It’s one of our favorite Hawaii Holiday traditions: Honolulu City Lights. This Christmastime event boasts an electric night parade, a large light display, visits with Santa, and other fun happenings that feel both cozy and tropical.
We’ve got all kinds of great info for the Honolulu City Lights event, along with other Hawaii Christmas happenings, so read on to learn more!
What Is Honolulu City Lights?
Honolulu City Lights is both an event and a song. The song came first, but today we’re mostly talking about the event.
This is an annual tradition that’s run by the City and County of Honolulu and the nonprofit “Friends of Honolulu City Lights.” It lasts for about a month throughout December, but the main event is opening night, when there is a block party, a tree lighting ceremony, and an electric night parade.
The event has been going on since the mid-1980s, so it’s a long-standing and beloved tradition in Honolulu. Any visitor who even gets to experience part of it is lucky. After all, Christmas in Hawaii is a unique and fun experience, and Honolulu City Lights really shines with the spirit.
Opening Night
The first night of Honolulu City Lights is always the most exciting. It marks the beginning of Christmastime in Hawaii and gets me into the holiday spirit. Visitors and local families gather in downtown Honolulu for a series of fun festivities for old and young alike.
Opening night for Honolulu City Lights is typically in early December – possibly the first Saturday in December, but dates vary each year. The fun begins late afternoon and extends into the evening and night as the city lights up with Holiday cheer.
Block Party
The block party begins first. This is when you can grab some fantastic food, maybe do a little shopping, and get excited for all that’s ahead in the evening. There is also live music and other entertainment.
Tree Lighting
The tree at Honolulu Hale is a sight to behold, and the festive tree lighting ceremony marks the beginning of its dazzling display. This usually happens before the parade, so you can gather around for the lighting and then find your spot for the parade. Or, set up early for the parade and see the tree glisten afterward!
Honolulu City Lights Electric Light Parade
The Electric Light Parade is the highlight of Honolulu City Lights for me. I love parades – the marching bands, displays, and general merriment. As a visitor, it’s important to have the right expectations for this parade. It’s really impressive, and lots of local organizations put a ton of effort into it. But it has the charm of a small city parade. No Disney Magic here – instead it’s classic, authentic Christmas fun.
I’ve been to Christmas night parades in several towns, and Honolulu is by far my favorite. Plus, you can’t be the weather during it!
Honolulu City Lights Events Throughout December
Opening night of Honolulu City Lights typically occurs toward the beginning of December. This is the perfect time to get in the Holiday spirit, but it means a lot of visitors miss out on the festivities. After all, school isn’t out on the mainland yet, meaning most traveling families haven’t started their Hawaii vacation.
The good news? Honolulu City Lights runs throughout the Christmas Season. Sure, opening night may be the “main attraction,” but there’s still lots to do if you arrive here closer to Christmas.
Honolulu Hale
If you’re on Oahu during Christmas Time, you definitely need to stop by Honolulu Hale for the incredible light display. Honolulu Hale is the government seat for the city and county of Honolulu, and it’s located conveniently downtown.
Sure, a government building may not be your idea of a winter wonderland, but Honolulu City Lights really makes this place shine. There is a large assortment of lighted Christmas displays, most of which have a tropical edge.
You might see a giant Santa throwing up a shaka, or a festive sea turtle figure, and (of course!) many greetings of “Mele Kalikimaka.”
Inside the Hale, you’ll find decorated Christmas trees, entries for the wreath competition, and special events throughout the month.
Food vendors often set up at the Hale throughout the City Lights event, so you might be able to enjoy tasty treats (or a full meal!) while you enjoy the displays.
There are also special events throughout the month that vary from year to year. In the past, special nights have included photos with Santa, movie screenings, and live performances.
Honolulu City Lights: The Event vs. The Song
If you search What Is Honolulu City Lights, you’ll get two kinds of results: info about the annual event in Hawaii, and info about the Hawaii Song.
So which came first: the event or the song?
The song “Honolulu City Lights” was released by Keola and Kapono Beamer in 1978. It’s featured on their album of the same name and was a local hit in Hawaii. The Beamer Brothers’ “Honolulu City Lights” became one of the best-selling Hawaiian albums ever, won multiple awards, and still tops many lists of favorite Hawaiian records (often beating out Bruddah Iz’s incredible releases).
Though the song is not a Christmas song, it is often enjoyed over the Holidays since it is about a brief visit home to the islands. The Carpenters also covered the song – they recorded the cover in the late 70s but didn’t release it until the late 80s, years after Karen Carpenter passed away.
The “Honolulu City Lights” event began in 1987, nearly a decade after the song’s original release. By the time the festival started, the music was ingrained in the hearts and spirits of many local families, adding a sense of familiarity and charm to the new tradition.
Other Christmas Events on Oahu
Christmas is a great time to visit Hawaii, and there are many special events and programs to make your vacation even more festive. Here are some of our favorite events on Oahu (beyond Honolulu City Lights) that you’ll want to check out:
- Kapolei City Lights is similar to Honolulu City Lights, except it occurs near Ko Olina every December. There’s an opening night block party and parade, along with month-long displays at Kapolei Hale.
- Show Aloha Land is a newer tradition at Aloha Stadium that grows every year. It’s mostly a drive-thru lights display, but it’s growing every year into a full event that includes photos with Santa, bouncy houses, train rides, and other kid-friendly adventures.
- Chinatown Winter Walk features window and light displays from the many local businesses that make Honolulu’s Chinatown so unique.
- The Hawaii Symphony Orchestra typically has a Holiday performance each year. The Orchestra has shows in the Honolulu Theater and the Waikiki Shell.
- Mele Kalikimaka Marketplace is a weekend-long Christmas market at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall in Honolulu.
- Most of the malls and shopping centers throughout Oahu will have special events, displays, and music to celebrate the Holiday season Hawaiian style.
Including Honolulu City Lights in Your Hawaii Vacation
Are you visiting Oahu during Christmas? If so, you’ll want to make Honolulu City Lights part of your plans. It’s free, won’t take up much time, and is a great family-friendly activity after dark (though it’s also fun to visit during the day!).
And if you need help planning a Christmas vacation to Hawaii, we’re here to help. Contact Hawaii Aloha Travel for help with bookings, itineraries, and advice. We’re all local experts, so we know all the best special events, activities, and places to eat.
