Things to do in Oahu and Hawaii in October

Hawaii really comes out to play in October, when Halloween activities – pumpkin-picking dress-up and Honolulu hauntings – get into full swing and several other festivals, including Honolulu Pride and the Ironman World Championship, also take place. Our guide to the best things to do in Oahu and Hawaii in October includes all of these, plus hula dancing, turtles, cultural attractions and much more!

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: March 5, 2025
Wheelbarrow full of pumpkins at a farm

Visiting Oahu and Hawaii in October

Kids and adults dancing on the beach in traditional Hawaiian lei garlands

Temperature: 73-88°F • Average Rainfall: 11 days/month • Average Sunshine: 9 hours/day • Sea Temperature: 81°F

October is shoulder season in Hawaii. Not that you’d know it, what with the veritable smorgasbord of fun festivals taking place throughout the month, from foodie spectaculars to film fests and, of course, Halloween. Prices are, on the whole, lower than more popular peak summer dates, meaning there are bargains to be had. But do be aware that hotel prices can spike during the most popular events (looking at you, Ironman World Championship).

The weather in October ain’t half bad either: we’re talking balmy summer days with only the occasional pre-rainy season shower, but rarely anything prolonged enough to dampen your spirits. Our advice? Pack a pocket poncho with the shades and sunscreen just in case you’re caught out on a hike.

Tourist numbers are also down in October, so it’s a fine time to enjoy all those fine Oahu attractions – Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head and traditional Polynesian luaus – with relatively few fellow sightseers. You can also save on admission to dozens of Hawaii bucket-listers with the Oahu pass from Go City®, which can reduce regular admission prices by up to half. Click to find out more and choose your pass.

October Festivals in Oahu and Hawaii

Rainbow flags at Pride Parade

Hawaii hosts more festivals and events in October than you can shake your hula at. Here is just a small selection of our faves…

Honolulu Pride Parade

October is Hawaii’s LGBTQ+ History Month, when the already colorful streets of Honolulu get the full rainbow treatment, with flags flying from Magic Island all the way down Kalakaua Avenue through Waikiki and into Kapiolani Park. Pick a spot along the route to catch the eye-popping Pride Parade, featuring flamboyant floats, loud loud music and plenty of balloons and streamers, and nab tickets for the festival that follows, with drag acts, musicians, dancers and more taking to the stage at Waikiki Shell. More here.

Hawaii Island Festival of Birds

The Big Island’s annual festival of all things avian is a must for full-feathered birdwatchers and fledgling twitchers alike. Expect tours, talks, games and bird-themed crafts, meaning that, if you fail to spot that elusive Hawaiian honeycreeper, you can probably still buy a picture of one. Stick your beak in for further details here.

Hawaii Food and Wine Festival

This epicurean extravaganza takes place over three weekends in October (and sometimes into early November), taking in a trio of islands – Oahu, Maui and the Big Island – and serving up countless culinary delights from the Pacific Islands and beyond. Take an empty stomach and an open mind for maximum enjoyment. Details of this year’s festival can be found here.

Ironman World Championship

Traithlon competitor running trails on Hawaii's Big Island

You’ll feel like you’re working off some of that fine Hawaiian cuisine just by *spectating* this annual triathlon on the Big Island, in which hardcore athletes from around the world compete for the title of Ironman (and Ironwoman). The course includes an open-water sea swim in Kailua-Kona Bay, a bike race across 122 miles of lava-scarred desert, and a windswept coastal marathon, all in frequently sweltering conditions. Not, in other words, a contest for the faint-hearted.

Hawaii International Film Festival

Popcorn at the ready: held across the four main Hawaiian Islands, this annual cinema showcase highlights movies from Asia, the Pacific region and North America. Here’s your chance to catch exclusive screenings, plus workshops, director Q&As, star-studded awards ceremonies and – who knows – perhaps even the odd celebrity selfie opportunity. Check the HIFF website for event details.

Emalani Festival

Featuring traditional food, music and crafts, this one honors Queen Emma’s valuable contribution to Hawaii’s rich cultural heritage. A celebration of her legendary horsemanship forms the centerpiece of the event. And if that’s whet your appetite for all things Queen Emma, your Oahu pass also covers entry to her summer palace: a 19th-century New England-style house just outside Honolulu in the lush Nuuanu Valley.

Spooktacular Halloween Fun!

Scary Halloween pumpkin on the beach at dusk

In many ways, Hawaii’s no different to the other 49 US states. That’s especially true at Halloween, when the trick or treaters are out in force and carved pumpkins wearing all manner of hideous expressions line the streets. You can even pick and carve your own at one of the pumpkin farms on Oahu and the Big Island.

Join a Honolulu ghost tour to discover Polynesian connections to the spiritual world, complete with spooky myths and legends and even ceremonies for communing with long-dead relatives. Or take a walk through the Haunted Plantation… if you dare. This super-scary immersive sugar-plantation nightmare unfolds in what is considered to be one of the world’s most haunted villages. Gulp.

Bit too creepy for comfort? Opt for marginally more cuddly Halloween experiences at themed pop-up bars, local cinemas and the Waikiki Aquarium instead.

October in Oahu and Hawaii: Best of the Rest

Hula dancer ornament on a car bonnet

There’s plenty more you can do in Oahu and Hawaii in October (when not birdwatching, taking part in a triathlon or running away screaming from disembodied heads, that is). The reduced shoulder-season crowds makes October prime time, for example, to tick off some of those essential cultural Oahu attractions. We’re talking the moving memorials and monuments of Pearl Harbor, the ostentatious confection that is regal Iolani Palace, and that most essential of Hawaii experiences: the traditional luau, a sensory extravaganza of Polynesian food, traditional music, hula, fire-dancing and more. You can check out our pick of Oahu's top 10 attractions here, and read our comparison of two of Oahu’s top luau shows here.

Turtle on the beach in Hawaii

Pimp up your skill set with something a little out of your comfort zone. Hawaiians pride themselves on their colorful traditions and want to share them with you. And, after all, it’s not every day you get the chance to craft a delicate floral garland or learn hula and fire-dancing from the experts.

That’s not all either. You can still spot nesting sea turtles by the dozen in October on beaches like Lanikai on Oahu (there’s a reason they call it Turtle Beach, doncha know), as well as at Kahaluʻu Beach Park on the Big Island.

Looking for more October activities in Oahu and Hawaii? Hit the buttons below to find out how you could save with the Oahu pass and to choose yours…

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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Honolulu panorama with Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head peak.
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Is Oahu Safe?

Of the 137 islands that make up the Aloha State, Oahu is by far the most popular, pulling in as many tourists annually as the rest of the islands combined. No surprise perhaps, when you consider that it’s home to some of Hawaii’s biggest attractions – Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor and the state capital of Honolulu among them. But is Oahu safe? We went undercover in Ray-Bans and our most eye-catching Hawaiian shirts to find out... How Safe is Oahu? Hawaii is among the safest places to visit in the United States, ranking in the lowest 25% for violent crime, well below other tourism hotspots like California, Florida, New York and Nevada. That Honolulu is frequently ranked as one of the planet’s safest big cities – as evidenced by independent studies like this one and this one – is also testament to Oahu’s low crime rate. None of which means you shouldn’t still keep your wits about you when visiting this remote Pacific archipelago, where data suggests that annual tourists outnumber residents by a factor of around six to one. That makes Oahu as much a paradise for petty thieves as it is for wide-eyed, sun-starved visitors fresh off the plane. Indeed, most of Oahu’s crime is theft-related, with pickpocketing, bag-snatching and car crime making up the majority of offenses. And, as inevitably as night follows day, it is you, the humble tourist, who is most likely to be on the receiving end, particularly around tourist hotspots where distracted punters and the anonymity of crowds provide easy pickings for modern-day Artful Dodgers. Even the very well-patrolled Waikiki Beach occasionally falls foul of opportunistic crooks. However, keeping your wits about you, understanding the warning signs and not brandishing cash, jewelry and expensive electronic gadgets wherever you go – you know, just like you wouldn’t back home – should make for a problem-free vacation. Here are a few common sense tips that will stand you in good stead for keeping yourself and your belongings safe in Oahu: Don’t carry large sums of cash around with you. Don’t leave valuable devices where they can be snatched easily – think restaurant/café tables, beach bags, jacket pockets, etc. Keep bags zipped and credit cards secured in tight pockets. Park your car in designated areas, lock it and make sure no valuables are left in sight. If you’re unfortunate enough to have your possessions nabbed, don’t give chase; instead report the incident to local police and let your insurance take care of the rest. Finally, in Oahu you’re probably more at risk from a nasty sunburn or riptide than a thief. Read on for our tips on avoiding Oahu’s natural dangers... Staying Safe in the Hawaiian Sun Hawaii’s string of volcanic islands are manna for nature lovers, all soaring peaks dense with tropical vegetation (and wildlife), sparkling blue seas, spectacular blowholes, craters and canyons, and glorious, glorious sunshine. It’s warm and sunny year-round in Hawaii, with average highs in the 80s and lows that rarely drop below the 70s. And hot sunny weather means one thing: sunscreen! Our advice? Stay out of the sun between 11AM and 2PM (great time for a long, lazy lunch in the shade, right?) and slather yourself liberally with a skin-suitable SPF at all other times. The last thing you want to bring back as a souvenir of your trip is a brick-red sunburn, a ‘hilarious’ anecdote about how you had to be treated for sunstroke – or worse. Respect the sun and you’ll have no such issues. Rather than stuffing your beach bag with thief-attracting electronic gadgets, pack plenty of factor 50, UV sunglasses and a great big floppy Audrey Hepburn sunhat. Who needs screentime with those epic ocean views anyway? Don’t forget to carry water, and plenty of it, to keep you hydrated. And yes, the occasional refreshing mai tai is also fine (and perhaps essential), as long as consumed in moderation during the hottest parts of the day. The sea here commands just as much respect, thanks to its potentially dangerous combination of inviting, balmy waters and pull-the-rug-from-under-your-feet riptides. Many Oahu beaches have lifeguards on patrol from morning to late afternoon. This includes Waikiki Beach where unexpected rips have been known to carry swimmers out to sea. Exercise caution and follow local guidance on swimming and surfing in risk-prone areas. Don’t swim alone, don’t turn your back on the sea and finally, don’t forget to reapply that all-important sunscreen after a dip. A common-sense approach is also advised when it comes to Oahu’s other natural attractions, including hiking trails and blowholes. There are dozens of spectacular hiking routes across the island, including the epic Moanalua Valley Trail with its sweeping panoramas of Honolulu and iconic ‘Stairway to Heaven’, and the family friendly east coast Pu'u Ma'eli'eli Trail with its lush rainforest and awe-inspiring views across Kāneʻohe Bay and the Koʻolau Mountain Range. Dress sensibly and pack plenty of water, snacks and sunscreen, and plan to be home well before sundown. And always make sure to let someone know where you’re going, especially if you’re heading off the beaten path. Last but by no means least, Hawaii’s extraordinary blowholes – of which Oahu’s Hālona Blowhole is the most famous – are as impressive as they are dangerous. Sure, get close, but not that close. The waters here are turbulent and unpredictable and you wouldn’t be the first selfie-taker to fall fatally foul of a rogue sea surge or particularly violent geyser. Oahu Nights Solo travelers and seekers of lively nightlife will find much to enjoy in the Waikiki tiki bars and lively Honolulu club scene. Again, Honolulu is safer than most cities, but use judgment and caution, especially when meeting new people. Buy your own drinks while you gauge the trustworthiness of new companions and stick to busy, well-lit areas rather than drifting to dive bars down dark alleys. Just like any other big city anywhere else on the planet, you probably don’t want to be staggering drunkenly around unfamiliar downtown streets at two o’clock in the morning. And especially not alone – it only serves to make you an easy moving target for even the laziest of criminals. That’s not to say you shouldn’t have fun; you absolutely should – and will – have buckets of fun! Remember: friendly locals and a solid police presence around downtown Honolulu and Waikiki Beach makes these areas largely very safe for tourists at night. All you need do to enjoy a worry-free experience is keep your wits about you, exercise caution and common sense and, ideally, get a cab home at the end of the night. Save on activities and attractions in Oahu Save on admission to Oahu attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Oahu
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Everything You Need to Know About Whale Watching in Oahu & Hawaii

Nature lovers already know that Hawaii is a tropical paradise filled with all sorts of flora and fauna. However, you may not know that one of the most popular things to do in Hawaii is to embark on a whale-watching cruise. If you’re traveling to Oahu during the winter and early spring, you’ll be able to hop on a cruise to seek out the elusive giants of the sea – humpback whales. These majestic creatures roam the waters around the Hawaiian Islands between December and May of each year, bringing joy and delight to locals and tourists alike. Oahu is one of the best Hawaiian islands for whale watching. Save on Admission to Oahu Ocean Activities If you’re headed to Oahu to pursue whale sightings, you may want to enjoy other Hawaii attractions as well. Consider picking up an all-inclusive Go Oahu pass, which can save you up to 55% on combined admission to top attractions like tours, cruises, bike rentals, museums, and more. See all available attractions, passes, and prices. Remember to Save on Admission When planning your Oahu whale-watching vacation, don’t forget to save money on admission to cruises and other top attractions. Consider using a Go Oahu pass to save up to 55% on combined admission to top Oahu attractions. We know you’ll never forget your whale-watching experience!
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