× Expand Photo: Ron Slauson, courtesy of Friends of Honolulu City Lights Your Weekend: The Best Family Events-November 29 Honolulu City Lights officially kicks off the holiday season on Saturday.

Honolulu City Lights Parade and Opening Night

The city is about to light up the night with the official tree lighting and parade in downtown Honolulu. Get to the municipal grounds around 4 p.m. for the best parking and to jump on keiki rides and pick up food before the crowds arrive. The parade begins at 6 p.m. After that, sit for a professional photo with Santa and listen to live entertainment by local entertainers including Josh Tatofi and Mailani Makainai. Make sure to walk through Honolulu Hale to see the Christmas trees done up in wild style for this yearʻs theme, “Itʻs a Zoo Out There.” See our tips for the least crowded parade spots and other photo ops on honolulufamily.com.

Free

All ages

Saturday, Dec. 2, 4 to 11 p.m. The parade begins at 6 p.m. Santa will be available from 7:30 until 9 p.m. at the Mission Memorial Auditorium.

Frank Fasi Civic Grounds, 550 S. King St.

honolulucitylights.org.

Looking for more holiday fun? We have details about more than 50 events, parades and workshops to help you celebrate the season. Find it all, along with family crafts and fun snack ideas in our Holiday Corner.

Workday at Ka Papa Lo‘i o Kānewai-Volunteer opportunity

Learn about the lo‘i in Mānoa, take a walk to learn about water ways and wade into a lo‘i to clear weeds and debris. The workday begins with some history about the area and a short walk along a river. This was one of the sites for our 2017 HONOLULU Family Volunteer Day and the families who participated enjoyed the muddy work. Preregistration is required.

Free

All ages

Saturday, Dec. 2, 8 a.m. to noon.

Ka Papa Lo‘i O Kānewai is in UH-Mānoaʻs School of Hawaiian Knowledge, 2645 Dole St.

(808) 956-0640, manoa.hawaii.edu/hshk/ka-papa-loi-o-kanewai.

OnStage Workshop: Extraordinary Stories From An Ordinary ‘Ohana

Honolulu Theatre for Youthʻs new play by local writer and playwright Lee Cataluna debuted in November. Saturday, kids can learn more about the art of makeup, movement, props and more from the actors themselves at this productionʻs OnStage workshop. We tried it! See our 10 tips for making the most of the workshop for kids and parents. Note: The HTY for Every Family performance, where families pay what they can afford, is next Saturday, Dec. 9.

$10. Tickets for the show range from $10 for kids 3 to 18 years to $20 for adults.

Recommended for kids 5 years and older.

Saturday, Dec. 2, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. The show is at 4:30 p.m.

Tenney Theatre, 229 Queen Emma Square.

(808) 839-9885, htyweb.org.

Snow Days

'Tis the season to jump into Hawaiian-style snow. This weekend there are three free public snow days where kids can bundle up and jump into the big areas of shaved ice. Read our tips for what to wear and how to avoid the crowded areas on honolulufamily.com.

Free

All ages

All are Saturday, Dec. 2

10 a.m. to noon–Mililani Shopping Center , 95-221 Kipapa Drive, Mililani. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots to receive a wristband for the Snow Play Zone. You can also take a photo with Santa, play games and make crafts. mililanishoppingcenter.com.

, 95-221 Kipapa Drive, Mililani. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots to receive a wristband for the Snow Play Zone. You can also take a photo with Santa, play games and make crafts. 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.–Kapolei Shopping Center , 590 Farrington Highway, Kapolei. Take a free photo with Santa and Rudolph, make crafts and get a Keiki ID card . kapoleishopping.com.

, 590 Farrington Highway, Kapolei. Take a free photo with Santa and Rudolph, make crafts and get a Keiki ID card 3 to 7 p.m.-Hukilau Marketplace, 55-370 Kamehameha Highway, Lā‘ie. Kids can play in the snow and go on a free train ride which starts at 6:30 p.m. (808) 293-3333, hukilaumarketplace.com.

Natural Holiday Decorations Workshop

Bring leaves, flowers and berries from the backyard or use the collection at the Art Explorium to make your own green decoration. Kids will create wreaths, ornaments or other items to decorate the home or give as a gift.

$15 per child

5 years and older

Sunday, Dec. 3, 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Art Explorium, 1142 Koko Head Ave.

(808) 312-4316, artexplorium.org.

Sign Up: Living Art Marine Center Reef Walk

The tide is good on the South Shore this winter. So, sign up now for the Living Art Marine Centerʻs next reef walk scheduled for Dec. 29 and 30. Kids and parents will wade into the tide pools after dark to get a glimpse at the sea creatures who call the shallow waters home. It may seem early to sign up, but this weekendʻs event is already wait listed and most sell out weeks before.

$10 for kama‘āina and military adults, $15 for kids 4 to 12 years old. General admission is $5 more. Reef shoe rental is $5 per person.

4 years and older.

Sign up now for reef walk Friday, Dec. 29 at 6 p.m. or Saturday, Dec. 30 at 6:30 p.m.

Reef walk will be near Ala Moana Beach Park.

(808) 841-8080, livingartmarinecenter.com/reefwalk.htm.

Looking for more events for adults? Click here for HONOLULU Magazine's picks for the weekend.