HONOLULU — The City and County of Honolulu and Friends of Honolulu City Lights announced the 2023 Honolulu City Lights will kick off on Dec. 2 with the annual tree lighting ceremony, Public Workers’ Electric Light Parade and City Lights block party.
The block party begins at 4 p.m. on Punchbowl Street and across from the Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds. Then at 6:30 p.m. just as the Electric Light Parade passes Honolulu Hale, Mayor Rick Blangiardi will light Honolulu Hale’s iconic holiday tree along with the lights and displays on the grounds.
The Public Workers’ Electric Light Parade will make its way down S. King Street, proceed past Honolulu Hale and end at Kawaiahao Street. The public can view decorated vehicles parked at the end of the parade until 8:15 p.m.
Heads up for motorists in the area: there will be traffic detours, street closures and parking restrictions in effect throughout Chinatown and downtown Honolulu beginning at 1 p.m. King Street will reopen in stages as the parade heads toward Honolulu Hale except for the section of King Street from Punchbowl to the Alapai/South/King Street intersection. This stretch will remain closed until 10 p.m. for street sweeping and removal of crowd control barriers.
TheBus routes in the area will be detoured. Visit TheBus website or call 808-848-5555 for route information.
Call the Department of Transportation Services at 808-768-8369 for a full list of street closures and parade information.
Honolulu City Lights Opening Night schedule:
- City Lights Block Party, 4-10 p.m. - Punchbowl Street and across from the Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds
- Tree Lighting Ceremony at Honolulu Hale, 6 p.m.
- Public Workers’ Electric Light Parade, 6 p.m. - on S. King Street from Aala park to Honolulu Hale
- City and County of Honolulu Employee Christmas Tree Exhibition, 7-10 p.m. - Honolulu Hale Courtyard
- Wreath Contest Exhibition, 7-10 p.m. - Lane Gallery inside Honolulu Hale
- Skygate Concert, 7-10 p.m. - Frank F. Fasi Civic Center Grounds
- Photo with Santa Claus, 7:30-10 p.m. - inside Mission Memorial Auditorium