Parade Guidelines
The East Hawaii Lions Clubs are excited to once again host this year's Hilo Christmas Parade. We are thrilled that you have chosen to join us in celebrating the start of the 2025 holiday season, and look forward to sharing the joy and anticipation of the holidays with family, friends and our community.
To ensure that we all enjoy the festivities and provide everyone a joyous experience, please look through the following information, guidelines, rules & regulations for this much anticipated event.
We encourage everyone participating in the parade to adhere to the following guidelines:
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Parade will start promptly at 6:00 pm.
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Parking in staging areas are limited to designated registered entrants only.
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All entrants (except large floats) are to report to the Piopio Street check-in station at 4:00 pm. and staged in their respective areas by 5:00 pm. Staging numbered signs will be posted.
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Large float entrants are to check-in at the grass area directly across the Texaco Fuel Station along Kamehameha Avenue.
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All floats are to be completely constructed prior to check-in. Touch up's are allowed on site.
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All vehicles must be operated by a licensed driver.
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As there will be a Contest to vote for your favorites; be sure that your entrant number and participant name is illuminated as much as possible, that it is visible for spectators to see who you are and are able to vote accordingly.
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Drop-off of marching band participants will be at the Piopio Street entrance, and will exit through the Wailoa Art Center and Hawaii State Building parking lot.
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All roadways will close at 5:30pm, therefore any entrants making their way to check-in after 5:30pm may be turned away, so please allow sufficient time for check-in and staging prior to road closure.
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Parade route will start on Kamehameha Ave, left on Pauahi St, right on to Kilauea Ave, onto Keawe St, right on Waianuenue Ave, return along Kamehameha Ave and end at Pauahi St.
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Please be mindful of debris and trash in your staging areas. Leave your area cleaner than you found it.
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Maintain a 50-foot distance (estimated (2) car-lengths) from the group in front of you while on the route. Participants are not to stop nor hold up the flow of the parade.
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Please see the Rules & Regulations section for more information.
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Should there be any changes to the guidelines listed above, an e-mail will be sent to the person of contact listed in the registration and are to inform their group of such changes.
If you have any questions or concerns of any of the guidelines mentioned above, please send us an e-mail at: hilolightparade22@gmail.com
We look forward to seeing you all and excited to see you showcase your holiday spirit at the parade!
Mahalo nui,
The East Hawaii Lions Clubs
Rules and Regulations
1. ENTRY FEES: No entry fee are required to participate. However, creativity, imagination and a lot of holiday spirit is a must.
2. PARTICIPATION: Participation is voluntary. Everyone is encouraged to enjoy themselves in a safe manner. Compliance to the Guidelines, Rules and Regulations & acceptance of the Participant's Agreement is required. All entries are subject to Parade Committee approval. Entrants will be notified of admittance status prior to start of event.
3. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: All registrations are to be submitted by Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
4. DRUG & ALCOHOL-FREE COMMUNITY EVENT: As this is a family-friendly community event, no alcohol beverages, drugs or intoxicating substances are to be consumed or used at any time at or during the staging period; during the procession or clean-up periods of the event.
5. SANTA CLAUS: As Santa will be featured at the end of the parade, no other in-person Santa will be allowed. However, Santa decorations are OK.
6. NO THROWING OF CANDY OR OBJECTS: There will be no throwing of objects or candies from walkers or vehicles, as it poses a safety hazard to both parade participants and spectators. All object/candy distributions are to be handed to spectators by walkers only. Distribution of solicitation materials/donation requests or sales from entrants are not permitted at any time during the parade.
5. DECORATIONS & LIGHTS: Although there are no restrictions of the type of decorations or lighting to be used, please ensure that all materials used are securely fastened to the vehicle or float/trailers, and it does not interfere with utility or other wires, lights and objects along the route. All participants are responsible for the proper disposal of their decorations before, during and after the parade.
6. NO HONKING: Due to public complaints, no participant at any time are permitted to honking of horns along the parade route.
6. PLACEMENT IN PARADE LINE-UP: All participants placement and respective staging locations will be e-mailed to the person of contact listed on the initial registration. It is the responsibility of the contact person to inform their group of their placement information.
7. EMERGENCY VEHICLES: If at any time emergency vehicles are needing to pass through the parade route, all participants are to move the the right-most side of the roadway to allow passage.
8. SANCTIONS: Any participant in violation of the mentioned Rules and Regulations or act in such a manner deemed dangerous to the public or other participants will be, at the discretion of the Hilo Christmas Parade Committee, removed from the event and/or not allowed to participate in future parades.
9. PARADE COMMITTEE & VOLUNTEERS: There will be many East Hawaii Lions Club members stationed along the route that may answer any questions you may have. Please be courteous and respectful, as they are volunteering in various capacities to bring this special event to our community.
