It's a parade.

It's a Christmas tree and wreath display.

It's a potential traffic jam.

It's a party with music.

It's a holiday ornament.

It's a song.

It's Honolulu's largest Christmas spectacle.

It's all of the above, and it's Honolulu City Lights, the ultimate must-do, must-see attraction this time of the year, which launches Saturday, bringing its holiday sparkle — and then some — to Honolulu Hale and the Downtown corridor.

There's always a new wrinkle with the twinkle. This year, it's a train — with an engine and three cars.

Here's the rundown:

WHAT'S NEW: A CHOO-CHOO!

A 10-foot-tall, 40-foot-long train, inspired by an actual locomotive called the Lanakila that Queen Lili'uokalani rode to visit the countryside in her heyday, will be the focal point and the newest attraction at this year's City Lights. It will get a place of prominence, right in front of the city tree.

"We thought we'd try something new — and created this train, with an engine, gift cars and a caboose," said designer Owen Ho, the prolific special-events planner and coordinator responsible for creating the oversized ornaments that annually decorate the city's official tree. "I wouldn't mind having a full-fledged train, with more and more cars, as dollars permit," he said.

"There have been songs written about the train, and one in particular, 'Lanakila Ke Ka Ahi Ali'i,' describes how the queen went around the island, with people greeting her; we thought, how fitting." The title translates to "the train of royalty."

Ho, who has a 20-year-plus association with City Lights, engineered his designs in July with carpenters and volunteers — led by Alex Ching, a parks department employee — putting the pieces together at a Sand Island warehouse posing as Santa's secret workshop.

The choo-choo, which will be stationary, will have a pineapple-shaped smokestack that will emit smoke. The engine will be manned by a menehune.

"It's very cartoonish," said Ho, "and we have a crooked tree on one car, rounding the bend."

For now, the public can't board the cars, but Ho hopes future plans would include an all-aboard car where visitors can at least get a photo-op.

THE PARADE: LIGHTING UP DOWNTOWN

Officially dubbed the Honolulu City Lights Public Workers Electric Light Parade, the procession begins at 6 p.m. and brings a bit of holiday cheer through the usually dark Chinatown and Downtown corridor.

It starts at King and River streets, continues on King and ends at Kawaiaha'o Street. King Street will be closed during the parade and decorated vehicles will remain on King at the Alapa'i, South, Kapi'olani and Kawaiaha'o sector till 8:15 p.m., so folks can see the decorated vehicles up close.

The procession includes city units such as fire and police vehicles, an ambulance, TheBus and Handi-Van and other service vehicles; plus 15 high school bands.

Traffic will be disrupted by periodic road closures, and parking will be prohibited in key areas. Motorists should be advised that east-bound access on King Street, from Liliha to River streets, will be closed from 4 p.m. Saturday until the parade is over. Some one-way streets in the Downtown zone, like Bishop and Bethel streets, will be temporarily two-way, from 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Bus routes are affected, too, with detours.

THE TREE: HANA HOU

The Norfolk Island pine will be bedecked with ornaments created last year by the aforementioned Ho. The focal point is a version of the construction-paper lei school kids still make, with requisite straw separating the flowers, and only a few new ornaments that fit the motif.

"We usually use the ornaments for three years (this would be the second) because of the expense," Ho said. The recurring items include candy and gumballs, wrapped in vinyl; Island instruments — 'uli'uli (gourd rattles topped by feathers), ipu (bottle gourds) and pahu drums encircle the tree.

The lei will be strung 20 feet higher this year because much of it was hung too low last year, losing some of the visual design effects.

THE TREE-LIGHTING: FRIENDS AND NABORS

Arrive early for a good spot to watch the tree-lighting ceremony, at 6:30 p.m. or soon after the Honolulu City Lights parade is pau.

The mayor's stage, fronting Honolulu Hale, is where Mayor Mufi and Gail Hannemann will flick the switch to light up the tree.

Entertainment will feature Jim Nabors and Karen Keawehawai'i, who last year concluded a 10-year holiday run at the Hawai'i Theatre, in a rare and special reunion. The musical group Pali, led by Pali Ka'aihue, will provide the music.

UP AT THE SKYGATE: A CONCERT

A holiday show, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Skygate stage, at the Fasi Civic Center, will assemble members of Kalapana, the '70s band, who will headline. Other acts include Hana Hou, an Air Force group; plus local acts Kristian Lei, Soulz and Pali.

THE INSIDE STORY: TREES AND WREATHS

Don't forget the holiday spectacle of trees and wreaths decorated and created by employees in 22 city departments.

The displays are viewable till 11 p.m. daily in the Honolulu Hale courtyard and the Lane Gallery.

SHAKA SANTA AND TUTU: SITTING PRETTY

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa — a Shaka Santa and his sidekick, Tutu Mele — again at City Lights.

They will sit in usual smiling silence — he, with the shaka sign, a throwback to the era of Mayor Frank Fasi's City Hall days — amid turtles and penguins in the city pool, to greet visitors and pose in the background of many digital camera shots.

Again, the couple are a creation of designer Ho.

ON THE PORCH: THE SKINNY ON SANTA

Another Santa — albeit, a skinny one — will be available for keiki visits on the homey front step porch launched last year to suit the 2006 theme, "Ku'u Home."

The man in red will be an Island-style Santa, with T-shirt and jams, more beach-going than sleigh-riding in experience.

Joe Magaldi, a seasonal St. Nick since the Fasi and Jeremy Harris administrations, continues his ho-ho-hoing for the Hannemann regime.

COLLECTIBLES

For the eighth year, the Friends of Honolulu City Lights offer a tree ornament linked to the display. This year's features Lanakila, the train that makes its debut at this year's Lights celebration.

The ornament will be sold on site at the City Lights launch and also can be bought at Macy's and Borders Books & Music stores on O'ahu, as well as the Honolulu City Store at Ala Moana Center. Mayor Hannemann and his wife will be at Macy's Ala Moana from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday to autograph the ornaments. Cost: $16 on site, $18 at stores, $21 (includes shipping) through Friends of Honolulu City Lights, P.O. Box 8877, Honolulu HI, 96830.

Another related item, the 2007 City Lights T-shirt, depicts the "12 Days of Christmas, Hawaiian Style" motif. It will be available at the opening and during the weekends only; also on sale at the City Store at Ala Moana. Cost: $10.

THE SONG: RIGHT ON THE BEAMER

The holiday extravaganza is named after the 1978 hit "Honolulu City Lights," which isn't a Christmas tune. The Keola and Kapono Beamer song, composed by Keola, originally was issued on a vinyl 33 1/3-rpm disc, and moved on to cassette and CD versions, with a 20th anniversary edition released with a new cover in 1998.

Its impact on the listening public — well ingrained in Island culture as a tune of yearning to be home or coming home — reflects the spirit of the holidays. Hence, it's an apt title for the jewel of the yuletide.

STAYING HOME? WATCH IT LIVE ON TV

Curious about Honolulu City Lights, but unable to hele on over in person?

Not to worry.

The Honolulu City Lights opening ceremony, including the Electric Light Parade and mainstage entertainment, will be live on cable ('Olelo channel 49), from 6 p.m. Saturday. Local news crews generally include live snippets during the 6 p.m. newscasts.

Further, a one-hour highlights special from the opening night hoopla will be shown at 9 p.m. Dec. 25 and rebroadcast at 3 p.m. Dec. 29 on KHON-2, the Fox affiliate.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.