Top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Oct. 24-30: Don’t want to deal with Ironman crowds? Looking for something other than Halloween fun? We’ve got you covered

If braving the Ironman hoardes or Halloween hauntings aren’t necessarily your forte, there are plenty of other events and activities happening around the Big Island that can keep you and the family busy.

There’s a United Nations Day celebration on Friday at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, showing off the amazing diversity of the campus that is home to about 250 students from nearly 40 different countries.

Catch the premier of a new “Haole Do It” episode at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea that will include a community gathering and musical performances by Brother Noland and friends.

You can also take a tour of the solar system without ever leaving Waimea during this year’s Solar System Walk, which will include a special 45th birthday celebration for the Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope.

The 26th annual A Taste of Hilo, the annual culinary showcase featuring an array of delicious dishes and beverages crafted by more than 30 of Hawai‘i Island’s finest chefs and food purveyors, is on Sunday at Sangha Hall in Hilo.

And don’t miss the 10th annual East Hawai‘i Jazz & Blues Festival on Sunday at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, featuring a lavish pupu buffet, dessert station, wine and beer tasting, no-host bar and plenty of music.

That’s not all. Here are our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Oct. 24-30.

No. 1 — United Nations Day (Hilo, Oct. 25)

When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Edwin H. Mo‘okini Library lānai, 200 W. Kāwili St.

Come experience the geographic diversity of the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.

The university is home to about 250 international students from nearly 40 different countries around the globe. The annual International Student Association event is intended to engage the campus community and educate about these different countries — their achievements, characteristics and challenges — as well as bring international students together and highlight their presence on campus.

The celebration features a parade of nations, informational displays and special cultural performances. For more information, click here.

No. 2 — “Haole Do It” — Community Gathering (Waimea, Oct. 25)

When: 7 p.m.; activities begin at 5 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

This community celebration features the wonderfully talented and hard-working people of Waimea featured on this locally produced TV series. Bring the ‘ohana to learn about the good work they do and how you can do it, too.

There will be a kapa demonstration by Roen Hufford. Learn about the Kapa Hui, Ulu Mau Puanui, The Kohala Center, Hāmākua Harvest, Pūnana Leo O Waimea, Nā Kāla Wa’a and more. Then, on the main stage, Brother Noland and friends will perform, there will be a “Haole Do It” episode premier and a question-and-answer session.

Reserved seats are required for the performance portion of the night; however, tickets are “pay what you want.” Click here to reserve your seats.

No. 3 — Meet October Artist-in-Residence Stan Honda (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Oct. 26)

When: 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Location: Kahuku Unit Visitor Center Station (Kahuku entrance is located in Kaʻū, near the 70.5 mile marker off Highway 11)

This award-winning photojournalist and night-sky photographer couldn’t have asked for better timing to work in the park as the National Parks Arts Foundation artist-in-residence. There’s been a supermoon, an eclipse and a very cooperative comet to photograph.

Come meet Honda as he shares some of his work from Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park as well as others. This well-known New York-based artist is bound to draw a crowd, so arrive early.

No. 4 — Waimea Solar System Walk and Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope’s 45th Birthday Party (Waimea, Oct. 26)

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Start at W.M. Keck Observatory headquarters, 65-1120 Māmalahoa Highway, and end at Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope offices, 65-1238 Māmalahoa Highway

Come take a trip through the solar system without ever leaving the Big Island. The free, family friendly walk winds through Waimea, while along the way exploring fascinating facts about planets and other cosmic objects during a guided journey. Keiki who make it to the end will receive prizes from the tent at Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope along with Halloween goodies.

To mark the Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope’s 45th birthday, the traditional BBQ lunch at the end of the walk is being expanded this year to include a bounce castle, face painting, charity dunk tank with donations benefiting the Waimea Middle School mentoring program, the band Subject to Change and more.

The annual Solar System Walk Costume Contest will also be at 1 p.m. at Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope, with prizes for all ages.

No. 5 — East Side Seed Exchange (Pāhoa, Oct. 26)

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: La‘akea Permaculture Community, 13-3844 Alaili Road

This free community event is more than just a way to exchange and give away local seeds. Come swap growing information. Meet your neighbors and other innovative thinkers. Let your community know about your projects and groups related to permaculture and gardening.

You can bring seeds, plants, cuttings or keiki, just be sure to clear all plants of fire ants. But bringing something isn’t even required. If you do, bring it to give away only, but you can give out information about your business. Consider applying to give a short presentation about your project or farm, or how to grow certain foods or deal with certain pests.

Also, bring a potluck dish for lunch, and if you use local foods, that’s even better.

For more information or to apply to give a presentation, click here.

No. 6 — 2nd Wai‘ono Brewfest (Hilo, Oct. 26)

When: 2 to 6 p.m.

Location: Grand Naniloa Hotel Volcanoes Golf Club, 120 Banyan Drive

Presented by Laupaʻi, the brewfest raises funds for the organization that promotes health, wellness, guidance and education for youth of the Keaʻau community, more specifically the residents of the Keaʻau ahupuaʻa, through the use of Hawaiian language and perspectives.

More than 50 drink selections will be featured along with various food vendors, food trucks, music, yard games and much more. Must be 21 years old or older to attend. Tickets start at $69 for general admission.

Click here to purchase your tickets. For more information, click here.

No. 7 — An Evening with Jake (Waimea, Oct. 26)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

ʻUkulele master Jake Shimabukuro has taken the instrument to heights never before seen, mesmerizing audiences since gaining prominence in the early 2000s with his innovative and dynamic style. The local phenom was taught to play as a 4-year-old by his mother and now has more than a knack for moving effortlessly between genres.

Early in his solo career, he became a YouTube sensation when his cover of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” went viral. Since then, Jake has played in the world’s most venerable venues and has collaborated with some of the world’s greatest musicians.

Tickets start at $40. Click here to buy yours today.

No. 8 — 26th annual A Taste of Hilo (Hilo, Oct. 27)

When: 1 to 3 p.m.

Location: Sangha Hall, 424 Kīlauea Ave.

East Hawai‘i’s premier annual culinary showcase returns, featuring an array of delicious dishes and beverages crafted by more than 30 of Hawai‘i Island’s finest chefs and food purveyors. Enjoy sweet and savory treats and sample locally crafted beer, wine and sake.

This year’s featured chef is Hawai‘i Community College’s Culinary Program lab manager and lecturer Tori Hiro, who is also a graduate of the program. A Taste of Hilo is a fundraiser for Hawai‘i Community College, and culinary students actively participate by hosting a food station, providing them with hands-on experience in the field.

The popular silent auction is live online now, with a wide range of items available donated by local businesses, including rounds of golf, hotel stays, restaurant gift cards, snorkel and zipline tours and more. Winners can pick up their auction items during the event.

Tickets are available for pre-sale, $75, and can be purchased online.

No. 9 — 10th annual East Hawai‘i Jazz & Blues Festival (Hilo, Oct. 27)

When: 1 to 6 p.m.

Location: Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, 71 Banyan Drive

This is one of the most popular music events on the Big Island, drawing sell-out crowds. The afternoon of non-stop food, drinks and multiple jazz groups is conducted annually on the last Sunday of October and is the signature fundraising event for Hawai‘i Island Veterans Memorial Inc.

The program features a lavish pupu buffet, dessert station, wine and beer tasting, no-host bar and plenty of music, with some of Hawai‘i’s finest jazz and blues musicians along with highly acclaimed artists from the mainland.

Tickets start at $80. Click here for additional information, including this year’s featured artists, or to purchase tickets today.

No. 10 — 20th anniversary Free Spirit Film Festival (Pāhoa, Oct. 29-31)

When: 6 p.m. each night

Location: Hawaiian Sanctuary, 13-3194 Pāhoa-Kalapana Road

Celebrate 20 years of the smallest — but perhaps most unique — film festival in the world.

This year’s event will present 9 of the most enchanting films from around the globe as a rare treat, as they will never be seen in any regular theater. The 20th edition of the film festival promises an enriching and memorable experience.

For more information, inluding a lineup of films, click here. To purchase tickets, click here.

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Want to check for yourself what’s going on around the island?

We admit. We can’t fit everything going on each week in our top 10. So here are websites for some popular Big Island venues that you can peruse to discover other events, activities, shows, festivals or workshops that pique your interest.

• Aloha Theatre, Kealakekua: https://apachawaii.org/
• Blue Dragon Tavern, Kawaihae: https://www.bluedragontavern.com/
• Donkey Mill Art Center, Hōlualoa: https://donkeymillartcenter.org/
• East Hawai‘i Cultural Center, Hilo: https://ehcc.org/
• Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
• Hilo Town Market, Hilo: https://hilotownmarket.co/events
• Hilo Town Tavern, Hilo (on Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041333509786
• Honoka‘a People’s Theatre, Honoka‘a: https://www.honokaapeople.com/
• Kahilu Theatre, Waimea: https://kahilu.org/
• Keauhou Shopping Center, Kailua-Kona: https://keauhoushoppingcenter.com/experience/
• Kona Commons, Kailua-Kona: https://www.konacommons.com/events
• Lava Shack, Pāhoa (on Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/lavashackpahoa/?hl=en
• Lyman Museum, Hilo: https://lymanmuseum.org/
• MyBar Kona, Kailua-Kona: https://www.mybarkona.com/
• Palace Theater, Hilo: https://hilopalace.com/
• University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Performing Arts Center, Hilo: https://artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu/
• Volcano Art Center, Volcano: https://volcanoartcenter.org/
• Wailoa Center, Hilo: https://www.wailoacenter.com/
• Willy’s Hot Chicken, Kailua-Kona: https://willieshotchicken.com/