Where to stay for
55th Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival — November 6–15, 2026
Downtown Kailua-Kona and North Kona farm venues, Hawaii Island, Kailua Kona · Villas in Hawaii
Ten days of Kona coffee culture: Hawaii's oldest food festival returns Nov 6-15
About 55th Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival
For 55 years the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival has been the Big Island's signature gathering - ten days of farm tours, the Lantern Parade down Ali'i Drive, the Ho'olaule'a celebration and the cupping competition that crowns Kona's best brew. Coffee lovers, chefs and culture seekers fly in for a once-a-year look behind the curtain of the world's most famous coffee region.
Staying in a private villa in Kailua-Kona means your group wakes to the same hillsides where the festival's coffee grows - host a farm-to-table tasting on your own lanai between events, instead of shuttling back to a resort tower.
Highlights
Ten-day island-wide festival
Nov 6-15, 2026: farm tours, tastings and cultural events across Kona's coffee country.
Lantern Parade opening night
Nov 6 kicks off with the Made in Hawaii Artisan Market, Lantern Parade and Multicultural Showcase.
Ho'olaule'a big celebration
Nov 14's Ho'olaule'a is the festival's largest day of music, food and Hawaiian culture.
Cupping competition finale
Nov 15 awards crown the best Kona coffees of the harvest in the festival's signature contest.
Dates and program as published by the organizer — official event information: https://konacoffeefest.com/events/
Available for these dates
Tell us your dates and group size and we'll find a home. Event weekends book out fast — our concierge team checks homes that aren't listed online yet and confirms directly with each homeowner.
From our journal
The Maruca Group Journal Kona Coffee Cultural Festival 2026: where to stay + insider guide Read the guide →55th Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival — FAQ
When is the 2026 Kona Coffee Cultural Festival?
The 55th Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival runs November 6 through November 15, 2026, on Hawaii Island.
Where is the festival held?
Festival events take place in Downtown Kailua-Kona and at farm venues across North Kona, Hawaii Island. Opening-night events center on Ali'i Drive in Kailua-Kona town.
What are the main events I should not miss?
Opening night on November 6 features the Made in Hawaii Artisan Market, the Lantern Parade and the Multicultural Showcase. The Ho'olaule'a celebration on November 14 is the largest day of music, food and Hawaiian culture, and the cupping competition finale on November 15 crowns the best Kona coffees of the harvest.
How far is the festival from Kona airport?
Kona International Airport (KOA) is about fifteen to twenty-five minutes from Kailua-Kona town. A rental car is recommended because festival events and farm venues are spread across town and the North Kona hills.
Where should we stay during the festival?
Staying in a private villa in Kailua-Kona puts your group close to both the town events and the North Kona farm venues, with shared living space, a kitchen and room for multi-generational or group travel. Villas uphill from Ali'i Drive keep you near opening-night crowds while waking you inside coffee country.
Is the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival suitable for families?
Yes. Farm tours, tastings, the artisan market and cultural showcases run throughout the ten days, with the family-friendly Ho'olaule'a on November 14. Check the official schedule for age guidance on any tastings or farm events.
Can we buy Kona coffee at the festival?
Yes - roasters sell throughout the festival, and competition winners announced November 15 sell quickly. Many Kona roasters also ship to the mainland if you want to keep the harvest coming after you fly home.
How we screen every stay
Every home we represent is someone's personal residence, in a real neighborhood, and we've committed to the owner and their neighbors that we'll place it only with guests whose plans fit the home. So, like most professionally managed homes, we confirm a few details with every guest before a reservation is finalized — who is staying, the purpose of the trip, and agreement to the house rules and rental agreement. This is the same for everyone who books with us, and it's meant to protect you too: it keeps the neighborhood quiet and welcoming, keeps the home in the condition you expect, and ensures the property truly matches what you need. Once confirmed with the homeowner, we'll send the final quote for signature within one business day.
- Maximum occupancy is the number shown for each home — no additional overnight guests, no day visitors beyond the registered group.
- No undisclosed parties, events, gatherings, dinners, or photo/film shoots. Any event must be disclosed in advance, approved by the homeowner in writing, and paid for (event fee/deposit), and must follow city ordinance and house rules.
- The primary guest must be 25+ (or the owner's minimum), must be staying on-site, and signs the rental agreement and provides ID.
- Pet policy: pets by approval only. Service and assistance animals are always welcome — tell us in advance.
- Quiet hours 10 PM–8 AM; this is a residential neighborhood.
- Every guest is screened and the homeowner has final approval on every reservation.
- Rates are confirmed with the homeowner before the quote is final.
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