Coffee Festivals Around the World
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A coffee festival is an event where roasters, baristas, farmers and coffee lovers gather to taste, learn and celebrate coffee. Some of the best known are the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival in Hawaii (held every November since 1970), the London Coffee Festival, the Seoul International Cafe Show, the Melbourne International Coffee Expo and harvest celebrations in growing countries such as Colombia, Panama and Puerto Rico.
Festivals come in two flavors: cultural celebrations rooted in coffee-growing communities, and modern specialty events packed with tastings, latte art throwdowns and new gear. Here is a world tour of both, plus tips for making the most of your first coffee festival.
Coffee Festivals in Coffee-Growing Regions
These events grew out of farming communities and often celebrate the harvest, local history and music as much as the drink itself.
Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, Hawaii
Founded in 1970, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival runs for about ten days each November on the Big Island and is often described as Hawaii's oldest food festival. Events have included farm tours, cupping competitions that judge Kona coffees, recipe contests, parades and cultural performances. It is a great way to meet the farmers behind Kona coffee.
Fiesta Nacional del Café, Colombia
Held in Calarcá, in Colombia's Quindío department, this national coffee festival dates back to 1960 and includes the Reinado Nacional del Café, a coffee pageant. Quindío sits in the heart of the Coffee Axis, so the festival is easy to pair with farm visits. Learn about the region in our guide to Colombian coffee.
Feria de las Flores y del Café, Panama
In Boquete, in Panama's highlands, this fair began in 1950 as a coffee festival and later added flowers to its name. Boquete is famous for high-altitude farms, which you can read about in our Panama coffee article.
Yauco Coffee Festival, Puerto Rico
Yauco, known as a historic coffee town, hosts what is considered Puerto Rico's oldest coffee festival, first held in 1975. It usually takes place in late winter.
Buôn Ma Thuột Coffee Festival, Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the world's largest coffee producers, and Buôn Ma Thuột in the Central Highlands holds a national coffee festival, typically every two years, first organized in 2005.
Specialty Coffee Festivals and Expos
These urban events are where the specialty world shows off new roasts, brewing gear and barista skills.
- London Coffee Festival (UK): launched in 2011 and held at the Truman Brewery in East London, it is the UK's flagship specialty coffee festival.
- Seoul International Cafe Show (South Korea): first held in 2002, one of Asia's biggest coffee events.
- Melbourne International Coffee Expo (Australia): a major industry show in one of the world's great café cities.
- Tokyo Coffee Festival (Japan): an outdoor event held in the courtyard of the United Nations University.
- Amsterdam, Helsinki, Berlin, Prague and Milan: each has its own coffee festival, making Europe easy to explore.
- World of Coffee: the Specialty Coffee Association's international event, which also hosts world championships.
Coffee Festivals in the United States
You do not have to cross an ocean. Beyond Kona, US coffee lovers can look at:
- New York Coffee Festival: a consumer festival first held in 2015.
- Los Angeles and San Francisco coffee festivals: city events celebrating local roasters.
- Coffee Fest: a trade show series that started in Seattle in 1992, aimed at café owners and professionals.
- Specialty Coffee Expo: the SCA's large North American trade show, home to the US coffee championships.
- Regional events: smaller festivals in places like New Jersey and Columbus, Ohio.
Dates and formats change from year to year, so check each organizer's website for current details.
Coffee Festivals Compared
| Festival | Where | First held | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kona Coffee Cultural Festival | Big Island, Hawaii | 1970 | Cultural, farm-focused |
| Fiesta Nacional del Café | Calarcá, Colombia | 1960 | Cultural, pageant |
| Feria de las Flores y del Café | Boquete, Panama | 1950 | Cultural fair |
| Yauco Coffee Festival | Yauco, Puerto Rico | 1975 | Cultural |
| Seoul International Cafe Show | Seoul, South Korea | 2002 | Trade and consumer |
| London Coffee Festival | London, UK | 2011 | Specialty consumer |
| New York Coffee Festival | New York, USA | 2015 | Specialty consumer |
How to Enjoy a Coffee Festival
- Pace your caffeine. Tasting cups add up fast. Take small sips, use the spit cups if offered and alternate with water. The FDA cites up to 400 mg of caffeine a day as generally safe for most healthy adults; see our guide on how much caffeine is too much.
- Eat first. Coffee on an empty stomach for hours is no fun.
- Go early. Popular booths get crowded by midday.
- Take notes. Jot down flavors and roasters you like. Our coffee flavor wheel guide helps you find the words.
- Join a workshop. Brewing classes and cuppings are often the best value of the day.
Coffee Festival FAQ
What is the oldest coffee festival in the US?
The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival in Hawaii, founded in 1970, is generally described as the oldest continuously running coffee festival in the United States. It takes place each November.
What happens at a coffee festival?
Expect tastings from many roasters, brewing demonstrations, latte art competitions, workshops and stands selling beans and gear. Cultural festivals in growing regions add parades, music and farm tours.
Are coffee festivals worth it for beginners?
Yes. Festivals are one of the fastest ways to taste many styles side by side and discover what you like. Exhibitors are usually happy to explain the basics.
How much caffeine will I drink at a coffee festival?
It depends on how many samples you finish. Small tasting cups add up, so sip rather than drain each one. If you are pregnant, have a medical condition or take medication, ask your doctor about caffeine first.
Conclusion
From Hawaii's harvest parades to London's buzzing tasting halls, a coffee festival is a celebration of everyone who brings coffee to your cup. Recreate the festival tasting experience at home with the Best Sellers Sample Pack, or line up a flight of single origins such as Colombia. Every Feel Espresso coffee is roasted 1–5 days before delivery.