Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Oct. 2-8: Big Island Art Fair, Black Rock Ampitheater, Hentry Kapono and friends, youth car show and more

Hey, Big Island. We’re back!

Now that there isn’t an immediate or looming threat of any tropical cyclones (which we hope becomes the norm instead of the weather we have been having), we’re once again bringing you a great selection of activities, events, shows and more to check out during the upcoming weekend and into next week.

• Enjoy the Big Island Art Fair in Waimea, perusing art for sale and talking with the local artists who did the work.
• Check out Black Rock Ampitheater, a new entertainment venue in Kalapana.
• Groove with some awesome music performed by Henry Kapono and friends in Waimea.
• And check out some spectacular rides restored, revitalized or that are just plain cool at Hilo Drag Strip during a special youth car show.

Whatever you choose to do, just get out and go! We’ve all been inside too long because of the weather.

Here’s our top 10 things to do for Oct. 2-8.

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No. 1 — Online program with Waimea’s Jesse Tarnas of Blue Origin (Waimea, Oct. 2)

When: 9 a.m.

Location: Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library, 67-1209 Māmalahoa Highway

Discover how scientists and engineers are laying the foundation for humanity’s future in space during this event featuring a senior planetary scientists and systems engineer presenting “Space Resources to Benefit Earth.” Tarnas, who is from Waimea, leads the Oasis-1 mission and broader Oasis Campaign.

More info/registration: Registration required. Call 808-887-6067 or click here.

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No. 2 — Big Island Art Fair (Waimea, Oct. 2-3)

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday

Location: Kahilu Town Hall, 67-1182 Lindsey Road

Meet about 20 local artists each day, shop the artwork, watch live demonstrations and vote in the “Ode
to Orange” art contest. Explore acrylic and oil paintings, mosaics, ceramics, jewelry, digital art, photography and more. Mochinga Hawai‘i will also serve Greek food throughout the fair. Free to attend.

More info: Visit the Big Island Art Fair website or follow the fair on Facebook.

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No. 3 — Art Party Friday (Hilo, Oct. 2)

When: 6 p.m.

Location: East Hawai‘i Cultural Center Annex, 141 Kalākaua St.

Be part of a safe, sober, creative community while you work on art projects and cultivate camaraderie around a shared love of art. Open to adults and keiki age 12 years old and older. Entry is by donation, and those who attend are asked to bring their own arts supplies, projects in process or something new.

More info: Visit the East Hawai‘i Cultural Center website, call 808-961-5711 or email to admin@ehcc.org.

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No. 4 — Goodtimes Together with Henry Kapono & Friends (Waimea, Oct. 2)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Enjoy an evening celebrating music that shaped Hawaiʻi while inspiring artists who will carry it forward. The concert is part of the “Home In The Islands” initiative of Henry Kapono Foundation Month, a statewide celebration of Hawaiʻi’s music, culture and aloha.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

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No. 5 — Hawaiʻi Police Activities League Youth Car Show (Hilo, Oct. 3)

When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Hilo Drag Strip, 2295 Hoʻolaulima Road

Youth ages 17 years old and younger can still enter a vehicle in the show, whether it’s a restoration project, first project vehicle or vehicle they are especially proud of, they are encouraged to register. Awards will also be presented in several categories during this first-of-its-kind free family event. Community members encouraged to attend.

More info/to enter: Contact Lt. Ryan Pagan at 808-961-2350 or via email at Ryan.Pagan@hawaiipolice.gov.

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No. 6 — Weekend in Waikōloa with Chris Cavoretto (Waikōloa, Oct. 3-4)

When: 6 p.m. both days

Location: Saturday at Kuleana Rum Shack, 69-201 Waikōloa Beach Drive; Sunday at Smash Daddy’s, 68-1820 Waikōloa Road, Suite E505

The public is invited to enjoy live, local acoustic music by musician Chris Cavoretto this weekend at two different locations on two different days with two different sets. Don’t miss this special Waikōloa Weekend of great music, community and good food.

More info: Contact Chris Cavoretto on Instagram @WaikoloaZombie.

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No. 7 — MasterWorks I: “Colors of Scandinavia” (Waimea, Oct. 4)

When: 2 to 4 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Kamuela Philharmonic opens its 2026-27 season with an exploration of the extraordinary musical landscapes of Finland and Norway. From vibrant orchestral color to breathtaking Romantic expression, this event features music as dramatic and expansive as the landscapes that inspired it.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kamuela Philharmonic website.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeRd6pVQY_w

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No. 8 — Authors’ Night (Hilo, Oct. 4)

When: 6 to 9 p.m.

Location: Kukuau Studio, 43-D Kukuau St.

Calling all Big Island authors! Ten authors will each have 15 minutes to share excerpts from their work, take questions and an area to sell copies of their tomes to community members eagerly seeking new local books to read. Free event; however, donations welcome.

More info/sign up as an author: Email to kukuaustudio@gmail.com or send curator Bub Pratt a direct message on Facebook. You also can call 808-464-3388 for additional information.

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No. 9 — Experience Black Rock Ampitheater (Kalapana, Oct. 7)

When: 7 to 11 p.m.

Location: 12-4901 Kaimu Chain of Craters Road

Come experience this amazing new venue for free under the moon and stars! The entire community is invited to this special introductory night. Enjoy music, take in the setting and bring your own refreshments. Come say aloha and see what the place is all about.

More info: Follow Black Rock Ampitheater on Facebook and Instagram.

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No. 10 — “Little Shop of Horrors” (Hilo, opening night Oct. 9)

When: 7 p.m.

Location: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.

Friends of the Palace Theater presents the 2026 fall musical, the flagship fundrasier for the group with 100% of show proceeds directly supporting its mission to restore, revitalize and sustain the hisoric venue. Get your tickets now for this show featuring a live band bringing this iconic musical to life with an all-star local cast telling the story of Seymour and diabolical plant Audrey II. Show runs through Oct. 25.

More info/tickets: Visit the Palace Theater website.

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Check for yourself what’s happening around the Big Island

We admit. As hard as we try every week, we still likely didn’t find every event happening around the Big Island. Plus, we can’t fit everything going on in our entertainment roundup. So here are websites for some popular Big Island venues that you can peruse to discover even more events, activities, shows, festivals or workshops.

• Willy’s Hot Chicken, Kailua-Kona: https://willieshotchicken.com/
• 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
• Hale Kanikapila (formerly Hilo Town Tavern), Hilo: https://halekanikapila.com/
• 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: 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/
• Waimea Arts Council, Waimea: https://www.waimeaartscouncil.org
• Willy’s Hot Chicken, Kailua-Kona: https://willieshotchicken.com/