Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Travel Guide

The 55th Kona Coffee Cultural Festival runs November 6 to 15, 2026, in Kona on Hawaii Island. Founded in 1970, it is widely described as one of the oldest food festivals in Hawaii, with farm tours, cupping competitions, cultural performances, and tastings across about ten days. KBM Resorts homes sit on the Kohala Coast in Waikoloa, so reaching the festival means a drive down the coast and a rental car. This guide covers the main dates, how the festival button works, and how to plan your stay.

By KBM Resorts Local Experts · Last updated 2026-10-13

What the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Is

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival began in 1970 and is widely described as one of the oldest food festivals in Hawaii. The 55th annual festival runs November 6 to 15, 2026, across about ten days in Kona on Hawaii Island. The program is built around coffee and the community that grows it: farm tours, cupping competitions, cultural performances, food tastings and recipe contests, and artisan markets. Events take place in town venues and on working coffee farms in Holualoa, Kealakekua, and Captain Cook, so a visit tends to mix evenings out with mornings on the farms.

Event Highlights and Dates

Opening night, November 6, is the Lantern Parade from 6 to 7 pm, moving from Kailua Pier to Hale Halawai County Pavilion. The UCC Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Competition follows on November 7 at 6 pm at Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, with the Little Miss pageant at the same venue on November 8. The UCC Hawaii Kona Coffee Picking & Farm Experience runs November 9 to 13 in Holualoa. The Ho'olaule'a is November 14 from 9 am to 3 pm at Makae'o Pavilion. The Cupping Competition Awards Ceremony closes the festival on November 15, 1 to 3 pm, at Buddhas Cup Sanctuary Event Space.

Farm Tours and the Festival Button

Many farm tours and exhibits require a festival button, which costs $10. Some experiences are free with the button. The Kona Coffee Living History Farm costs $15 plus the button ($10 for Hawaii residents). Farm visits happen in Holualoa, Kealakekua, and Captain Cook. Other venues include The Theatery, Aloha Theatre, Donkey Mill Art Center, and Kona Elks Lodge. Full ticket pricing is on the festival's Tickets page at konacoffeefest.com, and it is worth reading before you plan your days.

Getting Around and Staying on the Kohala Coast

KBM Resorts Big Island homes are on the Kohala Coast in Waikoloa, at Halii Kai and Waikoloa Colony Villas, not in Kailua-Kona itself. Reaching festival events means a drive down the coast, and a rental car is essentially required on the Big Island. The arrival airport is Kona International Airport (KOA). Staying in Waikoloa gives you a home of your own to return to after a day of tastings. Hotels near Kona fill early in festival week, so book early. Stays of six nights or more include a complimentary compact rental car; a daily tax applies, so confirm the details for your reservation.

Practical Tips for Festival Week

Confirm the current-year schedule on konacoffeefest.com before you build your itinerary, since dates, venues, and times can change. Buy tickets and festival buttons early, and check the Tickets page for events that need their own admission. Book your home early as well, because lodging near Kona fills early in festival week. Pair evening events, such as the Lantern Parade or the pageants, with farm visits on other days so the drive down the coast does not crowd your schedule. On stays of six nights or more a complimentary compact rental car is included, so confirm the details for your reservation.

Schedule, event, and ticket details in this guide come from konacoffeefest.com, the festival organizer's site, and can change. Please confirm the current-year schedule with the festival before you finalize travel plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2026 Kona Coffee Cultural Festival?

The 55th annual festival runs November 6 to 15, 2026, in Kona on Hawaii Island. It opens with the Lantern Parade on November 6 and closes with the Cupping Competition Awards Ceremony on November 15. Please confirm the current schedule at konacoffeefest.com.

Do I need a festival button for farm tours?

Many farm tours and exhibits require a $10 festival button, and some are free with it. The Kona Coffee Living History Farm costs $15 plus the button ($10 for Hawaii residents). Full ticket pricing is on the festival's Tickets page.

Where should I stay, and do I need a rental car?

KBM Resorts Big Island homes are on the Kohala Coast in Waikoloa, not in Kailua-Kona, so reaching events means a drive down the coast. A rental car is essentially required on the Big Island, and Stays of six nights or more include a complimentary compact rental car; a daily tax applies, so confirm the details for your reservation. Hotels near Kona fill early in festival week, so book early.

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