Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Oct. 10-16: Pumpkin patches, Truck Fest, keiki hula, heavy metal and more

Isn’t it great we live Big Island? No matter what week it is, there’s always something to do — and sometimes the mix is just as special as the place we call home.

This week is one of those times.

The variety of events and activities happening around the island during the next several days is wide, from festivals set to welcome the fall season — complete with their very own pumpkin patches for keiki and their ‘ohana to find the perfect gourd for Halloween — all the way to the other end of the spectrum with 2 days of heavy metal music in downtown Hilo.

Throw in one E Mālama Mau I Ka Hula Festival to watch keiki hula and Truck Fest showcasing fast trucks, fast motorcycles and even junior dragsters, you got an interesting list of things to do already started.

And that’s not even counting everything else.

Plus, don’t forget about the IRONMAN World Championship women’s race, which returns to Kona on Oct. 11. If you can make it, be sure to get down to Ali’i Drive and show your support for the world’s best athletes as they make it to the finish line.

Here’s our top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Oct. 10-16.

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NO. 1 — 4th annual Pride Festival (Oct. 10, Hilo)

When: 6 to 9 p.m.

Location: University of Hawai‘i at HIlo Campus Center Plaza, 200 W. Kāwili St.

Show Pride Through Space & Time by exploring the cosmos of pride with a celebration of LGBTQ+ identity, visibility and diversity. There will be dazzling performances from local queens, cosmic-inspired crafts and art activities and stellar opportunities to connect with campus programs and community organizations.

More info: Email to uhhfye@hawaii.edu or call 808-932-7384.

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NO. 2 — Truck Fest (Oct. 11-12, Hilo)

When: 7:30 a.m. gates open both days

Location: Hilo Drag Strip, 2295 Ho‘olaulima Road

Presented by Hawai‘i Drag Racing League, this event promises fast trucks and more. There will be a truck bracket, motorcycle racing, junior drag racing, test sessions, additional bracket racing and the Herry Kerr High School Drags. Entry is just $15; keiki 10 years old and younger are free. All entries welcome. This is a racer-friendly and alcohol and drug free event.

More info: Contact Keith Aguiar Sr. at 808-960-1095.

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NO. 3 — 6th annual Waimea Fall Festival (Oct. 11, Waimea)

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

Location: Spencer Kalani Schutte District Park, 67-1315 ʻŌhiʻa Road

Welcome the fall season with a full day of family fun and something for everyone, featuring live entertainment, a pumpkin patch, indoor and outdoor keiki games and activities, a craft sale, community information booths and exhibits and lots of great food. Admission is free. All food, craft and activity sales are cash only. Wristband sales open at 8:30 a.m. All-day carnival games are $15 with a wristband; all-day wristbands are $25 for outdoor inflatables, waterslides and laser tag. Proceeds benefit festival host Waimea Athletics and its sports equipment sponsorships for community youth programs and the Waimea Athletics College Scholarship for students born and raised in Waimea.

More info: Visit the Waimea Athletics website.

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NO. 4 — 2025 Kare for Kūpuna Expo (Oct. 11, Hilo)

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

Location: Prince Kūhiō Plaza, 111 Pūʻainakō St.

This community event is dedicated to celebrating and supporting Hawai‘i’s kūpuna and their caregivers. Explore local vendors and organizations offering resources and services for seniors. Learn about Medicare, health care and lifestyle options. Enjoy live entertainment, food and family-friendly activities. Connect with community leaders and businesses who care for kūpuna. Whether you’re a caregiver, family member or simply want to learn more about resources available for kūpuna, this event is for you.

More info: Email to info@kareforkupuna.com.

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NO. 5 — 2025 E Mālama Mau I Ka Hula Festival (Oct. 11, Hilo)

When: 4:30 p.m.; doors open at 3:30 p.m.

Location: Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, 323 Manono St.

Come and support the hula dancers of Hawai’i Island elementary, intermediate and high schools. The festival provides a supportive platform for keiki, encourages and celebrates the development of young hula dancers and recognizes the hard work and growth of students in their hula journey. Tickets are $15 and are available — while supplies last — at the Merrie Monarch Office, located at 865 Pi‘ilani St., in Hilo. The office is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

More info: Call the Merrie Monarch Festival office at 808-935-9168.

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NO. 6 — ‘Ohana Celebration and Benefit Concert (Oct. 12, Hilo)

When: 1 to 8 p.m.

Location: Nani Mau Gardens and Event Space, 421 Makalika St.

Come out and help increase awareness of and access to health and wellness needs for keiki and kūpuna with all abilities. Talk story and share your experiences and ideas, find resources and support from local organizations, show your support for Hawai’i Wellness Mobility Network Inc. and its mission to expand access to care throughout the Hawaiian Islands and enjoy music, activities and celebration. Those who attend are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite superhero. Tickets are $20; keiki 11 years old and younger are free.

More info/tickets: Visit Eventbrite, click here or email to info@hwmnohanasupport.com.

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NO. 7 — Poiesis Quartet with Abe Lagrimas Jr. (Oct. 12, Waimea)

When: 2 p.m.

Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road

Emerging as one of the most exciting young ensembles in the chamber music world, Poiesis Quartet — fresh from their September win at the prestigious Banff International String Quartet Competition — brings bold programming, refined artistry and emotional depth to the Kahilu stage. Tickets start at $30.

More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

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NO. 8 — Big Island Metal Bash 2 (Oct. 11-12, Hilo)

When: 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. both days

Location: Hilo Town Market, 69 Waiānuenue Ave.

Two days of heavy metal in downtown Hilo, all within walking distance to the beach and local shopping. Don’t miss out on this chance to see national and local acts combine forces in a historic Hawaiian community. Bands performing including Pessimist, P.I.L.I.A.U., Shrine or skulls, Ancient Entities, BloodScript, The Behest of Serpents and more. Tickets are $30 for one day or $55 for both.

More info/tickets: Click here.

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NO. 9 — 5th annual Holoholo-ween Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival (Oct. 16-19, Hilo)

When: Noon to 5 p.m. Thursday and Oct. 17; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 18-19

Location: Pana‘ewa Equestrian Center, 800 Stainback Highway

This annual Hawai’i-grown pumpkin patch and fall festival experience is fun for all ages and the whole ‘ohana. There will be plenty of pumpkins to pick from, food trucks and craft booths by all your favorite vendors and activities for keiki, including a bounce castle. Tickets are just $6; keiki 4 years old and younger are free. This a drug, alcohol and smoke free event. Proceeds from the event go to nonprofit The Key is Aloha.

More info/tickets: Visit the Holoholo-ween website.

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NO. 10 — Hawai‘i Commercial Kitchens Technical Assistance Workshop (Oct. 16, Hilo)

When: 1 to 4 p.m.

Location: Hawai‘i Farm-to-Car, 230 Kekūanaōʻa St.

This hazard analysis and critical control points and high-risk products workshop with John Nakashima of Food Safety Services Hawaiʻi in Hilo will cover what hazard analysis and critical control points plans are, how to write one and if your product or food business requires one. This program is part of Hawaiʻi County’s Agriculture and Food Security Initiatives Program. These free monthly workshops are open to the public. Optional Zoom attendance also available.

More info: Contact Hawai’i Commercial Kitchens at 808-353-5376 or email to info@hawaiicommercialkitchens.com.

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Check for yourself to see what’s happening around the Big 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.

• 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
• 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/