If you love food, wine, and breathtaking island scenery, fall 2026 has something extraordinary in store. One of the most celebrated culinary events in the United States is returning, and it is spreading across three stunning Hawaiian islands over three unforgettable weekends. Whether you are a seasoned foodie or simply someone who enjoys a great meal with a great view, this is the event to plan your autumn vacation around.
Here is everything you need to know before you go.
A Festival With a Storied History
The Hawaii Food and Wine Festival was co-founded in 2011 by two of the most respected names in Hawaiian cuisine: James Beard Award-winning chefs Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong. Both are credited as pioneers of Hawaii Regional Cuisine, a culinary movement that redefined how people think about island ingredients and local food culture.
Now in its sixteenth year, the festival has grown far beyond its original ambitions. It is no longer simply a series of dinners and tastings. It is a statewide platform that advances agriculture, education, sustainability, and workforce development across the islands. Since its founding, the Hawaii Ag and Culinary Alliance, which organizes the festival, has raised over $5.2 million to support culinary scholarships, local farmers, and sustainability programs.
Additionally, the event drives impressive economic impact. Visitor spending linked to the festival has reached $26.5 million, demonstrating just how significant this gathering has become for the local economy.
The 2026 Theme: Traditions and Heritage
Each year, the festival centers on a theme that shapes the entire program. In 2026, that theme is Traditions and Heritage. Every participating chef is required to incorporate locally grown, raised, or caught ingredients into their dishes. Expect menus rooted in the cultural and agricultural traditions of Hawaii, drawing from the islands’ rich blend of Native Hawaiian, Japanese, Filipino, Korean, Portuguese, and American food histories.
This commitment to local sourcing is not simply a creative constraint. It is a statement about what the festival stands for. The chefs come from around the world, but the ingredients come from Hawaiian farms, ranches, and fisheries. That contrast is the whole point.
Festival Dates and Overview
The 2026 edition runs from October 16 through November 8. It is spread across three islands and three separate weekends, giving attendees the option to follow the full journey or choose the island that suits them best.
- Hawaii Island (Big Island): October 16 to 17
- Maui: October 23 to 25
- Oahu: November 5 to 8
All events are ticketed and sell separately. Guests must be at least 21 years old to attend. There are no exceptions to this rule, and children of any age are not permitted at any events. Tickets are available at hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com, and many events sell out weeks or even months in advance.
Therefore, if you have a specific event in mind, purchasing your tickets as soon as they go on sale is strongly recommended.
Hawaii Island: Where the Journey Begins
The festival opens on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island, anchored at the iconic Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. This historic resort, which first opened in 1965, provides a spectacular setting for two opening events.
Cuisines of the Sun Golf Classic
The weekend kicks off on Friday, October 16, with the second annual Cuisines of the Sun Golf Classic. Hosted by chef Alan Wong and held at the Mauna Kea Golf Course, this all-day event blends golf with gourmet food and is presented by HPM Design Centers.
Breakfast is served as a bento at the start of the day. Chef and libation stations are set up between fairways, so players can sip and snack as they go. A full dinner rounds out the day at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Sponsorship packages start at $1,500 per person, and this event sells out every year without fail.
Participating chefs include Peter Abarcar Jr., James Aung, Jayson Kanekoa, Justine Ma, Keith Pajinag, and Chad Yamamoto.
Smoked, Shucked and Cured
On Saturday evening, October 17, the Big Island portion of the festival closes with Smoked, Shucked and Cured. This outdoor walk-around event takes place on the lawn of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, overlooking the beautiful Kaunaoa Bay at sunset. Guests enjoy bites, cocktails, and wine from an impressive roster of chefs.
Tickets start at $300 per person. Notable chefs at this event include Esther Choi, John Finger of Hog Island Oyster Co., Katsuya Fukushima, Chris Kajioka, Danny Lee, Nini Nguyen, Philip Tessier, and many others.
Maui: Three Days of Oceanfront Culinary Magic
The festival moves to the shores of Kaanapali, Maui, for the second weekend. With the Pacific as the backdrop, this stretch of events is consistently regarded as one of the most scenic of the entire program.
Roy Yamaguchi Golf Classic
Friday, October 23, opens the Maui weekend with the 28th Annual Roy Yamaguchi Golf Classic. Presented by First Hawaiian Bank, this beloved event takes place at the Kaanapali Golf Course, overlooking the Maui coastline. After 18 holes of golf with bites and drinks along the way, the day finishes with dinner at Roy’s Kaanapali.
Sponsorship packages start at $1,500 per person. Participating chefs include Alfonso Acevedo, James Domingo, David Flegel, Zach Seto, and Roy Yamaguchi himself.
Caviar, Pearls and Aphrodisiacs
The marquee event of the Maui weekend takes place on Saturday evening, October 24, at the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa in Kaanapali. This is one of the largest events in the entire festival and consistently draws a star-studded chef lineup.
The outdoor oceanfront setting makes it especially memorable. Guests graze on walk-around bites, sip cocktails and wine, and the evening closes with a drone show lighting up the night sky over the water. Tickets start at $300 per person.
Chefs at this event include Francis Ang, Leah Cohen, Josh Feathers, Robynne Mai’i, Michael Mina, Spike Mendelsohn, Jonathan Waxman, and more than a dozen others.
No EGGScuses, Let’s Brunch!
The Maui weekend wraps up on Sunday morning, October 25, with a relaxed oceanfront brunch at Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows. Held on the lawn between the pool and the beach, this casual event runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tickets are $150 per person, making this one of the more accessible events in the festival. Chefs include Nyesha Arrington, Ravi Kapur, Susar Lee, and Claudette Zepeda.
Oahu: The Grand Finale Across Five Events
The festival’s closing weekend on Oahu is the most expansive of the three. It runs from Thursday, November 5, through Sunday, November 8, and includes five distinct events spread across Honolulu and Waikiki.
FEAST Summit
The Oahu weekend opens on Thursday, November 5, with the FEAST Summit at the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort. FEAST stands for Food, Education, Agriculture, Sustainability, and Tourism.
This professional development conference features over 50 speakers from across the culinary, hospitality, agriculture, and tourism industries. Panel discussions, cooking demonstrations, and a grand tasting of local food vendors round out the day. Tickets are $250 per person. It is particularly valuable for industry professionals looking to expand their network and deepen their knowledge.
Culture in AgriCULTURE
On Friday morning, November 6, guests are invited to get their hands in the mud at Kako’o ‘Oiwi, a working kalo lo’i or wetland taro field on Oahu. Presented by Kamehameha Schools, this immersive event connects participants to Hawaii’s oldest and most important agricultural tradition.
Taro, or kalo, sustained Native Hawaiians for centuries before Western contact. Working in the lo’i is a physical, educational, and deeply cultural experience. A farm-to-table lunch follows. Chefs include Pyet DeSpain, Kealoha Domingo, and Sherry Pocknett. Tickets are $175 per person.
24K Magic
Friday evening, November 6, shifts to a glamorous rooftop setting at the ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach. This poolside cocktail party on the fifth-floor deck overlooks Waikiki Beach and features bites, cocktails, and a chef lineup that includes Josiah Citrin, Tyler Florence, Buddha Lo, Michelle Karr-Ueoka, and Ming Tsai, among many others. Tickets start at $300 per person.
The Greatest Hits
The penultimate event of the festival takes place on Saturday, November 7, at the Kapiolani Community College Great Lawn. Presented by Hawaiian Airlines, this walk-around grand tasting highlights exceptional wines from around the world, paired with dishes from an enormous chef lineup.
This event typically takes place at the Hawaii Convention Center, however, due to a two-year renovation project running through 2028, it moves this year to the Kapiolani Community College Great Lawn, a beautiful outdoor setting near Diamond Head. Tickets start at $300 per person, and the chef roster includes Roy Yamaguchi, Sheldon Simeon, Maneet Chauhan, Ming Tsai, Michael Voltaggio, and over a dozen more culinary talents.
The Breakfast Club and Beyond the Seoul
The festival wraps up on Sunday, November 8, with two very different but equally memorable events.
The Breakfast Club is held at Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa. It is an indoor walk-around brunch with bites and cocktails from chefs including Chris Cosentino, Ed Kenney, Lee Anne Wong, and Sherry Yard. Tickets start at $150 per person.
Beyond the Seoul closes out the entire festival with a five-course wine-paired dinner at the luxurious Halekulani Hotel in Waikiki. This intimate sit-down dinner is the most prestigious and expensive event of the week, with tickets starting at $1,500 per person. The chef lineup is focused on Korean culinary excellence, featuring Junsoo Bae, Gwang-sik Jeon, Eunji Lee, and Jungsik Yim, among others. It is designed for serious wine enthusiasts and supporters of the festival’s charitable mission.
Tickets: What You Need to Know Before Buying
All events are ticketed individually. There is no all-access pass that covers the full program. Ticket prices range from $150 for brunch events to $1,500 for the premium closing dinner.
Golf classics require sponsorship packages rather than standard admission tickets. Most events open general ticket sales through the official festival website at hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com. High-demand events like the golf classics and grand tastings often sell out quickly, so signing up for email alerts from the festival is a smart first step.
Additionally, attending all three islands requires careful travel planning. You will need to book inter-island flights and accommodation for each weekend separately. Rental cars are recommended on every island, as venues are spread across resort corridors and neighborhoods that are not easily accessible by public transport.
Why This Festival Stands Out
Several culinary events take place in Hawaii throughout the year, however, this festival is distinct in a few important ways.
First, its charitable mission sets it apart. Every ticket purchased contributes to culinary scholarships, agricultural education, cultural preservation, and relief programs for restaurant workers. Attending is not just a night out. It is an act of support for the community.
Second, the quality of the chef lineup is extraordinary. Michelin-starred restaurateurs, James Beard Award winners, Food Network personalities, and pioneering local chefs all share the same stage. More than 200 culinary tastemakers participate, drawn from across the United States, Canada, South Korea, and beyond.
Third, the settings are unmatched. Oceanfront lawns, rooftop decks, taro fields, and golf courses offer a variety of experiences that no ballroom conference could replicate.
Conclusion
The 2026 edition of the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival is a multi-island celebration running from October 16 through November 8, spanning the Big Island, Maui, and Oahu across three separate weekends. Under the Traditions and Heritage theme, over 200 culinary tastemakers will prepare dishes rooted in local ingredients and island food culture. Events range from casual oceanfront brunches to black-tie wine-paired dinners, with ticket prices starting at $150 and reaching $1,500 for the most exclusive experiences. Each event sells tickets separately, and the most popular ones sell out well in advance, so early planning is essential. Beyond the food and wine, the festival supports Hawaiian agriculture, culinary scholarships, and cultural programs. It is one of the most meaningful ways to experience the islands in fall 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival 2026 take place?
The festival runs from October 16 through November 8, 2026. It is divided into three weekends: Hawaii Island on October 16 to 17, Maui on October 23 to 25, and Oahu on November 5 to 8.
Who can attend the festival events?
All attendees must be 21 years of age or older. Children of any age are not permitted at any festival event, without exception.
How do I buy tickets?
Tickets are available through the official festival website at hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com. Each event is ticketed separately. There is no single all-access pass covering the full program. Prices range from $150 for brunch events to $1,500 for the premium sit-down dinner.
What is the festival’s theme for 2026?
The 2026 theme is Traditions and Heritage. All participating chefs are required to incorporate locally grown, raised, or caught Hawaiian ingredients into their dishes, celebrating the cultural and agricultural roots of the islands.
Who founded the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival?
The festival was co-founded in 2011 by James Beard Award-winning chefs Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong, both recognized as founders of Hawaii Regional Cuisine. It is now organized by the Hawaii Ag and Culinary Alliance, which has raised over $5.2 million since the festival’s inception to support culinary and agricultural programs across the state.
