Big Santa Is Back at Ala Moana Center: Santa Photos, Holiday Hula and Every Date to Know

It’s officially the season in town. Ala Moana Center’s 50-foot-tall Big Santa has returned to his perch above Ala Moana Boulevard on the makai parking deck, Aloha State Daily reported on Nov. 3, citing the center’s announcement. His arrival marks the start of the center’s holiday season.

A little Big Santa history

Big Santa has greeted holiday shoppers for more than 60 years, according to the center. The current version debuted in 2020. He’s built from 2,500 square feet of fiberglass and nearly 2,000 pounds of resin, and replaced the original, a 37-foot Santa made from a chicken wire frame and papier-mâché. Each year a 12-person crew spends about two days putting him up with a custom-built elevator system.

Holiday dates at Ala Moana Center

Here’s what the center has planned, per the report:

• Now through Dec. 24, Letters to Santa: Keiki can drop letters in a holiday mailbox near the children’s play area on Level 3 of the Mauka Wing. Free stationery and envelopes are provided.
• Nov. 9–22, gift with purchase: Spend $600 or more (receipts dated Nov. 9–22; up to five receipts per store) and redeem at Guest Services for a puffy tote, matching pouch and a Big Santa luggage-tag keychain. One per person, 18 and older, while supplies last.
• Nov. 13–Dec. 24, Santa’s Hale photos: An island-inspired photo set on Level 4 at Hoʻokipa Terrace, with pet photo nights on select dates. Packages vary and reservations are recommended.
• Nov. 16–Dec. 13, Salvation Army Angel Tree: Near Macy’s, Mall Level 2, Diamond Head Wing. The Red Kettle is in the same area Nov. 16–Dec. 23.
• Nov. 21–Jan. 1, 2027, Light the World Giving Machine: Street Level 1, Center Court, near Centerstage. Pick specific items or services to donate.
• Nov. 27–Dec. 24, holiday hula show: The daily 3 p.m. show at Centerstage turns into a holiday program with Hawaiian and classic holiday songs. A keiki hula show runs Sundays at 3 p.m. Schools, hālau and community groups also perform at Centerstage through November and December.
• Black Friday, Nov. 27: Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Dec. 1–24, gift wrapping: Wrapped in Aloha runs a wrapping station inside Santa’s Hale. Guest Services will also wrap up to three gifts free with same-day proof of purchase from center retailers.
• Dec. 5, Slipper Walk: Child & Family Service’s first Slipper Walk, a 1.5-mile walk starting at 7:45 a.m. at Centerstage. Wear your slippers.
• Dec. 12–13, VolunteerAlly Giving Tree: New this year, on Mall Level 2 near Nordstrom.

Holiday hours

Normal hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. From Dec. 4–23 the center stays open until 9 p.m., except Sundays, when it closes at 8 p.m. It’s open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24, closed Christmas Day, back to normal hours Dec. 26–30, open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 31 and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 1. Individual store and restaurant hours may vary.

Our tip

The best free photo op is Big Santa himself, best seen from Ala Moana Boulevard or the makai side of the center. For Santa’s Hale, the center recommends booking ahead. Details and reservations are on Ala Moana Center’s website.

Sources

• Aloha State Daily, “Big Santa is back at Ala Moana Center” by Stephanie Salmons (Nov. 3, 2026): https://alohastatedaily.com/2026/11/03/big-santa-is-back-at-ala-moana-center/
• Ala Moana Center: https://www.alamoanacenter.com/