Once again, imposing statues of Santa and Mrs. Claus occupy the grounds of Honolulu Hale facing South King Street.

A 50-foot Christmas tree stands by, adorned with large music-themed ornaments like sheet music and notes.

Punchbowl Street between South King and South Beretania Street was closed Saturday, packed not with cars but food vendors and people holding J-shaped novelty ice cream cones, disposable paper trays of various food items and mason jars full of lemonade.

Tis the season.

At least 400 people gathered by mid-afternoon for the annual Honolulu City Lights ceremony, although some suggested 1,000 would attend the opening night.

Around 6 p.m. the Public Workers’ Electric Light Parade proceeded down South King Street, lined on both sides with people, usually in camping chairs but sometimes on blankets laid out on the ground.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell lit up the 50-foot Christmas tree and unveiled the employee Christmas tree and public wreaths.

Earlier, around 4 p.m., Tomy Corpuz was finishing up a plate lunch in front of Honolulu Hale while they were waiting for the ceremony to begin. His family of four arrived at 3:30 p.m. and planned on staying until around 10 p.m.

They started attending the opening night of the annual Honolulu City Lights eight years ago.

“It’s a tradition,” he said. When his daughter was 4, Corpuz said, they decided to “take her to the Christmas lights,” adding, “Ever since she’s been hooked.”

“It’s the best event ever,” said Honolulu police officer William Suarez. “Everyone’s in a good mood. It opens up the season.”

Suarez, who’s been an officer for 15 years and has worked the event for five, said he’s even seen people holding up other people’s kids to see the light parade as it runs down the street.

He said there were only three officers working the event, an indication of how tranquil it traditionally is.

The ceremony was also a business opportunity for the two dozen or so vendors, most selling food.

The Friends of the Library of Hawaii sold books, sponsored arts and crafts and held a keiki storytime at the lawn of the Hawaii State Library.

Three tents, spread out between two corners of the intersection, belonged to LED Novelties, which sold plastic swords, bubble guns, red-and-white striped Santa hats and toys. Everything, including the hats, lit up.

Elsie Frisbee, mother of LED Novelties’ owner, was helping at one of the tents, although she appeared content with just enjoying the atmosphere.

“I retired, that’s why — this is fun kine stuff,” she said. “You can act like a kid and nobody cares.”