When the rest of the world is settling into sweater weather and pumpkin spice, fall on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi offers something entirely different: sun-drenched days, cool mountain breezes, and a calendar full of cultural celebrations and community events. If you’re planning a visit between September and November, you’ll find fewer crowds, plenty of sunshine, and a more relaxed pace that makes it easier to slow down and connect with the island. With our Big Island bed and breakfast as your home base, you’ll be perfectly positioned to enjoy both the peaceful side of Hawaiʻi and its vibrant community spirit.
He Haliʻa Aloha No Liliʻuokalani Festival – Hilo (September)
Each September, the Big Island honors one of Hawai‘i’s most revered leaders with a celebration as graceful and enduring as the Queen herself. Held annually on the first Saturday in September, the He Haliʻa Aloha No Liliʻuokalani Festival takes place in Hilo’s scenic Liliʻuokalani Gardens, a Japanese-style park that bears the Queen’s name and spirit.
Queen Lili‘uokalani (1838–1917) was the only queen regnant and the last sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Her legacy lives on in her music, her dedication to the people of Hawai‘i, and the cultural revival her memory continues to inspire. The festival is a joyful and deeply meaningful tribute to her life and contributions. The free event includes hula performances, live music, cultural demonstrations, children’s activities, local food vendors, and handcrafted art. One of the most moving moments is the mass hula, performed by hundreds of dancers beneath a rain of blossoms dropped from a helicopter by the Hawai‘i Fire Department.
Hawai‘i Island All Nations Powwow – Keaʻau (September)
The Hawai‘i Island All Nations Powwow brings a beautiful spirit of unity and cultural exchange to the Big Island. Held at the Puna Hongwanji Mission in Keaʻau, this three-day gathering celebrates the traditions, songs, dances, and regalia of Native American, Native Hawaiian, and Indigenous peoples from around the world.
Visitors are welcome to experience vibrant Grand Entry processions, enjoy live drumming and traditional dances, explore cultural booths, and sample food from local and Indigenous vendors. The event is family-friendly, open to the public, and hosted by the Mountain Spirit Native American Association, with support from the County of Hawai‘i.
Aloha Festivals – Island-Wide (September)
The fun continues in September with the Aloha Festivals, a beloved statewide tradition that celebrates Hawaiian culture through music, dance, and community events. While Oʻahu hosts the largest festivities, the Big Island offers its own unique spin, most notably through the Aloha Festivals Island of Hawai‘i Paniolo Festival. This annual event takes place in Waimea, the heart of paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) country, and highlights a lesser-known but deeply rooted part of Hawaiian history.
Expect a celebration of ranching traditions, with live music, line dancing, bingo, bonfires, and a beef cook-off, all followed by the 73rd Annual Paniolo Parade. It’s a joyful, family-friendly gathering that honors the island’s upcountry heritage while connecting visitors and locals through the spirit of aloha. For anyone wanting to experience a side of Hawaiian culture beyond the beach, this is a can’t-miss event.
Hawaiʻi Island Festival of Birds (October)
Bird lovers and conservationists gather every October in Hilo for the Hawaiʻi Island Festival of Birds, an event dedicated to Hawaiʻi’s unique avian species and fragile ecosystems. The Big Island is home to a number of rare native Hawaiian birds, many of which can be seen in and around Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The festival typically includes guided birdwatching hikes, lectures from local conservationists, art shows, and photography workshops. Whether you’re a serious birder or just love nature, this is a beautiful way to deepen your connection to the island.
Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival (October)
Co-founded by chefs Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong, the Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival (HFWF) brings world-class chefs, sommeliers, and mixologists to the Big Island for a celebration of local flavors and culinary creativity.
Big Island events typically take place in Waimea, with elegant wine dinners, walk-around tastings, and chef collaborations, all featuring dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. HFWF also supports a good cause: proceeds benefit local programs focused on sustainability, agriculture, and culinary education. If you’re visiting Hawaii in October, this is one of the most flavorful events of the season.
Hawai‘i International Film Festival at Hilo Palace Theater (November)
If your fall getaway could use a touch of movie magic, don’t miss the Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF) at the historic Hilo Palace Theater. Now in its 45th year, HIFF blends the Big Island’s rich cultural heritage with global storytelling, showcasing a diverse mix of films from Hawai‘i, Asia, the Pacific, and beyond. From compelling documentaries to breathtaking cinematography and award-winning shorts, the lineup includes something for every film lover. You’ll also get to experience some of the best new “Made in Hawai‘i” films, offering authentic, local perspectives that are rarely found in mainstream theaters.
As an Academy-Award® qualifying festival, HIFF’s short film programs are among the most anticipated in the circuit. Whether you’re catching a matinee with a cup of local coffee or dressing up for an evening premiere, the setting at the restored Hilo Palace adds vintage charm to this world-class cinematic experience.
Kona Coffee Cultural Festival (November)
Annual ‘Ukulele and Slack Key Guitar Festival – Waimea (November)
Since its start in 2002, the ‘Ukulele and Slack Key Guitar Festival – Kanikapila has become a beloved celebration of Hawai‘i’s iconic string traditions, bringing together legendary and emerging artists to perform, collaborate, and jam in the true kanikapila (informal gathering) style at the Kahilu Theatre in Waimea.
Slack key guitar (kī hō‘alu) and ‘ukulele are deeply rooted in Hawaiian musical culture, and this event captures their soulful sound in an intimate, festive atmosphere. The weekend includes live performances, artist talk stories, and spontaneous on-stage collaborations that feel as warm and inviting as a backyard concert.
Why Fall is the Perfect Season for a Big Island Getaway
Fall offers an unexpected Big Island experience. The weather is warm but less intense, the summer crowds have eased, and cultural life flourishes. It’s a season where you can move at your own pace, wandering through farmers’ markets in the morning, watching hula at sunset, or sipping locally grown coffee at a harvest festival. There’s a feeling of openness and authenticity that comes alive in these quieter months.
Where Big Island Events Meet Quiet Rainforest Escape
When you stay at Volcano Village Estates, you’ll be close to the island’s cultural core while still enjoying the peace and privacy of our rainforest retreat. Whether you’re heading to a film festival, shopping for fall blooms at the farmers market, or unwinding after a coffee tasting in Kona, our estate is the perfect place to start and end your days.
Wake up to the sound of native birds, sip coffee under the canopy, and explore fall festivals knowing you have a warm, welcoming space waiting for you. If you’re ready to embrace the Big Island’s quieter season, we’re here to help you make it unforgettable.
Book your fall escape today and experience the cultural richness of autumn in Hawaiʻi.
*Header Image courtesy of NPS Photo/J.Ferracane