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 this year’s celebration. Thanks to our partners at ‘Ōlelo Community Media and KSSK Radio you can watch the entire parade on YouTube, forever and ever! The displays at Honolulu Hale will also remain open through Sunday, January 4, 2026 under the following schedule:
🌟 Monday through Thursday – 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
🎁 Fridays – 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
🎉 Weekends & Holidays – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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 “Season of Stars” will sparkle with enchantment – twinkling lights, timeless traditions, and the warmth of community shining as brightly as the skies above. Come be part of a holiday celebration where culture, connection, and wonder truly light the way!
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Opening Night Festivities
Get ready for “A Season of Stars” as Kapolei City Lights returns to Leeward O‘ahu on Saturday, December 6, 2025!
The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation (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 over 60 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, including: Ulu‘ōhi‘a, Ala Kahawai, Alohikea, and Kama‘aha.
Enjoy an amazing lineup of local entertainment and events on the stage near the mauka-end of Kapolei Hale. Emceed by KSSK’s Curt Williams, this venue will offer the following scheduled performances:
🎶5 p.m. – Sons of Yeshua
🎷 6 p.m. – The Reppahz
🎄 6:15 p.m. – Mayor’s Tree Lighting
🎵 7 p.m. – Peni Dean
🎸 8 p.m. – Kawao
We’ve even got a rest area for kūpuna near the performance stage. They’re going to need a place to take a seat with all of the dancing and good music they’ll be enjoying!
Parade
Along with the block party, opening night festivities will feature the vivacious Holiday Parade, with some 53 participating organizations showcasing decorated vehicles, floats, parade walkers, and loads of holiday spirit. The parade begins 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.
This year we are continuing our partnership with ‘Ōlelo Community Media and KSSK Radio to livestream the parade as it makes its way towards Kapolei Hale. Emceed by Sweetie Paccaro & Jimmy Da Geek, the live coverage will air on ‘Ōlelo 53 with reairing of the entire parade scheduled on the same channel for:
📺 December 22 – 6 p.m.
📺 December 23 – 4 p.m.
📺 December 24 – 9 a.m.
📺 December 25 – 3:30 p.m.
Phased road closures for the block party and parade will begin throughout December 6, 2025 starting at 11 a.m. and increasing throughout the day as the events draw near. Public parking is available in and around Kapolei Regional Park.
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. Keiki can enjoy make-and-take crafts provided by Island Pacific Academy, along with carnival-style games and fun photo opportunities. 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. Be sure to check out some of the special features:
🎅 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Photos with Santa
🎤6 p.m. – Honolulu Blend Show Chorus performance
🌛 6:30 p.m. – Music by Moon Kahele
There will also be plenty of shows and lights to enjoy after the opening night. Including entertainment by Ukulele Project Hawai‘i on December 17, 2025 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. inside Kapolei Hale. The enchanting holiday decorations of Kapolei Hale will be available through Sunday, January 4, 2026 with the following schedule:
🌟 Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
🎁 Fridays – 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
🎉 Weekends & Holidays – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Volunteer Cleanup
Every party needs its cleanup crew, so we’re partnering 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, December 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Kapolei Hale to be part of this amazing crew.
Sign-up ahead of time by visiting picktime.com/swq or emailing stormwater@honolulu.gov
Mahalo in advance for your kōkua!
Never experienced the dazzling allure of Kapolei City Lights! Check out this video montage of the opening night festivities from 2022! While we aim to make every celebration a little bit better than before, we always strive to have similar elements of the holidays from year-to-year! Those elements include: Opening Night Festivities with a Block Party & Parade, dazzling decorations inside & out of Kapolei Hale, and plenty of entertainment and holiday spirit for the entire family!