Thanksgiving in Waikiki 2025: Your Guide to the Best Week Ever

A curated plan for the perfect Thanksgiving week in Waikiki — warm beaches, insider tips, and one night of comedy you shouldn't miss.

Why Thanksgiving in Waikiki Is Special

If you're spending Thanksgiving in Waikiki this year, congratulations — you've picked one of the most magical weeks on Oʻahu. Late November brings daytime highs around 80°F, warm ocean waters, and a festive but laid-back vibe. It's the sweet spot: enough energy to feel alive, without the overcrowded holiday madness of the mainland.

This guide blends classic Waikiki highlights with insider picks, a road trip adventure, and one unforgettable comedy night you'll be talking about for years.

Ease Into the Aloha Vibe

Start your mornings slow. By 7 AM, grab a $12 inflatable float from an ABC Store (the one on Kalākaua Ave opens early). Head straight to the calm shoreline, and spend 30 minutes drifting in 78° water while the sun warms Diamond Head. It's the simplest ritual, and the perfect reminder you're on island time.

Coffee can wait.

Get Ready for Thanksgiving with an Unbelievable Night of Comedy

Yes, you'll swim, hike, and sip mai tais all week — but one night deserves a circle on your calendar.

On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Emmy-winning comedian Chip Chantry takes over Blue Note Hawaii with two special shows (6:30 and 9:00 PM).

If you're a comedy fan, you'll know Chip from Netflix's hit series Tires (starring Shane Gillis) and his acclaimed stand-up special Move Closer. But this is a brand-new hour in Waikiki's most iconic jazz club — intimate, walkable from nearly every hotel, and the ideal pre-holiday night out.

Pro tip: Book tickets early. The early show sells out first. Get tickets at Blue Note Hawaii — reseller markups get wild.

Essential Waikiki Experiences

Sail From the Sand

Hop aboard a catamaran right from the beach. Snorkel Manu Kai is a crowd favorite, with sunset sails (~$60) that are perfect the night after the comedy show. Nothing beats laughing hard on Wednesday, then gliding into golden hour Thursday evening.

Diamond Head Sunrise

Reserve your timed entry a week or two ahead — Diamond Head is closed on Thanksgiving Day, so plan this hike earlier in the week. It's a short, steep climb with 360° views of Waikiki waking up below.

Live Music on the Beach

Skip the loud tourist bars and slide into a chair at the Moana Surfrider's beach bar. Tiki torches, Hawaiian musicians, and waves rolling in at your feet. Order their lava flow — it's better than anywhere else.

One Perfect Day: Circle Island Road Trip

A week in Waikiki feels incomplete without leaving the bubble. Rent a car for a day and take a full loop around Oʻahu.

🚗 Rental Car Tip: If you don't already have one, pick up from the rental counters right in Waikiki. Warning: even with a reservation, lines can be long in the morning, so go early.

Here's the ultimate route, starting and ending in Waikiki:

1. Waikiki → Kualoa Ranch (8:30 AM) Drive east along the coast. Stop at the ranch where Jurassic Park filmed — lush valleys and mountain backdrops that feel otherworldly.
2. Kahuku Farms (mid-morning snack) Homemade banana bread (still warm) and lilikoi ice cream from a family farm. Relax at their picnic tables surrounded by palms.
3. Foodland Pupukea (lunch stop) Grab a poke bowl from this legendary North Shore grocery store. The spicy ahi is a local favorite.
4. Pipeline / Ehukai Beach (early afternoon) November is prime surf season — pros tackle 30-foot waves. Even if you don't surf, it's one of the world's great spectator sports.
5. Waimea Valley Botanical Garden & Waterfall A short, jungle-lined walk leads to a swimmable waterfall pool. Great family spot and photo op.
6. Haleʻiwa Town (late afternoon) Browse surf shops and boutiques, grab Matsumoto's shaved ice, then head back to Waikiki.

Return by sunset — you'll circle nearly the whole island in a single, unforgettable day.

Thanksgiving Day: Simple & Special

Thanksgiving itself should be easy, breezy, and memorable. Here's a flow that works:

• Sunrise stroll: Walk the shoreline and grab coffee at Island Vintage Coffee or Kai Coffee.
• Midday float: Chill at Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon.
• Holiday meal: Most Waikiki hotels host buffets or prix-fixe Thanksgiving menus. For a more Hawaiian twist, try a luau dinner.
• Sunset toast: End the evening with a mai tai at Duke's Waikiki. Ask for their original recipe — the best on the island.

Rainy Day Alternatives

Even in paradise, showers happen. Have these in your back pocket:

• Iolani Palace (Hawaiian royal history)
• Bishop Museum (volcanoes, Hawaiian culture, kid-friendly exhibits)
• International Market Place (shopping and bites under cover)
• Honolulu Museum of Art (quiet afternoon escape)

Your Perfect Week at a Glance

• Monday/Tuesday → Arrive, unpack, morning float, optional Diamond Head hike
• Wednesday → Beach day → Chip Chantry's Thanksgiving in Paradise at Blue Note
• Thursday (Thanksgiving) → Sunrise stroll, hotel buffet/luau dinner, sunset toast at Duke's
• Friday → Catamaran sunset sail → live music at Moana Surfrider
• Saturday → Circle Island Road Trip (Kualoa, Kahuku Farms, Foodland, Pipe, Waimea Falls, Haleʻiwa)
• Sunday → Free day: shop, snorkel, float until your flight

Planning Your Trip

Thanksgiving in Waikiki is all about balancing relaxation with adventure. Float in the lagoon, laugh until your face hurts at Blue Note, circle the island for banana bread and monster waves — then end with a sunset mai tai.

One tip above all: lock in tickets now for Chip Chantry's Thanksgiving in Paradise. Two shows only, and they will sell out.

👉 Get Tickets Here