Ready to get in a Halloween mood? Aloha State Daily compiled a list of 31 things to do this month, in honor of the 31 days of October.
From haunted houses to themed drinks, there are lots of opportunities to celebrate spooky season. Check the list for where to take keiki to trick-or-treat and participate in costume contests. There are also opportunities to surf and dance.
Now until Oct. 31:
Trial of Fears (Ward). This scary experience is back. Brutex Laboratories quarantine facility has an outbreak. See what happens when containment fails. There are live actors and immersive sets, plus hands-on challenges. General admission is $38. Express pass is $46. Get a 10% discount through Oct. 11 with the code EARLY10. Details.
Dead Letter Office (Downtown Honolulu). Yours Truly’s “Dead Letter Office” Halloween pop-up will run from Oct. 8 to 31. The speakeasy is part of AC Hotel by Marriott Honolulu. To enter, look for a wall of mailboxes. The themed drinks include the phantom ink ($18), moonlit martini ($18), autumn after dark ($20), and blood transfusion ($18). Individuals can get those cocktails “delivered” using the speakeasy’s signature mailbox system. The speakeasy is open Wednesdays through Sundays. Details.
Haunted Plantation (Waipahu). This haunted house is back with 10 nights in October at Hawaiʻi’s Plantation Village. Doors open at 6 p.m. and close at 10:30 p.m. Late arrivals cannot be admitted. Not recommended for youth who are under 13 years of age. Tickets start at $20. Details.
Something Spooky for Everyone! (Kapolei). Catch three scary movies each Saturday of October at the Consolidated Theatres at Ka Makana Aliʻi. From “Corpse Bride,” “ParaNorman” and “Beetlejuice” on Saturday, Oct. 10, to “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,” “E.T. The Extra- Terrestrial,” and “The Ring” on Saturday, Oct. 31, there are lots of movies coming to the big screen soon. Details.
Hitchcock Tober and Horror Fest (Oʻahu). Throughout the month, catch Alfred Hitchcock films on the big screen as part of Hitchcock Tober at Consolidated Theatres. The Master of Suspense is famous for films such as “Psycho,” “Rear Window,” “Vertigo,” “North by Northwest” and “The Birds.” October also marks Horror Fest, and Consolidated Theatres will be featuring scary movies on Wednesdays at its Kapolei, Mililani, Pearlridge and Ward locations. Featured films include “Hereditary,” “The Exorcist,” “Rosemary’s Baby,” “The Thing,” and “Psycho.” Details.
Go to Church, with a Spooky Twist! (Oʻahu). From a Biblical Haunted House to paniolo-themed festivals, check out some of the events being offered by local churches. Senior Editor Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros shares some of the events coming up across Oʻahu from Waikīkī to Lāʻie. Details.
Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest (Kapolei). Visit Wet ʻnʻ Wild and participate in a Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest at noon as part of daily admission on Saturday, Oct. 10. Also included in the lineup of Wet ʻnʻ Wild events is a Kids Costume Contest and a screening of the movie “Coco” on Saturday, Oct. 31. Events are included with daily admission or season pass. Details.
Aloun Farms Pumpkin Patch (Waipahu). Check out this pumpkin patch where you can pick your own pumpkin, attend a farmers market, shop local vendors and visit sunflower fields. Head to Aloun Country Market on Saturday, Oct. 17, in Waipahu to participate in the holiday activities. Tickets are $5. Details.
The Great Pumpkin Festival (ʻĀina Haina). Holy Nativity School will host The Great Pumpkin Festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 17. There will be pumpkins, games, live entertainment and ʻono food. Admission is $10 and includes access to the pumpkin patch and one free mini pumpkin. Attendees can also enjoy a petting zoo, silent disco, live entertainment and meet-and-greets with characters from “Toy Story.” Details.
Taimane and “Liʻulā” (Chinatown). ʻUkulele virtuoso Taimane Gardner will share her new album “Liʻulā,” which explores twilight, mirages and ghost stories, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, at Hawaiʻi Theatre Center. The performance features aerial performance from Samadhi Hawaiʻi, spoken word from Kealoha, the first poet laureate of Hawaiʻi, and contemporary and Polynesian dance. Tickets start at $30, plus fees. Details.
Chicken Skin Ghost Stories (Near Downtown). Ready for chilling legends and ghost stories? Catch Lopaka Kapanui, “The Ghost Guy” who writes a column for Aloha State Daily, as he shares stories of the Islands’ folklore on Friday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. at the Doris Duke Theatre at the Honolulu Museum of Art. He and his wife, Tanya, run the ghost tour company Mysteries of Hawaiʻi and co-authored the books: “Hawaiʻi’s Night Marchers: A History of the Huakaʻi Pō” and “Kahuna.” Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for youth. Details.
Howl-o-Ween Dog Costume Contest & Parade (ʻEwa). Bring your dog and head to Hoalauna Community Park. The event, which includes Emcee Steezy, a live DJ, games, prizes and more, runs from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 23 in ʻEwa. Don’t have a pet? Everyone is welcome to join the fun. Free. Details.
Hauntopia (Kailua). Da Dream Lab is partnering with Kailua Dance Academy and Kailua Music School, plus other local businesses to host Hauntopia, which runs Oct. 23, 24, and 25, plus Oct. 28 – Oct. 31. The event is back for its third year. Its defined for keiki and families with a goal of “fun, not fear,” according to the listing on Eventbrite. Designed for keiki who are between three years old and 12 years old. Tours are 60-90 minutes. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $20 or free for keiki who are two years old or younger. Details.
Octo-Bear-Fest: Boos & Brews (Waikīkī). Go to the Honolulu Zoo on Saturday, Oct. 24, for an evening of fun, featuring food, live music, local breweries, and trunk-or-treat opportunities. There will be games and costume contests. Attendees who are at least 21 years old can sample beers from four local breweries: Aloha Beer Co., Waikīkī Brewing Co., Beer Lab HI, and Honolulu Beerworks. The event supports wildlife conservation and helps protect the Malayan sun bears, which are the world’s smallest bear species. Tickets are $10 for keiki and $20 for adults or $45 for the adult brew package, which includes pours from local breweries. Details.
Creatures of the Samadhi Lagoon (Kakaʻako). This Halloween-themed show presented by aerial dancers of Samadahi Hawaiʻi features otherworldy creatures. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 24 for the performance of “Creatures of the Samadhi Lagoon - A Circus Halloween Show.” Costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $30 plus fees. Details.
Trick or Treat (Hawaiʻi Kai, Kāneʻohe). On Oct. 24, go trick or treating at various locations across Oʻahu, including the Halloween Spooktacular at Hawaiʻi Kai Towne Center, the Trunk or Treat at Koʻolau Center in Kāneʻohe. Free.
Mega Monster Mash (ʻEwa). This dog, bird and car show features games and costume contests, plus activities for keiki at Wai Kai. There will also be local vendors, trunk-or-treat opportunities, and an aquatic exhibit. The Mega Monster Mash runs from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Oct. 24. Free. Details.
Trick or Treat (Mililani). Keiki and pets are invited to dress up in their Halloween best and trick or treat at stores at the Town Center of Mililani on Sunday, Oct. 25. There will be a costume contest. Pets must be on leashes. Free. Details.
Trick or Treat (ʻEwa). The weekly Thursday Night Market at Wai Kai, which runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., will have a Halloween theme on Oct. 29 with a costume contest and trick or treating. The night market is pet and keiki friendly. Free. Details.
Emo Night (Ala Moana). Catch Emo Night at The Republik. Doors open at 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30. Tickets are $16 and include a $1 donation to support organizations focusing on mental health, harm reduction, children and families, poverty and homelessness, disenfranchised communities and terminal illness. Details.
“The Shining” (Kakaʻako). Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre is bringing this best-selling novel by Stephen King to life at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall. This is a co-production of Opera Parallèle in San Francisco, Portland Opera, and Hawaiʻi Opera Theatre. The production is about two hours with an intermission. There are shows on Friday, Oct. 30, and Sunday, Nov. 1. Tickets start at $35. Details.
Trick or Treat (ʻEwa, Kapolei and Waimānalo). Wai Kai in ʻEwa will host its Halloween Night Market on Oct. 30 with chances to trick or treat, participate in costume contests and enjoy haunted pop-ups. There will also be live entertainment, food and drinks and more. The Villages of Kapolei will host its Spooktacular, which includes trick or treat opportunities, a costume contest and a screening of the movie “Nightmare before Christmas.” Or catch Waimānalo School Family Resource Center will also host Trunk or Treat from 5 to 8 p.m. at the parking lot for the school. The event includes a contest for best decorated trunk, as well as local food vendors. Free. Details in links.
Zombie Mansion (Waikīkī). Catch Natural Vibrations and DJ Jojo Flow upstairs at the Hideout and Likkle Jordee and DJ Hapa Boy downstairs at The Secret Spot. The Halloween bash is being presented by Hawaiʻi’s Finest. Arrive early to get zombie makeup done by artists. Doors open at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. Tickets are $60. Details.
Tiki’s Annual Halloween Bash (Waikīkī). This annual event at The Twin Fin will transform a beachfront venue into an Island-inspired Halloween hotspot with live music, a DJ, handcrafted specialty cocktails, and a dance floor overlooking Waikīkī Beach. The event runs from 8 p.m. until closing on Oct. 31. There will be a costume contest. Pre-sale tickets are $15. Same-day tickets are $40. Details.
Rocky Horror Hulaween (Waikīkī). Hula’s Bar & Lei Stand is hosting its Rocky Horror Hulaween, a celebration featuring “cult camp, crimson lips, fishnets, corsets, glam rock, mad science, theatrical weirdness,” and more, according to its website. The party starts at 8 p.m. and is open until 4 a.m. this year on Oct. 31. There are more than $2,000 in cash and prizes. Tickets start at $15 with VIP experiences available. Details.
KSSK Perry & The Posse Bring Morning Live Show to Limelight (Ala Moana). The popular Saturday morning show will be live at Limelight Hawaiʻi from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Oct. 31. The entertainment lineup includes Lyric Medeiros, who was recently part of Season 28 of the television show “Big Brother,” the Mākaha Sons, and Lopaka Kapanui, “The Ghost Guy” who writes a column for Aloha State Daily. There will also be a costume contest. Tickets are $60 for adults and $36 for keiki. Details.
Ala-Ween Spooktacular (Ala Moana). This family friendly event features trick-or-treating at more than 100 stores and restaurants, plus a dance party, prize giveaways and complimentary balloon creations and photo opportunities on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Ala Moana Center. Throughout the month, there will also be a spooky scavenger hunt, seasonal merchandise and themed dining experiences. Details.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (Near Downtown). Catch “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Honolulu Museum of Art. Dress in your Rocky Horror best and check the website for costume guidelines. In collaboration with Hawaiʻi Opera Theater, the screening on Oct. 31 will be accompanied by a full cast of actors acting out the scenes playing on screen. Recommended for ages 18 years old or older. Tickets are $25. Details.
Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience (Chinatown). This high-energy, live tribute concert, “Who’s Bad: Thriller Nights,” is a celebration of Michael Jackson and starts at 7 p.m. on Oct. 31 at Hawaiʻi Theatre Center. It features a live band and dynamic dancers. Tickets start at $54.50. Details.
Surf, Style & Spooky Season (North Shore). The sixth annual Turtle Bay Halloween Surf Off returns to the lineup at The Ritz-Carlton Oʻahu, Turtle Bay. Presented by Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience, this contest brings together surfers of all ages and abilities in their best Halloween costumes. A panel of celebrity judges will give awards for division champions, best costume, and best surfing performance. The event starts at 2 p.m. on Oct. 31. Entry fees are $20 per participant, which is donated to the Kahuku High School Surf Team. Details.
Haunted Sanctuary Tour (Kāneʻohe). Catch this tour from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 31 at the Aloha Animal Sanctuary. Creepy tales and chills are part of the program and visitors will get to meet the animals who call the sanctuary home. There will be lots of opportunities for photos. Long pants and closed-toed shoes are recommended. So is water, sunscreen and bug spray. Attendees who wear costumes get prizes. Details.
Know of something that didn’t make the guide this year? Email katie@alohastatedaily.com to be considered in next year’s guide.
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
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