Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Oct. 2-8: Festival of Birds, Wizard of Oz, Abled Hawaiʻi Artists 18th Annual Art Festival

Plenty of art events, educational opportunities and live performances can be found across the island in the next week.

But this weekend it is all about the arts with season opening of the Palace Theater’s “The Wizard of Oz,” Gerald Lucena’s “Fractured Eden” art exhibition and the Kamuela Philharmonic MasterWorks Concert.

Below are the top 10 events for Oct. 2-8 on Hawaiʻi Island :

No. 1 — Opening weekend of “The Wizard of Oz” (Hilo, Oct. 3-5)  

When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday  

Location: Hilo Palace Theater, 38 Haili St.  

The Palace Theater presents the centennial fall musical production, “The Wizard of Oz,” on Friday night. With more than 75 local actors and a live orchestra, the timeless tale will be a live spectacle for all ages to enjoy. The musical will be showing for the next three weekends from Friday, Oct. 3, to Sunday, Oct. 19. Showtime begins at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets can be bought online or the day of at the box office.  

More info: For more information and tickets, visit the Hilo Palace theater website.

No. 2 — “Fractured Eden: New Works by Gerald Lucena” opening reception (Hōlualoa, Oct. 3)  

When: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Friday  

Location: Studio 7 Fine Arts, 76-5920 Māmalahoa Hwy.  

Gerald Lucena spent years as a teaching artist, integrating creativity into classrooms and mentoring educators in place-based, culturally grounded learning, and is now shifting toward his own personal, creative expression. “Fractured Eden” is Lucena’s personal meditation on diaspora, gay identity, and inheritance. Through abstract figurative narratives, he invites the public to see art not only in finished works but in the relationships, transformations, and shared stories that emerge along the way. The exhibition will be ongoing until Saturday, Dec. 13.  

More info: The exhibition will be ongoing until Saturday, Dec. 13, with more events listed on the Studio 7 website.

No. 3 — Hawaiʻi Island Festival of Birds (Hilo, Oct. 4)

When: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.  

Location: Grand Naniloa Hotel, 93 Banyan Dr.  

The Hawaiʻi Island Festival of Birds is returning to the Grand Naniloa to celebrate native bird species in Hawaiʻi and fight against hopelessness in the face of conservation challenges. The full-day, family-friendly festival includes a Bird Fair featuring more than 40 booths: artists and crafters that highlight native birds in their work, as well as conservation nonprofits.

The presentation program will include a lineup of guest speakers, Hālau hula, bird trivia, soundscapes and a panel on the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. The Hawaiʻi Wildlife Center and the Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi are hosting the event and have included a new session this year that allows keiki and ʻohana to explore conservation together.  

More info: The packed schedule for the day, list of speakers, and presale tickets can be found at the Hawaiʻi Island Festival of Birds website.

No. 4 — Seed Exchange (Pāhoa, Oct. 4)  

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday  

Location: Laʻakea Permaculture Community, 13-3844 Alaili Rd.  

The final day of the Living Harmony Permaculture Community Introduction will include a seed exchange, a swap between neighbors, eco-growers, and innovative thinkers, and information tables that will have current projects and groups related to permaculture and gardening. Those in attendance should bring items to give away only, not sell. Seeds, plants, cuttings, and plant keiki are all acceptable but should be cleared of fire ants. There will also be an imu pit bake to enjoy for those who bring a potluck dish.  

More info: Register to bring a display table or enter a local food dish into the cook-off on this Google form.

No. 5 — Abled Hawaiʻi Artists 18th Annual Art Festival (Hilo, Oct. 4)  

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday  

Location: Prince Kūhiō Plaza, 111 E. Puainako St.  

Abled Hawaiʻi Artists is a group promoting disability awareness and inclusive entrepreneurship in the arts by celebrating differently-abled artists and providing platforms for their work. The annual festival is a free all-ages, all-abilities art-making event for the entire ʻohana. There will be free healing arts demonstrations, music, hands-on demonstrations, a silent auction, and more.  

More info: Check the Facebook event page for more details.

No. 6 — 9th Musical Nostalgia Concert (Hilo, Oct. 4)  

When: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Saturday  

Location: Aunt Sally Kaleohano’s Lū‘au Hale, 799 Pi‘ilani St.  

The Hawaiʻi Japanese Center will have a “Musical Nostalgia” karaoke concert featuring talented karaoke singers performing a variety of Japanese and American numbers. This year will spotlight two all-female vocal groups.

Featured will be the acapella stylings of No Divas, which is composed of Keiko Formanek, Joanne Pocsidio, Susan Wacherbarth, and Teresa Modoy, and the five-member female group known as Gonin Musume, which is composed of Mineko Todd, Misae Moro, Aya Shehata, Reiko Hamano, and Noriko Roth. Proceeds from tickets benefit the Hawaiʻi Japanese Center. Tickets can be purchased at the Center, KTA Superstores in Hilo, Hilo Daijingu, Tenakatori, Hilo Grinds, and Puna Hongwanji.  

More info: Visit the Hawaiʻi Japanese Center website, email info@hawaiijapanesecenter.com, or call 808-934-9611 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday.

No. 7 — Wild Women Hawaiʻi Ladies Dance Night (Hilo, Oct. 4)  

When: 7 to 10 p.m., Saturday  

Location: Aerial Arts Hawaiʻi Airhouse, 108 Kalākaua St.  

A women-only, pop-up dance night for women to let loose, work it, and just dance in a non-judgmental, safe space. DJ Superbabe will be spinning all night and playing dance favorites from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s.

All women 21 years old and older from all islands are welcome. The event is alcohol-free, with Sweet Cane’s fresh mocktails available for purchase, and a digital detox is also encouraged.  

More info:  Online ticketing closes at 12 p.m. Saturday but can be purchased at the door.

No. 8 — Kamuela Philharmonic MasterWorks Concert season opening (Kamuela, Oct. 5)  

When: 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday  

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 65-1186 Lindsey Rd.  

The Kamuela Philharmonic will open the current season at Kahilu Theatre with MasterWorks by Mussorgsky (arr. Ravel), Mozart, and Chopin — featuring guest pianist Tyler Ramos. Some of the program highlights include:  

• Mussorgsky (orch. Ravel) – “Pictures at an Exhibition” A vivid stroll through an art gallery comes alive in this masterpiece. From playful sketches to majestic grandeur, Ravel’s orchestration bursts with color and imagination.  
• Mozart – “Overture to The Marriage of Figaro” Sparkling with wit, energy, and elegance, Mozart’s overture captures the humor and brilliance of one of opera’s greatest comedies.
• Chopin – Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 Sweeping lyricism meets youthful passion in Chopin’s concerto, spotlighting the soloist with dazzling runs and tender, poetic melodies — performed by Hawai‘i’s own rising pianist Tyler Ramos.  

More info: To experience the power of live symphonic music, reserve seats now at the Kamuela Philharmonic website.

No. 9 — Fall Break Halloween Art Camp 2025 (Hilo, Oct. 6-10)  

No. 9 — Fall Break Halloween Art Camp 2025 (Hilo, Oct. 6-10)  

When: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday through Friday  

Location: East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center, 141 Kalākaua St.  

Keiki ages 8 to 13 years old can attend an art camp and learn how to work in a variety of media under the direction of talented teaching artists. Students will take part in fun and festive Halloween surprises, engage their creativity, and explore their imaginations. Classes during the week include:  

• Magical Mask Making with Mary Milelzcik: In this creative Halloween workshop, keiki will turn everyday recycled materials and found objects into unique, one-of-a-kind masks and costume accessories.  
• Spooktacular Sewing with Renata Ballo from HI Inspired: Keiki will be taught sewing skills, creativity, and a bit of Hawaiian culture through a hands-on, step-by-step process.  
• Mystical Minis with Jessica McMahel: In this class, students will learn basic 3D cardboard and paper building skills, how to integrate collage elements into their 3D forms, and stretch their imaginations to create a creature.

– Magical Mask Making with Mary Milelzcik: In this creative Halloween workshop, keiki will turn everyday recycled materials and found objects into unique, one-of-a-kind masks and costume accessories.  

– Spooktacular Sewing with Renata Ballo from HI Inspired: Keiki will be taught sewing skills, creativity, and a bit of Hawaiian culture through a hands-on, step-by-step process.  

– Mystical Minis with Jessica McMahel: In this class, students will learn basic 3D cardboard and paper building skills, how to integrate collage elements into their 3D forms, and stretch their imaginations to create a creature.  

More info: The Fall Break Halloween Art Camp and more programming can be found on the East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center website.

No. 10 — Liko Aʻe Art Fall Camp (Volcano, Oct. 6-10)  

When: 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday  

Location: Volcano Art Center Niaulani Campus, 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd.  

Keiki ages 8 to 14 years old can attend a weeklong fall break camp that will have ceramics, drawing, journaling, Māori dancing, ornament-making, and more. Kids should bring snacks, lunch, a water bottle, and a jacket. Financial scholarships are available.  

More info: Liko Aʻe Art Fall Camp and more programming can be found on the Volcano Art Center website.

We admit that 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 explore to discover other events, activities, shows, festivals, or workshops that pique your interest.  

• Wailoa Center, Hilo: https://www.wailoacenter.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
• 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/