FREE Street Festival – 5pm-10:30pm
   
5 Outdoor Stages with Non-Stop Entertainment + Mechanical Bull Rides
Entertainment Schedule
Festival Map
Wristbands for Purchasing Brews & Cocktails

As the sun begins to set on Halloween night, Nu'uanu Avenue and the surrounding area will come to life with historic storefronts beckoning spirits from the past; herds of costumed crazies gallivanting about the Arts Districts' wide, long streets; jack-o-lanterns scowling from all directions; and a colorful group of merchants standing at the ready - thrilled to have a chance to inject their own brand of passion into the night. It's a truly perfect stage for Halloween revelry.

A Feast for the Senses: Starting at 5pm, seven blocks on Nu'uanu Ave. and surrounding streets will open-up to pedestrians. Five outdoor stages will alight and transform the neighborhood into a whirlwind of Halloween cheer. A barrage of pulsating rhythms will greet the thousands of ghosts and goblins as they scurry about the curious nooks and crannies of the Arts District. Klezmer, reggae, indie rock, blues, folk, funk, ska, vintage surf rock, 80's pop, hip-hop and more will emerge from seemingly every corner. Highlights include free shows by Blitzen Trapper and Anders Osborne who regularly headline many of America's largest music festivals. In addition, 5-time Na Hoku Hanohano Award Winner, Ernie Cruz, Jr., will climb aboard the Nuboo Stage at 6pm; Black Square, fresh off being voted the Best Ska Band at the 2009 Hawaii Underground Music Awards will perform at 9pm on the Mercury Stage; and DJ Sovern-T will join Nocturnal Sound Krew DJ's ESKAE, Compose and Logoe on the Dance Cauldron stage from 6pm to 10pm.

Indie rock sextet, Blitzen Trapper, make their Hawaii debut on the Loloweeny Stage at 7 pm. Their unique sound has been described as ranging from 'Of-Montreal-meets-Grateful-Dead' to 'psychedelic Southern indie rock' ('All Music Guide'). Songs resonate with equal strength amongst young hipsters and older fans of classic artists such as Neil Young & Bob Dylan, and the band's currently on fire. Rolling Stone magazine ranked their latest album, 'Furr,' as the 13th best album of 2008, and this year, they've headlined Coachella, Sasquatch!, Pitchfork and Austin City Limits in addition to doing summer tours with indie giants Fleet Foxes and Wilco.

While Blitzen Trapper stands aboard an apparent fast-track to stardom, Anders Osborne arrives in Honolulu via a different path. He caught the attention of Hallowbaloo's producer, Mark Tarone, by earning a reputation as one of the most respected and admired musicians in New Orleans (no easy feat). A brief review of his music and career reveals a freakish talent with the songwriting, vocals and musicianship to be a mega-star in America and beyond. When you listen to 'Coming Down,' the title track of his 2007 album, you can't help but feel the same emotion and warmth that made Jackson Browne a household name world-wide. Yet, despite being a hero in New Orleans, writing a #1 hit song for Tim McGraw and regularly performing on the Crescent City 's biggest stages (e.g. Jazzfest, Voodoo Experience, etc.), Osborne is little known outside of Louisiana. That odd fact is in no way a reflection on his musical prowess though. If you're a fan of Hawaii's John Cruz, Jackson Browne or New Orleans' rhythm and blues (Anders not only exudes great feel with an acoustic guitar but also pulls as much grit and funk out of his Stratocaster as anyone in New Orleans), this is a show not to be missed. Osborne's 8:30pm show on the Grandest Spectacle Stage will feature special guest, Kirk Joseph, the legendary and innovative sousaphone (tuba) player who co-founded the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.


View a complete list of all of the featured stage entertainers and show times.