Kapolei City Lights!
E komo mai (welcome) to the official website of the Kapolei City Lights Celebration sponsored by the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR)! Kapolei City Lights has been spreading seasonal joy to the ever-growing Leeward O‘ahu community since 2001.
This year, the Kapolei City Lights decorations and festivities will follow the “Paniolo Nights and Holidays Lights” theme, bringing together the rich heritage of Hawaiʻi’s paniolo culture with the sparkle and joy of the holiday season. With twinkling lights, festive décor, slack-key guitar music, seasonal treats, and community celebration, “Paniolo Nights & Holiday Lights” will offer a uniquely local way to celebrate the holidays and share the spirit of the season.
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Parade & Block Party Applications
The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is getting ready for “Paniolo Nights & Holiday Lights” with preparations underway for the annual Kapolei City Lights Block Party and Parade on Saturday, November 28, 2026!
This includes encouraging local vendors and interested parade participants to be part of these opening night festivities, with applications now being accepted to take part in this rodeo of an event. Those applications are now available here:
- Block Party Food Vendor: bit.ly/kapoleifood
- Block Party Non-Food Vendor: bit.ly/kapoleivendor
- Parade Participants: bit.ly/paradeapplication
You can also fill-out and submit physical copies of the applications to DPR’s Kapolei Hale Office, on non-holiday weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at:
Attn: KCL Block Party Committee
1000 Ulu‘ōhi‘a Street
Suite 308
Kapolei, HI 96707
Parade applications are due by Monday, October 12, 2026 at 4 p.m. (HST).
Block Party applications are due by Friday, October 16, 2026 at 5 p.m. (HST).
Opening Night Festivities
Get ready as Kapolei City Lights returns to Leeward O‘ahu on Saturday, November 28, 2026 with “Paniolo Nights & Holiday Lights.”
DPR and dozens of additional City and community partners are proud to invite everyone to enjoy this holiday tradition, a free, family-friendly event launching with our opening night block party and parade.
Block Party
Featuring dozens of local vendors, a festive holiday car showcase, live music, and plenty of local grinds, the block party is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the streets around Kapolei Hale. We’ve got so much planned for this party we are taking over several streets for the event.
Parade
Along with the block party, opening night festivities will feature the vivacious Holiday Parade, with some dozens of participating organizations showcasing decorated vehicles, floats, parade walkers, and loads of holiday spirit. The parade has historically began at 5:30 p.m. with the Royal Hawaiian Band launching from Kapolei High School, proceeding up Fort Barrette Rd., taking a left on Kapolei Pkwy., and ending at Kama‘aha Ave.
Additional details about the opening night festivities, such as parking and entertainment, will be announced once they are confirmed. Rest assured, there will be plenty of merry music, dazzling decorations, and holiday cheer for the whole ‘ohana!
Kapolei Hale Decorations
Decorations, entertainment, and activities galore are also in store inside and around Kapolei Hale during the opening night festivities! Outside of the hale, several ornaments and lights will brighten the building, highlighted by a luminous 50-foot holiday tree. As you enter the hale, you’ll be greeted by a variety of community tree displays from our fellow City agencies, Neighborhood Boards, and several other community organizations. Everyone is invited to spread out on their own picnic mats and enjoy additional entertainment in the open-air courtyard—perfect for relaxing under the stars and enjoying the ‘ono grinds.
The luminous decorations of Kapolei City Lights 2026 will be open to the public from the evening of Saturday, November 28, 2026 through Sunday, January 3, 2027. This year, the Kapolei City Lights decorations and festivities will follow the “Paniolo Nights and Holidays Lights” theme, bringing together the rich heritage of Hawaiʻi’s paniolo culture with the sparkle and joy of the holiday season. With twinkling lights, festive décor, slack-key guitar music, seasonal treats, and community celebration, “Paniolo Nights & Holiday Lights” will offer a uniquely local way to celebrate the holidays and share the spirit of the season.
This theme complements the Honolulu City Lights theme of “Christmas in the Country”. Centered around Honolulu Hale, Honolulu City Lights will also commence their annual celebration with an opening night parade scheduled for Saturday, December 5, 2026. More information and details about these Honolulu events are available on their website: hnlcitylights.com
Volunteer Cleanup
Every party needs its cleanup crew, so we partner with our friends in the City’s Department of Facility Maintenance to organize a volunteer cleanup following the opening night festivities. Join us on Sunday, November 29 at Kapolei Hale to be part of this amazing crew.
Mahalo in advance for your kōkua!
Experience the Magic!
Mahalo to everyone who participated in and enjoyed the Kapolei City Lights 2025 opening night festivities! If you missed the amazing evening no worries, you can still experience the dazzling enchantment of 2025’s celebration. Thanks to our partners at ‘Ōlelo Community Media and KSSK Radio you can watch the entire parade on YouTube, forever and ever!