Best Hotels in Maui for Christmas

Christmas on Maui is warm, with Santa arriving by outrigger canoe or catamaran at beach resorts, holiday movie nights and hula and music at shopping centres. December is the start of the humpback whale season, and whales are often seen from shore. West and South Maui (Kaanapali, Kihei, Wailea) are mostly dry and sunny, though showers are brief and can be heavier on the windward side.

What's on

• Whalers Village holiday programme — Whalers Village, Kaanapali. December 2025: Santa beachfront photos on selected evenings, holiday movies Friday to Sunday through 28 December, and Santa arriving by catamaran on 20 December. Usually the same pattern each year.
• Santa's beach arrivals — Beaches in Kaanapali and Wailea. In the days before and on Christmas Eve, by canoe or catamaran. Dates vary by year.
• Nutcracker Sweets — Iao Theater, Wailuku. Usually weekends in mid-December. Check dates before you go.

Dates and times change from year to year, so check the organiser's listing before you travel.

Where to stay

• Kaanapali (West Maui): A long beach with Whalers Village for the holiday events, and good whale-spotting from shore.
• Kihei: A casual, mostly dry south-coast town with beaches, condos, restaurants and shops along the main road.
• Wailea: A resort area with calm beaches and the Shops at Wailea for holiday music and Santa visits.

December weather

December highs are around 80 to 85°F (27 to 29°C) with lows around 66 to 69°F (19 to 21°C) in the leeward resort areas, with mostly sunny days and brief showers.

How we picked: the 7 hotels in this guide are 4- and 5-star hotels and resorts in Maui with the strongest Booking.com guest scores, weighted by how many reviews they have. Scores and review counts were checked in October 2026.