Saturday, December 31: 
New Year’s Eve Celebration at Poipu Beach Park. The event includes food trucks, live entertainment OR a movie in the park, activities for the keiki and spectacular display of fireworks. Admission is free and open to the public.  Poipu Beach Bark, 2179 Ho`one Rd., 5:30  to 9 p.m.  For information visit http://poipubeach.org/new-years-eve-fireworks/.

Saturday, December 31:
Kilauea Art Night.  Festival featuring live music, local artisans and gourmet food trucks. Historic Stone Building, Kilauea.  4 to 8 p.m.  For information call (808) 635-2572.

Friday, December 30:
Annual Wailea Village Mochi Pounding. Celebrate making traditional rice cakes the “old-fashioned” way.  Everyone takes their turn at pounding the glutinous sticky rice for good luck. Hearty local style lunch available to purchase. New Year’s crafts, calligraphy & floral arrangements, plantation stories, Okinawan taiko drumming, Hawaiian entertainment & more.  Akiko’s Buddhist Bed & Breakfast, 29-2091 Old Mamalahoa Hwy. (Hwy 19 – 15 mile marker), Hakalau.  8 a.m. to 2 p.m.  For information call (808) 963-6422.

Thursday, December 29: 
Hawaiian Music Series.  Relax under the stars and enjoy a free concert featuring local musicians. Chairs are limited and blankets, mats, and low beach chairs are welcome. The Baldwin Home Museum is located in the heart of Lahaina, on the corner of Front and Dickenson Streets, Lahaina. 6 to 7:30 p.m.  For information call (808) 661-3262 or visit http://lahainarestoration.org/.

Wednesday, December 21:
Jim Gaffigan:  Fully Dressed.  Actor, writer, producer, Grammy nominated comedian, New York Times best-selling author, top touring performer, and multi-platinum selling father of five. In 2015, Jim became one of only ten comedians in history to sell out the famed Madison Square Garden arena for the finale of his “Contagious” tour, he opened for Pope Francis in front of one million+ people in Philadelphia, and his television show, “The Jim Gaffigan Show,” debuted on TV Land to enormous ratings and reviews.  Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Castle Theater, 1 Cameron Way, Kahului.  8 p.m. For tickets and information call (808) 242-7469 or visit http://mauiarts.org/.

Tuesday – Thursday, December 20 – 22:
The Nutcracker Ballet.  West Hawai`i Dance Theatre and Academy lights up the holidays by presenting Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Ballet.” This visually stunning festive family-friendly production includes more than 60 local dancers, guest dancers from The Maui Academy of Performing Arts, and guest professional dancers from the Matsuyama Ballet, Carolina Ballet and Bolshoi Ballet.  A Silent Auction and Nutcracker Boutique will be held in the lobby. Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Rd., Waimea.  Tuesday & Wednesday, 6 p.m.; Thursday, 2 p.m.  For tickets call (808) 885-6868 or visit http://kahilutheatre.org/. For information call (808) 329-8876 or visit http://whdt.org/.

Saturday, December 17: 
Kaua`i Choral Holiday Concert:  The Colors of Christmas.  Kaua`i Chorale continues its tradition of a glorious holiday concert with “The Colors of Christmas.” The show starts at 7:30pm. Box office will open 30 minutes prior to concert time. Tickets may be purchased in advanced for $12 from any chorale member and $15 at the door. Students’ tickets are $5.  Kaua`i Community College, 3-1901 Kaumuali`i Hwy, Lihue.  For information call (808) 245-8311 or visit http://kauaichorale.com/.

Saturday, December 17:
Hula Kahiko Performance. Hula halau from across Hawai`i and beyond have been invited to perform in a one-of-a-kind outdoor setting at the kahua hula (platform) in the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, located just a short walking distance from the Volcano Art Gallery in Ka`auea. 10:30 a.m.  Audience members are encouraged to bring sun/rain gear and sitting mat. Event is free, park fees apply. Date is subject to change; to confirm dates, call (808) 987-7288. Held in conjunction with the Hula Kahiko performances, enjoy a display of “Na Mea Hula” (all things hula). Visitors share in a variety of instruments, implements and lei styles that play an integral role in the life of the hula practitioner. This memorable demonstration is hands-on and family friendly.  Lanai of the Volcano Art Gallery. 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  For more information call (808) 967-8222 or visit http://volcanoartcenter.org/.

Friday Afternoons:
Slack Key Guitar Concerts.  Traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar and `ukulele concerts. December 2 – Slack Key Tour of the Islands; December 9 – Legends of Slack Key; December 16 – Honoring Keli`i Mawae of Molokai; December 23 – Heart of Slack Key; December 30 – Ahupua`a- Mountain to Sea.  Free gift drawing.  Award winning traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar ad ukulele concerts featuring songs and stories telling its history.  Tickets $25 general admission, $20 Ages 13-19 & over 50, keiki under 5 free.  A portion of the proceeds support the Hale Halawai Ohana `O Hanalei.  Hanalei Family Community Center, 5-5299 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei.  4 to 6 p.m.  For information and reservations call (808) 826-1469 or visit http://www.mcmasterslackkey.com/.

Friday Evenings:
Hanapepe Friday Night Festival & Art Walk.  Stroll through the many art galleries in historic Old Town Hanapepe and meet the local artists from 6 to 9 p.m.  Enjoy shopping at local vendors, several restaurants, art galleries, stilt walkers, classic cars, live music and entertainment.  For information call (808) 335-6469.