For many people, Christmas is the season of spending. But there are still plenty of ways to get into the festive spirit without opening your wallet. Our list will help you create some priceless memories with an idea for free fun every day until Christmas.
Dec. 1: Get into the spirit of the season with the Cathedral of St. Andrew’s Advent Carol Service at 5:30 p.m. The event combines scripture and music to tell the story of the birth of Jesus. The cathedral is at 229 Queen Emma Square. For more information, call 524-2822, ext. 217. Or take in Central Union Church’s 66th presentation of Handel’s "Messiah" at 7 p.m. Call 941-0957.
Dec. 2: Linus and his versatile security blanket provide a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas in "A Charlie Brown Christmas," airing at 7 p.m. on KITV.
Dec. 3: Through Dec. 23, make time for the spectacle of music and lights at Ala Moana Center’s Mele Trees of Light display, which plays at 6, 6:30, 8 and 8:30 p.m. daily. After Dec. 7, 9 and 9:30 p.m. shows are added. Stick around till the end to delight in the faux snowfall.
Dec. 4: Celebrate the end of the Festival of Lights with the Car Menorah Parade that starts at 5:30 p.m. at Kaimuki High School and ends at Kalakaua Park. About 20 vehicles are expected to participate.Visit www.chabadofhawaii.com.
Dec. 5: Make a miniature rocking horse at the Lego Store’s monthly "mini build." The event at the Ala Moana store starts at 5 p.m. Supplies are limited.
Dec. 6: Take a break from shopping to listen to a reading of the popular holiday book "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg at 7 p.m. at Barnes & Noble Ala Moana. Call 949-7307.
Dec. 7: Cool off in mounds of local-style snow at 10 a.m. at Mililani Shopping Center and 11 a.m. at Kapolei Shopping Center. Both centers will also host free crafts and activities for keiki. Visit www.inkapolei.com or www.mililanishoppingcenter.com.
In the evening, Honolulu Hale turns on the lights on its 65-foot tree to conclude the city’s Electric Light Parade, which starts at Aala Park at 6 p.m. Pack a bento and get there early to stake out a good spot — more than 75,000 people are expected to watch the 2,000 marchers, 40 floats and 15 vehicles.
Dec. 8: Write a letter to Santa for a good cause. Macy’s continues its Believe campaign in which the retailer donates $1 to the Make-a-Wish Foundation for every letter mailed in the oversize red mailboxes in stores, up to $1 million.
Or head over to Windward Mall to visit the Dear Santa Letter Writing Station. Bring a 44-cent postage stamp and Santa will send a reply to your house. Visit www.windwardmall.com.
Dec. 9: Enter the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Keiki Kalikimaka ornament contest for a chance to win some Christmas cash. See the entry form.
Dec. 10: Check out the pulsing lights and music at the Yoshida family home in Waikele, 94-226 Anapau Place. For a preview, check out the jaw-dropping display on a 2010 YouTube at youtu.be/mF8tQZy29_k. The family is coordinating with three other families on the street this year to create a 45-minute, four-house light show. The show runs 6 to 10 p.m. through New Year’s Day.
Dec. 11: Kapolei Public Library presents a Santa Night and puppet show featuring puppeteer Christy Lipps at 6:30 p.m. Santa and his elf will pose for photos with keiki at the conclusion of the 75-minute program. Call 693-7050.
Dec. 12: Deaf Santa pays a visit to Pearlridge Center Uptown from 9 a.m. to noon. Keiki can share their Christmas hopes using sign language and enjoy entertainment from deaf and hard-of-hearing performers. Call 488-0981 or visit pearlridgeonline.com.
Dec. 13: Waimanalo Country Farms presents "The Live Nativity" at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 7, 13 and 14. The 45-minute program stars the farm’s donkeys, sheep and cow. Christmas-caroling hayrides start at 5 p.m. The farm is at 41-225 Lupe St. Call 306-4379.
Dec. 14: The Honolulu Boy Choir will be sure to wish concertgoers the "Merriest Hawaiian Christmas" at its annual holiday performance at 7 p.m. at Central Union Church. Jake Shimabukuro is among the special guests.
On the west side, the Electric Light Parade travels from the Kapolei Fairgrounds to Kapolei Hale for the second city’s lighting ceremony from 6 to 10 p.m.
Dec. 15: There’s something very charming about a community Christmas parade. Olomana expects to have a marching band, classic cars, jalopies and Santa Claus as part of the event that will start and end at Maunawili Elementary School after looping through the neighborhood from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 16: The Snow Flurry Tree at Windward Mall is back in action, providing wintry weather on the hour from noon to 7 p.m. daily. (Last snow flurry at 6 p.m. on Sundays.)
The snowstorm lasts a predictable 15 minutes in Center Court and local kids hungry to experience the joy of the changing seasons can frolic gleefully in the drifts of foamy "snowflakes." Visit www.windwardmall.com.
Dec. 17: Check out Santa’s Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, 120 Kaiulani Ave. Chef Ralf Bauer used 100 sheets of gingerbread and 320 gallons of icing to bring a village to life in the hotel lobby. Kids can delight as trains race through the sugary display through Jan. 2. Call 922-5811 or visit www.princess-kaiulani.com.
Dec. 18: Sit on Santa’s lap and whisper your holiday wishes to the man in red. You may even get a candy cane. For a change of scenery, visit St. Nick at Ward Centers’ new Beach House backdrop, on level 3 near the Ward Stadium 16 theaters. He’ll be there from noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. Santa hours at other malls vary.
Dec. 19: Celebrate winter in paradise: Go cardboard "sledding" in Kakaako or build a sandman on the beach. Snap a photo and Facebook it. Your snow-socked friends and family on the mainland will surely be jealous.
Dec. 20: Cruise around Pearl Harbor to see the ships and submarines illuminated. The Holiday Festival of Lights tours, sponsored by the National Park Service and the Navy, are available on the half-hour from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21. Tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. Canned goods for local charities will be collected on site.
Dec. 21: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presents its 27th annual Christmas concert at the Honolulu Tabernacle, 1560 S. Beretania St., at 7 p.m. Dec. 21 and 22. Listen to the choral arrangements of Christmas carols and orchestral pieces. Call 358-6935.
Dec. 22: Bank of Hawaii Family Sunday takes the theme "Celebrate!" for its monthly event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Honolulu Museum of Art. Kids can make a snow globe or an island-style Christmas ornament and visit with Santa.
Storyteller Susie Roth will entertain with her "Creatively Christmas" magic show at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.
Dec. 23: At 2 p.m., Robi Kahakalau takes the stage to keep shoppers’ spirits bright at Kahala Mall Center Court.
Dec. 24: The Salvation Army presents its annual live Nativity at Wai’oli Gardens, 2950 Manoa Road, Dec. 21 to 24, featuring live animals and singing angels. Performances take about 30 to 40 minutes, starting at 7 p.m. and wrapping up about 9:30 p.m.
Or head to your neighborhood church to check out one of the many Christmas Eve pageants, Mass times or candlelight services. In Kailua, at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 93 N. Kainalu Drive, the keiki will present "Sammy and the Star" at 5 p.m. After the performance, children in the audience may help decorate the church Christmas tree.
Dec. 25: Stay home and celebrate the holiday with friends and family.
