By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer

An unusually high number of parades and street parties this week could raise the stress level of drivers who don't plan their outings carefully. It's a good time to consider taking a bus or bike if you're headed into any of the affected areas.

The biggest event, of course, is Sunday's Honolulu Marathon, which this year expects to have more than 35,000 runners and result in the closing of some lanes of traffic and blocking some intersections from downtown Honolulu to Hawai'i Kai and back.

Officials say some lane and intersection closings will be necessary on a floating basis from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. Among the roadways that will be closed during that time:

• H-1 Freeway at Wai'alae off-ramp to 'Aina Koa Avenue.
• Kalaniana'ole Highway, makai half closed for runners between 'Aina Koa Avenue and Kawaihae Street; mauka half converted to contra flow.
• Kalaniana'ole Highway, all lanes closed from Kawaihae Street to Keahole Street.

Here's a day-by-day look at other events that could disrupt traffic through the rest of the week:

Thursday

• Diamond Head Duet run: 8 to 10 a.m. This Hono-lulu Marathon Association event expects about 400 runners on the streets around Diamond Head.
• Kaimuki Christmas Parade, a traditional traffic stopper: 6 to 8 p.m. More than 2,000 marchers, 25 vehicles, three floats and five bands. Wai'alae Avenue from the St. Louis School grounds to Koko Head Avenue.

Friday

• Celebrating Art in Life Street festival. Setup work for this event begins about 8 a.m. when two makai lanes of Kalakaua Avenue will be closed to set up a stage in front of the new Hono Group shopping complex. At about 3 p.m. all lanes of Kalakaua between Ala Moana Boulevard and Lewers Street will be closed to make way for an estimated 5,000 participants in the festival events, which continue well into the evening.
• Wahiawa Christmas Parade: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. 300 marchers, 10 vehicles, two floats and two bands. Starts at Ka'ala Elementary School to California to North Cane Street to Center Street.

Saturday

• Kane'ohe Christmas Parade: 9 to 11 a.m. 2,500 marchers, 20 vehicles, 10 floats, 10 bands. Starts at Windward Mall to Kamehameha Highway to Kane'ohe Bay Drive.
• 'Ewa Beach Christmas Parade: 9 to 11 a.m. 1,500 marchers, 50 vehicles and eight floats. 'Ilima Intermediate School to Fort Weaver Road to Kuhina Street to Hanakahi Street to North Road to Fort Weaver Road to 'Ilima Intermediate School.
• Gentry Waipi'o Christmas parade: 10 to 11 a.m. 150 marchers, 12 vehicles, three floats, one band. Gentry Waipi'o shopping center to Waipi'o Uka Street to Uke'e Street to Ka Uka Boulevard to Waipi'o Uka Street back to shopping center.
• Mayor's Christmas tree lighting ceremony and parade: 6 to 11 p.m. 500 marchers, 30 vehicles, seven bands. From 'A'ala Park to King Street to South Street. The area of King Street between Punchbowl and South streets will be closed the entire time.

Sunday

• Pearl City Christmas Parade: 4 to 5 p.m. 1,000 marchers, 20 vehicles and five floats. Momilani Elementary School to Ho'oiekie Street to Ho'omoana Street to Ho'olaulea Street to Pearl City Shopping center.

Mike Leidemann's Drive Time column runs Tuesdays. Reach him at 525-5460 or mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.

Correction: The Gentry Waipi'o Christmas parade is from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday. A wrong time appeared in a previous version of this column.