Your Insider Guide to Honolulu City Lights

Get festive with a block party, electric light parade, holiday concert, larger-than-life decorations and keiki train rides.

November 26, 2024

Laura Dornbush,

Photo: Courtesy of City and County of Honolulu

This annual month-long celebration returns in a big way this year to honor its 40th anniversary. And the best news is it’s always free to enjoy. In fact, the festivities are a gift to the community by the City and County of Honolulu in partnership with Friends of Honolulu City Lights—a tradition that started in 1985 by Mayor Frank F. Fasi.

Here is everything you need to know about this year’s Honolulu City Lights, from where to snap the best family photos to when to bring keiki to meet Santa.

Click to the information you want to explore:

What It Is

The grounds of Honolulu Hale and the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center transform into a winter wonderland with holiday displays, twinkling lights and special events. Gaze in awe at the 55-foot Cook Pine tree fronting City Hall, say hi to the giant Shaka Santa and Tūtū Mele figures, browse the city department Christmas trees and grab a treat from local food vendors.

New this year, wander through enhanced decorations and activations, including 250 feet of lighted tunnels, 50 illuminated trees, a keiki train ride and festive motifs lining Alapa‘i and Beretania Streets. The new displays were donated by Mike Gangloff of Show Aloha Land and his sponsors.

Photo: Courtesy of City and County of Honolulu

When and Where

Following the Opening Night celebration on Saturday, Dec. 7, Honolulu City Lights will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center Grounds and will run through Tuesday, Dec. 31.

Parking

Free public parking is available at the Frank F. Fasi Municipal lot, with entry from the left lane of Beretania Street just past Alapa‘i Street. If you wish to view the parade in Chinatown, several parking lots are in the area; however, you will need to park before the parade-related street closures start (approximately 5 p.m.). Also, you may have to wait for the streets to re-open to exit certain lots.

Photo: Credit Ron Slauson

Opening Night

On Saturday, Dec. 7, the celebration kicks off at 4 p.m. with a block party featuring local food vendors along Punchbowl Street. The Public Workers’ Electric Light Parade begins at 6:15 p.m. down King Street from River Street to Kawaiaha‘o Street. As the parade passes Honolulu Hale, Mayor Rick Blangiardi will illuminate the holiday tree and lights decorating the grounds.

The parade features 57 units with marchers, floats, vehicles and bands. It will also be live broadcast on ‘Ōlelo 54, so tune in if you want to skip the crowds. Heads-up: there will be street closures—in the past, routes near the parade in Chinatown and Downtown were closed from 5 p.m.

The holiday festivities and merriment continue with a performance by Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner Raiatea Helm and free photos with Santa in the Mission Memorial Auditorium.

Photo: Credit Ron Slauson

Here’s the schedule for the evening:

Food booths open at 4 p.m. on Punchbowl Street
Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony at Honolulu Hale starts at 6 p.m.
Public Workers Electric Light Parade beginning at ‘A‘ala Park at 6:15 p.m.
Performance by Raiatea Helm, time to be announced
Free photos with Santa 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Mission Memorial Auditorium

Opening Night Food

On opening night, food booths will be open from 4 p.m. on Punchbowl Street. Vendors include:

AlohaMade Bites
Asato Family Shop
Corn Onoz Hawai‘i
Da Hub/Kealoha Seafoods
Dick’s Lechon
Fine Time Shave Ice
Linaka’s Catering
Olay’s Thai Food Express
Sausage Fest Hawai‘i
Sugah Daddeh’s Kane Juice
Sushi King dba Makanai
Trydis
Waimanalo Country Farms

Hawaiian Mission Houses’ Family Night

Saturday, Dec. 7, 4 to 9 p.m.

Get a prime viewing spot of the opening night parade from the Hawaiian Mission Houses (553 S. King St.), which is also hosting 19th century games and candle-making. Food will be sold onsite, or you can bring your own. Limited seating will be available, but you can also set up your own chairs and mats on the lawn. Tickets are $10.

Photo: Credit Ron Slauson

Mark These Dates for the Rest of December

Holiday Wreath Contest Exhibition

Monday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., submit your entry

Saturday, Dec. 7, to Tuesday, Dec. 31., 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., entries on display in the Lane Gallery at Honolulu Hale

The City Department Tree Exhibition

Saturday, Dec. 7, to Tuesday, Dec. 31., 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Available to view in Honolulu Hale

Celtic Pipes Performance

Wednesday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m.

In front of Honolulu Hale

Milk & Cookie Night

Saturday, Dec. 21, 6 to 9 p.m.

Free, in front of Honolulu Hale, while supplies last

Photo: Credit Ron Slauson

Tips

Get your 2024 keepsake ornament! Each year, there are new designs which are sold as a fundraiser. Buy them at the event grounds, online or at all O‘ahu Macy’s stores and First Hawaiian Bank branches.
To avoid parade crowds, view the procession from Chinatown or Downtown. The area in front of Honolulu Hale will be packed! Note, bands will stop performing after they pass Honolulu Hale, so you’ll want to be positioned before Kawaiaha‘o Street.
Weekday evenings are less busy than weekends, so you’ll have a better chance of getting successful family photos in front of the displays. You could also visit during the day, but won’t get the full effect of the lights.
Dress in holiday attire and bring light-up toys, glow sticks and jingle bells for a full festive experience.
Waikīkī Trolley offers open-air bus rides ($35 adult, $25 keiki) to view the downtown lights and Honolulu City Lights, departing from Aloha Tower.

Free, Honolulu City Lights, Honolulu Hale, 530 S. King St., Dec. 7–31, opening night on Saturday, Dec. 7, 4 to 10 p.m., honolulucitylights.org, @friendshonolulucitylights