With the holiday season approaching, all of Oahu is joining in the festivities, and there is a myriad of activities for the local holiday aficionado.

Ward Village will open an ice rink for the first time on Nov. 27 that will be in operation seven days a week until Jan. 10. Tickets will be sold for $15 for one and a half hours of skating time. Hand-crafted beverages and refreshments from Kope Coffee Co. will be provided.

An annual favorite is the Honolulu City Lights. The opening festivities will take place at Honolulu Hale on Dec. 5 from 4 to 11 p.m. but the lights and decorations will stay up for viewing throughout the holiday season. The celebration will include food booths, keiki rides, the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, an electric light parade and various holiday displays.

Throughout the month of December, many areas on Oahu will have Christmas parades, including Wahiawa, Mililani, Kaneohe, Kapolei, Haleiwa and Aiea.

Most malls are also getting ready for the holidays. Places such as Pearlridge and Ala Moana shopping centers have many holiday sales, performances and activities for children, such as train rides and photo opportunities with Santa Claus.

Ballet Hawaii will be performing the holiday classic, “The Nutcracker,” at the Neal Blaisdell Center from Dec. 18 to 20. The performances will feature several guest dancers from notable national and international dance companies.