Honolulu: Waikiki Trolley Holiday Lights & City Lights Stop

Waikiki trolley ride with city lights stop and holiday fun

You’ll ride an open-air Waikiki Trolley past Honolulu’s holiday lights, stop at Honolulu Hale for festive displays like Shaka Santa and Tutu Mele, then play games and sip hot chocolate at Aloha Tower’s Holiday Station. Expect laughter, local stories from your guide, and a different kind of holiday warmth that lingers long after you leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Waikiki Holiday Lights Tour

• Board open-air trolley
• Enjoy festive holiday lights
• Listen to Christmas sing-alongs
• Hear jolly Christmas stories
• Disembark at Honolulu Hale
• View 50-foot holiday tree
• See decorated Christmas exhibits
• Visit Shaka Santa and Tutu Mele

The experience

We hopped onto the open-air Waikiki Trolley just as dusk started to settle in over Honolulu, and honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The breeze was warm (not that crisp December cold I grew up with), but somehow it still felt like Christmas. Our driver, Kaleo, had this way of mixing cheesy jokes with little stories about the city. At one point he pointed out a string of lights shaped like a giant shaka hand and just grinned, “That’s Shaka Santa. Only in Hawaii, yeah?” Everyone laughed. I tried to sing along when the Christmas songs came on but mostly just hummed because I didn’t know all the words.

The trolley wound its way downtown until we stopped outside Honolulu Hale for the City Lights display. You could smell sweet plumeria somewhere under all the pine and cinnamon from the food stalls nearby. We wandered past the 50-foot tree (it’s bigger than it looks in photos) and there were families everywhere: kids running around, couples taking selfies in front of Tutu Mele. I saw an older woman handing out little paper fans painted with poinsettias. She winked at me when I took one. It was loud but kind of peaceful at the same time, if that makes sense.

Afterwards, we ended up at Aloha Tower for their Holiday Station: games, prizes, and actual hot chocolate (which tasted a bit sweeter than back home). There were people from all over. You could hear Japanese and Tagalog mixed with English in the crowd. I didn’t win anything but got caught up chatting with another traveler about how weirdly right it felt to see Christmas lights under palm trees. The trolley ride back was quieter. Everyone a little tired but smiling. I still think about those colors against the night sky sometimes.

What’s included

Your evening includes an open-air trolley ride through Waikiki and downtown Honolulu with a local driver-guide sharing stories along the way. You’ll stop at Honolulu Hale for City Lights displays before heading to Aloha Tower’s Holiday Station where you can join in games, try your luck for prizes, and enjoy sweet hot chocolate before returning by trolley.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 18:00, the last at 20:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 70

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by E Noa Tours

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

Is pickup included for the Waikiki Trolley Holiday Lights Tour?

No hotel pickup is included. You join the tour at a designated location.

Does this tour visit Honolulu Hale’s City Lights?

Yes, there is a stop at Honolulu Hale for City Lights displays.

Is the Waikiki Trolley Holiday Lights Tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

Are service animals allowed on this holiday lights tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

What is included at Aloha Tower during this tour?

The Holiday Station at Aloha Tower includes games, prizes, and hot chocolate.

Is public transportation available nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available near the departure point.

Are infants allowed on this trolley tour?

Infants are welcome but must sit on an adult’s lap during the ride.

What should I wear for this holiday lights tour?

The dress code is smart casual. Comfortable clothes are recommended.