Kauai festivals offer year-round opportunities for Kauai vacation rental guests to experience island culture and meet the locals who live here. From hula dancing, Hawaiian music, parades and county fairs, there is always something new to experience on every Kauai vacation. Many of these Kauai events are free or have a nominal entry fee. Check back often for more Kauai festivals to be added soon.
February – Pepeluali
Art Walk at Shops at Kukui`ula. February 8. Enchanting evening of fine art, fine dining and music under the stars. Second Saturday of each month from 6pm to 9pm at Poipu Beach.
Kauai Wellness Expo, February 8 and 9. This feel good weekend event offers inspiring speaker, workshops and healthy products. Kauai War Memorial Convention Center in Lihue. 9am to 5pm. Admission is $5 for one day or $7 for the weekend.
8th Annual All Angels Jazz Festival – Music of New Orleans. February 7 and 8. Jazz on Friday and Saturday nights at 7pm. Advance purchase online is $35 or buy at door for $40. St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, 4364 Hardy Street in Lihue. Call 808-245-3796 for details.
Waimea Town Celebration, February 15-23. The oldest and largest Kauai festival is on the Westside. Week long events include a Hawaii Rodeo, canoe and stand-up paddle races, live entertainment, ukulele contest, food and more. Most events are free. There is a $3 charge for the rodeo and registration fee for races.
E Kanikapila Kakou January 19 to March 23. Every Monday night through March, enjoy free Hawaiian music by well known artists at Kauai Beach Resort. The night begins with a ukulele circle at 6pm and entertainment at 7pm. Food for sale. Sponsored by the Garden Island Arts Council. Free admission to most concerts and donations accepted.
March – Malaki
Art Walk at Shops at Kukui`ula. March 14. Enchanting evening of fine art, fine dining and music under the stars. Second Saturday of each month from 6pm to 9pm at Poipu Beach.
Prince Kuhio Celebration, March 21 to 29. Join us as we honor this Koloa born prince of the reigning House of Kalākaua when the Kingdom of Hawai`i was overthrown. He later went on to become a politician in the Territory of Hawaii as delegate to the United States Congress, and is the first native Hawaiian and only person ever elected to that body who was born a royal.
Kauai Orchid and Art Festival, March 27 and 28. Free weekend festival with music, flowers, art and food. Makana performs free on March 28.
E Kanikapila Kakou January 19 to March 23. Every Monday night through March, enjoy free Hawaiian music by well known artists at Kauai Beach Resort. The night begins with a ukulele circle at 6pm and entertainment at 7pm. Food for sale. Sponsored by the Garden Island Arts Council. Free admission to most concerts and donations accepted.
April – `Apelila
Passover Seder, April 22. Jewish Community of Kauai welcomes all. Event begins at 6pm at St. Michael’s Church in Lihue.
Art Walk at Shops at Kukui`ula. April 11. Enchanting evening of fine art, fine dining and music under the stars. Second Saturday of each month from 6pm to 9pm at Poipu Beach.
May – Mei
May Day Lei Contest and Celebration, May 1. See up to 100 lei entered into competition and silent auction at Kauai Museum. Hawaiian music and food provided. Learn how to make a lei at this annual festival. From 9:30am to 4pm. Entry fee is $5.00
May Day Concert, May 2. Kauai Beach Resort. 6pm. $25 in advance and $30 at the door. A fundraiser for the Malie Foundation.
Art Walk at Shops at Kukui`ula. May 9. Enchanting evening of fine art, fine dining and music under the stars. Second Saturday of each month from 6pm to 9pm at Poipu Beach.
Pedal to the Meadow. May 24. Bike race from Kekaha to Koke`e Meadow. Starts at 8:00am.
Banana Poke Roundup. May 24. Forest fair on Memorial Day Sunday. Sponsored by Koke`e Museum and held in their meadow. Free.
June – Iune
Taste of Hawaii, June 1. The “Ultimate Sunday Brunch” is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Kauai and Smith’s Tropical Paradise. Fifty of Hawaii’s most distinguished chefs serve food with musical entertainment in the background and 15 beverage providers. 11:30am to 3:30pm. Entry fee is $100 in advance or $115 at the gate.
Art Walk at Shops at Kukui`ula. June 13. Enchanting evening of fine art, fine dining and music under the stars. Second Saturday of each month from 6pm to 9pm at Poipu Beach.
King Kamehameha Day Parade and Celebration, June 14. Celebrate Hawaiian culture at this annual parade and community celebration along Rice Street in Lihue. Traditional Pa’u riders represent each island with Hawaiian organizations in full regalia and a Kamehameha Court. Starts at 9am with celebration following on the grounds of the Historic County Building. Admission is free.
Bon Dance, June 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27. This 500 year Japanese tradition honors the spirits of ancestors. Under a tropical night sky, dancers wearing summer kimonos move in a circle to the beat of Taiko drums. The mood is joyous with people of all ages and backgrounds participating. Starts at 7:30pm and ends around 10:30pm. Free admission. See post for location.
July – Iulai
Freedom Fest at Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), July 3. This popular Kauai event returns after a year hiatus. Free admission and entertainment by The Bootleggers, Ho`aikane, Ekolu and Greenstone Project. There are games, rides, food and craft booths. Everything takes place at the beach near Shenanigans restaurant. Due to increased security requirements, attending adult visitors are asked to carry a valid identification card with photo. For more information on this event, please call (808) 335-4446. Event scheduled from 4pm to midnight with fireworks at 9:45pm.
Kauai Hospice Concert In The Sky, July 4. The largest fireworks show on Kauai is at Vidinha Soccer Field. Gates open at 4pm with music, food and keiki games. Firework show at 8:30pm. Entry fee is $10 in advance of $15 at the gate. Proceeds benefit Kauai Hospice.
Art Walk at Shops at Kukui`ula. July 11. Enchanting evening of fine art, fine dining and music under the stars. Second Saturday of each month from 6pm to 9pm at Poipu Beach.
World Hula Conference, July 10-18. Kauai is host island for the 4th annual conference to be held at Kauai Community College. Schedules and registration fees to be announced. Dancers worldwide will be attending.
Koloa Plantation Days, July 18-27. This 10 day festival includes a rodeo, parade and many South Shore Kauai events to honor the sugar plantation history of Kauai. Some events are free and others have an admission charge.
Hanalei Bay Swim Challenge, July 26. One of the best open water swim competitions in the USA returns. This annual event hosts competitions for children and adults starting at 9am. Parrish Kauai is pleased to be a sponsor. Free admission.
Bon Dance, July 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 . This 500 year Japanese tradition honors the spirits of ancestors. Under a tropical night sky, dancers wearing summer kimonos move in a circle to the beat of Taiko drums. The mood is joyous with people of all ages and backgrounds participating. Starts at 7:30pm and ends around 10:30pm. Free admission. See post for location.
August – `Aukake
13th Annual Heiva I Kauai Tahitian Festival, August 2, 3. Kapaa Beach Park. A grass roots festival filled with Aloha, dance, music and great shopping. Two full days of Tahitian dance competition with solo and group performances. Also includes island food and Tahitian drumming. Daily admission is $6, children 6 and under are free.
Art Walk at Shops at Kukui`ula. August 9. Enchanting evening of fine art, fine dining and music under the stars. Second Saturday of each month from 6pm to 9pm at Poipu Beach.
Kauai County Farm Bureau Fair, August 21-24 Watch Hawaiian dance, taste poi, learn how to grow orchids, enjoy family entertainment, rides and food. It’s four days of fun at Vindinha Stadium in Lihue. $5 adults, $2.00 children.
Kauai Marathon, August 31. We are pleased to sponsor this annual event at Poipu. Join the race or cheer the athletes as they go by. Race participants receive a 15% discount on their Kauai vacation rental. Event starts early at 6am.
Bon Dance, August 1, 7, 8 . This 500 year Japanese tradition honors the spirits of ancestors. Under a tropical night sky, dancers wearing summer kimonos move in a circle to the beat of Taiko drums. The mood is joyous with people of all ages and backgrounds participating. Starts at 7:30pm and ends around 10:30pm. Free admission. See post for location.
September – Kepakemapa
Kauai Mokihana Festival, September 22-28. Celebrating island culture with Hawaiian music and hula competitions. Admission fee $25 in advance and $30 at door. Children are $10. Check for daily locations.
Kauai Powwow, September 26-28. Drumming, dancing, traditional food and silent auction at Kapaa Beach Park. Rejuvenate your spirit to the beat of Native dancing. Admission is free.
October – `Okakopa
Coconut Festival, October 4-5. Everything coconut from foods, crafts, pie eating and games. The 18th annual festival is at Kapaa Beach Park. Nominal entry fee.
Eo o Emalani Alaka`i Festival, October 11. Free commemorative event honoring Queen Emma’s ascent into Kokee in 1871. Day long hula and Hawaiian music, chant and oli. A royal procession on horseback at noon. Starts at 10am and ends at 4pm. Koke`e Museum Meadow.
November – Nowemapa
Veteran’s Day Parade, November 4. Honor our service men and women at this annual event in Lihue along Rice Street. Free admission.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang November 10-12, 17-19 and 24-26. Presented by Hawaii Children’s Theatre at Kauai War Memorial Convention Center in Lihue at 4191 Hardy Street.
Old Koloa Sugar Mill Run, November 11. Events include a half marathon and 10k run. There is also a walk or run 5k race. The 15th annual Kauai event starts at 7am. Meet at Knudsen Park. Entry fee begins at $30.00
Poipu Food and Wine Festival November 12. Highlights include brunch at Poipu Bay Golf Course. Tickets are $50.
Hawaii International Film Festival, November 16-19 . Celebrating a century of film in Hawaii. Events at Waimea Theater. Admission is $10 per film or buy a pass. Times vary. See schedule for details.
Kauai Christmas Parade, November 25. 4:30pm to 5:30pm. Traditional kickoff to the holidays. This family parade features local Kauai schools. Kukui Grove Shopping Center in Lihue.
December – Kekemapa
Lights on Rice Parade, December 1. One of the best small town celebrations in America, this annual parade lights up the evening sky. Food for sale and an all day craft fair at the Kauai Museum. Action starts at 6pm on Rice Street.
Festival of Lights, December 2-3, 8-10, 15-17, 22-24 (every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6pm to 8pm). Free candy canes, illuminated palm trees, time with Santa and beautifully decorated trees with local style ornaments mark the 20th annual festival. Weekends at the Historic County Building in Lihue. Admission is free.
Hanukkah, December 15 . Join the Jewish Community of Kauai for the fourth night of Hanukkah at St. Michael’s Church in Lihue. Latkes, dreidel games and lighting of the menorah. 5:00pm. Donations accepted.
Waimea Lighted Christmas Parade, December 16. Arrive by 4pm to secure a spot for this 19th annual parade. Afterwards enjoy musical entertainment in the park. Parade at 6pm. Admission is free.
Kauai Sings Christmas, December 16. 7:00pm at Kilohana Luaua Pavilion in Lihue (next to Gaylord’s). Annual event is a fund raiser for Malama Pono. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
Kauai New Year’s Eve at Poipu Beach Park. December 31. If you can’t be here in person, watch the fireworks anywhere in the world on our live Kauai webcam. The fun starts at 5pm and a spectacular firework show is at 8:15pm. Admission is free.
January – `Iaunuali
E Kanikapila Kakou January 19 to March 23. Every Monday night through March, enjoy free Hawaiian music by well known artists at Kauai Beach Resort. The night begins with a ukulele circle at 6pm and entertainment at 7pm. Food for sale. Sponsored by the Garden Island Arts Council. Free admission to most concerts and donations accepted.
Kauai festivals offer year-round opportunities for Kauai vacation rental guests to experience island culture and meet the locals who live here. From hula dancing, Hawaiian music, parades and county fairs, there is always something new to experience on every Kauai vacation. Many of these Kauai events are free or have a nominal entry fee. Check back often for more Kauai festivals to be added soon.
If you know of a Kauai festival that we missed, please leave a comment below.
2 Responses
Aloha, I’d like to add The Kauai Chorale’s holiday concerts to your site. Please let me know if and how this can be done. Mahalo nut loa!
Aloha Christina, Thanks for letting us know about your events. We have added all three performances to our Event Calendar and have included them on our Christmas in Hawaii post. Happy Holidays from Parrish Kauai.