The best 2018 New Year’s Eve parties and events in Hawaii
Start planning your New Year’s Eve with these events on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island and Kauai.
New Year’s in Hawaii is a big deal, as hotels, restaurants and bars throw some of the biggest bashes of the year. So there’s plenty of party options to choose from, such as a luxe-cruise experience or a mysterious masquerade ball as we say aloha to 2018, and, well, aloha to 2019.
OAHU
Buho Cocina y Cantina New Year’s Eve Party 2019
DJ’s, dancing, bottle service, 60 premium tequilas on tap. What more could you want from a New Year’s Eve bash? Well, the ideal rooftop seating at Buho Cocina y Cantina makes it even better, letting guests and partygoers easily see the fireworks shows over Waikiki, from the perfect angle. $50 presale tickets, $80 tickets at the door, 2250 Kalakaua Ave., Suite 525, Waikiki, buhocantina.com/fly-offer/new-years-eve-party/.
Turtle Bay Resort’s New Year’s Eve Party at The Point
Ring in the new year on Oahu’s famed North Shore. Hear the waves crash as you get your drink on at The Point, Turtle Bay Resort’s pool bar. Live entertainment will last through the night; get there early to catch the sunset, and stay late to watch the resort’s private fireworks show. VIP cabanas will also be available to rent. $110 general admission, 57-091 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku, turtlebayresort.com/Events/Holiday-Events/New-Years-Eve.
RumFire Waikiki’s New Year’s Eve Celebration: Enter the Dragon
Presented by the Sheraton Waikiki, this New Year’s Eve party will feature some of Hawaii’s hottest disc jockeys, such as DJ Paul Brandon, DJ XL and DJ Jem. When you’re not grooving out on the dance floor, be sure to check out RumFire Waikiki’s stunning oceanfront views. $100 presale tickets, $125 general admission, $275 for a champagne room ticket, 2255 Kalakaua Ave., Waikiki, rumfirewaikiki.com/en/nye.
SKY Waikiki’s New Year’s Eve 2019 Masquerade Party
If you’re looking for a great view of Waikiki’s numerous fireworks shows, there’s no better place to be than SKY Waikiki, one of Oahu’s highest rooftop bars. Sip on premium drinks such as Veuve Clicquot champagne at this luxe affair, where cocktail party attire is highly encouraged and masquerade masks are a must. $120 general admission, 2270 Kalakaua Ave., Waikiki, skywaikiki.com/special-events/.
MAUI
Drums of the Pacific New Year’s Eve Luau
Fun for the whole family, this New Year’s Eve event is more of a show than a party. This special late-night luau, performed by Lahaina’s Drums of the Pacific luau group, will keep the keiki and adults entertained. Party hats, sparkling wine and an upgraded buffet menu make this event feel more glamorous than the average luau, and the show runs later at night, from 9 p.m. to midnight. $135 general seating, $74 for children, 200 Nohea Kai Drive, Lahaina, drumsofthepacificmaui.com/holiday-reservation/.
New Year’s Eve 2018 with Down The Hatch
The only thing you need to get into Down the Hatch, which hosts one of Maui’s biggest New Year’s Eve parties, is its secret password, which can only be found after solving this riddle. This hidden speakeasy is the place to be when the clock strikes midnight, with its two-bar setup, bubble drop, champagne toast and live entertainment. $30 VIP tickets (which includes the secret password), 658 Front St. #102, Lahaina, dthmaui.com/events/new-years-eve.
Pacific Whale Eco-Adventures’ New Year’s Eve Cocktail Cruise
Say bon voyage to 2018 on this fun and festive starlight cruise. Grab a seat on deck to get an exclusive makai (ocean) view of West Maui’s fireworks show while enjoying complimentary alcoholic beverages onboard, such as Maui Brewing Co. beer, tropical cocktails and champagne. $135 general admission, $95 for children, check in at the Pacific Whale Foundation Ocean Store, 612 Front St., Lahaina, pacificwhale.org/cruises/maui-holiday-cruises/new-years-eve-cocktail.
HAWAII ISLAND
Hilton Waikoloa Village’s 2018 New Year’s Eve Party
New Year’s Eve partygoers who don’t want to jump from venue to venue, getting dinner here, drinks there, will want to check out what the Hilton Waikoloa Village has in store. Opening its doors early, at 7 p.m., specialty dinner food stations will be set up throughout the venue, meaning you can indulge on chilled spicy shrimp, Angus prime rib, ginger miso Kanpachi and more. Drinks will be on tap all night, and as the clock hits midnight, a balloon drop and champagne toast will serve as the perfect cap to your New Year’s Eve. $149 general admission, $109 for ages 13 to 20, $69 for kids age 5 to 12, 69-425 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa Village, hiltonwaikoloavillage.com/resort-experiences/upcoming-events.
KapohoKine’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show
Head down to Hilo Bay’s first-ever New Year’s Eve fireworks show, sponsored by tour company KapohoKine Adventures. Free and open to the public, this explosive display of lights and color will start at midnight and continue for 15 minutes. If you want a better view of the show, sign up for KapohoKine Adventures’ paddle-out experience, which will move you closer to the pyrotechnics barge on a single or double-seat kayak. $89 for the New Year’s Paddle Out Experience, Hilo Bay, Hilo, kapohokine.com/new-years-eve-paddle-out-fireworks-experience.
Fairmont Orchid’s New Year’s Eve Journey into 2019
If you want dinner, a show and a little something after, this all-evening event will satisfy the whole family. Canoe rides, face painting and temporary tattoos will keep the keiki occupied early, followed by a dinner buffet and stage performance. Keep some energy in the tank, as the after-party, which will include a DJ, dessert buffet and hosted bar, will go until midnight. $220 for adults, $145 for under 21, $100 for access to the after-party, 1 North Kaniku Drive, Kohala, fairmont.com/orchid-hawaii/.
KAUAI
New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Poipu Beach Park
New Year’s Eve on Kauai means heading down to Poipu Beach Park and watching the annual fireworks show. However, before the fireworks are launched at 8:15 p.m., bring a lawn chair or blankets, sit back and enjoy a free outdoor movie screening. If you get hungry, Brennecke’s Beach Broiler, known for its seafood pupu (appetizers), is just across the street. Free, Poipu Beach Park, poipubeach.org/new-years-eve-fireworks/.
