The city’s sidewalks will be busy sidewalks and will definitely be decorated in holiday style tonight as the holidays officially begin in Hilo and the 2024 Downtown Hilo Christmas Lights Parade moves through town.

Between 6,000 and 7,000 people are expected to come to the annual East Hawai’i Lions Clubs event, where downtown Hilo will be bathed in the familiar colors of Christmas lights as floats make their way along the parade route.

This year’s holiday spectacle begins as usual at 6 p.m

There are 69 entries for the 2024 parade, including bands, community organizations and other participants.

Even the man in red, Santa Claus himself, is likely to make an appearance despite his busy workshop schedule.

Man, this guy has to be quick on his feet – and in his sleigh with those 8 tiny reindeer and the one with the red nose – to get to Hilo and all the other parades he attends every year and back, um get his work done before Christmas Eve!

This year’s theme is “Christmas around the world, may it be merry and bright.”

“We are excited to see how this year’s participants from around the world express their holiday spirit,” said Nate Tajon, the parade’s new coordinator.

Tajon took over the coordinator duties after Jeff Dansdill, who held the position for the first two years, moved away.

Organizers are also keeping to the tradition of parade-goers voting for their favorite entries.

“This year, categories are being added to make voting more fun and fun and give participants more chances to be recognized,” Tajon said.

The categories are:

• Kaiaulu Prize: People’s Choice Award.
• Menehune Magic Award: Best post with children.
• Holiday Mele Award: Entry with the best musical performance.
• Festive Trooper Prize: Best marching or walking entry.
• Shakakalikimaka Prize: Entrance with highly motivated participants.
• Winter Buggy Award: Best presentation on wheels.
• Fruitcake Award: Entry with a highly humorous performance.

It will also make it easier for those watching the parade to vote for their favorites.

Members of the Hilo High School Leo Club participate in the parade using QR codes that direct viewers on their smartphones directly to the parade website where they can vote during the parade.

The parade is also returning to its original route this year after having to change last year due to renovations on Keawe Street.

Participants will be lined up in an area behind the Bayfront Texaco on Piopio Street and march out, turning left onto Pauahi Street and heading toward Kīlauea Avenue. You then turn right at Longs Drugs, continue through Keawee Street and turn right onto Waiānuenue Avenue.

Back on Kamehameha Avenue, they finally march back to the starting point.

The parade route will be closed from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., or earlier if the parade ends earlier, and there will be no parking on a portion of Keawe Street and along Waiānuenue Avenue between Keawe Street and Kamehameha Avenue.

Kamehameha Avenue from Pauahi Street to Manono Street was closed at 4:30 p.m. for the parade.

Ali Akamine, a member of the Akaka Falls Lions Club and the 2023 Downtown Hilo Christmas Light Parade committee, recalled last year while discussing parade plans that she watched the event outside her mother’s office on Keawe Street in the 1960s and 1970s .

She said it has always been a magical experience.

“We share the holiday spirit with our community and bring people together for a few hours to participate in this community event and hopefully get some candy,” Akamine said in November 2023. “The parade is a fun event that brings people joy prepared.” Season. The lights always make it special, but what makes it even more fulfilling is seeing all the smiles along the parade route.”

For more information, visit the 2024 Downtown Hilo Christmas Lights Parade website.

The Hilo Parade kicks off the Big Island’s Christmas parade season. Here are the dates and times for the other upcoming parades:

• 31st Annual Pahoa Holiday Parade: December 7, 9 a.m. on Main Street.
• 64th Annual Waimea Twilight Christmas Parade: December 7th, 6 p.m.
• 21st Annual Keaʻau Lighted Christmas Parade: December 14th, 6 p.m.
• 40th Annual Kailua-Kona Community Christmas Parade: December 14th, 5 p.m.
• 2nd Annual Illuminated Pāhala Christmas Parade: December 14th, 6 p.m.

Although there will be no marching, the 9th Annual Lighted Boat Parade is also part of the Christmas parade. It begins December 8th at 6 p.m. at Kailua Bay in Kailua-Kona.

2nd Annual Christmas by the Bay

The 2024 Downtown Hilo Christmas Lights Parade isn’t the only holiday show in town today.

Be sure to check out the 2nd Annual Christmas by the Bay at Mo’oheau Park at 369 Kamehameha Ave. in downtown Hilo, hosted by the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association.

The event lasts until 8:00 p.m. and features a festive Christmas Village with delicious food trucks, unique craft vendors and live entertainment. Santa Claus and some of his elves are also there before the jolly old elf has to go on parade.

So bring your family and friends for a magical evening full of fun and festive cheer.