What’s it Like to Celebrate Christmas in Fiji?
Planning something a little different this Christmas? The welcoming hospitality of Fiji, the grandeur celebrations, and the Christmas feasts are all great reasons to venture to the paradise islands of Fiji. There’s something for the romantic getaway couple wanting a quiet escape (check out our 20 Best Adult-Only Resorts in Fiji). Or, the adventurous traveller who wants to experience the Fijian traditions of Christmas will be welcome to participate in a homestay. As for the resorts, after indulging in Christmas buffets, hearing the Fijian carol singing and experiencing the warm hospitality, it will feel like your second home by the time you leave. So, take a look at how you can celebrate Christmas in Fiji. Marau Ni Siga NI Sucu kei na Tawase ni Yabaki!
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5 Tips for Visiting Fiji at Christmas
Experience the magic of a tropical Christmas in Fiji with these essential tips for a festive island getaway.
- Fijians celebrate Christmas over multiple days, so you’ll be able to experience the festivities in Fiji in the two weeks leading up to New Year’s Eve.
- Book your accommodation early during this peak time of the year!
- Want to see how the locals celebrate Christmas? Consider a homestay or do a village visit with your resort.
- Christmas falls during the wet season in Fiji, so expect short bursts of rain (but there’s likely to be still plenty of sun).
- Hearing the Christmas carols sung at a Fijian church is an absolute must-do for the festive season.
Staying in Fiji for New Year’s Eve, too? Check out Where to Spend New Year’s Eve in Fiji.
© FijiPocketGuide.comIs Christmas a Good Time to Visit Fiji?
We might be a little biased, but yes, Christmas is an exceptional time to visit Fiji. The weather is warm at an average maximum temperature of 29°C (84°F), and there’s plenty of sunshine to be had in this tropical paradise. However, Christmas in Fiji is during the rainy season, so be prepared for that.
Because this is a busy time of the year to travel, flights to Fiji are a little more expensive, while domestic travel, such as flights between islands, is booked up well in advance, so get in there quickly.
Are the Shops Open at Christmas in Fiji?
Know that Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December) are public holidays, which means that shops and services are closed. It’s best to prepare your self-catering needs at least the day before Christmas. On the other hand, resorts will be functioning as normal, as will restaurants in tourist areas such as Denarau.
See the Fiji Weather in December for more tips about visiting Fiji during the holiday season.
© FijiPocketGuide.comChristmas in a Fijian Village
Christmas is celebrated not just for one day in the villages of Fiji but for a couple of weeks around the Christmas and New Year’s period.
Communities will gather in the community hall or the largest house in the village to celebrate together. Celebrating might come in the form of singing and dancing traditional cultural dances known as the “meke”. Chrismas is also an opportunity for Fijians to indulge in a huge “lovo” feast where food is slow-cooked in banana tree leaves in an underground oven. The food usually includes a mix of chicken, beef, pork, fish, cassava, and dalo (taro).
In addition to the cultural celebrations, there are Christmas church services. Most Fijians are religious and go to church regularly. Church services are particularly captivating during the Christmas period, with locals singing carols in beautiful harmony. Learn more about religious customs in The Guide to the Religions in Fiji.
How to Spend Christmas in a Village in Fiji
To experience Christmas with the locals, the best thing you can do is a homestay in a village, otherwise known as a village stay. Locals open their spare rooms or bures to visitors on platforms like Airbnb, Expedia and Booking.com, where many will still offer homestays during Christmas. Take a look at the 10 Authentic Village Stays in Fiji for inspiration. Plus, check out How to Choose the Best Homestay in Fiji + 5 Essential Tips to learn more about staying in a village.
Alternatively, some resorts have village visits as part of their activity offering. A resort guide will take you to a village to spend a day meeting the locals and taking part in their day-to-day activities, whether it’s weaving, going to church or playing with the kids. Navini Island Resort, for example, invites guests to the Christmas church service held with the villagers on the island. See more examples of village tours in the 10 Best Village Tours in Fiji.
Fara: The Christmas Tradition of Rotuma
Those lucky enough to make it to the isolated island of Rotuma in December will get to witness the celebrations of Fara! Rotuma has its own distinct culture compared to the other islands of Fiji, where local performers go from house to house to entertain families around the island. It’s common for other families to join in on the celebrations as the performers go until there are huge groups of singers and dancers.
© FijiPocketGuide.comChristmas in a Fiji Resort
Christmas is a wonderful time to stay at a resort in Fiji. Most resorts will put on special events for Christmas, which almost always involves a lovo feast or some other type of Christmas buffet. There may be special entertainment like a meke, carol singing and serenaders. When booking your resort in Fiji for Christmas, make sure to ask what Christmas activities and “Christmas specials” they have on.
Christmas Events at Fiji’s Resorts
Some of Fiji’s largest resorts put on special Christmas lunches and live entertainment each year. While the offerings can change year-on-year, the resorts that tend to offer Christmas functions for the public include:
- InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa: Located on Natadola Bay, this luxury resort is known for its special Christmas-themed events and dining experiences, making it a popular choice for holiday celebrations.
- Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort: This family-friendly resort offers a range of festive activities, including cultural performances and special holiday meals. It is well-regarded for its welcoming atmosphere during the Christmas period.
- Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort: Situated in Savusavu, this resort focuses on sustainable luxury and often includes Christmas events that cater to families, featuring activities for children and special holiday meals.
- Paradise Cove Resort: Located in the Yasawa Islands, this resort hosts various Christmas festivities, including themed dinners and activities for kids, making it ideal for family vacations during the holidays.
- VOMO Island Resort: This private island resort combines luxury with family-friendly features and typically organizes special events for Christmas, including festive dining options and activities.
- Yasawa Island Resort & Spa: Known for its remote location and beautiful beaches, this resort provides a unique Christmas experience with special meals and cultural activities during the holiday season.
- Six Senses Fiji: Located in the Mamanuca Islands, this luxury resort offers family-oriented activities and festive dining experiences during Christmas, making it a great destination for families looking to celebrate the holiday.
These resorts not only provide luxurious accommodations but also create memorable experiences through their holiday-themed events and activities.
Which Islands to Stay in Fiji for Christmas
One thing you may want to factor in is where you are going to stay during the wet season. Yes, Christmas falls during Fiji’s wet season, where the larger islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and Taveuni all experience more rainfall than what is found in the smaller outer islands. With that in mind, you might want to focus on resorts in the island groups of the Yasawas or the Mamanucas where the climate is drier. Check out the Fiji Weather in December to see what to expect. Plus take a look at the 10 Best Resorts in the Mamanuca Islands and the 10 Best Resorts in the Yasawa Islands and consider one of those resorts to increase your chances of a dry and sunny Christmas.
A final note about Christmas in Fiji resorts is to book early! Christmas is a popular time for holidaymakers to head to Fiji and rooms fill up fast.
© FijiPocketGuide.comOther Public Holidays in Fiji
Christmas is just one of several public holidays in Fiji experienced throughout the year. Other public holidays in Fiji include:
- January 1 – New Year’s Day
- Friday before Easter – Good Friday
- Saturday before Easter – Easter Saturday
- Monday after Easter – Easter Monday
- Closest Monday to May 14 – Girmit Day
- Last Monday/Friday of May – Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day
- Monday during Rabi’ al-awwal – Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday
- October 10 – Fiji Day
- Friday closest to Diwali – Diwali
- December 25 – Christmas Day
- December 26 – Boxing Day.
Where a public holiday falls on a Sunday (and sometimes a Saturday), the office holiday will be observed on the following Monday or the previous Friday. Learn more about what each day listed above entails in Public Holidays in Fiji (& Other Important Dates).
More About Christmas in Fiji
That’s it for our guide to Christmas in Fiji; for more information about festive celebrations and travel in Fiji, check out the following articles:
- 10 Biggest Festivals & Events in Fiji
- Where to Spend New Year’s Eve in Fiji
- The Guide to Easter in Fiji
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Travel Guide to Fiji.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Fiji and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism Fiji (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (Tourism statistics - Updated [2025])
- Land Transport Authority (Road safety advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Revenue & Customs Service (Customs and visitor taxes - Updated [2025])
- Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
- Fiji Bureau of Statistics (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
- Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
- Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
- Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
Our editorial standards: At Fiji Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
