Top 10 things to do on Big Island for Oct. 9-15: Big Island Metal Bash, Waimea Fall Festival, Halloween Paint & Purr plus more
Boy, does the Big Island have a ton to do during the next week. Check out our top 10 things to do now!
From head-banging metal bands for 2 nights in Hilo to an ethereal blend of extraordinary artistry in Waimea to celebrating the season during the 7th annual Waimea Fall Festival and a Halloween Paint & Purr event plus more, boy, does the Big Island have a ton to do during the next week.
And be sure to register early to spend a spook-tacular Halloween with Cookie the Cow and all her furry friends in Mountain View.
A quick reminder, too: Hilo Palace Theater’s fall musical “Little Shop of Horrors” opens this weekend. Get your tickets here.
Check out all of our top 10 things to do on the Big Island now!
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No. 1 — Big Island Metal Bash (Hilo, Oct. 9-10)
When: 5:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Location: Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo, Crown Room, 93 Banyan Drive
The metal bash returns this week to Hilo, featuring head-banging, thrashing performances by The Convalescence, Narcotic Wasteland, Skinlab, Pissing Razors, Despise The Sun and more. Plus, Embryonic Autopsy come’s to Hawai‘i for this year’s bash, performing the second night of the event.
More info/tickets: Click here.
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No. 2 — Friends of the Pana‘ewa Zoo Plant Sale Fundraiser (Pana‘ewa, Oct. 10)
When: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Entrance to Pana‘ewa Equestrian Center, 800 Stainback Highway
Come for the plants, but stay for the warm fuzzy feeling of helping Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens; every puchase supports the zoo and helps pollinators, too. There will be a large variety of plants available, such as heliconia, succulents, orchids, vireyas and much more; even carnivorous plants. Meet Terry the Tiger at 10 a.m.!
More info: Visit the Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens website.
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No. 3 — 7th annual Waimea Fall Festival (Waimea, Oct. 10)
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Spencer Kalani Schutte Waimea District Park, 67-1315 Ala ʻŌhiʻa Road
Celebrate fall with a free day of family fun, rain or shine, including live entertainment, a pumpkin patch, indoor and outdoor keiki games and activities, local food and craft vendors, community information booths, exhibits and much more. Wristbands for keiki activities can be purchased the day of the event
More info: Visit the Waimea Athletics website.
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No. 4 — October Halloween Paint & Purr (Hilo, Oct. 10)
When: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: One Gallery, 186 Kamehameha Ave.
Artist Laurie Bauers guides participants in painting and keeping the creativity flowing while everyone enjoys a selection of libations and treats in this inspiring gallery environment. In honor of Halloween, paint a powerful Halloween kitty, making magic with its crystal ball in a spooky forest. Spots are limited.
More info/tickets: Click here.
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No. 5 — Beginner Pottery Wheel and Handbuilding with Matia (Seaview, beginning Oct. 11)
When: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sundays
Location: Sustainability Performance & Arts Center for Education (SPACE), 12-253 W. Pōhakupele Loop
Learn the basiscs of wheel throwing and handbuilding, then refine you skills and build more skills to create cups, bowls and plates as well as create functional potter you use or give as a gift. All materials, tools, glazing and firing are included in this 5-week series.
More info/registration: Contact Matia via email at Indigo.jones.designs@gmail.com.
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No.6 — Iestyn Davies & Oliver Wass (Waimea, Oct. 11)
When: 7 p.m.
Location: Kahilu Theatre, 67-1186 Lindsey Road
Enjoy an intimate house concert in an oceanfront setting while you experience the artistry of two internationally acclaimed musicians. Grammy Award–winning countertenor Iestyn Davies is joined by renowned harpist Oliver Wass, creating an ethereal blend of extraordinary artistry.
More info/tickets: Visit the Kahilu Theatre website.
NOTE: Davies and Wass also will perform during a 7 p.m. Hawai‘i Concert Society concert Oct. 13 at University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Performing Arts Center in Hilo. Click here for tickets.
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No. 7 — Free flow lab hip hop dance workshop (Hāwī, Oct 12)
When: 6 to 7 p.m.
Location: Nice Day Yoga Studio, 55A, 55-3409 ʻAkoni Pule Highway
First workshop in a series. Come move, feel and explore during this guided freestyle experience focused on musicality and creative expression. Open to any and all. No pressure, no choreography — just flow. Bring comfy clothes, water and an open mind. (Leave shoes at the door; barefoot or grip socks only.)
More info: Visit the Nice Day Yoga Studio website or email to aloha@nicedayyoga.com.
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No. 8 — Free Brown Bag Talk: “Creating Trauma-Informed Storytelling for Social Good” (Online, Oct. 15)
When: Noon to 1 p.m.
Location: Zoom
This next installment of nonprofit Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center’s free “Finding Solutions, Growing Peace” lunch series features speaker Maria Bryan, who will teach participants how to use tools that center agency, safety and care in their storytelling.
More info/Zoom link: Contact Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center at 808-935-7844, ext. 3; email to shelby@hawaiimediation.org; or visit the Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center website. Get the Zoom link and register online.
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No. 9 — Marcus Rezak’s Gumbo Phish Tribute (Kawaihae, Oct. 15)
When: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Blue Dragon Tavern, 61-3616 Kawaihae Road
Guitarist and vocalist Rezak combines intricate compositions, deep funk, psychedelic exploration and spontaneous musical interplay with the atmosphere of the Hawaiian Islands. The show draws inspiration from the sound and adventurous approach of Phish’s formative years, particularly concerts of the 1990s.
More info/tickets: Visit the Blue Dragon Tavern website.
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No. 10 — Halloween at the Farm with Cookie! (Mountain View, Oct. 31)
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Rainbow Isle Party Animals Farm, Mountain View
Spend a spook-tacular All Hallow’s Eve with Cookie the Cow and her furry friends. Enjoy the petting zoo, pony rides, a Moo Magic Treat from Cookie and plenty of Halloween fun. Costumes welcome, but some might not be suitable for pony rides; riders might need to remove or modify certain costumes before riding. Reservations required; spots are limited.
More info/reservations: Email the farm at partyanimals@rainbow-isle.com or call/text 808-435-5410
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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/
