Ice Skating in Honolulu: ʻTwas the Light Before Christmas on Ice Returns to the Convention Center Dec. 1

Real ice, in Honolulu, in December. ʻTwas the Light Before Christmas on Ice returns to the Hawaiʻi Convention Center on Tuesday, Dec. 1, and runs through Sunday, Jan. 3. It is the third year for the holiday event, the center’s general manager, Teri Orton, said in the center’s announcement, and the ice-skating rink is coming back with it.

What’s inside

The whole thing fills the convention center’s 56,000-square-foot exhibit hall, according to the center. Highlights include:

• An 8,000-square-foot indoor ice rink.
• “The Immersive Nutcracker: A Winter Miracle,” new this year: a 10,000-square-foot multi-sensory light experience created by Storywall Entertainment.
• Light displays: a snow-covered “Fir Forest of Light,” two giant light tunnels, and big ornaments, snowflakes and stars made for photos.
• Santa’s sleigh and reindeer, with visits from Santa.
• A keiki wonderland with bounce houses, a soft play area, a holiday movie theater and a Letters to Santa station.
• A lounge with specialty cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks and holiday treats.

The event is presented by American Savings Bank.

Special nights on the calendar

A sponsored HONOLULU Magazine feature for the event lists a lineup of extras through the season. Among them:

• Sip and Skate pau hana: Wednesdays with live music from 4 to 6 p.m.: Johnny Stahley (Dec. 2), Sienna (Dec. 9), IZIK (Dec. 23) and Kiarra Young (Dec. 30).
• Character skates: Friday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 11 a.m. to noon, with costumed characters on select dates, including the Grinch, a Sugar Plum Fairy, and Jasmine and Ariel.
• Selfie with Santa: weekends from 10 a.m. to noon through Dec. 20.
• Ugly Sweater Contest with KSSK: Friday, Dec. 11, 6 to 8 p.m.
• Light the Night Glow Party: Saturday, Dec. 12, from 5 p.m. to close.
• Breakfast with Santa: Sunday, Dec. 13, at 9 a.m.
• Holiday Spectacular stage show: Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 19 and 20, starting at noon.

Some extras may need their own ticket or reservation, so check the details when you book.

Hours

From the event’s official site, alohaimmersive.com:

• Dec. 1–4: 3 to 10 p.m. (last ticket 9 p.m.)
• Dec. 5: closed 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a private buyout; general admission 3 to 10 p.m.
• Dec. 6: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (last ticket 9 p.m.)
• Dec. 7–9: 3 to 10 p.m. (last ticket 9 p.m.)
• Dec. 10–31: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (last ticket 9 p.m.)
• Jan. 1–3: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tickets

Tickets are on sale at alohaimmersive.com, through the Leap (formerly ShowClix) ticketing platform. The event says prices vary by date and time, and buying ahead gets you a time slot and the best price. Door tickets are sold only if there’s space.

• VIP Experience tickets include anytime entry on your date, priority entry, a festive cocktail or non-alcoholic drink, and an event merchandise gift.
• Little ones: the FAQ says the youngest children get in free with a ticketed adult, but it gives two different age cutoffs (2 and younger in one answer, 1 and younger in another), so confirm when you buy.
• Tickets are non-refundable. Date or time changes are subject to availability and must be made at least 24 hours before your entry time.
• Groups of 50 or more can book through the convention center’s group sales team, and the center says family, group and school field trip pricing will be available.

Know before you go

• Where: Hawaiʻi Convention Center, 1801 Kalākaua Ave., Honolulu
• When: Dec. 1, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027
• Parking: On-site parking is first-come, first-served, and the event says only a limited number of stalls are open because of renovations. It points visitors to off-site lots through Premium Parking.
• Bags: All bags, including purses, may be inspected, and there’s no coat check, so pack light.
• Seating: limited; the event asks guests to leave seats for people with mobility needs.
• Gift shop: cashless.
• Online: alohaimmersive.com, Instagram @twas.honolulu

More holiday plans are in our Oʻahu holiday events guide.

Related on Oahu Local: Oahu Events Calendar · More Honolulu stories · Big Santa Is Back at Ala Moana Center: Santa Photos, Holiday Hula and Every Date to Know

Sources

• Hawaiʻi Convention Center, “Crack Open the Magic this Holiday Season with ʻTwas the Light Before Christmas on Ice” (Oct. 5, 2026): https://www.meethawaii.com/articles/post/crack-open-the-magic-this-holiday-season-with-twas-the-light-before-christmas-on-ice/
• Aloha Immersive, official event site, hours and FAQ (checked Nov. 15, 2026): https://alohaimmersive.com/
• HONOLULU Magazine branded content, “Holiday Fun Awaits at ’Twas the Light Before Christmas on Ice” (Nov. 12, 2026; sponsored): https://www.honolulumagazine.com/holiday-fun-awaits-at-twas-the-light-before-christmas-on-ice/