Top 25 spooktacular Halloween things to do on the Big Island for Oct. 26-Nov. 1

The Big Island is getting into the Halloween spirit this week with so many activities and events lined up that it was hard to come up with just 20.

So we added five more, but still couldn’t fit all of the spooktacular events in our top 25.

There are haunted houses, trick or treating, live punk rock music, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and plenty of chills, thrills and treats for the entire family to celebrate Halloween no matter where you are on the island.

And don’t forget your costume!

Here’s our Halloween top 25 things to do on the Big Island from Oct. 26 through Nov. 1.

No. 1 — Big Island Substance Abuse Council third annual Trunk or Treat (Hilo, Oct. 28)

Started during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way for families to safely take their kids trick-or-treating, this drive-through experience has now grown into an annual event. More than 1,300 people attended last year.

The event from 2 to 4 p.m. at Shipman Business Park in Kea‘au will feature local businesses and nonprofit organizations in a fun alternative to the traditional door-to-door tricks and treats.

For more information, watch a YouTube video from last year’s event or call the Big Island Substance Abuse Council at 808-969-9994.

No. 2 — Every Kid Outdoors Halloween Celebration (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Oct. 28)

Two national park locations will have Halloween fun for the entire family from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Come to Kīlauea Visitor Center to decorate a park-themed mask and then explore the trails to look for clues and earn charms for the mask. At the Kahuku Visitor Contact Station, enjoy the third annual Halloween Bingo Scavenger Hunt.

Return to the visitor centers after all the fun for a treat bag provided by the Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association. Costumes are encouraged.

If you have a fourth-grader in the family, park entrance is free! Just complete the online activity and print the paper voucher to bring to the park in exchange for a fourth-grade pass.

For more information, click here.

No. 3 — Boo at the Zoo (Hilo, Oct. 29)

The Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation and Friends of the Pana‘ewa Zoo presents the first-ever Halloween-themed event from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens, located at 800 Stainback Highway. It promises to be a delightful blend of chills and thrills for the entire family.

The zoo will become a place where trick-or-treaters can safely indulge in their favorite Halloween traditions, surrounded by the enchanting atmosphere of the rainforest. Attendees can look forward to animal tours, story hour, food vendors, face painting, puppet shows and a keiki costume contest.

For more information, contact Mindy Runnells at 808-959-7224.

No. 4 — Candy Crawl (Kailua-Kona, Oct. 28)

Keauhou Shopping Center, located at 78-6831 Ali‘i Drive, invites the community to celebrate the fall season from 2 to 6 p.m. with a free family-friendly event in the courtyard featuring free Halloween activities for all ages, including trick-or-treating, face painting, balloon twisting, glitter tattoo art, bounce houses, a costume contest, a photo booth and live music.

Parents must register their children to trick or treat, with one ticket per child. Only the child needs a ticket. Check-in for the event will begin at 2 p.m.

For more information, click here.

No. 5 — Kona Winds and Trunk or Treat with the Kona Racing Association (Kailua-Kona, Oct. 28)

Drop by Kona Commons Shopping Center, located at 74-5450 Makala Boulevard, and enjoy seasonal music with the Kamuela Philharmonics Orchestra’s Kona Winds and a spooktacular Trunk or Treat event with the Kona Racing Association.

Kona Winds is brewing up some familiar and frightful musical treats at 5 p.m. The group will play spine-tingling pieces in the area fronting Jean’s Warehouse.

You can also get an early start to Halloween by joining the Kona Racing Association in the Kona Commons parking lot across from Office Max from 4 to 7 p.m. for a Trunk or Treat family experience. Costumes are optional.

Both events are free, family friendly and open to the public.

No. 6 — Halloween Spook-Tacular (Waimea, Oct. 31)

Join the residents of Waimea’s Lua Lai community, located next door to Waimea Elementary School, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Halloween for this trick-or-treat event that will have you howling with delight.

Witches, werewolves and vampires are welcome during this fang-tastic outing sponsored by the Rotary Club of North Hawai‘i and Parker School. The event provides families and their keiki with a walkable and safe environment for trick-or-treating.

No. 7 — The Lost Plantation at the Haunted Palace (Hilo, Oct. 27-28)

Enter if you dare to visit the ghouls and goblins residing behind the scenes of the historic Palace Theater, located at 38 Haili St. Once a year, they come out to run amuck and cause chaos. You’ll be unleashed into the Lost Plantation to experience the horrors that await.

The Haunted Palace is open 7 to 10 p.m. on both days. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

The event, which uses flashing strobe lights, heavy fog and loud sound effects, takes about 15 to 20 minutes to walk through, depending on your party’s pace.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

No. 8 — Boo Bash Teen Dance (Hilo, Oct. 28)

Teen Dance is open to all middle school & high school students. $15 pre-sale (cash only) – tickets available at YMCA office. $20 at the door (cash only). Doors open at 6 p.m. & close at 6:30 p.m. Doors re-open at 9:30 p.m. for teen pick-up. Light meal provided with each ticket. Benefit for the YMCA’s Junior Leader Program.

Island of Hawai‘i YMCA, located at 500 W. Lanikaula St.

For more information, contact the YMCA at 808-935-3721

No. 9 — In the Spirit of Dia de los Muertos (Hilo, Oct. 28)

The Hilo Public Library, located at 300 Waiānuenue Ave., is hosting a day to remember loved ones lost in celebration of Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead.

Ars and crafts made in remembrance of honored ‘ohana will take place from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in honor of this holiday that reunites the living and dead. The event will be hosted by Kozmo Mimzi and ‘Ohana Arts

No. 10 — Youth Arts Series fourth annual Haunted House: The Terrible Toy Box (Hilo, Oct. 27-29 and Oct. 31)

Enter the Terrible Toy Box, an unsettling land where the misfit toys rule.

This art-based sculptural installation at the East Hawai‘i Cultural Center, located at 141 Kalākaua St., features pieces created by Hawai‘i Science and Technology Museum, Hilo High School Art Club, Monika Mann, Waiākea Intermediate School Art Club, Marisa Miyashiro and Emi Kobayashi, Kellie Miyazu, Rayne-Ann Kusano and the cultural center’s Fall Break Halloween Camp students.

The haunted house will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 27; noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 28, which will also include a Toys For Tots toy drive and spooky hours from 3 to 5 p.m.; 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 29; and 4 to 7 p.m. on Halloween, which is all spooky hours.

Admission is by donation. The event is a fundraiser for the Youth Arts Series. Proceeds will go toward continuing youth programs at East Hawai‘i Cultural Center.

No. 11 — Monsta Mash (Hilo, Oct. 27)

Get ready for a spooktacular night of monstrous fun from 7 to 10 p.m. at The Arc of Hilo, located at 1099 Waiānuenue Ave., where ghouls and goblins party.

This frightfully fun evening will include live music by Ol’ School Band, DJ by Pepe, light pupus, no-cost cocktails and dancing. The event is perfect for all ages.

Dress up in your favorite costume and come enjoy the Halloween spirit. Cost to attend is $25. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

No. 12 — “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (Hilo, Oct. 31)

The historic Palace Theater, located at 38 Haili St., continues its Halloween tradition of showing this cult classic that begs for audience participation and getting lost in a time warp.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and a costume contest hosted by Lady Lily La Douce begins at 8:15 p.m. The movie starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and the night of the show if you come in costume or $15 at the door without a costume. You also can pay $17 for general admission and get a participation kit.

Participation kits, which can be purchased in advance or at the door, can be picked up in the Palace lobby on the night of the event. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

No. 13 — Experience the Magic of Samhain: A Night of Dance and Entertainment (Kalapana, Oct. 28)

Step into the mystical world of Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival that marks the boundary between the light and dark halves of the year.

Come to The Oasis, at 12-4575 Pahoa Kalapana Road in Kalapana, from 7 to 10 p.m. and celebrate this special occasion with a night of music, dance and community, including a performance circle, fire spinning and a Witches and Wizards costume contest.

Tickets are $20, with 20% of the proceeds going to assist those affected by the Maui wildfires.

No. 14 — Zombie Apocalypse Fun Run Spooktacular! (Pahoa, Oct. 28)

Join the Arts and Sciences Center, located at 15-1397 Homestead Road in Pahoa, and dress up in your favorite Halloween costume for this fun run and carnival from noon to 5 p.m., with a full free day of thrilling activities, delicious treats and lot of entertainment and laughter.

There’s something for everyone, even if you’re not into the spookiness of a zombie-themed run. There will be vendors and you can purchase carnival cash to play the games. There will also be spooky story performances in the Hawai‘i Academy of Arts and Science Drama Club’s black box theater to round out the evening.

For more information, click here or email to [email protected].

No. 15 — KTA Puainako annual Haunted House (Hilo, Oct. 27-31)

After having to take a pause the last few years, KTA’s annual Haunted House returns for the 11th year at KTA Puainako, located at 50 E Puainako St. This A’MAZE’ing Adventure will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. daily on the grocery story’s sidewalk.

The event is free. Non-perishable food donations will be accepted for The Food Basket, Hawai‘i Island’s food bank.

No. 16 — Lanihau-lloween (Kailua-Kona, Oct. 27)

Get ready for a free spooktacular night of candy, family fun and incredible Halloween-themed Jeeps from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Lanihau Center, located at 75-5595 Palani Road.

Whether you’re a Jeep enthusiast or just looking for a fun and safe way to celebrate Halloween, this event is perfect. Put on your best costumes and bring your friends and family along for an unforgettable evening filled with thrills, chills and lots of sweets.

Festivities will include trick-or-treating with Big Island Jeep Club and at participating Lanihau merchants, face painting by CynthiArtistry and Big Island Face Painter Jennifer Mydock, spooky live music by DJ Syf, balloon artists from Circ Du Latte, a magic show by Alexander the Amazing and keiki activities with Hawai‘i Keiki Museum.

No. 17 — HalloQueen Trick-or-Treat Event (Waikoloa, Oct. 31)

Are you looking for a hauntingly good time for this Halloween?

Queens’ Marketplace, located at 69-201 Waikōloa Beach Drive, has you covered from 4 to 7 p.m. with a brew of wickedly fun activities, including spine-chilling giveaways, a ghostly game graveyard, creepy face painting and a cauldron brimming with candy.

Every monster, mummy and witch are welcome, so bring your ‘ohana and get into the spirit. Admission is free.

No. 18 — Halloween Fun Fest (Holualoa, Oct. 29)

Kuleana Education, located at 74-4820 Māmalahoa Highway, invites everyone out from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a wicked good time to celebrate Halloween.

Entry is free. The event will include bounce houses, games, crafts, a human maze, a haunted house, a selfie station, face painting, Halloween kids’ tattoos, prizes and food and drinks.

All games cost one ticket each. Crafts, tattoos, face painting, the haunted house and the human maze vary between one and three tickets each. The bounce houses cost $10 for unlimited bounce.

To purchase tickets for the rides and other activities in advance, click here.

No. 19 — Scary Ghost Stories Read Aloud (Volcano, Oct. 29)

Volcano Garden Arts and Cafe Ono, located at 19-3834 Old Volcano Road, invite the Big Island to enjoy some scary stories from 2 to 5 p.m., presented by the Volcano Writers Group.

Wine and refreshments will be available. For more information, call 808-224-0107.

No. 20 — Halloween Family Fun Festival (Hilo, Oct. 26-29)

Join the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association for a spooktacular time from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 26-27 and noon to 8 p.m. Oct. 28-29 at Kalākaua Park, located at 136 Kalākaua St.

This free family-friendly and alcohol event will feature games, vendors, a photo booth, scavenger hunts, crafts, live entertainment and more. There’s even a pumpkin patch in the spooky farm. Costumes are encouraged.

No. 21 — Hilo-ween Party (Hilo, Oct. 28)

Puna Chocolate Co. at 277 Keawe St. invites all ghouls and goblins for a cup of creepy coffee all day and special spooky Halloween cocktails all night to get into the spirit of the holiday.

The party from 6 to 10 p.m. will also include a costume contest at 8 p.m., so be sure to come in your Halloween best. You might even win free coffee for a week, gift cards, chocolate and more.

For more information, call 808-489-9899.

No. 22 — Funk N Roll Halloween Dance Party (Hilo, Oct. 30)

Get monster mashed with the Hot Potaytahs on the stage at the historic Palace Theater, located at 38 Haili St. Shake your groove thang to funky classics, rocking covers and piping fresh originals performed live.

Doors, the box office and concessions open at 6:30 p.m. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 and available in advance. Beer, wine and food also will be available for purchase the night of the show.

For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.

No. 23 — Ninth annual Haunted Maze and Scavenger Hunt (Hakalau, Oct. 28-29)

The annual Haunted Maze at Botanical World Adventures, located at 31-240 Old Māmalahoa Highway, is a must-do for thrill-seekers ages 13 and older. The maze is filled with monsters, ghosts and other scary creatures. Be prepared to scream from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 28.

For a more family-friendly Halloween experience, check out the Keiki Scavenger Hunt from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 29. Children will search for hidden objects throughout the park, with prizes for the winners.

Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. There also will be free Halloween treats and non-perishable food donations will be accepted for the Food Pantry. Donated funds will go to support victims of the Maui wildfires through the Salvation Army.

No. 24 — Fifth annual Fly Around Hilo Bay (Hilo, Oct. 29)

Calling all witches! Get into your best witchy look and join the coven to ride out on Hilo Bay on your paddleboards, kayaks or whatever you have that floats in full witch regalia.

Witches will meet at 9 a.m. at Reed’s Bay. The ride begins at 9:30 a.m. Warlocks also are always welcome. Bring a potluck item and libations to share after the ride.

No. 25 — Punk Rock Halloween Party and Costume Contest (Hilo, Oct. 28)

Tides of Tragedy and Trey Wonder and the Graveyard Thunder will rock the stage with DJ John Gonzalas keeping the comical shenanigans flowing with spooky music and a costume contest from 6 to 9 p.m. at Kukuau Studio, located at 43 Kukuau St.

Not only is it a punk rock Halloween, but there are some fabulous prizes for costume contest winners, which will be announced at the end of the night. The bands will be judging crowd appreciation for the best costumes and ultimately decide the winner.

The grand prize for best costume is $200 and free band T-shirts. There also will be three runners-up.

Cost to attend is $10 at the door. All ages are welcome.