Thanksgiving on Maui offers a little something different: warm sunshine, beautiful beaches and plenty of opportunities to make holiday memories with family and friends. Whether you prefer a traditional Thanksgiving feast, an outdoor adventure or a relaxing day by the ocean, there are many ways to celebrate island-style.
Planning a Maui getaway over Thanksgiving week? Here are seven activities and experiences to add to your itinerary.
1. Kick Off Thanksgiving With a Turkey Trot
Start Thanksgiving morning on an active note at the Valley Isle Road Runners Turkey Trot in Upcountry Maui. Scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 26, at Keokea Park in Kula, the event features a 5K run/walk beginning at 7:30 a.m. It’s a fun way to get moving, enjoy Maui’s beautiful Upcountry scenery and connect with the local community before the day’s festivities.
2. Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner on the Water
Trade the traditional dining room for ocean views aboard a Thanksgiving dinner cruise. Pacific Whale Foundation offers a special holiday cruise featuring a Thanksgiving meal, beautiful coastal scenery and a chance to enjoy Maui from a different perspective. With views of the West Maui Mountains and neighboring islands, it’s a memorable way to celebrate with loved ones. Advance reservations are recommended, as holiday cruises can fill up quickly.
3. Catch the Maui Invitational
Basketball fans visiting over Thanksgiving week won’t want to miss the Southwest Maui Invitational, one of college basketball’s premier early-season tournaments. Held Nov. 23-25 at the Lahaina Civic Center, the 2026 tournament features eight NCAA Division I teams, including Arizona, BYU, Clemson, Colorado State, Ole Miss, Providence, VCU and Washington. Whether you’re cheering for your favorite team or simply enjoying the excitement, the tournament is a longstanding Maui holiday tradition.
4. Plan a Thanksgiving Picnic by the Beach
Who says Thanksgiving dinner has to be indoors? Maui’s beautiful coastline provides the perfect backdrop for a relaxed holiday meal with family and friends. Pick up a prepared Thanksgiving feast or a selection of local favorites, pack a blanket and find a scenic spot to enjoy your meal. The Plantation House in Kapalua is offering a Thanksgiving Feast To-Go for four, featuring turkey, stuffing, potatoes, vegetables and pumpkin pie. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the holiday without spending hours in the kitchen. Be sure to preorder your meal, choose a location where picnicking is permitted and leave the beach as beautiful as you found it.
5. Give Back at Paddle for Hunger
Celebrate the spirit of giving at Paddle for Hunger, a Thanksgiving morning event that brings the Maui community together for a good cause. Scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 26, the event welcomes participants with outrigger canoes, stand-up paddleboards, surfboards and other nonmotorized watercraft. Registration begins at 7 a.m., with paddling starting at 8 a.m. The event is free and open to the public, with donations supporting local hunger-relief efforts.
6. Gather for a Thanksgiving Potluck
Sometimes the best holiday celebrations are the simplest. Gather your family or friends for a relaxed Thanksgiving potluck and enjoy your favorite dishes together in the comfort of your accommodations.
Guests staying at Castle Nāpili Surf Beach Resort can take advantage of their condominium accommodations to prepare a holiday meal or bring together dishes from local restaurants and markets. Afterward, enjoy a leisurely afternoon by beautiful Nāpili Bay.
7. Celebrate With a Hawaiian Lūʻau
For a different kind of holiday gathering, consider spending an evening enjoying Hawaiian food, music and hula at a traditional lūʻau. Several Maui venues offer lūʻau experiences featuring Hawaiian cuisine, live entertainment and opportunities to learn about the islands’ history and culture. Old Lāhainā Lūʻau is one well-known option in West Maui. Be sure to check individual venues for Thanksgiving Day schedules and availability before making plans.
However you choose to celebrate, Thanksgiving on Maui is an opportunity to slow down, spend time with loved ones and enjoy everything that makes the island special. With its beachfront location on beautiful Nāpili Bay, Castle Nāpili Surf Beach Resort offers a relaxing home base for your holiday getaway. From ocean adventures and local traditions to quiet moments along the shore, it’s a wonderful place to create lasting Thanksgiving memories.