Here’s a list of Santa photo opportunities in locations across the Hawaiian paeʻāina. All this and toys, too! We’re indubitably impressed. Some of these are free opportunities for selfies with Santa, which are BYOC (bring your own camera or smartphone). Many of the free Santa photo ops are one-time opportunities at Christmas festivals and other holiday events featuring an appearance by Santa Claus. In additional to free selfie photo ops, there are professional … [Read more...] about Where to get pictures with Santa Claus
All Hawaiian Islands
Where to see Christmas lights in Hawaiʻi
Listed below are some of the popular Christmas light displays throughout Hawaiʻi. They are listed alphabetically by island, the clockwise beginning in the north. We'll continue to update this list as organizers announce dates for Holiday lights, incuding Christmas tree lights, Santa arrivals, and holiday parades. To wish someone "Merry Christmas" in Hawaiian say, “Mele Kalikimaka” (may-lay kah-lee-kee-mah-kah). To say "Happy New Year", it’s “Hauʻoli Makahiki … [Read more...] about Where to see Christmas lights in Hawaiʻi
Free things to do in December
Listed below are the free things to do from our December events calendar. We’ll continue to update this calendar throughout the month as organizers announce new events. For more things to do, see our calendar of affordable December events. For more things to do every day (free and paid), see our Calendar of free and cheap things to do (hawaiionthecheap.com) December 2022 free, fun things to do Featured Events are list first each day, highlighted by a … [Read more...] about Free things to do in December
Affordable December events & entertainment
Our December events calendar offers a wide variety of affordable entertainment across the Hawaiian Islands. We’ll continue to update this calendar throughout the month as many organizers announce new events. As always, we focus on “cheap” things to do with a kamaʻāina adult ticket price of $15 or less or a regular price of $25 or less. Sometimes we suggest events with higher ticket prices that we feel might be worth a splurge, mostly local music, film, and arts … [Read more...] about Affordable December events & entertainment
Best things to buy in December
Every month of the year, certain items are discounted due to overstock, holiday sales, or transitions from one season to the next. Here are the shopping highlights for December in Hawai’i stores. Of course, we think the best way to save money is not to spend it! But, when you need or want to, plan your spending to take advantage of the times of the year when what you buy is at the lowest possible price. Special events with shopping discounts and deals in … [Read more...] about Best things to buy in December
Contemporary Hawaiian Arts: Galleries, Craft Markets, Festivals
Listed below are resources for buying contemporary Hawaiian arts and crafts across the Hawaiian Paeʻāina (island group). You'll find several lists, including Art Galleries and permanent Craft Marketplaces, followed by seasonal Art Fairs, Craft Shows & Holiday Bazaars. If you're looking for hands-on art and craft making, we also offer a list of Visual Art Education centers where you can find workshops and classes in visual arts that are available to the … [Read more...] about Contemporary Hawaiian Arts: Galleries, Craft Markets, Festivals
Free and cheap things to do this weekend
Our event calendar features fun, free, and cheap things to do across the Hawaiian Islands. We focus on events for locals, but visitors will find lots of useful information. For the weekend of December 2-4, 2022, you'll find in-person as well as virtual events (live stream, on-demand). On Mar 26, 2022, Hawaiʻi Governor David Ige announced that the domestic Safe Travels Hawaiʻi test and quarantine program will end. Passengers arriving from domestic points of origin … [Read more...] about Free and cheap things to do this weekend
Hawaiian hula dance: where to see & learn hula
Here is a very brief introduction to the indigenous Hawaiian dance known as hula. It is intended to give you an appreciation of the history of hula and an overview of its many forms. We include a list of some of the major hula festivals throughout the year across Hawaiʻi, as well as free hula shows and demonstrations held in shopping malls and other locations. What is hula? Hula is a very complex dance form unique to the Hawaiian Islands. It is not to be … [Read more...] about Hawaiian hula dance: where to see & learn hula
2022 Budget-friendly Thanksgiving dinner dine-in and to go
Here are a few recommendations for a budget-friendly holiday dinner across the Hawaiian Islands. There are options for dinners to-go and meal kits as well as dine-in a restaurants. Order well in advance as most sell out a week or two before Thanksgiving Day. Restaurant reservations are strongly suggested if available. 2022 Thanksgiving dinners to-go across the Hawaiian Islands We focus on locally owned restaurants and national chains offering budget-friendly … [Read more...] about 2022 Budget-friendly Thanksgiving dinner dine-in and to go
What’s closed and open Thanksgiving Day 2022
Thanksgiving is a federal holiday always celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. It is a secular holiday, generally regarded as a "day of thanks" and celebration with loved ones. Traditions for a day of thanks are a recurring theme in many cultures around the world. In the United States, one popular story recounts a 1621 harvest celebration between Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts and Native American Abenaki, Patuxet, and Wampanoag tribal members who … [Read more...] about What’s closed and open Thanksgiving Day 2022
Veterans Day events across the Hawaiian Islands
Veterans Day became an official federal holiday to honor American veterans of all wars. In 1926, Congress passed a resolution making it an annual observance. However, it goes back to 1918, when it was called Armistice Day. During world War I, the Allied nations and Germany agreed to an armistice or cease fire on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. Known as the "war to end all wars", WWI officially ended over seven months later … [Read more...] about Veterans Day events across the Hawaiian Islands
Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (HIFF)
Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (HIFF) is the premiere showcase for established and emerging filmmakers in contemporary Asian, Pacific, and North American cinema. HIFF is the focus for emerging works from the Pacific Rim and an incubator for Native Hawaiian films and indigenous Pacific filmmakers in any genre, including feature films, documentaries, short films, series, and Hawai'i-themed films. HIFF serves as an entertaining event for the casual viewer and … [Read more...] about Hawaiʻi International Film Festival (HIFF)
Affordable November events & entertainment
Our November events calendar offers a wide variety of affordable entertainment across the Hawaiian Islands. We’ll continue to update this calendar throughout the month as many organizers announce new events. As always, we focus on “cheap” things to do with a kamaʻāina adult ticket price of $15 or less or a regular price of $25 or less. Sometimes we suggest events with higher ticket prices that we feel might be worth a splurge, mostly local music, film, and arts … [Read more...] about Affordable November events & entertainment
Best things to buy in November
Every month of the year, retailers discount items due to overstock, holiday sales, or transitions from one season to the next. Here are the shopping highlights for November in Hawai’i stores. Of course, we think the best way to save money is not to spend it! But, when you need or want to, plan your spending to take advantage of the times of the year when what you buy is at the lowest possible price. November special events with shopping discounts and deals … [Read more...] about Best things to buy in November
Free things to do in November
Listed below are the free things to do from our November events calendar. We’ll continue to update this calendar throughout the month as organizers announce new events. For more things to do, see our calendar of affordable November events. For more things to do every day (free and paid), see our Calendar of free and cheap things to do (hawaiionthecheap.com) November 2022 free, fun things to do Featured Events are list first each day, highlighted by a … [Read more...] about Free things to do in November
Fun, cheap, and easy ideas for Halloween costumes
If you are looking for cheap and easy Halloween costume ideas, you've come to the right place. We've got the lowdown on fun Halloween costumes that you can pull together from stuff you have around the house. Our super easy costume ideas use everyday clothes and include accessories and makeup to complete the look. You'll find local favorites along with everyday ideas and spooky Halloween characters. Hauʻoli Lā Heleuī (Happy Halloween!) 13 super easy … [Read more...] about Fun, cheap, and easy ideas for Halloween costumes
Halloween events and things to do across the Hawaiian Islands
Here are free and cheap events plus spooky things to do to celebrate Halloween all around the Hawaiian Islands. Halloween events Hawaiʻi Island Big Island Ghost Tours offers guided tours to some of Hawaii's most supernatural and historical sites to experience a connection to ancient Hawaiʻi, the supernatural, and the afterlife. From places where missionaries brought disease, sites of human sacrifice, to modern sightings at resorts, parks, and museums built … [Read more...] about Halloween events and things to do across the Hawaiian Islands
Free meals & food discounts for for Veterans Day
The following food deals, beverage deals, and restaurant dining discounts are available primarily on Oʻahu and to a lesser extent on the neighbor islands. Free meals & food discounts for Veterans Day NOTE: Not all locations offer the same national promotions. As a result, price and participation may vary. It's always wise to call ahead for verification in your area. (Listed alphabetically by company name) Black Angus Steakhouse (Oʻahu/Pearl City). … [Read more...] about Free meals & food discounts for for Veterans Day
Best things to buy in October
Every month of the year, certain items are discounted due to overstock, holiday sales, or transitions from one season to the next. Here are the shopping highlights for October in Hawai’i stores. Of course, we think the best way to save money is not to spend it! But, when you need or want to, plan your spending to take advantage of the times of the year when what you buy is at the lowest possible price. Special events with shopping discounts and deals include … [Read more...] about Best things to buy in October
Free things to do in October
Listed below are the free things to do from our October events calendar. We’ll continue to update this calendar throughout the month as organizers announce new events. For more things to do, see our calendar of affordable October events. For more things to do every day (free and paid), see our Calendar of free and cheap things to do (hawaiionthecheap.com) Free events October 2022 Featured Events: The items listed first each day HIGHLIGHTED in GRAY are … [Read more...] about Free things to do in October
Affordable October events & entertainment
Our October events calendar offers a wide variety of affordable entertainment across the Hawaiian Islands. We’ll continue to update this calendar throughout the month as many organizers announce new events. As always, we focus on “cheap” things to do with a kamaʻāina adult ticket price of $15 or less or a regular price of $25 or less. Sometimes we suggest events with higher ticket prices that we feel might be worth a splurge, mostly local music, film, and arts … [Read more...] about Affordable October events & entertainment
Restaurants discounts on fast food, fine dining, and more
These food deals, beverage deals, and restaurant dining discounts are available primarily on Oʻahu and to a lesser extent on the outer islands. You'll find offers from local eateries, national chains, and fast food restaurants as well as fine dining establishments. As always, we focus on restaurants and food establishments with modest prices. We may also feature more expensive options that offer a special meal or savings. The food and drink deals with an … [Read more...] about Restaurants discounts on fast food, fine dining, and more
37 delicious local and Hawaiian foods are paradise in your mouth
Local food in Hawaiʻi is influenced by several different things, including “canoe plants” brought by sea voyaging Polynesian explorers to the Hawaiian paeʻāina (island group), followed hundreds of years later by many other dishes introduced by immigrants who arrived to work on the sugar and pineapple plantations. These culinary influencers were Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, and Portuguese peoples, along with other cultures. Traditional Hawaiian food The three … [Read more...] about 37 delicious local and Hawaiian foods are paradise in your mouth
30 stunning botanical gardens you can visit in Hawai’i
One of the more relaxing and affordable ways to enjoy the outdoors in Hawai’i for residents or tourists is to spend time in one of the many botanical gardens or arboretums throughout the islands. Whether you desire a leisurely garden stroll, are a home gardener, or serious botany student, there is a garden for you to visit. Most of the gardens in the lists below are privately owned. All are open to visitors. Most have free admission, but a few have an admission … [Read more...] about 30 stunning botanical gardens you can visit in Hawai’i
Hawaiian Airlines annual Holoholo Challenge
The Hawaiian Airlines Holoholo Challenge launched in 2020 as an opportunity for friends to holoholo (go out) and stay connected. Inspired by the Hawaiian Islands, the virtual fitness challenge features courses that span the distance between some of our state's most treasured places. In the second year, the 2021 Holoholo Challenge celebrated the landscapes of Maui with three new ways to participate. It's a great way to motivate you to start, restart, maintain, or … [Read more...] about Hawaiian Airlines annual Holoholo Challenge
