A Taste of Kona – Grand Finale 2026

A Taste of Kona Grand Finale 2026 closes the 55th Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival on Sunday, November 15, 2026, at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa in Keauhou on Hawaiʻi Island. This adults-only culinary evening brings together local chefs, Kona-grown ingredients, interactive food stations, live music, dancing, and a silent auction for an elegant finale to ten days of coffee, culture, and community.

For food travellers, coffee lovers, and Big Island visitors, A Taste of Kona is one of the most memorable evenings on the Kona Coast calendar. The event is more than a dinner. It is a celebration of the farms, flavours, cultural influences, and creative talent that have shaped Kona into one of Hawaiʻi’s most distinctive culinary regions.

"A Taste of Kona is one of the most memorable evenings on the Kona Coast calendar."

What Is A Taste of Kona Grand Finale?

The Culinary Celebration of Kona

A Taste of Kona is the closing celebration of the annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. The event brings local island chefs together for an evening of crafted culinary experiences, allowing guests to sample a broad range of dishes in one festive setting.

The 2026 Grand Finale takes place at Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, located at 78-128 Ehukai Street in Keauhou, south of Kailua-Kona. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

"Guests can expect an atmosphere that feels distinctly Kona."

• Interactive food stations
• Culinary creations from local chefs
• Kona coffee-inspired flavours
• Fresh Hawaiʻi Island ingredients
• No-host cocktails
• A silent auction
• Live music
• Dancing beneath the stars
• Resort oceanfront atmosphere
• A relaxed but polished island evening
• A chance to celebrate the end of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival

A Taste of Kona is an adults-only event. It is best suited to couples, groups of friends, culinary travellers, coffee enthusiasts, and guests who want to end festival week with a lively evening of food and music.

A Taste of Kona 2026 Date and Venue

Mark Your Calendar for November 15

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival runs from Friday, November 6 through Sunday, November 15, 2026. The Grand Finale is held on the final night, Sunday, November 15, 2026.

Confirmed Event Information

Key Details for Attendees

• Event name: A Taste of Kona Grand Finale 2026
• Festival connection: Closing event of the 55th Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival
• Date: Sunday, November 15, 2026
• Doors open: 5:30 p.m.
• Event hours: 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Venue: Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa
• Address: 78-128 Ehukai Street, Keauhou, Hawaiʻi Island
• Event category: Culinary, coffee, music, fundraising and cultural celebration
• Age policy: Adults only
• Parking: $5 event-validation parking, included in the ticket price
• Festival Button: Required for entry for guests over age 10
• Festival Button price: $10
• Grand Finale ticket price: To be announced
• VIP tables: Available, with details to be announced

The Festival Button supports the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival’s community programmes, scholarships, events, and infrastructure. Children aged 12 and under are free for general festival events, though A Taste of Kona itself remains an adults-only evening.

Why A Taste of Kona Is Special

A Culinary Celebration of Kona's Identity

The Grand Finale is one of the most anticipated culinary experiences of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival because it brings together many parts of the region’s identity in a single night.

Kona is famous for coffee, but its food story is much larger. The area is shaped by local farms, fishing communities, Hawaiian traditions, multicultural families, and chefs who work with ingredients grown or caught on Hawaiʻi Island.

"The area is shaped by local farms, fishing communities, Hawaiian traditions, multicultural families, and chefs."

At A Taste of Kona, guests can expect a culinary journey that may highlight:

• Kona coffee
• Fresh local seafood
• Hawaiʻi-grown fruits
• Macadamia nuts
• Avocado
• Tropical herbs
• Locally raised beef
• Island vegetables
• Chocolate
• Honey
• Taro
• Sweet potato
• Lilikoi, also called passion fruit
• Mango
• Pineapple
• Farm-grown greens
• Freshly baked island desserts

The final 2026 chef list and menu have not yet been announced. However, the event’s interactive food-station format means guests can usually move from one tasting experience to another, speak with chefs, and discover unexpected flavour combinations.

Kona Coffee on the Culinary Table

The Versatility of Kona Coffee

Kona coffee is often enjoyed as a morning ritual, but A Taste of Kona demonstrates how versatile it can be in the kitchen.

Coffee can add depth to savoury sauces, richness to desserts, and aromatic complexity to cocktails. Its roasted flavour can complement beef, pork, seafood, chocolate, and tropical fruit.

"Coffee can add depth to savoury sauces, richness to desserts, and aromatic complexity to cocktails."

At a Kona-focused culinary event, visitors may encounter dishes inspired by:

• Coffee-rubbed meats
• Kona coffee barbecue sauces
• Coffee-spiced seafood
• Coffee vinaigrettes
• Espresso desserts
• Kona coffee crème brûlée
• Chocolate and coffee pairings
• Coffee-infused cakes
• Coffee ice cream
• Coffee cocktails
• Cold brew beverages
• Coffee and local honey combinations
• Macadamia and Kona coffee pastries

The exact dishes for Sunday, November 15, 2026, will depend on participating chefs and producers. The best approach is to arrive hungry, pace yourself, and try several small plates rather than filling up at the first station.

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Connection

Celebrating Kona Coffee Heritage

A Taste of Kona is the Grand Finale of the 55th Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, which runs for ten days from November 6 to November 15, 2026.

The festival celebrates nearly two centuries of Kona coffee heritage through farm tours, tastings, art, music, cooking, competitions, and cultural programming.

Festival highlights leading into the Grand Finale include:

• Friday, November 6: Lantern Parade in Historic Kailua Village
• Saturday, November 7: Holualoa Coffee and Art Stroll
• Sunday, November 8: KTA Super Stores Kona Coffee Recipe Contest and Big Island Showcase
• Monday, November 9 through Friday, November 13: Coffee farm tours, coffee-picking activities, tastings, and workshops
• Wednesday, November 11: Nani Keao Mele Mele Concert and Okonomiyaki event
• Thursday, November 12: Kona Coffee Latte Art Throw Down
• Saturday, November 14: 100% Pure Kona Coffee Half Marathon and the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Ho‘olaule‘a
• Sunday, November 15: A Taste of Kona Grand Finale

Visitors who stay through the final Sunday can enjoy a full week of coffee country experiences before ending with one polished culinary celebration.

Pair the Grand Finale With Ho‘olaule‘a

A Weekend of Kona Culture

If your schedule allows, plan to attend the festival’s Ho‘olaule‘a on Saturday, November 14, 2026, then return for A Taste of Kona on Sunday, November 15, 2026.

The Ho‘olaule‘a is a day-long community celebration at Makaeʻo Pavilion. It typically brings together Kona coffee farmers, artisans, cultural practitioners, Hawaiian musicians, crafters, and food vendors.

The experience is more casual and community-focused than the Grand Finale. Together, the two events give visitors a strong sense of both sides of Kona:

• The daytime celebration of local coffee, culture, and family
• The evening experience of chef-led tasting, music, and dancing
• Farm traditions and modern culinary creativity
• Community heritage and resort hospitality
• Coffee tasting by day and food pairings by night

Live Music and Dancing Under the Stars

A Festive Evening of Entertainment

A Taste of Kona is not a formal seated dinner. The evening is designed to feel social and festive.

Live music sets the tone as guests move between food stations, meet local makers, browse the auction, and enjoy the tropical night air. Later in the evening, dancing gives the event a celebratory finish.

The final 2026 performers have not yet been announced, but music at the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival often reflects the diversity of Hawaiʻi Island.

You may hear influences from:

• Hawaiian music
• Contemporary island music
• Jazz
• Acoustic sets
• Local singer-songwriters
• Reggae
• Dance-friendly live entertainment
• Community performance traditions

Wear comfortable footwear if you plan to dance. The event is polished but relaxed, so resort evening attire is appropriate.

Silent Auction and Community Support

Bid for a Cause

The Grand Finale includes a silent auction, creating another way for guests to support the festival and its community work.

Auction items may include:

• Kona coffee collections
• Gift certificates
• Local art
• Farm experiences
• Restaurant meals
• Resort stays
• Cultural tours
• Island activities
• Handmade crafts
• Gourmet products
• Chef experiences
• Spa treatments
• Hawaiʻi Island excursions

The exact auction catalogue will be announced closer to the event. If you plan to bid, arrive early, understand the bidding process, and set a realistic budget before the evening begins.

A successful bid can become more than a souvenir. It may support local businesses, artists, farms, and the festival’s ongoing educational initiatives.

What to Wear to A Taste of Kona

Dress Code for the Evening

A Taste of Kona is an evening celebration, but it is still relaxed enough to fit the Kona Coast’s tropical style.

Good choices include:

• Resort-casual dresses
• Linen shirts
• Light slacks
• Tropical prints
• Comfortable sandals
• Smart loafers
• Wedges or low heels
• A light wrap for evening breezes
• A small bag for essentials
• Comfortable shoes for dancing

Avoid beachwear, flip-flops, and overly casual daytime attire if you want to match the atmosphere.

November evenings in Keauhou are usually warm, but a light layer can be helpful after sunset.

A Taste of Kona 2026 Travel Itinerary

Your Guide to a Memorable Weekend

Friday, November 13: Coffee Country Day

• Stay in Kailua-Kona, Keauhou, Holualoa, or Captain Cook
• Book a Kona coffee farm tour
• Visit Greenwell Farms, UCC Hawaii, Hala Tree Coffee, or another participating farm
• Explore the Kona Coffee Quilt and Fiber Arts Show
• Enjoy sunset along Aliʻi Drive

Saturday, November 14: Ho‘olaule‘a and Kona Culture

• Start early with the 100% Pure Kona Coffee Half Marathon, if participating
• Visit the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Ho‘olaule‘a
• Sample coffee and local food
• Browse arts, crafts, and cultural displays
• Enjoy Hawaiian music
• Return to your hotel early enough to rest before the Grand Finale

Sunday, November 15: A Taste of Kona Grand Finale

• Spend the morning at Kahaluʻu Beach Park or Keauhou Bay
• Enjoy a relaxed lunch
• Get ready for the evening
• Arrive at Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa before 5:30 p.m.
• Purchase or collect your Festival Button if needed
• Explore culinary stations at a steady pace
• Enjoy live music, silent-auction bidding, and dancing
• Arrange a safe ride home before the event ends at 9:00 p.m.

Explore Keauhou and South Kona

Discover the Beauty of the Region

The Grand Finale venue in Keauhou is perfectly placed for visitors who want to explore South Kona.

Keauhou Bay

Keauhou Bay is a scenic coastal area near the resort. It is associated with Hawaiian history, ocean activities, and evening manta-ray experiences.

Manta Ray Night Snorkel

Night snorkelling with manta rays is one of the Big Island’s best-known experiences. Book only with a reputable operator that follows responsible wildlife guidelines.

Never touch manta rays, and follow all guide instructions.

Kahaluʻu Beach Park

Kahaluʻu Beach Park is a popular snorkelling spot close to Keauhou. It is known for colourful fish, lava rock, and accessible reef areas.

Use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid standing on coral.

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

South of Keauhou, this National Historical Park provides an important opportunity to learn about Hawaiian history, sacred places, and traditional systems of refuge.

Kealakekua Bay

Kealakekua Bay is known for marine life, sea cliffs, and historic significance. It can be explored by kayak, boat tour, or guided snorkelling trip, depending on conditions.

Where to Stay for A Taste of Kona

Accommodation Recommendations

Book accommodation early for the weekend of November 13 to November 15, 2026.

Keauhou

Best for:

• Immediate access to Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa
• South Kona scenery
• Quiet resort stays
• Snorkelling and ocean activities
• Easy Grand Finale transport

Kailua-Kona

Best for:

• Restaurants and shops
• Historic Aliʻi Drive
• Festival activities
• Lantern Parade access
• Oceanfront accommodation
• A lively evening atmosphere

Holualoa

Best for:

• Coffee-country charm
• Farm tours
• Galleries and art
• Cooler mountain air
• Holualoa Coffee and Art Stroll access

Captain Cook

Best for:

• Coffee farms
• Rural Kona landscapes
• Kealakekua Bay access
• A quieter Big Island stay

Parking and Transport

Getting to the Event Safely

Validated event parking is available for $5, and the parking fee is included in the Grand Finale ticket price.

Even with parking available, visitors should consider transport options if planning to enjoy no-host cocktails.

Safe choices include:

• A designated driver
• Taxi service
• Ride-hailing service, where available
• Hotel shuttle, if offered
• Private driver
• Staying at Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa
• Walking only if your accommodation is safely nearby

Do not rely on last-minute ride availability after a major event. Arrange your return transport before arriving.

Ticket Price and Festival Costs

Planning Your Budget

The 2026 Grand Finale ticket price has not yet been announced. Tickets are expected to be released closer to the event date.

In addition to the Grand Finale ticket, guests over age 10 need a $10 Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Button for entry. The Festival Button supports ten days of community events, scholarships, infrastructure, and festival programming.

Budget for:

• Grand Finale admission
• Festival Button
• Travel to Keauhou
• Parking, included in the event ticket
• No-host cocktails
• Silent-auction bids
• Accommodation
• Coffee farm tours
• Coffee purchases
• Restaurant meals
• Tips and transport

VIP tables will be available, though final pricing and reservation information have not yet been released.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Things People Always Want to Know

When is A Taste of Kona Grand Finale 2026?

A Taste of Kona Grand Finale 2026 takes place on Sunday, November 15, 2026.

What time does A Taste of Kona begin?

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Where is A Taste of Kona Grand Finale held?

The event is held at Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, 78-128 Ehukai Street, Keauhou, Hawaiʻi Island.

Is A Taste of Kona an adults-only event?

Yes. A Taste of Kona Grand Finale is an adults-only culinary and entertainment event.

How much are tickets for A Taste of Kona 2026?

The Grand Finale ticket price has not yet been announced. A $10 Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Button is also required for guests over age 10.

What is included at A Taste of Kona?

The event features interactive culinary stations, local island chefs, a silent auction, live music, and dancing. No-host cocktails are available separately.

Is parking available at Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa?

Yes. Validated event parking is available for $5, and the parking fee is included in the Grand Finale ticket price.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event name: A Taste of Kona Grand Finale 2026
• Event category: Culinary, Kona coffee, music, fundraising and cultural celebration
• Confirmed date: Sunday, November 15, 2026
• Doors open: 5:30 p.m.
• Event hours: 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Venue: Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa
• Address: 78-128 Ehukai Street, Keauhou, Hawaiʻi Island
• Festival connection: Grand Finale of the 55th Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival
• Festival dates: November 6 to November 15, 2026
• Age policy: Adults only
• Festival Button: $10, required for entry for guests over age 10
• Grand Finale ticket price: To be announced
• Parking: $5 validated parking, included in the event ticket price
• Expected highlights: Local chefs, interactive food stations, Kona coffee-inspired culinary experiences, no-host cocktails, silent auction, live music and dancing
• VIP tables: Available, with pricing to be announced
• Best for: Food lovers, coffee enthusiasts, couples, culinary travellers, festival visitors and adults seeking a memorable Big Island evening

Make Sunday, November 15, 2026 your final toast to Kona. Arrive ready to taste the creativity of Hawaiʻi Island chefs, celebrate the farmers and communities behind world-famous Kona coffee, and dance beneath the Keauhou stars as the 55th Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival comes to a delicious close.

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