Annual Honolulu City Lights - Honolulu, Hawaii - Kaimuki Holiday Christmas Event - Kaimuki

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Annual Honolulu City Lights 2025 - Two Locations, One Magical Celebration
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2025 Honolulu City Lights opening night set for Saturday, November 29Th, 2025

HONOLULU – Get ready to feel the magic of the season! Today, a 55-foot Cook pine tree was installed to serve as the centerpiece for the 41st Honolulu City Lights. The City and County of Honolulu, in partnership with the Friends of Honolulu City Lights and Show Aloha Land, is proud to present one of Hawai‘i’s most beloved holiday traditions, which this year will illuminate both the Civic Center Grounds and Thomas Square Park with joy and aloha.

The festivities launch on Nov. 29, with the Opening Night Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. in front of Honolulu Hale. As Mayor Blangiardi lights the City’s iconic holiday tree, Thomas Square Park will be illuminated at the very exact moment — marking the first time in Honolulu City Lights history that both parks will sparkle together.

Opening Night activities begin at 4 p.m. with a Block Party along Punchbowl Street, featuring ‘ono food and local favorites. At 6:15 p.m., the beloved Public Workers’ Electric Light Parade will depart ‘A‘ala Park, travel down South King Street, and pass Honolulu Hale on its way to Kawaiaha‘o Street — wrapping the heart of downtown in a glowing ribbon of lights and holiday cheer. After the tree lighting ceremony, live entertainment will continue behind Mission Memorial Auditorium.

All the traditional and cherished decorations on the Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds – including Shaka Santa and Tūtū Mele – are being brought to you by the Friends of Honolulu City Lights.

At Thomas Square Park, the celebration continues as Show Aloha Land – led by Mike Gangloff – transforms the historic grounds into a dazzling winter wonderland. Visitors will experience keiki train rides, festive craft and food vendors, a chance to meet Santa, and an immersive display of light tunnels, illuminated trees, and brilliant holiday features that will shine throughout the season.

Holiday festivities at both locations run through the month of December. The City Department Holiday Tree Exhibition inside Honolulu Hale will close on Friday, December 26, 2025, and outdoor displays will begin powering down on Monday, December 29, 2025.

This year’s Honolulu City Lights is poised to be the brightest yet — two parks, one celebration, and endless aloha. This year’s theme, “Navigating by the Stars,” honors and celebrates the 50th anniversary of Hōkūle‘a, Hawai‘i’s legendary voyaging canoe that first launched on March 8, 1975.

Street closures, detours, and TheBus route adjustments will be announced in the coming weeks. For event updates, maps, and schedules, visit www.hnlcitylights.com
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All holiday festivities will take place on the Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds at Honolulu Hale – located at 530 South King Street, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96813.
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Kapolei City Lights 2025
Cheehoo! Kapolei City Lights returns Saturday, December 6, 2025!

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E komo mai (welcome) to the official website of the Kapolei City Lights Celebration sponsored by the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR)! Kapolei City Lights has been spreading seasonal joy to the ever-growing Leeward O‘ahu community since 2001. This year, the “Season of Stars” will sparkle with enchantment – twinkling lights, timeless traditions, and the warmth of community shining as brightly as the skies above. Come be part of a holiday celebration where culture, connection, and wonder truly light the way!
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Never experienced the dazzling allure of Kapolei City Lights! Check out this video montage of the opening night festivities from 2022! While we aim to make every celebration a little bit better than before, we always strive to have similar elements of the holidays from year-to-year! Those elements include: Opening Night Festivities with a Block Party & Parade, dazzling decorations inside & out of Kapolei Hale, and plenty of entertainment and holiday spirit for the entire family!

Opening Night Festivities
Get ready for “A Season of Stars” as Kapolei City Lights returns to Leeward O‘ahu on Saturday, December 6, 2025!

The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and dozens of additional City and community partners are proud to invite everyone to enjoy this holiday tradition, a free, family-friendly event launching with our opening night block party and parade.

Block Party
Featuring over 60 local vendors, a festive holiday car showcase, live music, and plenty of local grinds, the block party is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the streets around Kapolei Hale. We’ve got so much planned for this party we are taking over several streets for the event, including: Ulu‘ōhi‘a, Ala Kahawai, Alohikea, and Kama‘aha.
Enjoy an amazing lineup of local entertainment and events on the stage near the mauka-end of Kapolei Hale. Emceed by KSSK’s Curt Williams, this venue will offer the following scheduled performances:
5 p.m. – Sons of Yeshua
6 p.m. – The Reppahz
6:15 p.m. – Mayor’s Tree Lighting
7 p.m. – Peni Dean
8 p.m. – Kawao
We’ve even got a rest area for kūpuna near the performance stage. They’re going to need a place to take a seat with all of the dancing and good music they’ll be enjoying!

Parade
Along with the block party, opening night festivities will feature the vivacious Holiday Parade, with some 53 participating organizations showcasing decorated vehicles, floats, parade walkers, and loads of holiday spirit. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m. with the Royal Hawaiian Band launching from Kapolei High School, proceeding up Fort Barrette Rd., taking a left on Kapolei Pkwy., and ending at Kama‘aha Ave.

This year we are continuing our partnership with ‘Ōlelo Community Media and KSSK Radio to livestream the parade as it makes its way towards Kapolei Hale. Emceed by Sweetie Paccaro & Jimmy Da Geek, the live coverage will air on ‘Ōlelo 53 with reairing of the entire parade scheduled on the same channel for:
December 22 – 6 p.m.
December 23 – 4 p.m.
December 24 – 9 a.m.
December 25 – 3:30 p.m.

Phased road closures for the block party and parade will begin throughout December 6, 2025 starting at 11 a.m. and increasing throughout the day as the events draw near. Public parking is available in and around Kapolei Regional Park.
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Kapolei Hale Decorations

Decorations, entertainment, and activities galore are also in store inside and around Kapolei Hale during the opening night festivities! Outside of the hale, several ornaments and lights will brighten the building, highlighted by a luminous 50-foot holiday tree. As you enter the hale, you’ll be greeted by a variety of community tree displays from our fellow City agencies, Neighborhood Boards, and several other community organizations. Keiki can enjoy make-and-take crafts provided by Island Pacific Academy, along with carnival-style games and fun photo opportunities. Everyone is invited to spread out on their own picnic mats and enjoy additional entertainment in the open-air courtyard—perfect for relaxing under the stars and enjoying the ‘ono grinds. Be sure to check out some of the special features:

5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Photos with Santa
6 p.m. – Musical performance by Moon Kahele
Can’t make it to the opening night festivities? No worries, the enchanting holiday decorations of Kapolei Hale will be available through Sunday, January 4, 2026 with the following schedule:
Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Fridays – 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Weekends & Holidays – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Volunteer Cleanup
Every party needs its cleanup crew, so we’re partnering with our friends in the City’s Department of Facility Maintenance to organize a volunteer cleanup following the opening night festivities. Join us on Sunday, December 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Kapolei Hale to be part of this amazing crew.
Sign-up ahead of time by visiting picktime.com/swq or emailing stormwater@honolulu.gov
Mahalo in advance for your kōkua!
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Annual Honolulu City Lights 2025 - Two Locations, One Magical Celebration