When you think of a traditional holiday season, the Hawaiian Islands are probably the last place to cross your mind. But, if we’re being honest, we absolutely LOVE spending Christmas in Hawaii. Instead of snowstorms and cold weather, we have beach days — and you’ll still find all of your holiday favorites, from hot chocolate and sugar cookies to twinkling lights and holiday festivals. And, boy, do we know how to throw a holiday celebration. The Honolulu City Lights is not only the largest Christmas light display found across the state but it gets even more magical and enchanting as the years go by.
The magic begins this year on Saturday, December 1, and you won’t want to miss it.
This iconic event at Honolulu Hale began in 1985 when former Mayor Frank F. Fasi held a free event that featured a magnificent lighted tree, holiday concert on the main lawn, decorated trees in the courtyard, and lights adorning trees and buildings stretching downtown to the civic center.
Since then, the Honolulu City Lights celebration has only become more enchanting and magical year after year. And if the past is any indication, 2018 is gearing up to be the best year yet.
The celebration kicks off at 4 p.m. on December 1 with food booths, souvenir tents, keiki rides at Sky Gate and food trucks on Punchbowl Street.
At 6 p.m., the tree is lit! This 50-foot tall Norfolk Pine tree is decked out in a different theme each year, and we can’t wait to see what 2018’s tree looks like.
Next up is the Electric Light Parade, which meanders through Honolulu from Aala Park down King Street to Honolulu Hale. Wave to Santa!
After the parade has made its way to Honolulu Hale, enjoy a Holiday Concert, photographs with Santa, and various light displays. The festivities end at 11 p.m., but the lights will be glittering the night away all month long!
There’s truly nothing more Hawaiian than a Santa throwing a shaka.
Standing 21-feet high and weighing 2-tons, Shaka Santa was debuted in 1989 and has since become an iconic Christmas landmark in Honolulu.
The lights strung through the trees will fill you with holiday cheer.
While these photographs are certainly gorgeous, there is something to be said for entering a world of glistening lights in person, and you absolutely must check it out, kicking off the official holiday seasons with some enchantment.
For the best experience possible, grab a cup of hot chocolate and stroll through the Honolulu Hale grounds before further exploring the downtown area.
Unlike all of our mainland friends, we won’t be freezing while we experience this magical holiday celebration — though the cold weather might honestly make that peppermint hot chocolate more appealing.
The lights will stay lit through January 1, so you have plenty of time to enjoy this magical Christmas attraction sure to fill you with holiday spirit. Will you be headed to Honolulu Hale for opening night, or will you wait a little longer in order to catch the beauty without the crowds?
The magical event is found at 530 S.King St. and is always free for Hawaii residents and tourists alike. You’ll find free event parking at the Fasi Municipal Building in the underground parking garage located at the corner of Beretania and Alapai Streets.
For more information about the Honolulu City Lights, visit their website or follow them on Facebook.
If you're hoping to get into the holiday spirit, consider partaking in any of these 11 Weird And Wacky Holiday Traditions You’ll Only Get If You’re From Hawaii. After all, Christmas in Hawaii is the absolute best.
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