Several Halloween haunts happening Oct. 25

It’s time to get into the Halloween spirit, and the Big Island has so many haunted house attractions, trunk-or-treat events, pumpkin patches and other frighfully fun activities that even the hungriest zombie would be busy enough that the thought of eating brains wouldn’t even cross their mind.

Below you can find our first listings of 2024 Halloween haunts, which are happening today.

We’re sure there’s something everyone can find to enjoy.

Just be careful; some of the creatures attending the events with you are really only there to scare you, so maybe leave the little ones out of those experiences.

Otherwise, have fun. That’s what the holidays are all about.

Even if it means your heart jumps into your throat every now and then because of that monster that just screamed behind you.

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4th annual Volcano Art Center Spooky Trail featuring the Creepy Carnival

• When: 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 25-26
• Where: Volcano Art Center, Ni‘aulani Campus, 19-4074 Old Volcano Road, Volcano
• Your adventure along this frightfully friendly frolic begins with a tour of the Halloween Village, then your tour ghoul lures you into the Haunted Forest. Bring your own flashlight and wear your favorite Halloween costume. Cost: $5 per person (at least one adult per family); free for children 5 years old and younger. Tickets can be purchased in advance, but walk-ins are welcome. More info: https://volcanoartcenter.org/vac-spooky-trail-is-back-october-25th-26th/

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Waimea Family Food Truck Friday: Halloween Edition

• When: 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 25
• Where: W. M. Keck Observatory, 65-1120 Māmalahoa Highway, Waimea
• Here’s one more excuse to dress up in costume while enjoying some of your favorite food and beverage vendors at this alcohol-free event. Come “truck-or-treat” in a safe and fun way for free candy and goodies at each of the vendor booths and stay for a family friendly movie on the lawn at sunset. It’s free and there’s plenty of space for parking, picnic blankets and chairs.

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The Phantom Farm Haunted House

• When: 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 25, with spooky hour 6 to 7 p.m.; 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 26, with spooky hour 3 to 4 p.m.; 5 to 7 p.m. Halloween, Oct. 31, with spooky hour 6 to 7 p.m.
• Where: East Hawai‘i Cultural Center, 141 Kalākaua St., Hilo
• The East Hawai’i Cultural Center Youth Arts Series is back with its 5th annual haunted house sculpture installation. Take a tractor out to a desolate landscape, where the veggies bite back. Jump scares during spooky hours might not be appropriate for younger keiki. Sculptural pieces included were created by the Hilo High School Art Club, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Center for Community Engagement Bonner Program, Konawaena High School National Art Honor Society, Waiākea Intermediate School Art Club, Youth Arts Series Fall Break Halloween Camp Students, Dena Nakahashi, Ian and Parker Gill and Akane Kinjo. The haunted house is a fundraiser for the Youth Arts Series. Cost: By donation; proceeds go toward continuing youth programs at East Hawai‘i Cultural Center.⁣

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A Boo-Tacular Trunk-or-Treat Event

• When: 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 25
• Where: Pāhoa Elementary School, 15-3030 Pāhoa Village Rd, Pāhoa
• Wear your costume and bring your treat bucket to this free Halloween treat-collecting event presented by Pāhoa High and Intermediate School, Pāhoa Elementary School and Keonepoko Elementary School. Enter through Apa‘a Street then turn right into the first Pāhoa High and Intermediate parking lot gate after the football field to park. Follow the signs to Pāhoa Elementary. When leaving, exit through the center gate and turn right onto Kaohe Homestead Road and then right onto Pāhoa Village Road.

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2nd annual Halloween Pumpkin Patch

• When: 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 25; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 26
• Where: Kalākaua Park, 136 Kalākaua St., Hilo
• This free fun-filled event returns with entertainment, food and craft vendors, games, prizes, treats, a scavenger hunt, games, a photo booth and craft activities. Don’t miss the pumpkin carving station and a free pumpkin for each family. Come in your costume and get ready for a spooktacular time! Hosted by the Downtown Hilo Improvement Association.

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Kea‘au Middle School Halloween Haunt

• When: 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 25
• Where: Kea‘au Middle School, 16-565 Kea‘au-Pāhoa Road, Kea‘au
• Come out for an evening of trunk-or-treating and check out the booths manned by various clubs and organizations from Kea‘au Middle School and Kea‘au High School. The middle school student body government will be selling LIlipops, and the Parent Teacher Student Association will have Jamba Juice and hot dogs for sale. It is sure to be a fun and festive family affair for Greenwaves and the greater community.

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Kona Church of the Nazarene annual Trunk-or-Treat

• When: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 25
• Where: Kona Church of the Nazarene, 74-5100 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona
• Be prepared for loads of free, safe, family fun! It’s trunk-or-treating with candy, bounce houses, a treasures in a hay stack game and a costume contest for the keiki. The adults won’t be left out, with prizes for best decorated trunk and a chili cook-off — the winner not just gets a prize but all the bragging rights. There’s a cake walk, too, and more

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Frightfully Fun Friday Night Movies: “Hocus Pocus” 1 and 2

• When: 6 p.m. Oct. 25
• Where: Puna Kai Shopping Center, 15-2714 Pāhoa Village Rd, Pāhoa
• “Come, we fly” this Friday night and “let’s breeeew another batch” with the Sanderson “Sistahhhhs!” This week’s free movies are “all just a bunch of “Hocus Pocus” right in time for Halloween. Be a “good zombie” and we’ll see you all there!

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The Living Dead Haunted House

• When: 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 25-28
• Where: Hilo High School Auditorium, 556 Waiānuenue Avenue
• The students of the Hilo High School Performing Arts Scaring Center welcome all banshees and ghouls to a truly terrifying experience. They’ve worked hard to show you such shocking sights, from zombies, skeletons and … weird little guys, so don’t waste any time. Come down this weekend to see for yourself. All proceeds go to a good claws! The event uses flashing lights, fog and loud noises, and part of the walking path involves a stairway. Cost: $5.

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Average Joes “Pre” Halloween Party at the Eagles

• When: 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 25
• Where: Big Island Eagles Aerie No. 3642, 16-111 ʻŌpūkahaʻia St., Keaʻau
• Come join the Big Island’s only Interactive music experience and four-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award finalists for a hauntingly good time. All ages welcome. Admission is free. Dont miss this one! No outside food or drink. Donations encouraged.

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The Haunted Palace: “Stage Fright”

• When: 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 25-26
• Where: Palace Theater, 38 Haili St., Hilo
• Ready for a scare? This immersive walk-through experience features 10 bone-chilling settings with ghastly sights and terrible frights. This year’s theme is “Stage Fright.” Do you dare step into the spotlight? Might not be appropriate for small children. Cost: $20 general admission in advance, $25 at the door, $10 “Hana Hou” tickets; if you want to go through again, show your wristband at entry to get a discounted price. More info: https://hilopalace.com/hpt_event/the-haunted-palace-stage-fright/

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Pumpkin Painting Contest

• When: 6 p.m. Oct. 26; pick up pumpkins by Oct. 25
• Where: Gam3Escape, 57 Shipman St., Hilo
• Stop by and pick up an unpainted pumpkin today. Drop off your finished pumpkin by 5 p.m. Oct. 26. See in store for additional details.

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Candy Crawl

• When: 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 31; registration now open
• Where: Keauhou Shopping Center, 78-6831 Ali‘i Drive, Kailua-Kona
• Registration is now open for this family-friendly event that will feature trick-or-treating, live entertainment and free activities including balloon twisting, glitter tattoos and a bounce house. Check in at the courtyard. Each child must be registered to participate. For more info or to register: www.keauhoushoppingcenter.com.

Big Island Now news reporter Nathan Christophel contributed to this story.