The best 2019 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 pineapple drop and a mysterious midnight mirage, as we say aloha to our current decade, and, well, aloha to the next!

OAHU
 

Midnight Mirage, a New Year’s Eve Celebration at Alohilani Resort

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in the heart of Waikiki at the Alohilani Resort, which will transform its Swell Bar and Pool Deck, Longboard Club and O Bar into a whimsical Arabian fantasy filled with surprises. The night’s soundtrack will be set by internationally known DJ Ravi Drums, as well as local beat makers like DJ KK, Delve, Anit, XL and more. Tickets start at $100, 2490 Kalakaua Avenue, Waikiki, learn more about the event on the Alohilani Resort’s website.

New Year’s Eve Pineapple Drop

Continuing the tradition of dropping objects to celebrate the New Year, the Town Center of Mililani will be holding a Pineapple Drop event for the community. The 12-foot pineapple will begin its descent at 7 p.m., aglow with more than 2,000 bulbs, and is synched to the Times Square Garden Ball Drop. Free entertainment, such as the Asian Lion Dance Team, Ryugen Taiko, Treasure Box Studio dance groups and Kalena’s Polynesian Ohana fire knife dancer, will start just a bit earlier at 5 p.m. Admission is free, 95-1249 Meheula Parkway, Mililani, towncenterofmililani.com/sales-events/new-years-eve-pineapple-drop.

New Year’s Eve Celebration 2020: Rio Carnival

If celebrating New Year’s Eve at the oceanfront RumFire at the Sheraton Waikiki doesn’t sound dreamy enough, the event organizers will transform the entire oceanfront space to resemble the famed Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro. An electric atmosphere, extravagant décor, live entertainment and a state-of-the-art sound and lighting set will keep you busy until the clock strikes midnight. Party-people will be happy to know, however, that the carnival will continue a few hours into 2020. Tickets start at $135, 2255 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, find out more on RumFire’s website.

Turtle Bay Resort’s 70s Funk & Disco New Year’s Eve Party

If you’re looking to escape the hubbub of Honolulu, Turtle Bay Resort, located on the North Shore, is throwing a funky fresh throwback shindig to end the decade. It’s not enforced, but those wearing their best disco digs—we’re talking bell bottoms and ruffled shirts—may win a prize for being the best dressed. Tickets start at $50, 57-091 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku, turtlebayresort.com/Events/Holiday-Events/New-Years-Eve.

MAUI
 

Down the Hatch’s NYE 2020 Under the Sea

Under the sea is where you’ll want to be to ring in 2020. Organizers of Down The Hatch’s NYE 2020 Under the Sea party encourage guests to dress in a sea creature theme. There’ll be a champagne toast, two full bars, a bubble drop and music by DJ illz to keep you occupied until midnight. General admission is free, limited availability VIP tickets start at $40, 658 Front St. #102, Lahaina, dthmaui.com/events/nye-2020-under-the-sea.

2020 New Year’s Eve Count Down Black Neon Party

If you’re in Central Maui, head over to Maalaea Harbor’s Tantes Fishmarket Restaurant and Bar, where some of Maui’s top DJs will be spinning all night long. The party is black and neon themed, which will make dancing on the LED dance floor an otherworldly visual experience. And if you need a spot to relax in between all that dancing, you can reserve a table in advance. General admission is $10, table reservations start at $50, Harbor Shops, 300 Maalaea Road, Upper Level Maalaea, Wailuku, tantesfishmarket.com/new-year-eve-party/new-year-count-down.

Kahale’s Roaring ’20s New Year’s Eve Party

The 1920s were a time to behold, a period of economic, cultural, artistic and social prosperity. Hopefully the 2020s will follow suit—without the abrupt decline and crash of the economy. You can roar into this new decade at Kahale’s, one of the oldest dive bars on Maui. Dress in your best Roaring ’20s suits and gowns (boas are encouraged) and toast the 2020s. General admission is free, 36 Keala Place, Kihei, kahales.com/events/the-roaring-20s-new-years-eve-party.

HAWAII ISLAND
 

KapohoKine’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show

Head down to Hilo Bay for the New Year’s Eve fireworks show, sponsored by adventure tour company KapohoKine Adventures. 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. If you’d rather head out on your own, stand-up paddleboards and pedal boards are also available to rent.. $89 for the New Year’s Paddle Out Experience, Hilo Bay, Hilo, kapohokine.com/new-years-eve-paddle-out-fireworks-experience.

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: You can indulge on chilled spicy shrimp, assorted tempura, roasted pork belly 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 ages 5 to 12, 69-425 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa Village, find out more on its website.

Fairmont Orchid’s I Lava the New Year Party

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 (kids) occupied early, followed by a dinner buffet and a midnight fire dancing show. 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, find out more on its Facebook page.

Kauai Sea Tours Fireworks Cruise

If two hours of delicious food, beautiful views, music and tons of fun sounds like your thing, Kauai Sea Tours will be offering fireworks cruises off the coast of Port Allen, Eleele. Tickets include drinks, pupu and dessert. Deluxe cruise: $155 adults, $145 children. Express tour: $145 adults, $135 children, kauaiseatours.com/new-years-eve-fireworks-boat-cruises