Hallowbaloo Music and Arts Festival Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Here is the compete guide to Hallowbaloo.

By Bianca Sewake

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Photos: Courtesy of Hallowbaloo by joe marquez

Hallowbaloo Music and Arts Festival returns for another year in Chinatown this Saturday, Oct. 31. Founder and creative director Mark Tarone launched the festival in 2008 in honor of his favorite night of the year. He wanted to create a fun event that captured the energy and creative spirit of Hawai‘i’s people during Halloween. From food and drinks to music to live entertainment—even a 1-mile “marathon”—this event has everything needed for Halloween revelry. Plus, this year’s festival is expanding with new activities including a Hallowbaloo Ball at the Hawai‘i State Art Museum (HiSAM). So get those costumes ready, 21 and older crowd (unless you’re accompanied by an adult). Here’s everything you need to know about navigating Hallowbaloo:

WHAT TO DO

HiSAM Hallowbaloo Ball

The 300 people able to snag a ticket to the Hallowbaloo Ball at HiSAM are in for a treat. It’s the newest addition to the festival, and worth checking out. Attendees will be able to enjoy balcony views overlooking the sculpture garden and entertainment below, and watch four different dance ensembles perform. There will be exclusive, premium elixirs and culinary creations by different Chinatown eateries including Lucky Belly, Livestock Tavern, Waikīkī Brewing Co. and Honolulu Beerworks. A ticket to the HiSAM Hallowbaloo Ball also grants access to the rest of Hallowbaloo.

Hawai‘i State Art Museum, 250 S. Hotel St., 5:30 to 10 p.m, tickets are $80 each, buy tickets here

Hallowbaloo Street Festival

Festival-goers dressed up in creative costumes roam the streets to mingle and catch performances on different stages. The main stage will be on the front lawn of HiSAM, and the other stages and food and drink vendors will be on Richards Street (between Beretania Street and the YWCA building), and Hotel Street (between Alakea and Richards streets).

Various locations, 5:30 to 10 p.m.

Hallowbaloo Marathon

The second annual Hallowbaloo Marathon (an easy 1-mile walk/run) invites anyone and everyone to register to support local arts and culture nonprofits, while having fun doing so. Plus, this year’s participants will have a chance to win one of several prizes: a selfie with Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner Booker T. Jones on the main stage of Hallowbaloo, a private concert by Taimane, a movie night at Hawai‘i Theatre Center with 50 friends, or a Chinatown dinner for four. $15 of the registration fee goes towards the nonprofit of the participant’s choice. And, once registered, participants who are 21 and older will receive a Hallowbaloo wristband, and 97 cents of every dollar donated will go towards the following local nonprofits:

Hawai‘i Theatre Center

The ARTS at Marks Garage

Hawai‘i Public Radio

Hawai‘i Opera Theatre

Hawai‘i Pops

Hawai‘i Women in Filmmaking

Pretty Peacock Productions

250 Hotel St., registration at 5 p.m., race begins 5:45 p.m., Cost starts at $16, buy tickets here

Club Hallowbaloo

Enjoy entertainment and lively energy from a diverse group of festival-goers throughout the night for one cover fee at these participating bars and clubs:

Bar 35

Nextdoor

Downbeat Lounge

Manifest

Fresh Café

The Arts at Marks Garage

Scarlet Honolulu

Square Barrels

Various bars and clubs, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., Pre-sale wristbands are $20, buy a wristband here

MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT

There’s a whole lineup of music and entertainment throughout the evening. You won’t want to miss funk and soul music artist Booker T. Jones. And we’re big fans of local DJ SuperCW, who, over the past several months, has been undergoing treatment for cancer. We’re thrilled she beat it and that she will be performing at Nextdoor. And prepare to be amazed at the aerial performances by Samadhi Hawai‘i. For the full lineup and schedule, click here.

FOOD AND DRINKS

Fuel up for a night of partying or wind down after the festival at these participating Chinatown eateries that will be serving up full menu bites until 11 p.m., unless otherwise noted below: