October Calendar
OCTOBER 2026 — BIG ISLAND HAWAIʻI EVENTS, FESTIVALS & ACTIVITIES
IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP – KAILUA-KONA
📍Kailua Pier, Kailua-Kona and West Hawaiʻi course
October 10, 2026 • Race begins at 7:00 AM
One of the world's most renowned triathlon events, featuring a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run through Kailua-Kona and the Kohala Coast.
For more details – https://www.ironman.com/races/im-world-championship-kona
WAIMEA FALL FESTIVAL – WAIMEA
📍Spencer Kalani Schutte Waimea District Park, Waimea
October 10, 2026 • 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
A family-friendly fall celebration featuring live entertainment, pumpkin activities, keiki games, local food and craft vendors, community exhibits, and more.
For more details – https://waimeaathletics.org/
HAWAIʻI FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL – KOHALA COAST
📍Mauna Kea Golf Course & Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Kohala Coast
October 16–17, 2026 • Times vary
A premier culinary celebration featuring renowned chefs, Hawaiʻi-grown ingredients, wine, cocktails, and special dining experiences.
For more details – https://hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com/
HAWAIʻI ISLAND FESTIVAL OF BIRDS – HILO
📍Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo
October 24, 2026 • Times vary
A celebration of Hawaiʻi's native birds featuring conservation education, presentations, activities, and expert speakers.
For more details – https://birdfesthawaii.org/
KŌKUA KAILUA VILLAGE STROLL – KAILUA-KONA
📍Aliʻi Drive, Historic Kailua Village
October 18, 2026 • 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Enjoy local artisans, food vendors, live music, shopping, and family-friendly activities along Aliʻi Drive.
For more details – https://historickailuavillage.com/kokua-kailua-village-stroll/
AKAMAI LIVING FAIR – HILO
📍Edith Kanakaʻole Multi-Purpose Stadium, Hilo
October 22, 2026 • 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
A free community event offering health and wellness resources, screenings, demonstrations, information booths, and activities for kūpuna and families.
For more details – https://www.hifallsprevention.org/events
MONTHLY ARTISAN MARKET – KAILUA-KONA
📍Kona Commons Shopping Center
October 10, 2026 • 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Shop local crafts, artwork, handmade goods, food, and other products from Hawaiʻi Island vendors.
For more details – https://historickailuavillage.com/events/month/2026-10/
MAUNAKEA NIGHT-SKY PROGRAMS – MAUNAKEA
📍Maunakea Visitor Information Station
October 2026 • Evenings; dates vary
Explore the night sky through public stargazing programs and learn about astronomy and the cultural significance of Maunakea.
For more details – https://www.maunakeaobservatories.org/events
SHADOW THE SCIENTISTS – MAUNAKEA
📍Maunakea Visitor Information Station
October 8, 2026 • 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Learn about measuring night-sky brightness and participate in the international Globe at Night citizen-science project.
For more details – https://www.maunakeaobservatories.org/events
HOLIDAYS & OCTOBER OBSERVANCES
DISCOVERERS' DAY / INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY – HAWAIʻI
📍Big Island-wide
October 12, 2026
Hawaiʻi observes Discoverers' Day on the second Monday of October, recognizing the Polynesian discoverers of the Hawaiian Islands. Indigenous Peoples' Day is also recognized by Hawaiʻi law.
For more details – https://ags.hawaii.gov/oip/
FOREST PRODUCTS WEEK – HAWAIʻI
📍Big Island & statewide
October 18–24, 2026
An annual observance recognizing Hawaiʻi's forests and promoting awareness of forest resources and stewardship.
For more details – https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dofaw/
HALLOWEEN – BIG ISLAND-WIDE
📍Communities throughout Hawaiʻi Island
October 31, 2026
Expect Halloween celebrations, costume events, trick-or-treating, keiki activities, and community gatherings around the island.
For more details – https://www.parks.hawaiicounty.gov/
MORE OCTOBER SCHEDULES AROUND THE BIG ISLAND
KEAUHOU FARMERS MARKET – KAILUA-KONA
📍Keauhou Shopping Center
Every Saturday in October • 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Shop for local produce, tropical fruit, Kona coffee, flowers, baked goods, prepared foods, and Hawaiʻi-made products.
For more details – https://keauhoushoppingcenter.com/events/month/2026-10/
FRIDAY HULA – KEAUHOU
📍Keauhou Shopping Center
October 2, 16 & 23, 2026 • 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Enjoy free Friday evening hula performances featuring local dancers and Hawaiian culture.
For more details – https://keauhoushoppingcenter.com/events/month/2026-10/
SECOND FRIDAY ENTERTAINMENT – KEAUHOU
📍Keauhou Shopping Center
October 9, 2026 • 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Enjoy an evening of live local entertainment at Keauhou Shopping Center.
For more details – https://keauhoushoppingcenter.com/events/month/2026-10/
FRIDAY NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT – KEAUHOU
📍Keauhou Shopping Center
October 30, 2026 • 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Enjoy free live entertainment during the Friday evening community program.
For more details – https://keauhoushoppingcenter.com/events/month/2026-10/
CANDY CRAWL – KEAUHOU
📍Keauhou Shopping Center
October 31, 2026 • 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
A free Halloween celebration for keiki featuring trick-or-treating and family-friendly activities.
For more details – https://keauhoushoppingcenter.com/events/month/2026-10/
MĀKEKE FRIDAYS – WAIKOLOA
📍Queens' Marketplace, Waikoloa Beach Resort
Every Friday in October • 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Shop local vendors, farmers, makers, and food sellers while enjoying live entertainment and a relaxed Friday evening atmosphere.
For more details – https://www.queensmarketplace.com/makekefridays/
KANIKAPILA MONTHLY CONCERT SERIES – WAIKOLOA
📍Queens' Marketplace, Coronation Pavilion
October 17, 2026 • 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Enjoy live Hawaiian music and entertainment at this monthly concert series.
For more details – https://www.queensmarketplace.com/event/kanikapila-monthly-concert-series-30/
QUEENS' CULINARY MARKET – WAIKOLOA
📍Queens' Marketplace
October 8 & 22, 2026 • 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Browse locally grown produce, flowers, prepared foods, and island-made products from local farmers and artisans.
For more details – https://www.queensmarketplace.com/
HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK PROGRAMS – VOLCANO
📍Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Throughout October 2026 • Times vary
Enjoy ranger programs, cultural activities, guided walks, educational programs, and special October activities throughout the park.
For more details – https://www.nps.gov/havo/
STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT – VOLCANO
📍Kīlauea Visitor Center area, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
October 3, 17 & 24, 2026 • Meet at 8:45 AM
Help protect native rainforest habitat through a volunteer restoration project removing invasive plants.
For more details – https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/news/20260915-nr-oct-2026-events.htm
PRECIOUS GARLANDS – KAHUKU
📍Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station
October 17, 2026 • 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Two one-act plays explore Hawaiian history through stories connected to Queen Emma and Queen Liliʻuokalani.
For more details – https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/news/20260915-nr-oct-2026-events.htm
SPOOKY SCAVENGER HUNT – HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
📍Kīlauea Military Camp
October 31, 2026 • 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
A family-friendly Halloween scavenger hunt exploring the forests and natural history around Kīlauea Summit. Costumes are encouraged.
For more details – https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/news/20260915-nr-oct-2026-events.htm
HALLOWEEN BINGO SCAVENGER HUNT – KAHUKU
📍Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station
October 31, 2026 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
A free family activity combining Halloween fun with exploration of the Kahuku landscape. Costumes are encouraged.
For more details – https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/news/20260915-nr-oct-2026-events.htm
UH HILO HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR – HILO
📍University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
October 30, 2026 • 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
A family-friendly Halloween event featuring activities and entertainment for the community.
For more details – https://www.hilo.hawaii.edu/
ONGOING OCTOBER ACTIVITIES
MANTA RAY NIGHT SNORKEL – KONA COAST
📍Keauhou Bay & Kona Coast
Throughout October 2026 • Evening tours
Experience nighttime snorkeling alongside manta rays with guided tours along the Kona Coast.
For more details – https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/hawaii-big-island
KONA COFFEE FARM TOURS – SOUTH KONA
📍Kona Coffee Belt
Throughout October 2026 • Times vary
Visit local coffee farms for tours, tastings, roasting demonstrations, and a look at Kona's coffee-growing tradition.
For more details – https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/hawaii-big-island
BIG ISLAND FARMERS MARKETS – ISLAND-WIDE
📍Hilo, Kona, Waimea, Pāhoa, Keaʻau & surrounding communities
Throughout October 2026 • Days & times vary
Find fresh tropical produce, local coffee, baked goods, flowers, prepared foods, crafts, and locally made products.
For more details – https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/hawaii-big-island/events
BEACH & OCEAN ADVENTURES – BIG ISLAND-WIDE
📍Kona Coast, Kohala Coast & South Kona
Throughout October 2026 • Times vary
Enjoy snorkeling, diving, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, sunset cruises, and other ocean adventures around Hawaiʻi Island.
For more details – https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/hawaii-big-island
KONA VILLAGE PŪLEHU NIGHT – KONA
📍Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort
Throughout October 2026 • Thursdays, evenings
Enjoy an island-style evening with Hawaiian-inspired food, live entertainment, and cultural experiences.
For more details – https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/kona-village
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