KAPOLEI, Hawaii — The holidays are just around the corner and in preparation, the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation announced the opening of block party vendor and parade participant applications for this year’s opening night festivities of Kapolei City Lights on Saturday, Dec. 9.

The block party takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. near Kapolei Hale, with the parade beginning at 6 p.m. from Kapolei High School and then proceeding down Kapolei Parkway to Kapolei Hale.

Applications for block party food and non-food vendors and parade participants are due by 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27 and are available on the Kapolei City Lights website.

People can also pick up physical copies at Kapolei Hale (1000 Uluohia St., Suite 309, Kapolei, HI) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.

The 2023 theme, “A Westside Wonderland,” will feature decorations inspired by the historical, cultural and recreational aspects of Leeward communities from Waipahu to Kaena Point.

Decorations will be on display from Dec. 9 through Jan. 2, 2024. Viewing hours of the decorations inside Kapolei Hale and additional details about opening night festivities will be announced via the KCL website and social media channels.

Honolulu City Lights, centered around Honolulu Hale, will hold its Public Workers’ Electric Light Parade and opening night festivities on Saturday, Dec. 2. Information is available on the Honolulu City Lights website.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.