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).
2023 Hawaiʻi Island Christmas lights
(Listed alphabetically by city or location)
Hilo Christmas Light Parade. November 25, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. More info: Downtown Hilo Christ (hilolightparade22.wixsite.com)
Holualoa Village Music & Light Festival. Saturday, December 2, 2023, 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 Christmas Street Parade. December 9, 2023 at 5:30 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: Kailua-Kona parades (paradesinkona.com)
Kailua Kalikimaka Lighted Boat Parade on Kailua Bay. (unconfirmed) December 10, 2023 at 6 PM. Kailua Kalikimaka Lighted Boat Parade on Kailua Bay, following Kokua Kailua’s monthly walk and holiday concert. Spectators can view the illuminated boat parade from anywhere in the village, including the sea wall. The parade is free to attend. The Kailua Village Business Improvement District invites sailboats, motorized canoes, and kayaks to be a part of the holiday celebration and compete for cash prizes. More info: HOME (paradesinkona.com)
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/
Waimea Annual Christmas Twilight Parade. Saturday, December 2, 2023 – 5:30PM. Waimea Annual Christmas Twilight Parade. NEW parade route! From Waimea Park onto Lindsey Road, left onto Mamalahoa Highway, right onto Pukalani Rd, right onto Ala Ohia, and end at Waimea District Park. More info: Christmas Parade — Waimea Community Association (waimeatown.org)
2023 Kauaʻi Christmas lights
Kauaʻi Rice Street Holiday Parade & Street Fair in Līhuʻe every first Saturday in December. December 1, 2023 from 12noon-8PM. Road closure from 6-830pm on Rice Street from Ho’olako to Eiwa Street. Recommended parking along Hardy Street, Convention Hall, and County Building. 12-8pm Holiday Fair in the Kauaʻi Museum parking lot. 6-6:30 Festival of Lights at Historic County Building. 6:30-8:30pm Lights on Rice Parade.
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
2023 Oʻahu Christmas lights
(Listed by date)
Oʻahu tree lighting events & Christmas Parades
Haleʻiwa Town Christmas Tree Lighting. Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 5-8PM. Haleiwa Town Christmas Tree Lighting. North Shore Marketplace Field, 66-250 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712. More info: Christmas Events – North Shore Chamber of Commerce (gonorthshore.org)
Honolulu Hawaiian Mission Houses City Lights Parade viewing. December 2, 2023 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 & Electric Light Parade. December 2, 2023 at 6-9PM. Mayor Rick Blangiardi will light the city’s 50-foot holiday tree, simultaneously illuminating Honolulu Hale and the Civic Center Grounds followed by the Public Workers’ Electric Light Parade. FREE event. More info: Honolulu City Lights (hnlcitylights.org)
Kapolei City Lights, Parade & Festival. 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)
- Opening night parade: Saturday, December 9, 2023 beginning 6 p.m. outside of Kapolei High School on Fort Barrette Road, left onto Kapolei Parkway (the primary viewing area), and end at Kama‘aha Street.
- Block party: Saturday, December 9, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. surrounding Kapolei Hale
Oʻahu Christmas lights
(Listed alphabetically by city or location.)
Honolulu City Lights at Honolulu Hale grounds. December 2, 2023 – Monday, January 1, 2024. 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 (hnlcitylights.org)
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.
Kapolei City Lights. December 9, 2023 – Tuesday, January 2, 2024. 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)
Shaka Santa and Tūtū Mele at Honolulu Hale, 2002 photo by windwardskies via iStock by Getty Images
Note: As we verify last years events for this year we’ll move them to the above lists.
2022 Kauaʻi Christmas lights
Kauaʻi Festival of Lights in Līhuʻe. November 24, 2022 – January 1, 2023 from 6-11PM (Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day) in the Historic County Building at Lihue County Park, 4396 Rice Street, Līhuʻe, HI 96766. More info: https://kauaifestivaloflights.com/
2022 Maui Christmas lights
Lahaina. Banyan Tree Park lights the historic tree at the beginning of December with thousands of lights strung on its branches. Unconfirmed dates: December 2-31, 2022. More info: https://lahainatown.com/banyan-tree-park.php and Maui Christmas 2022 – Maui Holiday Events – Go Visit Hawaii
Wailea. Grand Wailea Resort is decked out Thanksgiving through New Year’s with a lighted Christmas tree and other displays in the hotel lobby and throughout the grounds. Other special events include a Holiday Marketplace December 16, 4-8pm; Santa arrival in an outrigger canoe December 24, 9-10am, and Keiki activities throughout the week December 22-31, 2022. More info: https://www.grandwailea.com/ and Festive | Grand Wailea
2022 Oʻahu Christmas lights
Oʻahu tree lighting events & Christmas Parades
Hawaii Kai Towne Center Festival of Lights Christmas Boat Parade. December 10, 2022 at sunset. 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. Oh, what a fun night! More info: Festival of Lights Boat Parade – Hawaii Kai Towne Center
Oʻahu Christmas lights
(Listed alphabetically by city or location.)
Honolulu. Aloha Stadium “Show Aloha Land – Holiday Wonderland”. December 1-31, 2022. “Show Aloha Land – Holiday Wonderland” at Aloha Stadium. The Annual “Show Aloha Land – Holiday Wonderland” at Aloha Stadium features new attractions for 2022. Keiki can go tobogganing in 3,000+ sq feet of fresh snow, frolic in the massive Bouncing town human snow globe, fly on the zip line, and ride three new trains to enjoy the light show, and much, much more. More info: Show Aloha Land – Hope is where the heart is
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.
- The house on Neleau Place will again feature a Star Wars themed display, including real-life characters from your favorite movies on select days! Don’t miss out and come get your picture taken with your favorite character on December 3, 10, 17, 23, and 24, 2022 from 7:00pm – 9:00pm but may end earlier depending on weather and visitors.
Ward Village holiday décor. Thanksgiving Weekend through New Year’s. Head to Ward Village and experience island style at its most festive, complete with music in the streets and holiday décor. You can dine and shop, too! More info: Activities in Kakaako | Ward Village
Waikīkī Trolley Holiday Lights Tour to Honolulu Hale. December 4-25, 2022. Departure times: 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 8:00 PM. Waikīkī Trolley Holiday Lights Tour is approximately 2-hours (including pickup and drop off in Kakaʻako) on the open-air double-decker bus through Waikīkī and Downtown Honolulu to see the city dressed up for the season. Along the way, there are joyous sing-a-longs and jolly Christmas stories. You can hop off & on at Honolulu Hale for a closer look at the city’s 50-foot Christmas tree, Shaka Santa, Tūtū Mele, and other yuletide displays.
- Waikīkī Trolley Holiday Lights Tours depart from Victoria Ward Park 980 Auahi St, Honolulu, HI 96814 (Ward Village on Auahi Street, between Ward Entertainment Center and the Ohana Hale Marketplace fronting the Hawaii’s Finest Store)
- Reservations are required and often fill up quickly. Tickets: Adult (12+) – $25.00. Children (Ages 3 to 11) – $17.00. Lap Children (Ages 2 & Under) – Free.
- More info: Holiday Lights Tour (holidaylightshi.com)
“Santa’ gone swimming” – Image via Depositphotos_37390537
Christmas events on our calendar
Listed below are Christmas events from the 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.
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Friday, December 1, 2023
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Sunday, December 3, 2023
Monday, December 4, 2023
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Thursday, December 7, 2023
Friday, December 8, 2023
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Monday, December 11, 2023
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Friday, December 15, 2023
Saturday, December 16, 2023
Sunday, December 17, 2023
Monday, December 18, 2023
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Thursday, December 21, 2023
Friday, December 22, 2023
Saturday, December 23, 2023
Sunday, December 24, 2023
Monday, December 25, 2023
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Thursday, December 28, 2023
Friday, December 29, 2023
Saturday, December 30, 2023
Sunday, December 31, 2023
Monday, January 1, 2024
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
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