impromptu concerts where anyone can participate. Families share potluck dinners while keiki play.

Accessibility: Quiet area for neurodiverse keiki, wheelchair-accessible pavilion.

First Fridays: Hilo Downtown Art Walk

Monthly art walks connect galleries, cafes, and cultural spaces throughout downtown Hilo. Most venues offer free admission and refreshments. Artists often demonstrate techniques like traditional tapa making, contemporary glass blowing, or digital art creation.

The route covers about six blocks, mostly on level sidewalks. Several galleries provide chairs for visitors who need rest breaks. The Lyman Museum extends hours during art walks, offering half-price admission to their natural history and cultural collections.