Kapalua Wine & Food Festival 2026

Kapalua Wine & Food Festival 2026: Experience the Best of Maui

Kapalua Wine & Food Festival 2026 returns to Maui from June 25 to 28, 2026, bringing four days of tastings, seminars, and chef-led experiences to the stunning Kapalua Resort on the island’s northwestern coast. It’s a 21+ festival that blends culinary craftsmanship with the spirit of aloha, and it remains one of Maui’s most anticipated island weekends for travelers who plan their trip around food, wine, and ocean-view sunsets.​

Kapalua Wine & Food Festival Maui 2026: The Island Weekend Food Lovers Plan Around

Maui has no shortage of memorable experiences, but the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival feels different because it turns the island itself into part of the pairing. Between ocean breezes, golden-hour light, and the relaxed elegance of Kapalua, the festival creates a setting where wine education and fine dining never feel formal or stiff.​

The official festival site positions the 2026 edition as the 45th annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival, returning to Kapalua Resort and showcasing world-class vintners, celebrity chefs, and local purveyors. For visitors, that mix matters because it lets you taste Maui through multiple lenses: refined technique from visiting chefs, regional ingredients from local producers, and a community vibe rooted in the island’s hospitality culture.​

Quick Correction: “Maui 2206” vs. Maui 2026

The request mentions “Maui 2206,” but the confirmed festival dates published by the event are for June 25 to 28, 2026. The rest of this guide is written for the 2026 Kapalua Wine & Food Festival on Maui.

When and Where: Kapalua Wine & Food Festival 2026 Dates and Setting

The festival’s official site clearly lists the 2026 dates as June 25 to 28, 2026, and describes the event as returning to “the breathtaking Kapalua Resort” on Maui. Kapalua sits above a rugged stretch of coastline known for dramatic views and resort-level comforts, with easy access to spots like Kapalua Bay and the coastal trail that connects scenic lookouts along the shoreline. (Local exploring is part of the fun between tastings.)

This is also the time of year when Maui’s days are long and the evenings are ideal for outdoor dining, making the festival schedule feel naturally aligned with island living. If you’re building a trip around the weekend, it’s worth planning at least one extra day before or after to enjoy the ocean and the Upcountry side of Maui without rushing between events.

The Festival’s Roots and What Makes It Unique on Maui

According to the festival’s official FAQ, the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival was initiated in the 1980s by the Kapalua Wine Society, and it has evolved into one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious educational food-and-wine events of its kind. That “education” piece is key: beyond indulgence, the weekend emphasizes learning through tastings, seminars, and interactions with winemakers and chefs.

The same FAQ explains that the event has supported charitable efforts, including expanded donations in the aftermath of Maui wildfires, with support directed to multiple grassroots initiatives and community-focused organizations. For travelers, this context adds another layer to the weekend because it connects a luxury resort setting with ongoing community recovery and local hospitality support.

What to Expect in 2026: Chefs, Vintners, and the Maui Flavor

The official 2026 save-the-date announcement highlights celebrity chefs Maneet Chauhan, Antonia Lofaso and the Voltaggio Brothers, alongside Maui restaurants and local purveyors. That lineup suggests a weekend designed for both serious food fans and curious travelers who want an island vacation anchored by one standout event.

In addition to chef appearances, the festival promises “interactive tasting seminars” and “intimate winemaker dinners,” plus opportunities to discover “rare and exceptional wines.” If you enjoy experiences where you can ask questions, taste side-by-side comparisons, and leave with a better understanding of what’s in your glass, Kapalua’s seminar-driven format is a natural fit.​

Signature Experiences: Tasting, Learning, and Ocean-View Social Nights

While the detailed 2026 schedule is still described as an update to come, the festival’s own description and FAQs make the typical experience menu clear. Think of the weekend as a curated set of smaller events rather than one single fairground-style tasting.

Interactive Wine Seminars and Demonstrations

The festival explicitly describes “interactive wine tasting seminars” and “cooking demonstrations,” which are ideal if you want more than a quick sip and a photo. Seminars are where you can learn why certain varietals work with Pacific seafood, how oak influences texture, or how to think about acidity and spice when pairing with island ingredients.

Intimate Winemaker Dinners

Winemaker dinners are highlighted as part of the weekend’s experiences, and they typically attract travelers who want a slower pace with structured courses, storytelling, and deeper pours. On Maui, these dinners also double as an island night out: dressed-up resort wear, warm air, and the feeling that you’re doing something special without leaving the aloha spirit behind.

The Social Side: Mixing and Mingling

The FAQ notes that guests can mix and mingle with winemakers, chefs, and fellow enthusiasts while sampling premium offerings. If you’re traveling solo or as a couple, this is one of the best Maui events for naturally meeting people, because everyone already has an easy shared topic: what they just tasted and what they’re excited to try next.

Practical Details Visitors Should Know (21+ Rules, Attire, Airports)

The festival’s FAQ is unusually clear about logistics, which is helpful for planning a smooth island weekend.

Age Policy: Adults Only

All festival events are 21 and older, and the policy explicitly states no children or infants, even in strollers or carriers. This is important for Maui family travelers because it affects babysitting plans and whether the festival fits your trip style.

What to Wear

The official guidance recommends resort casual attire for seminars and demonstrations, and “elevated resort wear” for the Grand Tasting Gala, with examples like sundresses, aloha shirts, linen trousers, and dressy sandals. On an island, this matters because you want to be comfortable in warm weather while still matching the tone of the venues.

Getting There: Airports Closest to Kapalua

The FAQ explains that Kapalua Airport (JHM) is the closest for limited inter-island flights, and that most visitors arrive via Kahului Airport (OGG), about 30 miles from the resort. For travelers planning a longer Hawaii itinerary, that makes Kapalua an easy add-on after Honolulu or the Big Island, especially if Maui is already on the route.

Ticket Pricing: What’s Confirmed Right Now

The official 2026 save-the-date page confirms the dates and positioning of the event, but it does not publish a full 2026 ticket price list yet, noting to “check back for updates on the schedule.” Because event pricing can vary by package (festival passes, dinners, seminars, gala tickets), the safest approach is to treat pricing as “to be announced” until the official ticketing page posts 2026 rates.

What can be confirmed from the festival FAQ is that tickets are scanned at the entrance to each event and must be accessible via printed barcode or mobile device, which is useful to know when planning your festival day flow.

Local Maui Relevance: Making Kapalua Feel Like More Than a Resort Weekend

Kapalua’s northwestern location makes it easy to combine festival events with some of Maui’s most scenic coastal time. Between sessions, consider a slow walk near Kapalua Bay, a sunset viewpoint stop, or a relaxed morning exploring nearby beaches before the day’s tastings begin. This is also a great base for adding classic Maui contrasts to your trip, like a day trip to Lahaina-side areas when appropriate, or a drive toward central Maui for a change of pace.

The festival itself also highlights Maui’s local purveyors and beloved restaurants, which is one of the best ways to “taste the island” beyond typical visitor itineraries. If you like bringing home edible souvenirs, festival weekends are often the time to discover small-batch products and local producers you might otherwise miss on a quick beach vacation.

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event Name: 45th Kapalua Wine & Food Festival
• Event Category: Food & wine festival (epicurean event with tastings, seminars, dinners)
• Confirmed 2026 Dates: June 25 to June 28, 2026
• Confirmed Destination: Kapalua Resort, Maui, Hawaiʻi
• Notable 2026 Featured Chefs: Maneet Chauhan, Antonia Lofaso, and the Voltaggio Brothers
• Confirmed Age Policy: 21+ only, no children or infants (no exceptions)
• Airports (Planning Detail): Kapalua Airport (JHM) for limited inter-island flights; most visitors arrive via Kahului Airport (OGG)
• Pricing: 2026 ticket prices not published on the official 2026 save-the-date page at time of writing; schedule updates pending.

Plan Your Ideal Maui Weekend

If your idea of an ideal island trip includes ocean air, memorable meals, and the chance to learn directly from winemakers and chefs while Maui glows at golden hour, circle June 25 to 28, 2026 and plan a Kapalua stay that leaves room for both tasting notes and beach time, because this is the kind of Maui weekend that turns a vacation into a story you’ll want to tell.