Every year, Todd and I check out the Honolulu City Lights display at and around the grounds of Honolulu Hale. (Hale, pronounced HAH-leh, is Hawaiian for “house”; Honolulu Hale is our city hall.) The main attraction is pretty much always the tree, even though you can barely make the arbor out under all the lights and oversized ornaments . . .

Honolulu City Lights Christmas tree.

A close second are the oversized Mr. & Mrs. Claus, who are always perched just west of the tree, Santa’s toe dipped into the fountain fronting the building:

Santa & Mrs. Claus.

The grounds around Honolulu Hale are always a sight to see, with children running amok and getting rides in little lit-up trains and mini carnival rides, and tons of families trying to battle the crowds to sneak in a group shot or two. Total craziness.

South King Street.

Mini train for the kids.

This year, despite the battered economy, the city somehow managed to bring in another sponsor, ING Direct, who provided free hot chocolate from their mobile cafe trailer. Hot chocolate is hardly necessary when it’s 70 degrees out (yes, even on the first day of winter), but it’s the thought that counts, and people were lined up to get their bright orange cup o’ cocoa.

Does the city you live in have any big holiday lights displays? If so, share the link in comments! I love Christmas lights. :o)