With Thanksgiving in the rear-view mirror, it is time to bring out the cheer for the December holidays. Here is your guide to some of the parades and events happening this weekend:
Friday, Dec. 5
Catch the touring Broadway show “Chicago.” Broadway’s Tony Award-winning “Chicago The Musical” is headed to Honolulu for one week in December. Broadway in Hawaiʻi will present performances which run through Dec. 7. The remaining shows are: Friday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 7, at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $50. Details.
Toys for Tots. Donate new, unwrapped toys for keiki to collection bins in South Shore Market or Ward Center through Dec. 8. Details.
Senior Giving Tree. Brighten the holidays for kūpuna across the state by selecting an ornament with a heartfelt “wish” from a local senior in need at Logos Bookstore, Whole Foods Market or T.J. Maxx within Ward Village through Dec. 8. The program is being hosted in partnership with Catholic Charities Hawai’i. The program is now in its 29th year and has fulfilled more than 12,000 wishes so far. Details.
Wahiawā Town Santa Parade. The Wahiawā Community & Business Association sponsored this parade, which is expected to have about 100 vehicles, 25 floats, five bands and about 1,500 marchers. It starts at Kaʻala Elementary School and proceeds to California Ave, ending at George Fred Wright Wahiawā District Park. Lanes will be closed from 5:30 p.m. until approximately 8:30 p.m. Free. Details.
Saturday, Dec. 6
Hawaiian Mission Houses craft fair. Looking for the perfect holiday gift? Stop by the 54th Annual Holiday Craft Fair at Hawaiian Mission Houses from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. to check out island-crafted items from more than 40 vendors who are based in Hawai’i. There will be hand-blown glass, custom jewelry, woodwork, pottery, silk scarves, photography and more. Free. Details.
Santa Paws. Ready to take a photo with your pet and Santa? Attend the Hawaiian Humane Society’s Santa Paws holiday photoshoot event. This year, the event is slated to run from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the fourth floor of Macy’s in Ala Moana Shopping Center. Looking to give the gift of adoption this year? Check out pets up for adoption on Oʻahu and on Maui.
A Very Merry Fest. This two-day event runs Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7, and features a petting zoo, crafts, entertainment and more than 100 vendors, including gifts, food and more at the Navy Exchange Parking Lot. Free. Open to military and civilian guests. Details.
Kapolei City Lights (and parade!). The City and County of Honolulu will host this parade that starts at Fort Barrette and Kapolei Parkway and ends at Kealakapu Street. Roads will be closed from 4 p.m. to approximately 8 p.m. Kapolei City lights starts with a block party at 5 p.m. that features more than 60 local vendors, food and live music. The holiday parade begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the mayor’s tree lighting at 6:45 p.m. at Kapolei Hale. Free. Details.
Mililani Holiday Parade. The Mililani Lions Club is sponsoring this event which is expected to have 80 vehicles, five floats, two bands and 1,500 marchers. It starts at Mililani High School and proceeds to Miliani Town Center. Roads will be closed from 8:30 a.m. until approximately 11 a.m. Free. Details.
Kāneʻohe Christmas Parade. Kāneʻohe Christmas Parade, Inc. will sponsor this parade with 56 vehicles, 23 floats, seven bands and about 1,800 marchers. The parade starts at Windward Mall and ends at Castle High School. Roads will be closed from 9 a.m. until about 12:30 p.m. Free. Details.
Street Bikers United – Toys for Tots Caravan. This event sponsored by Street Bikers United Hawaiʻi and The Toy Parade Inc. is expected to have about 4,000 motorcycles. It starts at Magic Island and heads to Ala Moana Blvd, Kalākaua Avenue and Monsarrat Avenue before ending at the parking lots for the Tom Moffatt Waikīkī Shell. Roads will be closed from 10:30 a.m. until approximately noon. Free. Details.
Sunday, Dec. 7
Pearl Harbor Memorial Anniversary Parade. This event remembers the more than 2,400 lives lost in the Pearl Harbor attack on Dec. 7, 1941. As part of the event, Pearl Harbor Tours LLC is sponsoring a parade with about 60 vehicles, six floats, 10 bands, and about 3,000 marchers. It starts at Fort DeRussy and proceeds down Kalakaua Avenue to the grass area in front of Honolulu Zoo. Roads will be closed from 5:30 p.m. until approximately 7:30 p.m. Free. Details.
Steel Guitar Sunday. Head to Hula Grill Waikīkī to enjoy a new program of monthly steel guitar performances on the first Sunday of each month. Musicians perform from 10 a.m. until noon. The program was created in collaboration with steel guitar master Alan Akaka, who is the chairman of the Hawaii Institute for Music Enrichment and Learning Experiences, and director of Ke Kula Mele Hawaiʻi.
Mānoa Community Christmas Parade. East Mānoa Lions Club is sponsoring this event, which is expected to have 12 vehicles, five bands and 1,100 marchers. The parade starts at Noelani Elementary School and ends at Mānoa Valley District Park. Roads close at 4 p.m. and open at approximately 6 p.m. Free. Details.
Pearl City Christmas Parade. Sponsored by the Pearl City Shopping Center, this parade includes nine vehicles, 20 floats, one band and about 500 marchers. It starts at Momilani Elementary School and ends at Pearl City Shopping Center. Roads will be closed from 4 p.m. until approximately 6 p.m. Free. Details.
Learn about the 20-plus parades on O’ahu and even more on Neighbor Islands.
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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
