What the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Is
The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival calls itself Hawaii's oldest food festival. It has run since 1970 and exists to preserve and promote Kona's nearly 200-year coffee heritage. The 55th festival runs November 6 through 15, 2026, spread across Kailua-Kona, Holualoa, Kealakekua and Captain Cook on Hawaii Island. It mixes farm tours and tastings with cultural demonstrations, artisan markets, competitions, concerts and a street festival. Some events are free; others are ticketed.
The Festival Button
Most farm tours and many events require a $10 festival button. Several venues set the minimum age at 12 or 13. Buy the button first, then choose from the schedule below. Some events carry an extra charge on top of the button.
The 2026 Schedule
Opening weekend, November 6-8
- Fri Nov 6: Made in Hawaii Artisan Market, 2-9 p.m., Hale Halawai County Pavilion. Lantern Parade, 6-7 p.m., from Kailua Pier to the pavilion. Multicultural Showcase, 6-9 p.m., Hale Halawai.
- Sat Nov 7: Holualoa Coffee and Art Stroll, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., historic Holualoa Village, where visitors meet farmers, sample coffees and browse art and food. Cultural activities and demonstrations, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Donkey Mill Art Center. Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Competition, 6 p.m., Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa.
- Sun Nov 8: Little Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Pageant, competition at 5 p.m., Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa. KTA Super Stores Kona Coffee Recipe Contest and Big Island Showcase, showcase from 10 a.m., contest ending at 2 p.m., same resort. Pickle and Pour Pickleball Tournament, 9 a.m., Holua Racquet and Paddle.
Midweek, November 9-13
- Barista training (Nov 9, 5-9 p.m., Kona Coffee and Tea) and a five-course coffee-flavored supper club (Nov 9, 5:30-8:30 p.m., The Theatery, $125 plus the button; reserve at thetheatery.com).
- Old Time Kona Stories, Volume 1 (Nov 10, show at 6 p.m., Aloha Theatre): general admission $15, seniors and students $10, button required for ages 13 and up.
- Kona Espresso Martini and Coffee Cocktail Competition (Nov 11, 5-7 p.m., Hale Cocoa, Kealakekua); Nani Keao concert and okonomiyaki (Nov 11, Kona Hongwanji).
- Latte Art Throw Down (Nov 12, 6-9 p.m., Kona Coffee and Tea); Chamber Music Night (Nov 12, Mokuaikaua Church).
- Kona's Got Talent Showcase (Nov 13, 6-8 p.m., Keauhou Shopping Center).
Closing weekend, November 14-15
- Sat Nov 14: 100% Pure Kona Coffee Half Marathon, 6 a.m., Coconut Grove Marketplace. Ho'olaule'a, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Makaeo Pavilion, with multicultural entertainment, an ethnic food court, a lei contest, exhibits, an artisan marketplace and farmers pouring their brews. The Grand Finale, 6-9 p.m., The Theatery.
- Sun Nov 15: Cupping Competition Awards Ceremony, 1-3 p.m., Buddha's Cup Sanctuary Event Space, where winners are announced and top coffees can be sampled. Chamber Orchestra of Kona concert, 2:30 p.m., Kona Elks Lodge.
Farm Tours and Exhibits
| Experience | Dates and hours | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Island Sun Coffee Farm and Mill Tour, Kailua-Kona | Nov 6-14, tours at 9, 10 and 11 a.m. | Free with button |
| Greenwell Farms Seed to Cup Tour, Kealakekua | Nov 9-13, 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. | Button (ages 12+) |
| UCC Hawaii Coffee Picking and Farm Experience, Holualoa | Nov 9-13, tours 9:30 and 11 a.m. | Free with button |
| Hala Tree Coffee Farm Tour, Captain Cook | Nov 6-13, weekdays only, hourly 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Button; 12 guests per tour; $5 off farm-store purchase |
| Doutor Mauka Meadows self-guided tour, Holualoa | Nov 9-13, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Free with button (ages 12+) |
| Kona Coffee Quilt and Fiber Arts Show, Quilt Passions | Nov 9-14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Button; free validated parking |
| Kona Historical Society Living History Farm, Captain Cook | Nov 6, 10 and 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | $15 plus button; $10 for Hawaii residents with button |
Quilt and fiber artists can submit work to the festival's Quilt Challenge through quiltpassions.net.
The Cupping Competition
The festival's cupping competition has been part of the program since 1987. Coffees are scored blind on the Specialty Coffee Association 100-point scale. Under the rules published for the 2023 competition, entries had to be 100 percent Kona coffee grown in the Kona district, with separate Kona Crown (larger operations) and Kona Classic (smallholder) divisions, a Kona Heritage award, a $100 fee per entry, and 2 lb of green coffee per entry. Check the festival site for current-year rules. The 2026 winners are announced at the November 15 ceremony.
Questions
Do I need a button for everything?
Most farm tours and ticketed events require the $10 button. The Ho'olaule'a street festival and the Lantern Parade are listed as part of the festival program; confirm button requirements for each event on the festival site.
Is it for kids?
Many events set a minimum age of 12 or 13 for the button. The Little Miss Kona Coffee pageant and the lantern parade are family-oriented.
How do I reach the organizers?
Use the contact form at konacoffeefest.com/contact/.
Official Links
- Kona Coffee Cultural Festival: schedule, tours and tickets
- Festival contact page
- 55th annual festival listing: dates and highlights
- 2023 cupping competition rules
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Hawaii Cattlemen's Council Annual Meeting and Convention
Statewide ranchers' gathering of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott on the Kohala Coast; registration for the 2026 meeting had closed.
Waikoloa Beach, HI | Organizer: Hawaii Cattlemen's Council Official event details - 100% Pure Kona Coffee Half Marathon
Half marathon on festival Saturday starting at Coconut Grove Marketplace in Kailua-Kona; every finisher receives a cup of Kona coffee. Held each year; the most recent date was November 14, 2026.
- Panaewa Stampede Rodeo
Two-day paniolo heritage rodeo at the Panaewa Equestrian Center in Hilo, with local vendors and family entertainment. Held each year; the most recent dates were February 14-15, 2026.
Hilo, HI | Organizer: Hawaii Horse Owners Official event details - Kau Coffee Festival
Seventeenth annual week of Kau coffee events: plantation house open house, recipe contest, a Coffee and Cattle Day at Aikane Plantation Coffee Farm and a free ho'olaulea. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 14-20, 2026.
Pahala, HI | Organizer: Kau Coffee Festival Official event details - Big Island 4-H Livestock County Show
Hawaii Island 4-H youth show steers, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits and poultry at the Brian Anderson Arena in Honokaa before the state show. Held each year; the most recent date was June 20, 2026.
Honokaa, HI | Organizer: University of Hawaii CTAHR / Hawaii 4-H Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.