Listed below are some of the popular Christmas light displays throughout Hawaiʻi. They are listed alphabetically by island, the clockwise beginning in the north. We’ll continue to update this list as organizers announce dates for Holiday lights, incuding Christmas tree lights, Santa arrivals, and holiday parades.
To wish someone “Merry Christmas” in Hawaiian say, “Mele Kalikimaka” (may-lay kah-lee-kee-mah-kah).
To say “Happy New Year”, it’s “Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou” (how-oh-lee mah-kah-hee-kee hoe).
2024 Hawaiʻi Island Christmas lights
(Listed alphabetically by city or location)
Hilo Christmas Light Parade. November 30, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. More info: Downtown Hilo Christmas Lights Parade (hilolightparade.com)
Holualoa Village Music & Light Festival. December 7, 2024, 5:30–8:30pm. Holualoa Village Music & Light Festival. Every December, Holualoa Village rolls out the holiday red carpet, inviting visitors and residents to ring in the holidays, Hawaiian style. The evening includes lighting of the town Christmas tree, an appearance by Santa, live music, art gallery openings, food & drink, and more! Shops serve up complimentary pupus and beverages. Catch up with old friends, make new friends, or put names to familiar faces. All-ages, everyone is welcome. More info: Holualoa, Hawaii | Art & Coffee on the Big Island (holualoavillage.com)
Kailua-Kona Lighted Boat Parade on Kailua Bay. December 8, 2024 at 6 PM. Kona’s fleet will put on a jovial show in Kailua Bay. Body Glove will be docked at Kailua Pier for great viewing with food and beverages available for purchase. More info: 9th Annual Lighted Boat Parade – Historic Kailua and Events – Historic Kailua (historickailuavillage.com)
Kailua-Kona Christmas Street Parade. December 14, 2024 at 5:00 PM. Kailua-Kona Christmas Street Parade goes begins at Loloku St & Kuakini Highway, turns on Palani Rd to Aliʻi Drive and ends at Walua Road. More info: Parades in Kona (paradesinkona.com) and Kailua Kona Community Christmas Parade | Facebook
Waimea Annual Christmas Twilight Parade. Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 6PM. Waimea Annual Christmas Twilight Parade. Parade route slightly changed: from Waimea Park, left onto Kawaihae Road, right onto Lindsey Road to main intersection. Thereafter it’s the same route as has been followed the past 2 years, along Mamalahoa Hwy thru town center, right on Pukalani, right on Ala ‘Ohia and concluding at the Kalani Schutte Waimea District Park. More info: Christmas Parade — Waimea Community Association (waimeatown.org)
2024 Kauaʻi Christmas lights
(Listed by date)
Kauaʻi Rice Street Holiday Parade & Street Fair in Līhuʻe every first Saturday in December. Road closure from 6-830pm on Rice Street from Ho’olako to Eiwa Street. Recommended parking along Hardy Street, Convention Hall, and County Building.
- December 6, 2024 from 12-8pm Holiday Fair in the Kauaʻi Museum parking lot.
- December 6, 2024 from 6:30-8:30pm Lights on Rice Parade.
- More info: Lights on Rice Parade (lightsonrice.org)
2024 Maui Christmas lights
(Listed by date)
Maui. Grand Wailea Resort is decked out holiday displays in the hotel lobby and throughout the grounds. December 16, 2024 at 6PM. Get in the holiday spirit and kick-off Festive Season shopping for last-minute Made-on-Maui gifts by over 30 local vendors in the heart of paradise in Main Lobby Holiday Marketplace 4pm – 8pm. Watch the front drive come to life for a magical Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6pm featuring live entertainment and opening remarks that will commence the countdown of the official lighting around 7pm. More info: Festive | Grand Wailea and Grand Wailea Maui | Luxury Beachfront Resort Hotel Maui, Hawaii
2024 Oʻahu Christmas lights
(Listed by date)
Honolulu Convention Center. ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas walk0through experience. November 22 – December 31, 2024. Stroll through a wonderland of light full of holiday music, delicious treats, and heartwarming moments. Whether you’re looking to create cherished memories with family and friends or simply soak in the holiday magic, ‘Twas the Light Before Christmas offers an unforgettable experience for all ages! Adult tickets: $31.99-$46.99. More info: Aloha Immersive | Home
Kakaʻako Ward Village holiday décor. November 29, 2024 – January 2, 2025. Experience island style at its most festive, complete with music in the streets and holiday décor. Come for the shopping and dining, stay for the celebrations. More info: Activities in Kakaako | Ward Village. More info: Holiday Happenings – Ward Village
Haleʻiwa Town Christmas Tree Lighting. November 30, 2024 from 5-8PM. Haleiwa Town Christmas Tree Lighting. North Shore Marketplace Field, 66-250 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712. Enjoy fun for the entire ohana with ono food, (paper) snowball fights for the keiki, the lighting of the Haleiwa Town Christmas Tree, pictures with Santa, and more! More info: Christmas Events – North Shore Chamber of Commerce (gonorthshore.org)
Kapolei City Lights. November 30, 2024 through January 5, 2025.The holiday extravaganza features a tree lighting at Kapolei Hale (1000 Ulu‘ōhia St, Kapolei, HI 96707). Since the inaugural celebration in 2001, Kapolei City Lights has been spreading holiday cheer to this ever-growing Leeward Oʻahu community as a complement to Honolulu City Lights. More info: Kapolei City Lights (honolulu.gov)
- Block party: Saturday, Saturday, November 30, 2024 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. surrounding Kapolei Hale Block,
- Opening night parade: Saturday, November 30, 2024 begins 6 p.m. from Kapolei High School, cruises down Kapolei Parkway, and ends near the block party.
Kāneʻohe around Namoku Street near Castle HS every December becomes “Christmas Tree Lane” with every house decked out in lights and other displays. More info: CHRISTMAS LANE – KANEOHE – Yelp
Kaimukī Christmas Tree Park (951 Koko Head Ave. Nightly in December. Take in the panoramic views of Honolulu from atop Pu’u O Kaimukī Mini Park—also known as Christmas Tree Park. The iconic Christmas tree sits high above the neighborhood, decorated by the Kaimuki Business & Professional Association and community volunteers. Look for it when you drive along the H-1 freeway past Kaimuki or from Harding or Waialae Avenue as you drive through the neighborhood. Walk up to the park and catch a break taking view of the city.
Honolulu Hawaiian Mission Houses City Lights Parade viewing. December 7, 2024 from 4-9PM. are the perfect spot to enjoy the Honolulu City Lights Parade. The viewing grounds are 18″ above the height of King Street. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., enjoy family activities such as 19th century games and candle making. The historic houses will be open for visiting as well. There will be food available for purchase or feel free to bring your own to watch the parade. Bring your own chairs and blankets to sit on the lawn. Cost: $10/person. Tickets available on the Mission Houses website. More info: Hawaiian Mission Houses
Honolulu Hale City Lights Tree Lighting & Parade. December 7, 2024 from 5:30-9PM. More info: Honolulu City Lights (honolulucitylights.org)
- Honolulu City Lights at Honolulu Hale. December 8-31, 2024 from 8AM-10PM. Visitors are welcome to visit at Honolulu Hale (530 S King St) after dark to see the holiday tree on the front lawn, Shaka Santa, Tūtū Mele, and holiday light displays. It’s the holiday selfie photo place to be! More info: Honolulu City Lights (honolulumoca.org)
Oʻahu. Waikīkī Trolley Holiday Lights Tour to Honolulu Hale. Runs daily December 8-30, 2024. The open-air trolley with sing-a-longs and jolly Christmas stories takes you through historic downtown where you can hop on & hop off at the Honolulu Hale to marvel at the light, 50-foot Christmas tree, and Shaka Santa and Tutu Mele.
- Reservations are required and often fill up quickly. Tickets: Adult (12+) $35 Children (Ages 3 to 11) – $25. Lap Children (Ages 2 & Under) – Free. Kamaʻāina ticket discount with ID.
- Waikīkī Trolley Holiday Lights Tours depart from the corner of Richards St. and Aloha Tower Dr. Show your E-ticket at the entrance to check in. How to get there:
- Park across from the Winter Wonderland with Atlantis Cruises for $15 with validation up to 4 hours (301 Aloha Tower Drive, Honolulu, HI 96813).
- Take shuttle from Waikiki for Adult (12+) $5, Child (3-11) $4, and Lap child (2 & under): Free. (Schedule TBA—see their website.)
- Trolley Ticket Holders can also enjoy the free Winter Wonderland at Aloha tower with hot cocoa, games, crafts, and seasonal activities.
- More info: Holiday Lights Tour (holidaylightshi.com)
Oʻahu. Hawaii Kai Towne Center Festival of Lights Christmas Boat Parade. December 14, 2024 at 5:30-7PM. The Marina Docks is where the array of beautifully decorated boats will be judged as they glide through the waters, and it’s the perfect location for families to watch the festive procession. Come to the center early to finish off that holiday shopping list or grab a bite to eat before watching holiday-themed boats cruise across the marina. Parade starts at sunset. Oh, what a fun night! More info: Events – Hawaii Kai Towne Center
Christmas-lights-photo-by-REDPIXEL via Depositphotos_13404860
2023 Christmas lights around the Pae ʻĀina
(As we verify these prior year events, we’ll move them to the above list)
Big Isle. Punalights in Keʻeau. (anticipated) December 9-31, 2023. Punalights Synchronized Christmas Lights (15-2053 18th Keaau, HI 96749). First started in 2008 and has grown through the years. Synchronized Christmas Lights with music broadcast on 106.7 FM. More info: https://www.facebook.com/punalights/
Kauaʻi. Holiday Lights Spectacular in Līhuʻe. Holiday Lights Spectacular – Nightly Light Show. Saturday, November 26 – Friday, December 23, 2023 at 7:00 pm. Bring the ‘ohana to Kukui Grove Center and enjoy a 20-minute animated lights & music show fronting Jamba Juice & Starbucks. More info: Holiday Lights Spectacular – Nightly Light Show | Kukui Grove Center
Kauaʻi. Festival of Lights in Līhuʻe in the Historic County Building are lit Thanksgiving Weekend to New Year’s Day. November 28, 2023 – January 1, 2024 from 6-11PM. Lihue County Park, 4396 Rice Street, Līhuʻe, HI 96766. More info: https://kauaifestivaloflights.com/
Oʻahu. Honolulu. Aloha Stadium “Show Aloha Land – Holiday Wonderland”. November 30 – December 30, 2023. “Show Aloha Land – Holiday Wonderland” at Aloha Stadium. Dive into a winter wonderland where festive thrills meet the warm spirit of aloha. From dazzling light displays to exhilarating snow tubing. Drive-Thru Light Show Spectacular $49.94/vehicle. Unlimited Wonderland Pass & Drive Thru Bundle $39.94/person (age 2 and under free) plus $9 parking fee CASH ONLY. More info: Show Aloha Land – Hope is where the heart is
Oʻahu. Mililani Holiday Lights. Day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve. Every year, 3 cul-de-sacs bordering Mahinahou Street in Mililani will have a huge light display between Thanksgiving and Christmas, traditionally visited by people from all over the island. More info: Event | Mililani Town Association – Official Site and
Mililani. Events – Mililani Shopping Center
Shaka Santa and Tūtū Mele at Honolulu Hale, 2002 photo by windwardskies via iStock by Getty Images
Christmas events on our calendar
Listed below are Christmas events from our calendar of free and cheap things to do every day at Hawaiʻi on the Cheap. We continue to add to events to this calendar throughout the season as organizers announce their events.
Find more events: Calendar of free and cheap things to do every day (hawaiionthecheap.com)
