Photo collection of the City and County of Honolulu

     The City and County of Honolulu and The Friends of Honolulu City Lights present this month-long celebration, which has been lighting up downtown and bringing joy to hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors for nearly 30 years.

    You won't want to miss opening night on Saturday, December 3, 2011. Join us for the lighting of the 50-foot Norfolk Christmas tree on the Honolulu Hale lawn, live entertainment and the unique Electric Light Parade along King Street. The parade showcases fire, police and emergency vehicles, refuse and other huge maintenance trucks, buses and other city vehicles festively lit with thousands of lights. The 60-unit parade also features corporate sponsor floats and vehicles, and numerous high school marching bands.

     After the parade, families can view the decorated Christmas tree and wreath displays in the courtyard of Honolulu Hale before venturing over to Sky Gate, on the grounds of the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center, to watch the star-studded holiday concert and enjoy the family rides and food booths.

     Honolulu's Christmas celebration is because of its giant holiday characters situated throughout the Civic Center grounds such as the 21-foot Shaka Santa, the Snow Family and Santa's Sleigh filled with a bag of toys.  These larger-than-life outdoor figures provide countless photo settings for families celebrating the holidays.

     The historic Honolulu Hale, constructed in 1928, is ablaze with colored lights and decorations for the holidays. There's so much to see and enjoy that island families often come down more than once during the holiday season.

     On opening night, over 75,000 people come to see the lights and the parade.  Hundreds of thousands experience the event over the four-week run.

PUBLIC WORKERS ELECTRIC LIGHT PARADE   HONOLULU'S HOLIDAY TRADITION     At the moment Honolulu's mayor (or a special guest) lights the City's Christmas tree, the dazzling Public Workers Electric Light Parade passes in front of Honolulu Hale.  The parade steps off at 6 p.m. from River Street, proceeds down King Street and arrives at Honolulu Hale at 6:30 p.m.  The parade ends when the Santa Claus float goes past Honolulu Hale at approximately 7:45 p.m.      The 50-plus unit parade features marching bands from local schools, the Royal Hawaiian Band and more than 30 lighted and uniquely-decorated city vehicles including, fire trucks, TheBus, TheHandiVan, a dump truck, HPD Mobile Command Center, sewer truck, electric carts, and other units by Honolulu City Lights sponsors.  Highlights include the spectacular Hawaiian Electric Company entry and Santa arriving in a brilliantly-lighted float.  The event is co-sponsored by Hawaiian Electric Company, the Friends of Honolulu City Lights, and presented by the City and County of Honolulu.      This is possibly the only parade that stops to let viewers get an up-close look at the decorated units.  Vehicles are parked on King Street and, after all units arrive, the street opens for people to view the vehicles.  The parade brings positive recognition to the efforts and contributions of City departments and agencies.  Employees have expressed how children and adults enjoy the parade and the pride and enjoyment the event offers.      The Public Workers Electric Light Parade is held each year as part of the Honolulu City Lights Opening Night Celebration, held on the first Saturday in December.  Parade units are limited to city work vehicles and employees, marching bands, and the Honolulu City Lights sponsors.   Date: December 3, 2011 Time: Step off at 6 p.m.  Arrives at Honolulu Hale at 6:30 p.m. Route: On King Street from River Street to Kawaiahao Street   For the parade route map and general street closures click here. For street closure details click here.     VIEWING THE PARADE - Smaller crowds and unobstructed views are available in the Chinatown area from River Street to Fort Street Mall.  A variety of restaurants are located in this area. - The largest crowd gathers in front of Honolulu Hale because of the tree lighting program at this location.  It is also crowded along both sides of King Street between Bishop and Punchbowl Streets. -  In 2010, the tree lighting ceremony and parade was shown on a screen near the stage at the Fasi Civic Center grounds where the cemain concert is presented.  This viewing area gives you the advantage of visiting the nearby food booths and being in place for the star-studded show. - You might not be able to see the marching bands and vehicles if you are situated past Honolulu Hale between Alapai and Kawaiahao Streets.  Vehicle units will be parked in this area and the bands will stop performing to disembark to their buses.   PARKING - Event parking is at the Fasi Municipal Building Parking at the corner of Beretania and Alapai Streets.  This lot fills quickly. - If you wish to see the parade in Chinatown, there are parking lots in the area.  However, you will need to park before the street closures take place and traffic becomes heavy.  Also, you may have to wait for the streets to reopen to exit certain lots.   LOCAL TV BROADCAST SCHEDULE -  Opening Ceremony live broadcast will be from 6 - 10 p.m. on Olelo Channel 52 -  One hour TV special on the Electric Light parade, with event highlights, Sponsored by Hawaiian Electric company, will air on Friday, December 23 from 7 - 8 p.m. on KITV. Rebroadcast, also on KITV, will be on Saturday, December 24, from 2 - 3 p.m.    PARADE AND ROUTE CONTACTS Parade Coordinator Edward Oi at Department of Customer Services - 768-3499. Street Usage Permits Office, Department of Transportation Services - 768-8387. TheBus route information - 848-5555.               FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS     What date is opening night in 2011 and also in 2012? December 3, 2011 and December 1, 2012 (always the 1st Saturday in December)     What date does this year's Honolulu City Lights close? The decorations begin to come down on January 2, 2012, the first work day of the year.     What is the route and start time for the Electric Light Parade? The parade starts at 6:00 pm. at River Street and moves up King Street, ending at Kawaiahao Street. For the parade route map click here.     What streets will be closed for the Public Workers Electric Light Parade? Streets in the Chinatown and Downtown area will be closed for practical and safety reasons. For the parade route map and general street closure plan click here. For a detailed street closure plan click here.      Where's the best place to see the Electric Light Parade as the crowds are huge at Punchbowl and King? Smaller crowds and unobstructed views are available in the Chinatown area from River Street to Fort Street Mall.  A variety of restaurants are located in this area.  Another option is to relax and see the parade and the tree lighting ceremony on the big screen which will be set up on the grounds of the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center, next to the Municipal Building.   NOTE: You will not be able to see all the marching bands and vehicles if you are situated past Honolulu Hale between Kawaiahao and Alapai Streets.  Vehicle units will be parked in this area and the bands will stop performing to proceed to their buses.     When will the lights on the big tree be lit? The opening ceremony at Honolulu Hale begins at 6 pm and the lights are scheduled to be turned on at approximately 6:30 pm.       Can I bring a picnic supper for my family to enjoy on the Honolulu Hale grounds? Yes, but there will also be food booths on the Civic Center grounds.  Food service and children's entertainment begins at approximately 4 pm.       After the Opening Ceremony and the Electric Light Parade, are any other special events happening during the  month of December?  Yes, here are some special happening throughout the month: December 4 - 25, Evenings Flagpole area of the Frank F. Fasi Municipal Building Eat the Street and Streetgrindz.com Food Trucks   December 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 & 23, 6 - 9 p.m. and December 22, 6 - 8 p.m. Flagpole area of the Frank F. Fasi Municipal Building Free Hot Chocolate Nights, presented by ING DIRECT    December 16, 6 - 8 p.m. Honolulu Hale front steps Toys for Tots Collection Drive featuring the costumed characters of Star Wars from the Pacific Outpost 501st Legion of Stormtrooper   December 16, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Honolulu Hale front steps Free Milk and Cookies Night presented by Hawaii Foodservice Alliance   December 17, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. and December 22, 6 - 8 p.m. Honolulu Hale Courtyard Free Photo with Santa presented by Kraft Food in Hawaii   December 17, 7 p.m. Frank F. Fasi Civic Center Grounds Free showing of "Wizard of Oz" on big screen. Food trucks and popcorn will be on site. For a printable version of this schedule, download it here.  What bus do I take from Waikiki to get to Honolulu Hale? Board any of the buses listed below from Kuhio Avenue, heading away from Diamond Head, and ride to Beretania and Punchbowl streets.  Disembark at the first Bus stop immediately after Punchbowl. Walk down Punchbowl Street to King Street and cross Punchbowl Street to Honolulu Hale. -         2 School Street-Middle Street -         13 Liliha-Puunui Avenue -         Route B - CityExpress! School Middle -         42 Ewa Beach     What bus do I take to return to Waikiki from Honolulu Hale? Board any of the buses listed below on King Street at Punchbowl Street -         2 Waikiki-Kapiolani Park -         13 Waikiki-Campbell Avenue -         Route B - CityExpress! Waikiki -         19, 20 or 42 Waikiki Beach and Hotels     View a map of the Honolulu Hale area bus stops here.        What time do the buses run? For more info on daytime, evening, weekend and holiday bus schedules and additional routes, visit http://www.thebus.org or call 848-4400.       Is there an entrance fee? No.       Where do I park? Parking is available at the Civic Center lot at the corner of Beretania and Alapai.  Parking is free after 4:30 pm on the weekdays and all day on weekends.       Are the outside lights on all night? Yes.  The lights remain on til sunlight, switching off at approximately 6:00 am.       What are the hours to see the decorated trees and wreath exhibit inside Honolulu Hale? Honolulu Hale will be open everyday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.       Can I bring my dog to Honolulu City Lights? No, dogs are not allowed around the displays, including the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center and inside and around Honolulu Hale.  The only exception is certified service dogs, which must be on a leash at all times as required by law.  Please make sure that you have your service dog ID readily available or that your dog is wearing a service ID.     Where can I find more information on entering the annual Wreath Contest at Honolulu Hale? Download an entry form by clicking here.         When will the event be broadcast on television? Live broadcoast of the Opening Ceremony will be from 6 - 10 p.m. on Olelo Channel 52. A one-hour TV special on the Electric Light Parade, with event highlights, sponsored by Hawaiian Electric Company, will air on Friday, Dec. 23 from 7 - 8 p.m. on KITV with a re-broadcast, also on KITV, on Saturday, Dec. 24, from 2-3 p.m.          Where can find out more about the beautiful Honolulu City Lights ornaments?   Visit http://www.honolulucitylights.org for more information on this year's new ornaments.