Christmas and New Year's on Oahu: Honolulu City Lights and Holiday Planning Guide
Honolulu City Lights opens its 2026 season on Saturday, December 5, with a ceremony, a tree lighting at Honolulu Hale and the Electric Light Parade. The display is free and open daily through December, and Kapolei City Lights offers a west-side alternative near Ko Olina. We know Oahu well, and this guide shows you what to expect so you can choose the right home and plan your week with ease.
When Honolulu City Lights Begins
Honolulu City Lights, the city-run display whose 41st annual edition took place in 2025, opens its 2026 season on Saturday, December 5. The opening ceremony begins at about 5:30 pm, and the tree in front of Honolulu Hale is lit at about 6 pm. A free photo with Santa is offered on opening night. Times are approximate, so arrive early and let the evening unfold slowly. If you prefer a quieter visit, the nights that follow offer the same lights, open daily through December.
The Electric Light Parade, Step by Step
The Public Workers' Electric Light Parade is part of opening night. It travels King Street from River Street to Kawaiahao Street, with step-off at about 6 pm, and the first unit reaches Honolulu Hale at about 6:30 pm. Chinatown and Downtown streets near the route close, so decide how you will arrive before the parade begins. Free public parking is available at the Frank F. Fasi Municipal lot, and we suggest you park before the closures start. Choose your place along King Street early, and let the first lit units find you.
Visiting the Lights After Opening Night
After opening night, the display at the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center grounds, around Honolulu Hale, is open daily from 8 am to 10 pm and runs through December. The outdoor lights come on at about 6 pm each night, so the evening hour is the one to choose. Food vendors are on site December 6 through 30, from 6 to 9 pm. Admission is free, and free public parking is available at the Frank F. Fasi Municipal lot, entered from Beretania Street. Walk the grounds slowly, eat from the vendors, and take your photographs once the sky has gone dark.
Kapolei City Lights, on the West Side
On the west side, Kapolei City Lights at Kapolei Hale offers a second way to see the season, close to Ko Olina. It is also a city event. It has historically opened on the first or second Saturday of December with a tree lighting, with the lights staying on through New Year's, and the 2025 season opened on December 6. We do not have confirmed 2026 dates, so please check the City and County of Honolulu Parks and Recreation for the current schedule. For guests staying in Ko Olina, it keeps a holiday evening close to home.
Where to Stay and How to Host
Oahu offers two different holiday moods. At Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites in Waikiki, you are a short drive from downtown Honolulu. At Beach Villas at Ko Olina, on the Kapolei side, you are close to Kapolei Hale. If you plan to host a holiday meal or dress the home, our concierge can coordinate access for a trusted local decorator, florist or catering vendor. Our team does not decorate units itself. Guests must be 25 or older to book, and minimum nights vary by property, so ask us for your property and dates. Book holiday weeks early for the widest choice.
Events, dates, times and details change from year to year, so please confirm current-year information with Honolulu City Lights and the City and County of Honolulu before finalizing your plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Honolulu City Lights begin in 2026?
Opening Night is Saturday, December 5, 2026, according to the Honolulu City Lights website. The opening ceremony begins at about 5:30 pm and the tree at Honolulu Hale is lit at about 6 pm. Times are approximate, so confirm them before you go.
Is Honolulu City Lights free?
Yes. Admission to the display at the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center grounds is free, and free public parking is available at the Frank F. Fasi Municipal lot, entered from Beretania Street. Food vendors are on site December 6 through 30, from 6 to 9 pm.
Is there a holiday lights display near Ko Olina?
Kapolei City Lights at Kapolei Hale is a city event near Ko Olina, historically opening on the first or second Saturday of December, with lights on through New Year's. We do not have confirmed 2026 dates, so please check the City and County of Honolulu Parks and Recreation for the current schedule.
Can KBM help with holiday decorating or a holiday meal?
Our concierge can coordinate access for a trusted local decorator, florist or catering vendor of your choosing. Our team does not decorate units itself. Minimum nights vary by property, so ask us for your property and dates, and book holiday weeks early for the widest choice.
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