Kauai Events and Festivals

(Kauai, Hawaii - HI, USA)

The rich Hawaiian heritage of Kauai is very much present within many of the island's biggest festivals, with events and popular things to do ranging from traditional celebrations, hula dancing, coconut-related festivities, craft fairs and even cowboy rodeos. Festivals of Kauai are often simply an excuse for a party and bring locals and tourists together.

Most events are accompanied by various stalls selling traditional Hawaiian food, and those around the beaches are also known for their tropical cocktails and live music. The inter-island Aloha Festivals are especially famous throughout Hawaii and take place each year on Kauai in September, showcasing the island's culture and customs. Further events are staged year-round at the Vidinha Stadium on Hoolako Street in Lihue, and close by at the Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center, which is located along the Kaumualii Highway.

Kauai Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Keiki Fun Run - late January, a number of different for all ages, staged each year at Lihue's Kilohana Plantation and starting early in the morning

February

• Kauai Jazz Festival - mid-February to mid-May, offering a chance to enjoy a range of jazz and blues concerts, which generally take place in Lihue, at venues such as the Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center
• Waimea Town Celebration - late February, with live music, sporting and rodeo events, family-orientated games, a popular canoe race and free entertainment, based as the Old Waimea Sugar Mill

March

• All Girls Rodeo - mid-March, attracting some of the island's leading cowgirls, who compete in a series of entertaining rodeo events. Highlights include roping, wild bucking horses and barrel racing
• Garden Isle Artisan Fair - late March, a showcase of the island's local arts and crafts, held in a large marquee tent, next to Poipu Beach

April

• Kauai Orchid and Art Festival - early April, one of the island's leading horticultural events, with exotic orchids display at various venue around Hanapepe, including the TimeSpace Gallery and also the Hanapepe United Church
• Kauai Classic - late April, a traditional rodeo-inspired roping competition, held at Poipu's CJM Country Stables arena

May

• Na Lei Hiwahiwa May Day Celebrations - early May, with concerts, live entertainment and Hawaiian hula dancing, at the Hilton Beach Resort
• Kauai Polynesian Festival - late May, a four-day cultural event held since 2001, with a host of traditional Polynesian food, workshops and live music, as well as a fashion show and exhibitions
• Banana Poka RoundUp - late May, Hawaiian music and craft works, at the Kokee State Park

June

• Garden Isle Artisan Fair - mid-June, a popular craft event, showcasing the works of Kauai and Polynesia, and held within the town of Hanalei

July

• Concert in the Sky - July 4th, an annual fireworks show at the Vidinha Soccer Field in Lihue, which has become the biggest of its kind on the island, attracting crowds of thousands and not to be missed
• Kauai Music Festival - late July / early August, lasting a total of four days and featuring all kinds of workshops and seminars relating to song writing, as well as concerts during the evening. Based in Lihue and at the Hilton Beach Resort

August

• Heiva I Kauai Ia Orana Tahiti - early August, Tahitian drumming and dancing at the Kappa Beach Park
• Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival - mid-August, based in Lihue and attracting some of the most famous musicians from all across Hawaii, who perform at the Marriott Resort
• Garden Island Orchid Show - late August, staged at the Lihue Convention Center, along Queen Kapule Road
• Kauai County Farm Bureau Fair - late August, a very familiy-orientated event, with everything from puppet shows and music, to basic fairground rides, music and plenty of tasty food. Held at the Vidinha Stadium in Lihue

September

• Aloha Festivals - early September, island-wide celebrations of Hawaiian culture, arriving on Kauai at the beginning of the month and lasting for an entire week
• Kauai Mokihana Festival - late September, a chance to experience a taste of modern Hawaii, with week long events revolving around a central theme and including concerts, hula dancing and various competitions. Based at the Kauai Community College in Lihue

October

• Annual Kauai Coconut Festival - early October at the Kapaa Beach Park, featuring everything imaginable relating to the unofficial symbol of Hawaii, the simple coconut
• Annual Kauai Pow Wow (Powwow) - early October in Kapaa, celebrating the rich Native American heritage within Hawaii, with street parties, live entertainment, children's shows and traditional drumming

November

• Holiday Harvest Wine and Food Gala - throughout November, at the Kauai Lagoons Resort. This event provides an opportunity to sample some of the most famous Hawaiian flavours, whilst enjoying quality entertainment

December

• Kauai's Choral Christmas Concert - early December, the start of the island's Yuletide celebrations, with festive music at the theatre within the Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center, in Lihue
• Festival of Lights - throughout December, this has become the island's premier craft fair and is a great place to pick up some last-minute gifts. Held around Rice Street, in Lihue