55th Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Starts Brewing November 6–15, 2026

Hawaii’s Oldest Food Festival Slated November 6–15, 2026

 

Kona, Hawaii (July 23, 2026) – Mark your calendars and join us as Hawaiʻi’s oldest food festival begins brewing for another unforgettable celebration of world-famous Kona coffee, culture, community, and aloha!

 

Experience ten days of Kona coffee farm tours, Kona coffee tastings, cultural events, live entertainment, Kona coffee competitions, artisan markets, and traditions that have made the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival a treasured annual event.

 

“The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is a reflection of our community’s values, resilience, and deep respect for the land and tradition,” said Val Corcoran, Festival President. “It is a chance for people to connect meaningfully with the history of Kona coffee, to experience culture firsthand, including Hawaiian, and to honor the legacy of those who have come before us.”

 

This year’s official Signature Artwork, created by Chalet Moleni, beautifully honors the immigrant communities whose hard work, resilience, and cultural traditions helped shape Kona’s world-famous coffee heritage. Her vibrant artwork will be featured throughout the Festival and serves as a heartfelt tribute to the diverse cultures rooted in Kona’s rich coffee legacy.

 

 

Friday, November 6            

As the sun sets over Historic Kailua Village, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Lantern Parade lights the way along Alii Drive with its glowing procession of light, music and color.

 

Stroll through the quaint art district, visit galleries and choose from over 30 Kona coffee farms offering tastings and coffee for purchase.

 

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is not just about sipping the best coffee in the world, it's about the food too! The KTA Super Stores Kona Coffee Recipe Contest where signature dishes feature – you guessed it – Kona’s world famous coffee.

 

Embark on guided tours to local Kona coffee farms, where you can witness the coffee-making process from bean to cup. Meet passionate Kona coffee farmers, learn about sustainable practices, and savor freshly brewed Kona coffee straight from the source.

 

Artisans, cultural practitioners, Hawaiian musicians, Kona coffee farmers and crafters all gather to share many of Kona’s ethnic traditions during the day-long Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Ho‘olaule‘a.

 

A night of crafted “Taste of Kona” culinary experiences with interactive food stations and live music for dancing.

 

To support the Festival’s 10 days of events, the price of the official Festival Admission Button is $10. Proceeds help fund ongoing community programming, scholarships, and festival infrastructure and events.

 

This collectible button is required for admission to all events and special rates for ticketed events too! Children ages 12 and under are free.

 

Festival admission buttons are available for purchase at many retail and farm locations throughout the Kona area in early Fall.

 

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is made possible through the support of Hawaii Tourism Authority and the generous sponsorship of UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., Ltd., Alaska Airlines, KTA Super Stores, Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union, Kamehameha Schools, and numerous other corporate and community donors.

 

For more information, please visit www.konacoffeefest.com.

 

Be sure to follow the Festival on social media @konacoffeefest

 

Lonely Planet's Global Coffee Tour book listed the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival as a “world's best coffee experience.”

 

National Geographic recently wrote that the “Festival is a Best Fall Festival in the United States” with the National Geographic Traveler listing the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival as a “Best Food Festival in Every U.S. State.”

 

Country Living Magazine included this year’s Festival as one of the “Best Fall Festivals and Fairs Across the United States” and earlier as a “Best Fall Festival to Celebrate the Season.”

 

International Festivals & Events Association awarded the Festival with IFEA Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards recognizing the Festival for outstanding accomplishments and top quality creative, promotional materials.

 

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is an annual event that celebrates the heritage, culture, and history of Kona coffee. With a legacy spanning over fifty years, the Festival has become a cornerstone of the Kona community, drawing visitors from across the globe to experience the unique flavors and traditions of Kona coffee.

 

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival stands as one of Hawaii’s longest-running cultural celebrations, attracting thousands of visitors and locals each year who share a passion for heritage and tradition. Thanks to the support of dedicated community members, volunteers, and local partners, the festival continues to honor Kona coffee’s story while uniting the community and sharing aloha with visitors from around the globe.