HOLIDAY: DEC. 3

Thousands are expected to turn out for the city's holiday celebration, Honolulu City Lights, featuring the giant Christmas tree in front of Honolulu Hale, Santa and Mrs. Santa (also known as Tutu Mele), the Electric Light Parade and, of course, thousands of lights. The tree-lighting ceremony is at 6 p.m., the tree and wreath display opens at 6:30 p.m. inside Honolulu Hale and the holiday concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Honolulu City Lights, which includes lights extending through the downtown corridor, ends Jan. 1. Admission is free.

6 p.m. Dec. 3 / Honolulu Hale / http://www.honolulu.gov/csd/citylights/

CONCERT: DEC. 3

Hip-hop trio De La Soul makes the trip from Long Island to our island for a night of funk and soul. The group's latest release the October 2004 "The Grind Date." Tickets are $25 advance, $30 at the door, $50 VIP for 18 and older.

8 P.M. DEC. 3 / PIPELINE CAFE / 926-3000

CONCERTS: DEC. 9-10

Welcome from the other side of the world Kiwi crooner Sara-Jane Auva'a and Tongan-Samoan singer Benjamin Fifita Makisi, who will perform in a concert titled "A Tour of Love." Tickets are $15 general, $10 students and $5 children 5-12. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m. Dec. 9-10 / Kuhio Park Terrace's Community Resource Center gymnasium / 677-0137, 842-0218

DANCE: DEC. 9-11 AND 16-18

Hawaii State Ballet presents "The Nutcracker" just in time for the holiday season. Mairi Bell and Joanna Lam play the Sugar Plum Fairy, with Lisa Awaya and Erica Wong as the Snow Queen. Dan Sato and Bradley Wong dance the part of the Sugar Plum's Cavalier. John Landovsky directs. Tickets are $16, $20 and $24, with a $2 discount for seniors, children 12 and younger and military.

7 p.m. Dec. 9-10 and 16-17 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 10-11 and 17-18 / Mamiya Theatre / 947-2755, 783-2747

Ballet Hawaii presents its annual "Nutcracker" production featuring international stars, live Tchaikovsky music by the Honolulu Symphony, a new set by Peter Dean Beck and costumes by Anne Namba. Tickets are $25, $40 and $55, with discounts for students, seniors and military. The opening night gala includes a pre-show dinner, reserved parking and Golden Circle seating for $150.

8 p.m. Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 and 2 p.m. Dec. 18 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / (877) 750-4400, 521-8600

CONCERT: DEC. 10-11

The Sounds of Aloha Barbershop chorus gets into the holiday spirit with the concert "Santa Lite." Come watch Santa as he tries to trim down in order to get into his red suit in time to pass out the presents as Christmas songs are sung in harmony. Tickets are $20.

7:35 p.m. Dec. 10 and 4:05 p.m. Dec. 11 / Paliku Theatre / 262-7664

DANCE: DEC. 16-18

Ballet Hawaii presents its annual "Nutcracker" production featuring international stars, live Tchaikovsky music by the Honolulu Symphony, a new set by Peter Dean Beck and costumes by Anne Namba. Tickets are $25, $40 and $55, with discounts for students, seniors and military. The opening night gala includes a pre-show dinner, reserved parking and Golden Circle seating for $150.

8 p.m. Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 and 2 p.m. Dec. 18 / Blaisdell Concert Hall / (877) 750-4400, 521-8600