Where to Find Honolulu's Best Holiday Lights

The holiday season is officially here, and while it may look a little different this year, there are still plenty of twinkling holiday lights to take in, from the safety and comfort of your own car, of course! So, fill your to-go mug with some hot cocoa and load the keiki into the car; below are our Locations Neighborhood Experts' picks for the best holiday light decorations across the island.

Honolulu Hale City Lights

The 36th annual Honolulu City Lights display at Honolulu Hale is known for its stunning lights and giant, 50-foot-tall pine tree. City Lights will be open for drive-by only from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., from Dec. 9 – 27.

Waikiki

You can also take in the lights aboard the Waikiki Trolley, which departs from Auahi Street in Ward Village nightly from Dec. 9 - 27. $15 for adults and $10 for children 3 years and up (children 3 and under must sit on an adult's lap). Private charters are also available. Masks are required.

Kaimuki

Take in the panoramic views of Honolulu from atop Pu’u O Kaimuki Mini Park, better known as Christmas Tree Park, for its 'floating' Christmas tree, decorated by the Kaimuki Business & Professional Association and community volunteers. Look for Kaimuki's iconic Christmas tree as you drive along H1 past Kaimuki or Harding Ave.

At the intersection of Wilhelmina Rise and Keanu Street, at the base of the hill, are two decked-out homes on opposite sides of the street. The home on the corner of Wilhelmina Rise and Keanu Street features giant inflatable characters and more than 60 strings of lights, while the home across the street is decorated in memory of Phil and Ernie Akau and features large stockings with family members' names, a stained glass nativity scene, snowmen and more.

Central Oahu

Visit Aloha Stadium for a dazzling 20-minute drive-through light show featuring one million LED lights choreographed to holiday music, played on your FM radio. Show Aloha Land – A Holiday Wonderland is sponsored by First Hawaiian Bank, and donations to the Show Aloha Challenge will also be accepted at the time of ticket purchase. 

Available now through Jan. 4, 2021. Cost per vehicle is $50, and plate lunches are also available for sale. Masks are required when interacting with staff. Vehicles are limited to 5 people, unless everyone is from the same household. 

Waipahu

Over in Waipahu, at the Village Park on the corner of Kupuna Loop and Palai St. in Waipahu, homeowners go all-out every year, creating a holiday spectacle for the whole neighborhood to enjoy, says Locations agent Darryl Macha.

Also in Waipahu, the homeowners at 94-313 Kiokio Place have been delighting passerbys with a display featuring a rotating cast of Disney and Dr. Seuss characters for more than 25 years. Locations agent Paz Cateil reports that Kupuna Loop and Palai Street are decked out, too.

Mililani

Every year, three cul-de-sacs bordering Mahinahou Street put on an elaborate light display for the public--past years have included photo-ops with Star Wars-themed 501st Legion and holiday cookies! Drive-by only this year.

Kailua

The owners of 1170 Akumu Street have put on a lively light show every year for the past 30 years. With inflatables, ornaments and more than 10,000 lights synchronized to Christmas music, this is a must-see home on the Windward side. From 6 to 9:30 p.m. Most houses on Akumu Street also join in on the fun!

Kaneohe

In December, Namoku Street transforms into "Christmas Tree Lane"- Kaneohe's holiday hot spot. While there is no coordination among the houses, there is a variety of light displays – including a 9-foot bear on a choo-choo train and a Santa on the rooftop.

Have fun touring the holiday lights and happy holidays from Locations!