City and County of Honolulu to ring in holiday season Dec. 4

News Release from City and County of Honolulu, Nov 19, 2021

HONOLULU – Mayor Rick Blangiardi is thrilled to announce the Honolulu City Lights tree lighting ceremony is back! The holiday celebration, in its 37th year, returns Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021 and will feature the tree lighting and signature decorations and displays at Honolulu Hale and throughout the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center Grounds.

The tree lighting ceremony will be broadcast live for all to see on ‘Ōlelo Channel 53, with rebroadcasts also shown on the following dates and times:

Saturday, Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. – live ceremony event
Sunday, Dec. 19 at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 22 at 10 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 24 at 5 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 25 at 11 a.m.

While the tree lighting ceremony is not available to watch in person, residents and visitors may visit the Honolulu Hale grounds to take in the sights and merriment of the annual Honolulu City Lights celebration through Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022.

“This is my first Honolulu City Lights while serving as mayor and I am grateful to bring our families and community together for this treasured holiday-season tradition,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “COVID-19 has made the past year especially challenging, however with the continued support from our community we have made tremendous strides that allow us to look forward to 2022 with renewed hope.  Happy holidays to everyone!”

Highlights from this year’s event will include the City’s official 55-foot holiday tree on the Honolulu Hale front lawn and the iconic 21-foot displays of Shaka Santa and Tūtū Mele. Among other features will be the “Joy” and “Aloha” selfie stations and other social media backdrops for taking the perfect holiday-season photos.

This year’s event will also mark the return of the popular City department tree display within Honolulu Hale, after being among the festivities canceled last year. The display will open Monday, Dec. 6, in the Honolulu Hale Courtyard.

Activities that are anticipated to resume next year include the Public Workers’ Electric Light Parade, holiday concerts, the holiday wreath contest and display in the Honolulu Hale Lane Gallery, vendor booths, keiki rides and photos with Santa.

—PAU—