Honolulu Metropolis Lights: A Customer’s Information to Hawaii Christmas

It’s certainly one of our favourite Hawaii Vacation traditions: Honolulu Metropolis Lights. This Christmastime occasion boasts an electrical night time parade, a big mild show, visits with Santa, and different enjoyable happenings that really feel each cozy and tropical. 

We’ve obtained every kind of nice data for the Honolulu Metropolis Lights occasion, together with different Hawaii Christmas happenings, so learn on to be taught extra!

What Is Honolulu Metropolis Lights?

Honolulu Metropolis Lights is each an occasion and a track. The track got here first, however right now we’re largely speaking in regards to the occasion. 

That is an annual custom that’s run by the Metropolis and County of Honolulu and the nonprofit “Mates of Honolulu Metropolis Lights.” It lasts for a couple of month all through December, however the primary occasion is opening night time, when there’s a block celebration, a tree lighting ceremony, and an electrical night time parade. 

The occasion has been happening for the reason that mid-1980s, so it’s a long-standing and beloved custom in Honolulu. Any customer who even will get to expertise a part of it’s fortunate. In any case, Christmas in Hawaii is a singular and enjoyable expertise, and Honolulu Metropolis Lights actually shines with the spirit. 

Opening Night time

The primary night time of Honolulu Metropolis Lights is at all times essentially the most thrilling. It marks the start of Christmastime in Hawaii and will get me into the vacation spirit. Guests and native households collect in downtown Honolulu for a sequence of enjoyable festivities for young and old alike. 

Opening night time for Honolulu Metropolis Lights is usually in early December – probably the primary Saturday in December, however dates range every year. The enjoyable begins late afternoon and extends into the night and night time as town lights up with Vacation cheer. 

Block Celebration

The block celebration begins first. That is when you’ll be able to seize some implausible meals, perhaps perform a little procuring, and get excited for all that’s forward within the night. There’s additionally dwell music and different leisure. 

Tree Lighting

The tree at Honolulu Hale is a sight to behold, and the festive tree lighting ceremony marks the start of its dazzling show. This normally occurs earlier than the parade, so you’ll be able to collect round for the lighting after which discover your spot for the parade. Or, arrange early for the parade and see the tree glisten afterward!

Honolulu Metropolis Lights Electrical Mild Parade

The Electrical Mild Parade is the spotlight of Honolulu Metropolis Lights for me. I like parades – the marching bands, shows, and normal merriment. As a customer, it’s vital to have the suitable expectations for this parade. It’s actually spectacular, and plenty of native organizations put a ton of effort into it. However it has the appeal of a small metropolis parade. No Disney Magic right here – as an alternative it’s traditional, genuine Christmas enjoyable. 

I’ve been to Christmas night time parades in a number of cities, and Honolulu is by far my favourite. Plus, you’ll be able to’t be the climate throughout it!

Honolulu Metropolis Lights Occasions All through December

Opening night time of Honolulu Metropolis Lights usually happens towards the start of December. That is the right time to get within the Vacation spirit, but it surely means loads of guests miss out on the festivities. In any case, college isn’t out on the mainland but, which means most touring households haven’t began their Hawaii trip. 

The excellent news? Honolulu Metropolis Lights runs all through the Christmas Season. Certain, opening night time often is the “fundamental attraction,” however there’s nonetheless heaps to do in the event you arrive right here nearer to Christmas. 

Honolulu Hale

Should you’re on Oahu throughout Christmas Time, you undoubtedly have to cease by Honolulu Hale for the unbelievable mild show. Honolulu Hale is the federal government seat for town and county of Honolulu, and it’s situated conveniently downtown. 

Certain, a authorities constructing is probably not your thought of a winter wonderland, however Honolulu Metropolis Lights actually makes this place shine. There’s a giant assortment of lighted Christmas shows, most of which have a tropical edge. 

You may see a large Santa throwing up a shaka, or a festive sea turtle determine, and (after all!) many greetings of “Mele Kalikimaka.”

Contained in the Hale, you’ll discover adorned Christmas timber, entries for the wreath competitors, and particular occasions all through the month. 

Meals distributors usually arrange on the Hale all through the Metropolis Lights occasion, so that you may have the ability to take pleasure in tasty treats (or a full meal!) whilst you benefit from the shows. 

There are additionally particular occasions all through the month that change from yr to yr. Up to now, particular nights have included photographs with Santa, film screenings, and dwell performances. 

Honolulu Metropolis Lights: The Occasion vs. The Tune

Should you search What Is Honolulu Metropolis Lights, you’ll get two sorts of outcomes: data in regards to the annual occasion in Hawaii, and data in regards to the Hawaii Tune. 

So which got here first: the occasion or the track? 

The track “Honolulu Metropolis Lights” was launched by Keola and Kapono Beamer in 1978. It’s featured on their album of the identical identify and was a neighborhood hit in Hawaii. The Beamer Brothers’ “Honolulu Metropolis Lights”  grew to become one of many best-selling Hawaiian albums ever, received a number of awards, and nonetheless tops many lists of favourite Hawaiian information (usually beating out Bruddah Iz’s unbelievable releases). 

Although the track isn’t a Christmas track, it’s usually loved over the Holidays since it’s a couple of transient go to residence to the islands. The Carpenters additionally lined the track – they recorded the duvet within the late 70s however didn’t launch it till the late 80s, years after Karen Carpenter handed away.

The “Honolulu Metropolis Lights” occasion started in 1987, practically a decade after the track’s authentic launch. By the point the pageant began, the music was ingrained within the hearts and spirits of many native households, including a way of familiarity and appeal to the brand new custom. 

Different Christmas Occasions on Oahu

Christmas is a great time to visit Hawaii, and there are numerous particular occasions and packages to make your trip much more festive. Listed below are a few of our favourite occasions on Oahu (past Honolulu Metropolis Lights) that you just’ll wish to try:

• Kapolei Metropolis Lights is just like Honolulu Metropolis Lights, besides it happens close to Ko Olina each December. There’s a gap night time block celebration and parade, together with month-long shows at Kapolei Hale. 
• Present Aloha Land is a more recent custom at Aloha Stadium that grows yearly. It’s largely a drive-thru lights show, but it surely’s rising yearly right into a full occasion that features photographs with Santa, bouncy homes, prepare rides, and different kid-friendly adventures.
• Chinatown Winter Stroll options window and lightweight shows from the numerous native companies that make Honolulu’s Chinatown so distinctive. 
• The Hawaii Symphony Orchestra usually has a Vacation efficiency every year. The Orchestra has reveals within the Honolulu Theater and the Waikiki Shell.
• ​​Mele Kalikimaka Market is a weekend-long Christmas market on the Blaisdell Exhibition Corridor in Honolulu. 
• Many of the malls and procuring facilities all through Oahu may have particular occasions, shows, and music to have fun the Vacation season Hawaiian fashion. 

Together with Honolulu Metropolis Lights in Your Hawaii Trip

Are you visiting Oahu throughout Christmas? In that case, you’ll wish to make Honolulu Metropolis Lights a part of your plans. It’s free, received’t take up a lot time, and is a superb family-friendly exercise after darkish (although it’s additionally enjoyable to go to through the day!). 

And in the event you need assistance planning a Christmas trip to Hawaii, we’re right here to assist. Contact Hawaii Aloha Travel for assist with bookings, itineraries, and recommendation. We’re all native specialists, so we all know all the most effective particular occasions, actions, and locations to eat.