Though summer is behind us, festivals and events on Maui are starting to rev up for the fall. Whether you’re visiting, returning or just want to know what’s happening around your area, there are plenty of things to do on Maui in October 2011.
Family Fun Activities
The 89th Annual Maui Fair starts on Thursday, September 29. Located at the Wailuku Fairgrounds at the war memorial, this four-day event ends on October second. Come listen to live music, sample delicious foods, learn about gardening tips and check out amazing rides in the Joy Zone. Saturday morning features the Maui Fire Department’s annual Chili Cook Off, with proceeds going to charity. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for children.
Beginning October 1 and lasting until October 16th, the Bailey House Museum will host a traveling exhibit called “The Mapping of Hawaii,” which teaches patrons about the history of Hawaii by featuring historic maps of the Hawaiian Islands.
Wailuku will be holding a block party from 6 pm until 9 pm October 7 for Wailuku’s First Friday. Check out the booths on Market Street offering food and crafts, while enjoying live entertainment. Even better, the event is free.
Come enjoy the annual Festivals of Aloha Parade and Hoolaulea on October 14th from 9am-4pm at Hana Ball Park, which features all the things that make the east side of Maui beautiful. Shortly after the parade, there will be a festival in the town center that features live entertainment, local food and crafters.
Hana Bay Beach Park will be hosting its annual Hana Ohana Play Day on October 16th to celebrate the community and its families. The celebration will feature a variety of family-friendly events, including a fishing tournament, live entertainment, concessions and more!
Arts & Cultural Events
What better way to celebrate the first of the month than with Oktoberfest? Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Kihehi-Wailea, this year’s fundraising festival will be held on October 1st at Mulligan’s on the Blue from 4 pm to 9 pm. Prizes for best traditional German attire will be awarded. Enjoy music, dancing and authentic German cuisine. The event will support the Club’s local and international projects. Tickets cost $45 in advance and can be purchased here.
The Maui Mall in Kahului will be holding the Maui Filipion-American Heritage Festival October 8, from 10 am until 3 pm. Come experience Filipino culture through dance, martial arts, music and traditional food. Be sure to see a master chef cook off as well as a contest for best Filipino attire. The festival is free for everyone.
The Maui Ukulele Festival on October 16 offers you an enchanting afternoon of music from beloved seasoned performers as well as up-and-coming musicians. This is a FREE event at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center from 1pm to 6pm.
Sports Events in October
The 15th Annual XTERRA World Championship will be on October 23. For the first time in the 15 year history of this Maui event, the Xterra Championship will be located in West Maui at the Kapalua Resort! You can see the full Xterra event schedule here.
The 38th Annual Lester Hamai Memorial Women’s Golf Tournament starts October 8, starting at 7 am. This all-day community event takes place at the Maui Country Club and costs $80.
Habitat for Humanity will hold it’s 10th Annual Golf Extravaganza at the Wailea Blue Golf Course on October 15th with a Shotgun start at 12pm. You can save money if you register before October 1! There will be lunch served on the course by Tommy Bahama Restaurant, an after tournament dinner party at Mulligan’s on the Blue as well as live Entertainment and & Silent Auctions. To register, call 242-1140 for information
Family-friendly Fall & Halloween Events
Tickets sell out fast for Haleakala Waldorf School’s Night of Delight which is a wonderful Halloween celebration for young children. This year the event will be on Saturday, October 29 at the School campus in Kula, upcountry Maui. There are two separate show times:
- 5:00pm show for children age 6 and under
- 6:30pm show for children age 10 and under
The school suggests that children wear friendly costumes (no scary-no masks please) and bring a bag to collect treats and a flashlight to light the way. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased by calling 878-2511.
On October 15, Pukalani’s Carden Academy will be holding its very own Fall festival from 9 am until 2 pm. The kids will enjoy pony rides, face painting and cool crafts like scarecrow building. The grounds will be decorated farmer’s market style, with locally grown pumpkins and offer food from local eateries like Pulehu Pizza and Mana Foods.