Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Dec. 29-Jan. 1, 2025: Whole lot of fun planned to celebrate New Year’s — together

As another year comes to a close, revelry and talk of auld lang syne will abound — reminiscing about times long past for old times’ sake.

It could be while coming together with family, friends, community members and others to pound mochi today at Taishoji Soto Mission in Hilo for good luck and prosperity in the new year.

You could be partying — bidding 2024 farewell and saying hello to 2025 with a glass of bubbly surrounded by friends and other revelers — during one of several New Year’s Eve bashes around the island at various venues.

There’s even a special New Year’s Day Blessing Service at Daifukuji Soto Zen Buddhist Temple in Honalo to welcome the new year as a community, beginning 2025 with blessings for everyone’s health and safety.

No matter what you do to celebrate this New Year’s, be safe and be responsible — and do it together.

Here are the top 10 things to do for Dec. 29-Jan. 1, 2025.

No. 1 — Mochi Tsuki Day (Hilo, Dec. 29)

When: 10 a.m.

Location: Taishoji Soto Mission, 275 Kino‘ole St.

Mochi tsuki, or pounding rice to make mochi, the familiar Japanese rice cake or confection made from steamed glutinous rice, is an important traditional event in preparation for the New Year. It brings people together, building community and reinforcing cultural ties.

Pounding the rice is also believed to transfer the positive energy and spirit of rice into the mochi, so eating it symbolizes good luck and prosperity for the coming year.

All are invited to experience the tradition and even try making mochi themselves. Last year’s event was a great success, with members, temple friends, community members and guests from abroad attending and participating.

No. 2 — Exploring the Universe with the Gemini North Telescope (Zoom, Dec. 29)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: Online, from the comfort of your own home

Have you ever looked up at the starry night sky and wanted to peer deeper? Look farther out than your eyes could see? You want to know more about what’s out there, and now there’s a way you can use some of the most sophisticated equipment on the planet to do it.

Shadow the Scientists connects learners with researchers engaging in authentic experiments and scientific explorations, including astronomical observations on world-class telescopes such as a session this weekend with Gemini North atop Mauna Kea on the Big Island.

As opposed to “classical” observing nights, Gemini Observatory uses queue observing mode in which staff take observations on behalf of science teams from around the world. On any given night, Gemini staff determine the conditions on the ground and in the sky and the scientific priorities, then choose from a pool of scientific programs to observe.

So come along for this cosmic adventure to explore the universe and share its wonders. Click here to register or for more information.

No. 3 — New Year’s Eve Lūʻau Under the Stars & Fireworks (Waikōloa, Dec. 31)

When: 6 to 10 p.m.

Location: Lagoon Lānai, Hilton Waikōloa Village, 69-425 Waikōloa Beach Drive

Enjoy one last majestic Waikōloa sunset as 2024 comes to a close before ringing in 2025 with a special New Year’s Eve edition lūʻau with live entertainment at the Kona Tap Room until midnight and a spectacular — and more intimate and premium — fireworks show under the stars.

Plus, your mouth will water over a delectable New Year’s Eve menu featuring a Double R Ranch porterhouse with barolo wine sauce and a three-course prix-fixe champagne dinner by Kamuela Provision Co.

It will be a night to remember. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Hilton Waikoloa Village website.

No. 4 — New Year’s Eve Dance + Pool Party (Pāhoa, Dec. 31)

When: 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Location: Hawaiian Sanctuary, 13-3194 Pāhoa-Kalapana Road

Come say goodbye to 2024 and hello to 2025 poolside and dancing all night in the heart of Puna! This special dance party will feature DJs Hundo P, DJ HiJinx, Wilden Woolley and Mr B. mixing beats so you and your friends can ring in the new year busting all your best moves.

Pre-sale tickets are just $15 and are available now online. Overnight car/tent camping at the sanctuary is also available for an additional cost. Tickets at the door are $20.

This is an alcohol-free event.

No. 5 — 2025 New Year Chill Bash (Kīlauea Military Camp, Dec. 31)

When: 7 p.m. to midnight

Location: Lava Lounge, 99-252 Crater Rim Drive (inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park)

Bring in the new year with your friends at Kīlauea Miliary Camp and the Lava Lounge Bar and Grill while you enjoy music, plus food and drink specials amid the beauty of the national park.

DJ Klassik will be spinning music from 8 p.m. to midnight, and Lava Bites will be available from 4 to 8 p.m.

Spend just $10 for the Bash Pass and get great specials on food, including chicken wings, pork and veggie egg rolls, shrimp and veggie shumai, pork and shrimp wontons, chicken wontons and jalapeno poppers, as well as 25% off mocktails after 8 p.m. and includes a midnight toast (one glass). Designated drivers also get 50% off mocktails and free soft drinks.

No. 6 — A Night to Remember at Kona Pub Brewery (Kailua-Kona, Dec. 31)

When: 8 p.m.

Location: Kona Brewing Co., 74-5612 Pāwai Place

Get ready for an unforgettable evening filled with live Hawaiian music from Mana Grace, high-energy dance beats by DJ Hybrid Vigor plus a delicious dinner buffet full of local flavors.

This incredible celebration to ring in the new year also comes with festive vibes and tons of joy. You’ll even get two free drinks to start the night and a midnight bubbly to welcome 2025. The buffet menu, which includes roast pork with gravy, braised short ribs, shoyu chicken, smoked tako poke and a whole lot more, is crafted by chefs Aaron Paio and David Youngblood.

Seats are limited, so reserve your ticket today for $110, which includes gratuity, and come celebrate New Year’s Eve in style.

No. 7 — New Year’s Eve with HAPPINESS Kona! (Kailua-Kona, Dec. 31)

When: 8 p.m.

Location: HAPPINESS, 75-5699 Ali‘i Drive, No. 201

This New Year’s Eve, gather your friends for an extraordinary celebration and be one of the first to experience the grand opening of Kona’s newest dining and entertainment sensation.

The unforgettable night of music, food and festivities will be filled with live performances, including special guest Anthony Patler, legendary musical director for Chaka Khan, and Lucky Tongue; a grand buffet to start the evening and an unlimited “Pancake Party” with 20 toppings and French coffee at 12:15 a.m.; Hawai‘i’s most spectacular special effects; and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight with an epic confetti light show as the clock strikes midnight.

Don’t miss this exclusive celebration of joy, music and connection. Limited tickets are available. Call 808-796-8458 for information. Tickets start at $98; click here to purchase yours today.

No. 8 — Blue Dragon Tavern Bubbles & Bling New Year’s Eve Party (Kawaihae, Dec. 31)

When: 9 p.m. to midnight; doors open at 8:30 p.m.

Location: Blue Dragon Tavern, 61-3616 Kawaihae Road

Psychedelic rock band Uncle Charlie is known for mind-bending improvisational jams, and every show promises to be a unique experience. BASS BIAS seamlessly blends the sounds of an upright bass and electric bass to create a sound all their own with rock, reggae, jazz, blues, folk and country styles for covers of a variety of artists from Bob Marley to the White Stripes and original songs.

Both bands will perform individually, with BASS BIAS playing the first set followed by Uncle Charlie. Then, they will unite for an all-out jam to take everyone there for the party to the Big Countdown to midnight and ring in the New Year.

Tickets are $35 in advance and can be purchased at the Blue Dragon Tavern website. Price at the door is $45.

No. 9 — 2025 New Year Celebration (Hilo, Dec. 31)

When: 9 p.m.

Location: Hilo Town Tavern, 168 Keawe St.

Ring in the New Year at downtown Hilo’s hottest spot for an unforgettable night of dancing and good vibes counting down to 2025.

Celebrate in style and party it up with jams mixed by DJs C-Roy and D-Cypher while the clock ticks down to midnight. There’s just a $10 cover all night to be part of the fun, and a midnight champagne toast is included.

Must be 21 years old or older. Don’t miss this spectacular New Year’s Eve blowout!

No. 10 — New Year’s Day Blessing Service (Honalo, Jan. 1, 2025)

When: 10 a.m.

Location: Daifukuji Soto Zen Buddhist Temple, 79-7241 Māmalahoa Highway

All are invited to welcome the new year together, beginning 2025 with blessings for everyone’s health and safety. Individual blessings will be given by the Rev. Jikō Nakade. Attendees can ring the temple bell and enjoy hot noodles and sangha fellowship in the social hall following the service.

Assorted omamori, Buddhist charms carried in your purse or vehicle, and ofuda, blessing cards for home and the office, will be available for $5. The white Hawai‘i Kannon omamori are $6 each and wallet omamori are $2 each. Omamori for dogs and cats will also be available for $5.

No pre-orders will be taken. Omamori and ofuda can also be purchased after the blessing service or by stopping at the temple at a later time. Cash, check or credit/debit card will be accepted.

For more information, call the temple at 808-322-3524.

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Want to check for yourself what’s going on around the island?

We admit. We can’t fit everything going on each week in our top 10. So here are websites for some popular Big Island venues that you can peruse to discover other events, activities, shows, festivals or workshops that pique your interest.

• Aloha Theatre, Kealakekua: https://apachawaii.org/
• Blue Dragon Tavern, Kawaihae: https://www.bluedragontavern.com/
• Donkey Mill Art Center, Hōlualoa: https://donkeymillartcenter.org/
• East Hawai‘i Cultural Center, Hilo: https://ehcc.org/
• Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
• Hilo Town Market, Hilo: https://hilotownmarket.co/events
• Hilo Town Tavern, Hilo (on Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041333509786
• Honoka‘a People’s Theatre, Honoka‘a: https://www.honokaapeople.com/
• Kahilu Theatre, Waimea: https://kahilu.org/
• Keauhou Shopping Center, Kailua-Kona: https://keauhoushoppingcenter.com/experience/
• Kona Commons, Kailua-Kona: https://www.konacommons.com/events
• Lava Shack, Pāhoa (on Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/lavashackpahoa/?hl=en
• Lyman Museum, Hilo: https://lymanmuseum.org/
• MyBar Kona, Kailua-Kona: https://www.mybarkona.com/
• Palace Theater, Hilo: https://hilopalace.com/
• University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Performing Arts Center, Hilo: https://artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu/
• Volcano Art Center, Volcano: https://volcanoartcenter.org/
• Wailoa Center, Hilo: https://www.wailoacenter.com/
• Willy’s Hot Chicken, Kailua-Kona: https://willieshotchicken.com/