Somewhere right now, someone is scraping ice off a windshield. In Waikiki, the bigger question is whether to swim before breakfast or after.
Winter in Hawaii doesn't look much like winter anywhere else. December in Honolulu brings warm afternoons, holiday lights downtown, the first humpback whales of the season and the biggest surf of the year on the North Shore. It's also when Waikiki is at its liveliest, which is exactly why it helps to have somewhere to hide out.
At The Laylow, we think laying low is an art form. Here's how to spend winter in Waikiki: what's worth heading out for, and what's worth staying in for.
What to Expect: Honolulu Weather in December
December in Honolulu is warm by almost any standard. Daytime highs usually land around 80°F, evenings cool off into the upper 60s and low 70s, and the ocean stays comfortable for a swim. Winter is the wetter season, so expect the occasional passing shower, usually the kind you can wait out on a lanai with something cold.
Pack light: swimsuits, sandals, comfortable walking shoes and a light layer for breezy nights. Bring mineral, reef-safe sunscreen, too. Hawaii restricts the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate to help protect its reefs.
December is one of Oahu's busiest stretches, especially around the holidays and marathon weekend. Lock in your room, rental car and anything with limited spots early, including Diamond Head: out-of-state visitors need an advance reservation to hike it.
Things to Do in Waikiki and Honolulu in December
Start Slow in Waikiki
No need to over-plan. Some of the best December days start with a walk to the sand, a morning swim while the water is calm and nowhere to be until lunch. Take a surf lesson, rent a board or claim a patch of beach and watch the light shift on Diamond Head.
The Laylow Waikiki sits on Kuhio Avenue in the heart of Waikiki, next to International Market Place and a short stroll from the sand. Close to everything, tucked just above the buzz. Waikiki Beach and Kalakaua Avenue are right there, but Kuhio is where you want to be. Explore our rooms and suites.
Watch the North Shore Come Alive
Winter is when Oahu's North Shore becomes the center of the surfing world. North Pacific swells roll in, and breaks like Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach and ʻEhukai Beach Park, home of the Banzai Pipeline, draw the best surfers on the planet.
This year, the Pipe Masters returns as the final event of the World Surf League Championship Tour, with a holding window of December 8–20, 2026. Contests only run on days with the right swell, so check the WSL's daily call before making the roughly hour-long drive. Even without a contest, a big day at Pipeline is worth the trip.
Make a day of it with garlic shrimp or shave ice in Haleʻiwa town, then head back to Waikiki in time for dinner. One thing: watch from the sand. Winter surf on the North Shore is powerful and dangerous, so follow posted warnings and lifeguard guidance.
Look for the Season's First Humpbacks
Every winter, thousands of humpback whales travel from Alaska to Hawaiian waters to mate, give birth and nurse their young. According to NOAA's humpback whale sanctuary, the season generally runs November through May, with sightings peaking January through March. Visit in December and you're catching the opening act.
A whale-watching cruise out of Honolulu gives you the best odds. Or bring binoculars to a high spot on Oahu's southeast shore, like the Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail, and keep an eye on the horizon.
Catch (or Run) the Honolulu Marathon
On Sunday, December 13, 2026, tens of thousands of runners take over the city for the JAL Honolulu Marathon. The race starts at 5 a.m. on Ala Moana Boulevard and finishes in Kapiolani Park at the Diamond Head end of Waikiki. There's no time limit, which makes the finish line one of the happiest scenes in town. The shorter Kalakaua Merrie Mile runs the day before.
Not running? Grab a coffee, cheer from Kapiolani Park, and plan around road closures that morning.
Remember Pearl Harbor on Its 85th Anniversary
December 7, 2026, marks 85 years since the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is a moving visit any time of year, and especially this month. USS Arizona Memorial program reservations go quickly in December, so book ahead and check the National Park Service for anniversary commemoration details.
Christmas in Honolulu
Christmas in Honolulu trades snow for palm trees, and nobody seems to mind.
Honolulu City Lights, a downtown tradition since 1985, opens Saturday, December 5, 2026. The opening ceremony at Honolulu Hale begins at 5:30 p.m., the city tree lights up around 6 p.m., and the Public Workers' Electric Light Parade rolls down King Street. Opening night also brings food vendors on Punchbowl Street and free photos with Santa at Mission Memorial Auditorium.
Can't make opening night? The displays on the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center grounds are open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. through December, with evening food vendors December 6–30. It's free and a short ride from Waikiki.
Back in Waikiki, holiday décor, seasonal menus and beach afternoons make it easy to keep one foot in each world. [Insert Hideout Christmas and New Year's Eve plans once confirmed]
Or Just Lay Low
Here's a secret: you don't have to leave every day. Some of the best winter afternoons happen without a plan.
Borrow one of The Laylow's cruiser bikes and pedal toward Kapiolani Park. Start the morning with one of our daily cultural activities Or settle into an in-water lounger at the saltwater pool and let the afternoon get away from you. Your private lanai works for this, too. Discover our hotel amenities.
When you feel like heading out, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, Kailua and the North Shore are all within reach. When you don't, nobody's keeping score.
Waikiki After Dark at Hideout
Back at The Laylow, the night takes care of itself.
Hideout sits on an open-air lanai above Kuhio Avenue, serving Modern Hapa Hawaiian fare, craft cocktails and live music nightly. Come for pau hana, stay for dinner by the fire pits, and on Friday and Saturday nights, let the DJ take it from there.
Come down for dinner, stay for a drink, call it a night whenever you feel like it. That's kind of the point.
Coming in January or February?
Winter in Waikiki doesn't end with the holidays. January through March is peak humpback season, the North Shore keeps delivering big surf, and once the holiday crowds head home in early January, Waikiki settles into an easier rhythm. Same warm days, same fire pits, more whales. Browse current hotel packages and seasonal offers.
Make The Laylow Your Winter Hideout
Winter in Waikiki gives you plenty of reasons to head out and just as many to stay in. Watch Pipeline one day, spend the next at the beach, look for whales or wander downtown under the City Lights. Then come back, slow down and lay low.
The Laylow brings mid-century modern design and the easy spirit of 1960s Honolulu to the heart of Waikiki, with rooms and suites that each have a private lanai, a secluded saltwater pool and Hideout right on site. It's a home base above the buzz for wherever the day takes you.
Browse current offers at The Laylow and start planning your winter stay. [Feature December package here if available]
Winter in Waikiki FAQs
Is winter a good time to visit Waikiki?
Yes. Winter in Waikiki brings warm, beach-friendly weather plus seasonal highlights you won't get the rest of the year: big-wave surf on the North Shore, humpback whale season, Honolulu City Lights and the Honolulu Marathon. December is busy, so book your stay and key reservations early.
What is the weather like in Honolulu in December?
Honolulu is warm in December, with daytime highs around 80°F and evenings in the upper 60s to low 70s. It's part of Hawaii's wetter season, so short passing showers are common, but most days still leave plenty of time for the beach.
What are the best things to do in Honolulu in December?
Spend mornings on Waikiki Beach, watch big-wave surfing on the North Shore, look for humpback whales, see Honolulu City Lights downtown and visit Pearl Harbor. In 2026, December also brings the Pipe Masters (Dec. 8–20 window) and the Honolulu Marathon (Dec. 13).
What is Christmas like in Honolulu?
Christmas in Honolulu pairs holiday lights with beach weather. Honolulu City Lights, a tradition since 1985, decorates the Civic Center grounds around Honolulu Hale all month, and Waikiki fills with holiday décor and seasonal menus. Expect palm trees instead of snow and shorts instead of sweaters.
When is whale season on Oahu?
Humpback whale season in Hawaii generally runs November through May, with peak sightings from January through March. December visitors can spot early arrivals, especially on a whale-watching cruise from Honolulu or from high points along Oahu's southeast shore.
Can you swim in Waikiki in the winter?
Yes. Waikiki's water stays warm year-round, and the south shore is generally calmer in winter while big swells hit the North Shore. Conditions can still change, so check with lifeguards and posted signs before you get in.
Where should I stay in Waikiki in the winter?
Stay central so the beach, dining and nightlife are all walkable. The Laylow on Kuhio Avenue puts you in the heart of Waikiki, a short stroll from the sand, with a saltwater pool, private lanais and live music nightly at Hideout when you'd rather lay low. Find answers to frequently asked questions about your stay at The Laylow.