After the Storms, Waikoloa Stables Is Throwing the Village's Holiday Send-Off

"Lots of big trees down and lots of cleanup, but we're here, stronger than ever!" That is how the Waikoloa Stables opened its update in the November 2026 Waikōloa Village Association Breeze, right after the line "We survived the Hurricanes." The same note thanks the volunteers who repaired the arena. Three work periods had been scheduled for the job, and it was finished in one morning.

The Stables then turned straight to its plans for the holidays. Its newsletter page calls ʻOhana Day on Sunday, November 29, "the BEST Holiday send-off." The Stables' online calendar adds a Saturday night of music and a holiday market the evening before. The holidays in Waikoloa Village start at 68-1936 Waikoloa Road this year, on the same grounds the Stables just finished cleaning up. And the weekend is set up so a family can come and spend almost nothing.

A horse show comes first

There's one more Stables event before the holiday weekend. The High Point Horse Show runs Sunday, November 15, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Stables. It's the second show in the 2026–27 Waikoloa Hi-Point series. The first one, on October 11, drew 29 horses.

A horse show draws riders and their horses. ʻOhana Day two weeks later is open to the whole Village, including neighbors who have never been to a show.

Thanksgiving week, Thursday to Sunday

The holiday weekend actually starts on Thanksgiving Day, and two of its stops are down the hill at Kings' Shops. Here it is in order:

1. Thursday, November 26. The Waikōloa Seniors hold their Annual Thanksgiving Potluck at Spencer Beach Park Pavilion from noon to 4:00 p.m., and the meal starts around 1:00 p.m. The group asks people to reserve a spot, say what dish they'll bring, and bring their own plates, utensils, serving spoons, drinks and a tablecloth. The November 16 meeting is one place to sign up.
2. Friday, November 27. The Hawaiʻi Keiki Museum, in Suite K-104 at Kings' Shops in the beach resort, has a full Black Friday. The Keiki Maker Fair runs 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Young makers can set up a table and sell their work at no cost. Wreath Making with Aunty Kiro is a drop-off workshop for ages 7 to 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at $50 per child. Drop & Shop, for ages 6 to 11, runs 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., also $50 per child.
3. Saturday, November 28. West Hawaiʻi Dance Theatre performs a short preview of The Nutcracker at the museum from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., and regular museum admission applies. From 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., the Stables hosts Music Night + Holiday Market + Silent Auction.
4. Sunday, November 29. ʻOhana Day at the Stables, noon to 5:00 p.m.

Saturday works as a two-stop day. The Nutcracker preview ends at 4:00 and Music Night starts at 5:00, which leaves time for the drive up Waikoloa Road between them.

Saturday night is for the grown-ups

"Gather with friends and neighbors for live music and an evening at the Stables. Enjoy the setting, settle into the season, and share a night out," says the event page. The event runs two hours, has a holiday market and a silent auction, and starts as the light goes. It's easy to fit in after a day of leftovers and errands.

The Saturday evening also takes some pressure off Sunday. Adults can browse the market and bid in the auction on Saturday, then come back with the kids the next afternoon.

Sunday, and why most of it costs nothing

ʻOhana Day is described as "a festive day of games, horses, treats, activities, AND a special Holiday Market featuring local artisans, handmade goods, baked treats, gifts, and more." The Stables' price list splits the day into two columns. One is free for all ages. The other the Stables labels "Activities to support Waikoloa Stables."

There are nine free activities and five paid ones, and the most expensive item is $10. A family with two keiki could do every free activity, add a pony ride each and a face painting each, and spend $24. The Stables made most of the day free and kept its fundraising items small, coming right after this fall's cleanup.

The holiday market runs through the whole afternoon, with vendor booths spread around the Stables selling baked goods, local crafts, gifts and stocking stuffers, and seasonal treats. The Breeze adds a silent auction on Sunday too, and promises "Santa will be dropping by, there will be treats galore, and lots of photo ops."

A few practical notes:

• Hours: noon to 5:00 p.m. A mid-afternoon arrival still leaves time for the roping and the barrel races.
• Small bills help. Three of the paid items cost $1 or $2.
• Letters to Santa and Make-a-Card crafting are both free, so a stocking-stuffer list and a holiday card can get done in the same visit.
• Address: Waikoloa Stables, 68-1936 Waikoloa Road.

What follows on the December calendar

The rest of the season builds on that weekend. The Waikōloa Village Association board approved a $3,000 donation to the Lions Club holiday event. Last year, that event was the Waikoloa Christmas Parade and Keiki Fest on Saturday, December 13, 2025. The parade started at 10:00 a.m. on Paniolo Road, running from the Skate Park at Laie Street to the Waikoloa School intersection, and Keiki Fest followed from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Waikoloa School Plex.

Families who enjoyed the Nutcracker preview can see the full ballet later in the month. West Hawaiʻi Dance Theatre performs at Aloha Theatre on December 19 at 2:00 and 6:00 p.m. and December 20 at 2:00 p.m., then at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea on December 23 at 2:00 and 6:00 p.m.

The Waikōloa Seniors' Annual Holiday Dinner is at Johnny's Restaurant on Tuesday, December 8. The no-host bar opens at 5:00 p.m. and dinner is at 6:00, with sign-up and payment in advance. To close out the year, the Stables has listed Horse Camp on December 27, 28 and 29.

The Stables posts its upcoming events, camp included, on its website.

It's good to see the Stables planning a full holiday weekend after a hard season. If you'd like to talk over coffee about the Village, or about what's going on down at the arena, Denni Keyes is easy to find. Let's Connect.