Where to Find Oahu's Best Holiday Lights

The holiday season is officially here, and there are plenty of twinkling holiday lights to take in across the island. Whether you choose to stroll through your favorite decked-out neighborhood with friends or enjoy the lights from the comfort of your own car, you're sure to find some delightful scenes! So, fill your to-go mug with some hot cocoa and round up the keiki; below are our Locations Neighborhood Experts' picks for the best holiday light decorations across Oahu.

Pro-tip: Download and print our Holiday Lights Scavenger Hunt Checklist before you go!

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 with a life-size Santa, reindeer, unicorns, favorite characters like "Where's Waldo?" and plenty more. Some homeowners have even been known to pass out candy to keiki.

Kailua

Homeowners along Akumu Street in Kailua go all-out every year, with inflatables, ornaments and more than 10,000 lights synchronized to Christmas music. It's a must-see light display on the Windward side. From 6 to 9:30 p.m., nightly.

Honolulu Hale City Lights

Shaka Santa and Tutu Mele are back for the 39th annual Honolulu City Lights display at Honolulu Hale. With its stunning lights and giant, 50-foot-tall pine tree, City Lights is a Honolulu holiday tradition! 

You can also take in the lights aboard the Waikiki Trolley, which departs from Kewalo Bay nightly from Dec. 3 - 27. $30 for adults and $20 for children 3 years and up (children 3 and under must sit on an adult's lap). Ticket prices include admission to Waikiki Trolley's Winter Wonderland, featuring photos with Santa and other festive activities.

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.

Pearl City-Aiea

Visit Aloha Stadium for Show Aloha Land – A Holiday Wonderland, a dazzling drive-through light show featuring more than 2.5 million LED lights choreographed to holiday music, played on your FM radio. There's photos with Santa and a walking light tunnel, too. View the lights from your own vehicle for $49.94 or opt for unlimited admission for $39.94 per person, which includes a 1/3-mile stroll through a lighted Wonderland, photos with Santa, snow tubing, bubble tent, a variety of inflatable bouncers for the whole family, train rides and a zip-line. Food and drinks available for sale at the Mega Tree Food Court. Available now through December 25, 2023.

Waikele

People from all over the island flock to the famous Anapau Place to experience Waikele Lights. After a two-year hiatus, Waikele Lights is back this year, running from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., December 1 to December. 31. Enjoy a coordinated light show among several houses on the street, with favorite characters like Minions, a nativity scene and a variety of colorfully lit trees and animals.

Anapau Place will be closed off to vehicular traffic during show times. Expect a lot of traffic and pedestrians, but word on the street is that it's well worth it! Fun Fact: Anapau Place was featured on ABC's “The Great Christmas Light Fight” in 2014, where it faced off with two other streets in America! 

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 passerby with a display featuring a rotating cast of Disney and Dr. Seuss characters for more than 25 years. Parking may be limited.

Mililani

Every year, visitors from all over the island flock to the three cul-de-sacs bordering Mahinahou Street to view the elaborate displays that make up Mililani Holiday Lights. The "Star Wars House" on Neleau Place is back again this year with a themed display and costumed characters from the Pacific Outpost available for photo ops. From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., December 9, 16 and 23, 2023.

North Shore

Visit Hukilau Marketplace at the Polynesian Cultural Center in La'ie on the North Shore from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. nightly, December 15 to 22, 2023, to enjoy Winter Wonderland Lights, photos with Santa, keiki train rides and more.

Kapolei

Since its inaugural celebration in 2001, Kapolei City Lights has been spreading holiday cheer to Leeward Oahu as a complement to Honolulu City Lights. Held at Kapolei Hale, at 1000 Ulu‘ōhia Street, visitors can enjoy indoor and outdoor decorations this year, including a 50-foot Cook Pine Tree. The theme this year is "A Westside Wonderland," with decorations inspired by historic, cultural and recreational aspects of Leeward communities. The Opening Night Block Party, Holiday Parade and Kapolei Hale Decoration is Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, and will feature live music, food trucks and local vendors from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. near Kapolei Hale. Kapolei Hale will be open to the public to view the holiday decorations from Saturday, December 9, 2023, until Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Hours: Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday - Sunday and holidays: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Outdoor ornaments will be illuminated nightly until 11 p.m.

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