Festival of Lights

This year marks the 24th anniversary of Festival of Lights, Kauai’s largest holiday festival renowned for its focus on recycled and reclaimed materials. In response to public health and safety restrictions due to COVID-19, this year’s Festival of Lights will highlight the exterior lighting of the Historic County Building park. Festival of Lights launches Thanksgiving night and continues through New Year’s Day. The park  will be illuminated daily, 6-11 p.m. Free and open to the public. Masks and social distancing are expected.

Millions of lights will illuminate the park of the Historic County Building, the main government headquarters of Kauai. In addition to the dozens of tall coconut palm trees wrapped in colorful lights, there will also be snowfall and meteor lights projected throughout the park. Four of the most popular Festival of Lights themed trees will be displayed through the windows of the Historic County Building to be enjoyed while socially distancing. Influenced by local culture and sites, the trees feature a variety of upcycled decorations such as aluminum can flowers and water bottle butterflies. The four themed trees selected for display are: Kauai Over the Rainbow Tree, the CD Tree, the Peacock Tree and the Beautiful Kauai Tree.

For extra holiday enjoyment, the Kauai Festival of Lights website features a new 360 degree virtual tour of last year’s interior display. Visitors can enjoy an up-close look at the top-to-bottom decorated Historic County Building filled with the themed trees, as well as huge wall and floor displays. The website also features a selection of photos from past festivals.