Over the next three weeks, communities across every county on the Big Island are invited to celebrate the holidays with parades and festivities.

The annual Downtown Hilo Lights Parade on Saturday kicks off the holiday season with 69 groups creating floats with the theme “Christmas around the world, may it be merry and bright.”

Each year, four Lions Club groups – Akaka Falls, Hilo Crescent City, Waiakea and Hilo – form the East Hawaiʻi Lions Club and work together to organize the parade.

“Planning for next year begins as soon as the parade is complete,” said parade coordinator Nate Tajon. “The fundraising committee is beginning work to launch a campaign by the first quarter of next year.”

To make things a little different this year, organizers created more categories for parade viewers to vote for their favorite entries. Members of the Hilo High Leo Club will participate in the parade using QR codes that direct viewers to the voting website.

“We came up with some fun, imaginative categories so that participants have a greater chance of being recognized,” Tajon said. “We also wanted to provide spectators an easier way to participate and vote immediately after the parade.”

• The Kaiaulu Award is the “People’s Choice” award
• The Menehune Magic Award is given for the best contribution with children
• The Holiday Mele Award is given to the entry with the best musical performance
• The Festive Trooper Award is presented for the best marching or walking entry
• The Shakakalikimaka Prize goes to the entry with the most spirited participants
• The Winter Buggy Award is given for the best presentation on wheels
• The Fruitcake Award is the entry with the most humorous performance

The parade route starts from Piopio Street and turns left onto Pauahi Street. Next, it turns right onto Kīlauea Avenue and continues onto Keawe Street. It turns right onto Waiānuenue Avenue and then right again onto Kamehameha Avenue to end at Bishop Street. This route is closed from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m

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

There will be no parking on a portion of Keawe Street and along Waiānuenue Avenue between Keawe and Kamehameha Avenues.

The Mainstreet Pāhoa Association’s 31st Annual Pāhoa Holiday Parade will be held Dec. 7 starting at 9 a.m. with the theme “E hoʻolauleʻa i ka ʻāina a me ke kai – Celebrating the Land and Sea.”

Hawaii Police will lead the parade down Old Pāhoa Village Road, starting at Apaʻa Road and ending at Pāhoa High and Intermediate School. The road will be closed to traffic from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m

The Pāhoa Hoʻolaulea will watch the parade from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pāhoa High and Intermediate School with food, crafts, games, music, photos with Santa and holiday shopping.

The 64th Annual Waimea Twilight Christmas Parade will also be held Dec. 7 with the theme “A Waimea Christmas Memory.”

The parade starts at 6:00 p.m. It leaves Waimea Park, turns left on Kawaihae Road across from Habitat for Humanity Restore, turns left on Mamalahoa Highway to drive through downtown, turns right on Pukalani Road and turns right on Ala at the end ʻOhia from Kalani Schutte Waimea District Park.

From 5:55 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., cars will not be allowed along the parade route and there will be no east-west or west-east traffic through Waimea during the parade.

This year, the Big Island Giving Tree Bucket Brigade will spread out along the parade route before the first floats pass by, giving spectators a chance to support their holiday work helping those in need.

Food trucks will be stationed at two food zones along the longer parade route. The first zone will be located behind Waimea Elementary and Middle School in the gravel area and the second zone will be in the Pukalani Stables parking lot.

The final three parades in Kailua-Kona, Keaʻau and Pahala will end the holiday season on December 14th.

Prior to its second annual parade, Pahala will host its first tree lighting ceremony with food vendors and hula performances at the Pahala Plantation Cottages on December 13 at 6 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to bring chairs to the event.

“After we held our first parade last year and had everyone come together, we wanted to make it a weekend of festivities,” said organizer Shai Lopez-Castaneda. “I think it’s important to keep the traditions and just have time to celebrate with friends and family.”

The Second Annual Illuminated Pahala Christmas Parade begins December 14th at 6:00 p.m. The route begins at Pikake Street, 96-3207 Maile Street, turn right on Kamani Street, turn right at Kaʻu Hospital, loop and turn again at Kamani ending at Pahala Community Center.

“Last year there were several participants in the parade and the streets were full of people, which is amazing for our small town,” Lopez-Castaneda said. “This year we invite everyone to stay at the community center and enjoy free chili bowls, hot dogs and photos with Santa.”

On Friday, part of Kamani Street will be closed from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Saturday, Kamani and Pikake streets will be closed from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m

The 40th annual Kailua-Kona Community Christmas Parade will be held on December 14th from 5 to 7 p.m. and has the theme: “Magical Storybook Christmas.”

The parade begins at the Kekuaokalani High School parking lot near the Kona Community Aquatic Center and winds along Kuakini Highway to Palani Street and down Aliʻi Drive through the village of Kailua.

Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket volunteers will walk along the parade route collecting food donations from parade spectators. Everyone is encouraged to bring canned goods or non-perishable food donations.

Rounding out the holiday parades is the 21st annual Keaʻau Lighted Christmas Parade, beginning at 6 p.m. on December 14, with the theme: “Christmas Joy for 21 Years.”

The parade begins at Keaʻau High School and travels down Keaʻau-Pahoa Road to end downtown.