Top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Nov. 7-13: Kona Coffee Cultural Festival continues, Honoka‘a Renaissance Faire goes medieval, extravaganza kicks off holidays in Waimea and more

After this week, we’re sure everybody could use a simple does of good old-fashioned fun.

The Big Island is here to oblige.

There are still plenty of events left during this year’s 53rd annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, which runs through Sunday, including the ho‘olaule‘a and cultural activities at the Donkey Mill Art Center on Friday.

If you really want to take your mind off of current events, find your best druid robes, knight’s armor or everyday tunic and breeches to make the journey yonder to Honoka‘a Town and get transported to medieval times for the 3rd annual Renaissance Faire.

It’s that time of year, too, so put a little holiday spirit in your life by catching the 2nd annual Holiday Kickoff Extravaganza in Waimea. You can find gifts for loved ones — or pamper yourself — with a great lineup of vendors and have a ton of fun with the family playing games and getting the kids’ faces painted or henna for yourself.

Santa will be there, too!

The YWCA in Hilo is hosting a Fun Fair, the Kānaka Culinary Explosion is at Nani Mau Gardens in Hilo, the Big Island Fruit Festival is in Kailua-Kona, skaters from around the world are coming for a tournament in Waimea and stand-up comedian, podcaster, former collegiate athlete and social media personality Tumua will be live at the Kahilu Theatre in Waimea.

That’s not even all the fun to be had.

So take a break and relax for a bit. You definitely deserve it.

Here are our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Nov. 7-13.

No. 1 — 53rd annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival (Various locations throughout Kona, through Nov. 10)

When: Various times

Location: Various locations

Big Island community members and visitors from around the world are once again coming together in Kona for Hawai‘i’s oldest food festival that preserves, perpetuates and promotes the region’s unique and rich nearly 200-year coffee heritage and celebrates its cultural significance.

The festival offers something for everyone, with this year’s installment promising to immerse those who attend in the sights, sounds and flavors of Kona’s legendary coffee legacy like never before while sharing aloha, connecting with local farmers and honoring the generations of families who cultivated the art of growing Kona coffee.

There’s still plenty of fun and coffee to be had, including tonight with the Kona’s Got Talent Showcase and Latte Art Throw Down; Friday with Kona Mountain Coffee’s 17th Anniversary Celebration, the 100% Pure Kona Coffee Half Marathon, Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Ho’olaule’a and cultural activities at the Donkey Mill Art Center on Friday; and more this weekend.

For more information, event schedules and tickets, visit the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival website or follow the festival on social media @KonaCoffeeFest.

No. 2 — YWCA Fun Fair (Hilo, Nov. 9)

When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: YWCA of Hawai‘i Island, 145 Ululani St.

Are you looking for some good old-fashioned fun? Just a chance to get out with the family, enjoy the day and see fellow community members, friends and maybe even extended family members? Then this event is exactly up your alley.

The family friendly downtown block party will have food, crafts, games, live entertainment, a carnival and more.

Several local vendors will be part of the fun, too, including Big Island Luffa, Simply Kahiki, My Little Store HI, JM Designs, Eli Matheu’s World, Pour Over the Rainbow, Job Challenge Academy, Kaizen&Co., DnDSweets & Things, Cookielicious, Mailie’s Munchies, Faithfull Finds, RDW Designs, Momi’s Confections, Crafts by Harmony, Bubi’s Toy Bin, Unfinished Project, Munch n’ Bites, Poke Market and Hawaiian Telcom.

Don’t miss out on all the fun. Parking will be available at the Hilo Elks Lodge and St. Joseph Catholic Church.

No. 3 — Kānaka Culinary Explosion (Hilo, Nov. 9)

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

Location: Nani Mau Gardens, 421 Makalika St.

It’s a free celebration of Hawaiian food and cultural traditions that promises a lot of fun for the entire ʻohana.

Purchase amazing products made with aloha on Hawaiʻi Island from ʻAkaka Falls Farms, Hālau Hula Kauluola, Hawai’i ‘Ulu Cooperative, huiMAU hub, Kai(n), Kalo Kru x Ua Koko, Kanaeokana, Kū-A-Kanaka, Mahi‘ai Made, Mala Kaluulu, Mana Ceramics, Mau a mau, No ‘Ane‘i Kūlolo and Sweet Cane Cafe.

Enjoy cooking demonstrations, hands-on activities, a heat press, food sampling, La Ku’oko’a decorating and more while you learn to “Hawaiianize” your holiday cuisine. For more information, visit the Kū-A-Kanaka Facebook page.

No. 4 — 3rd annual Honoka‘a Renaissance Faire (Honoka‘a, Nov. 9)

When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Location: Honoka‘a Sports Complex, 45-541 ʻĀkia St., as well as throughout town

Hear ye! Hear ye! Let it be known throughout the land, by all lords and ladies, ’tis time again to prepare thyselves for merriment, magic and more in Honoka‘a Town.

Behold, as the Honoka‘a Business Association presents this extraordinary event that once again has activities for all ages free to attend. There will be food, drink, music, magic, art, crafts, fun and games — a party fit for everyone from jesters to kings. Be sure to bring some cash though, just in case vendors need to go a little medieval for payments.

Renaissance and fantasy garb also is encouraged — the more creative and colorful your costume, the better. Don’t miss the online silent auction that starts at 11 a.m. Nov. 9, which helps raise funds to support the event’s future. Text “Honokaa” to 56651 or click here to register.

Maps and schedules to plan your day around events will be available by scanning QR code flyers around town. Questions can be emailed to honokaarenfaire@gmail.com.

No. 5 — 2nd annual Holiday Kickoff Extravaganza (Waimea, Nov. 9)

When: 1 to 7 p.m.

Location: Hawaiian Homes Hall, 67-756 Māmalahoa Highway

It’s that time of the year! The holidays are here, so why not get into the mood?

Bring the entire family to shop, play children’s games, paint the kiddos’ faces or get a henna yourself. Check out the crafters and peruse the lineup of vendors like you’ve never seen before to get gifts for those hard-to-buy-for loved ones out of the way early.

When you get hungry, head to the food trucks and food vendors in the parking lot, where you’ll find seasonal favorites and more. You might even find a pumpkin spice churro or two. There also will be a seafood boil in the kitchen.

Oh! Santa will be here, too. So come have a great time and share the aloha.

No. 6 — ‘Ohana Movie Night: “Despicable Me 4” (Waikōloa, Nov. 9)

When: 6 p.m.

Location: Queens’ Marketplace, 69-201 Waikōloa Beach Drive

Get the family out of the house and enjoy a fall evening out with a movie in the Coronation Pavilion.

This Saturday, come watch the story of supervillain Gru, a man who delights in all things wicked, as he hatches a plan to steal the moon. With his army of Minions and arsenal of weapons and war machines, Gru prepares to vanquish all in his way — except three orphan girls who adopt him as their dad.

Don’t forget to bring a comfy blanket or beach chair and your favorite movie snacks.

No. 7 — TUMUA: The Warrior Tour (Waimea, Nov. 9)

When: 6 and 9 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Don’t miss your chance to see stand-up comedian, podcaster, former collegiate athlete and social media personality Tumua live on the Big Island.

Reaching 600,000-plus combined followers on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube, his social media sketches and stand-up bits are well-known in the Polynesian community around the world. Born and raised on O‘ahu, Tumua has sold out clubs, theaters and even arenas throughout the nation, including the Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu three times.

Tickets start at $51. Click here for additional information or to purchase your tickets.

No. 8 — Big Island Fruit Festival (Kailua-Kona, Nov. 10)

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

Location: Hale Hālāwai Park, 75-5760 Ali‘i Drive

Celebrate the fruity flavors of Hawai‘i during this family friendly, zero-waste event that will feature local food vendors, fresh fruit tastings, local arts and crafts, live food demonstrations, live music provided by local musicians, food demonstrations, fruit propagation presentations, speakers discussing the advantages of eating raw and more.

Keynote speakers will be Ken Love, executive director of Hawai‘i Tropical Fruit Growers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to tropical fruit research, education, marketing and promotion in Hawai‘i, and John Pierre, founder of nonprofit Living With Harmony + Planet-Based Life.

Come be a part of the “fruit-ure.”

No. 9 — Aloha Skate Roller Derby Draft Tournament (Waimea, Nov. 10-11)

When: 11 a.m. Nov. 10, doors open at 10:30 a.m.; 10 a.m. Nov. 11, doors open at 9:30 a.m.

Location: Spencer Kalani Schutte District Park, 67-1315 Ala ‘Ōhi‘a Road

This is a mash-up tournament will feature some of the top roller derby players from around the world. More than 75 skaters from Hawai’i, the U.S. mainland, Canada and Germany will play some fast, hard-hitting roller derby and face off in a 6-team round-robin.

Approximately 100 skaters They’ll be put into a draft pool and team captains will select their players via a Hawai’i-themed draft like you’ve never seen before in this all-genders inclusive tournament. It’s guaranteed to be a one-of-a-kind experience, complete with waterfalls and sunsets.

Admission is free. Food concessions and vendors also will be available.

No. 10 — “Mana Wahine” (Waimea, Nov. 13)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Watch Okareka Dance illustrate a tapestry of dance, theatre and film.

Ancient Māori practices are weaved into this performance, binding culture with dance and creating a collage of powerful imagery that transcends space and time. It’s a true celebration of the essence of life and death, portraying a vision of strength and empowering women around the world.

Tickets start at $24. Click here for more information or to purchase tickets.

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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/