Thousands crowded Honolulu Hale's lawn and lined King Street last night to get into the holiday spirit and catch a glimpse of Santa Claus.

The 22nd annual Honolulu City Lights celebration kicked off at about 6 p.m. with the lighting of the city's 50-foot-tall Christmas tree, donated by a Mililani family and decorated with giant candies and lei.

The Christmas parade followed, with school bands playing carols, floats decked out in lights and, of course, Santa in his sleigh.

"It's for the kids," said Snookie Davis, who grabbed a spot along the parade route at about 5 p.m. yesterday. The Davises used to attend the parade every year but hadn't made it down since 1999.

Davis' 2-year-old grandson, Bronson, gave the family an excuse to revive the tradition. "It's great to have time together," Davis said.

On both sides of King Street, families laid out blankets or set up beach chairs on the sidewalk. Some, like the Farias family, arrived hours early to get a good seat. "It's just fun," said Ashley Farias, who found a spot squarely at the corner of King and Punchbowl in front of Honolulu Hale. Pointing at her 2-year-old son, Lawai'a, she added, "He loves the fire trucks."

Nearby, Paulette and Marvin Keopuhiwa were sitting with their two grandchildren. It was the first time they'd made it to the parade.

"Today we have baby-sitting duty," Paulette Keopuhiwa said, with a laugh.

Celestine Kuiee, who was sitting on a blanket with her family in front of Honolulu Hale, said adults get a kick out of the parade, too. "We like the lights," she said, smiling as she held her 1-year-old girl in her lap.

Before the light parade and tree lighting, Mayor Mufi Hannemann addressed the hundreds seated and standing outside Honolulu Hale, asking them to remember the spirit of the holidays and help those who need it.

"May we also take the time to reach out and be able to help those individuals who may not be as fortunate," Hannemann said.

He then serenaded the crowd with a carol, "Christmas Time Again, Aloha." When Hannemann started singing, the crowd erupted with applause.

Every year, the Christmas parade and tree lighting brings out about 75,000 people. The theme of the celebrations this year is "Ku'u Home" — or "our home." It's reflected in the flower-and-straw lei on the city's Christmas tree and in Honolulu Hale, where a porch was constructed for Santa.

The cheery man in the red suit will be at Honolulu Hale nightly until Christmas Day, taking pictures with kids. There are also 20 Christmas trees on display, which were decorated by city employees in various departments.

The parade kicks off a month of Christmas entertainment at Honolulu Hale, which will include the Holiday Youth String Quartet.

On Dec. 21, there will be a sing-along with the mayor.

For more information on holiday events at Honolulu Hale, see the city's Honolulu City Lights Web page, www.hono lulu.gov/csd/citylights.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.