Honolulu City Lights to ring in its 38th year of holiday joy

News Release from City and County of Honolulu, October 13, 2022

HONOLULU – The City and County of Honolulu, along with Friends of Honolulu City Lights, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting this month-long event, are pleased to announce the 38th Annual Honolulu City Lights celebration will once again be held at Frank F. Fasi Civic Center during the month of December. The event kicks off with a block party on Saturday, December 3rd featuring live entertainment, food trucks, Santa’s Village, and an opportunity to snap photos with the many Christmas displays throughout the grounds.

Opening night begins on December 3 with a tree lighting ceremony. The program will begin at 5:30 p.m. and culminate with Mayor Rick Blangiardi illuminating Honolulu Hale’s 50-foot holiday tree and the lights and displays decorating the grounds.

“The holiday season is a truly special time of year, and we are thrilled to bring the Honolulu and Kapolei City Lights back to full capacity in 2022,” said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “We hope you will join us as we revel in the much-anticipated return of the wreath contest in the Honolulu Hale Lane Gallery, photos with Santa, and my personal favorite, the Electric Light Parade. Looking back, we have so much to celebrate in 2022 and even more to look forward to in 2023.”

After a two-year hiatus, the Public Worker’s Electric Light Parade makes its comeback, which celebrates its 30th year as part of the Honolulu City Lights festivities. Participants from various high school marching bands, City agencies, and this year’s sponsors will entertain the crowds along King Street from ʻAʻala Park to Honolulu Hale. The holiday festivities and merriment continue on Punchbowl Street and Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds with an array of food trucks and live entertainment at the Sky Gate Stage. The entertainment schedule is as follows:

• Crossing Rain – 7:30-7:55 p.m.
• Ei Nei – 8-8:30 p.m.
• Nesian N.I.N.E. – 8:45-9:15 p.m.
• Sean Naʻauao & Friends – 9:25-10 p.m.

Opening Night Festivities – Saturday, December 3, 2022

• Visit with Santa in Santa’s Village (Mission Memorial Auditorium) – 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
• Tree Lighting Ceremony at Honolulu Hale – 5:30 p.m. 
• Public Worker’s Electric Light Parade beginning at ʻAʻala Park – 6 p.m.
• Block Party – Punchbowl Street and Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds – 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
• City Employee Christmas Tree Exhibition in Honolulu Hale Courtyard – 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
• Wreath Contest Exhibition in Lane Gallery – 6 p.m.-10 p.m.

Ongoing Activities – Daily 8 a.m.-10 p.m. from December 4 – December 31, 2022

• City Employee Christmas Tree Exhibition in Honolulu Hale Courtyard
• Wreath Contest Exhibition in Lane Gallery

Special Activities – 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on select dates - December 4, 9-11, 16-18, and 21-25

• Visit with Santa in Santa’s Village (Mission Memorial Auditorium)

All Honolulu City Lights holiday festivities will take place on the Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds at Honolulu Hale – located at 530 South King Street, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96813.

In addition to Honolulu City Lights, the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation is proud to announce the return of Kapolei City Lights to Kapolei Hale. The festivities begin with the holiday parade and block party on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. Since the inaugural celebration in 2001, Kapolei City Lights has been spreading holiday cheer to the Leeward O‘ahu community as a complement to Honolulu City Lights. More details about Kapolei City Lights will be made available in November, so stay tuned to the celebration’s dedicated website for more information: bit.ly/kapoleicitylights

—PAU—