The city's free holiday lights at Honolulu Hale (City Hall) in downtown Honolulu: a 50-foot holiday tree in front of Honolulu Hale and outdoor decorations on the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center Grounds, open daily from 8 am to 10 pm after Opening Night on Saturday, Dec 5 2026, and running through December.
Know before you go. Honolulu City Lights doesn't list sensory hours or a quiet viewing area. Here's what the organizers do say about the crowds, the parade, the hours and parking.
Hours
Opening Night is Saturday, Dec 5 2026: the opening ceremony starts at 5:30 pm and the tree lights come on at about 6 pm. After that, Honolulu City Lights is open daily from 8 am to 10 pm on the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center Grounds and runs through December. The 50-foot holiday tree and the other outdoor decorations are lit nightly at about 6 pm and stay on until dawn, switching off at about 6 am.
Honolulu Hale (City Hall), 530 S. King Street, Honolulu, HI, and the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center Grounds
“A large crowd gathers in front of Honolulu Hale to view the tree lighting program and the parade. Crowds also fill the sidewalks on both sides of King Street between Bishop and Punchbowl Streets.”
“Smaller crowds are in Chinatown and Downtown area from River Street to Fort Street Mall.”
“Vehicle units will be parked in this area and the bands will stop performing in this general area to disembark to their buses.”
“The lights remain on until sunlight, switching off at approximately 6:00 am.”
“Streets near the parade route in the Chinatown and Downtown areas will be closed for practical and safety reasons.”
“However you will need to park before the parade-related street closures are implemented. Also, you may have to wait for the streets to re-open to exit certain lots.”
“Can I bring food for my family to enjoy at the Civic Center grounds? Yes.”
The display opens after Opening Night on Saturday, Dec 5 2026. It runs through December; the organizers give no last night.
Opening Night and the other nights are very different outings. Opening Night has the tree lighting program, the Electric Light Parade with marching bands and vehicles, food booths and large crowds; on other nights it's the tree, the displays and the lights, with food vendors from 6 to 9 pm Dec 6 to Dec 30. The organizers say the celebration continues throughout December with a variety of family-friendly events presented by the Friends of Honolulu City Lights.
It's free. After Opening Night on Saturday, Dec 5 2026, the display is open daily from 8 am to 10 pm on the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center Grounds and runs through December; the tree and outdoor decorations light up at about 6 pm.
Free public parking is at the Frank F. Fasi Municipal lot, entered from the left lane of Beretania Street just past Alapaʻi Street. For bus routes, see thebus.org or call 848-5555.
You can bring your own food. Food vendors are on the Civic Center grounds from Dec 6 to Dec 30 2026, 6 to 9 pm.
Louder
In front of Honolulu Hale on Opening Night (a large crowd gathers there for the tree lighting program and the parade, and crowds also fill both sides of King Street between Bishop and Punchbowl Streets)not stated
Quieter
Chinatown and Downtown, from River Street to Fort Street Mall, for the Opening Night parade (smaller crowds; parking and restaurants are in this area)quiet zone
Opening Night, Saturday, Dec 5 2026: the opening ceremony begins at 5:30 pm in front of Honolulu Hale, and the tree lights are scheduled to come on at about 6 pm. Food vendors are on Punchbowl Street from 4 to 10 pm. The 2026 official ornaments go on sale that night at Honolulu Hale.
The Public Workers' Electric Light Parade on Opening Night travels on King Street from River Street to Kawaiahao Street. Step-off is at about 6 pm, and the first unit reaches Honolulu Hale at about 6:30 pm. Streets near the parade route in Chinatown and Downtown are closed; if you park in Chinatown to see the parade, park before the closures, and you may have to wait for the streets to reopen to leave some lots.
Past Honolulu Hale, between Alapai and Kawaiahao Streets, you may not be able to see the marching bands and vehicles: vehicles park there and the bands stop performing to get on their buses.
On Opening Night, "The Free Photo with Santa" is at the Mission Memorial Auditorium. It is for Opening Night only; no time is given.
At home: Olelo Channel 53 shows the Opening Night ceremony live, starting at 6 pm on Dec 5 2026.
