The Hilo Community Players is bringing the sounds of the holidays to Hilo with its annual “Christmas Cabaret.”
The group will be presenting the show in a drive-in format outside the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium this year for in-person festivities at a safe distance.
The evening will feature holiday classics, festive dances and traditional stories performed by many of Hilo’s biggest talents. There might even be an appearance from Santa Claus.
Those interested in attending can go to any of the four available shows. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated, and holiday concessions will be available.
The performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Saturday and Sunday, along with an additional show beginning at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
The parking lot will open one hour before show time, and attendees can bring chairs to sit outside their vehicles.
The Hilo Community Players is asking attendees to empty roof racks and to not bring any tents or pop-ups. To ensure everyone can partake in the holiday cheer, trucks, vans and other large vehicles will not be parked in the middle in the first three rows.
Audio for the show will be broadcast on FM radio as well as played on loudspeakers.
Restrooms will be available in the civic, and face masks will be required outside vehicles.
Next week, the group also will host an evening of holiday caroling in Kalakaua Park.
From 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 23, the players will be singing favorite holiday songs with help from the crowd.
Holiday snacks will be available, and all donations will benefit Friends of Kalakaua Park, a local coalition of nonprofits that helps to restore and maintain the beauty of the park in downtown Hilo.
Santa Claus will be in attendance, and at dark, the park’s Christmas tree will be lit in celebration of the holiday weekend.
For more information the group’s holiday events, visit www.HiloPlayers.org
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com
