Cultural festival · Honolulu, Oahu · 5:30 PM – 10 PM
Honolulu City Lights
Hosted by Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts, City & County of Honolulu
Honolulu City Lights is the City & County of Honolulu's annual holiday celebration in downtown Honolulu, opening the first Saturday of December with a tree-lighting ceremony of the city's roughly 50-foot holiday tree and the Public Workers' Electric Light Parade. After Opening Night the lighted displays on the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center Grounds remain on view daily through the end of December.
Food & vendors: Free admission. Food vendors set up on Punchbowl Street on Opening Night.
Parking & access: Free and open to the public; large crowds gather in front of Honolulu Hale, and the Public Workers' Electric Light Parade travels King Street.
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Good to know
When is Honolulu City Lights?
Honolulu City Lights is scheduled for Saturday, December 5, 2026, 5:30 PM – 10 PM.
Where is Honolulu City Lights?
You'll find Honolulu City Lights at Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts, City & County of Honolulu, Honolulu Hale, 530 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813 in Honolulu, Oahu.
Will there be food at Honolulu City Lights?
Free admission. Food vendors set up on Punchbowl Street on Opening Night.
What should I know about parking or access?
Free and open to the public; large crowds gather in front of Honolulu Hale, and the Public Workers' Electric Light Parade travels King Street.
Should I confirm Honolulu City Lights before going?
Yes. Our listing is based on Honolulu City Lights official FAQ; City & County of Honolulu Parks & Recreation. Event dates and times can change, so confirm with the host before you go.
About cultural festivals
Hawaii's cultural festivals gather food, performing arts, craft, and community across a weekend or longer. Many trace to the islands' Japanese, Okinawan, and broader Asia-Pacific communities and feature taiko, hula, bon dance, and street-food booths.
Some are free block parties and some are ticketed convention-center markets. Come for the performances and stay for the food booths, craft vendors, and local-product marketplaces.
- Check admission before you go — marketplace and convention-center events may charge entry.
- Parking fills early — rideshare or transit is usually easier.
- Schedules and venues can shift year to year; confirm before you go.
Sources: Honolulu City Lights official FAQ; Honolulu City Lights home. Dates and times can change — confirm with the organizer before you go.