MADE IN HAWAI‘I FESTIVAL 2026
GENERAL FESTIVAL INFORMATION
WHEN AND WHERE IS THE 2026 MADE IN HAWAI‘I FESTIVAL?
The 2026 Made in Hawai‘i Festival will take place August 20–23, 2026, at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. Festival vendors, shopping and activities will be located on the first and third floors of the Convention Center.
WHAT ARE THE FESTIVAL DATES AND HOURS?
Thursday, August 20 - VIP Access Night presented by Huakaʻi by Hawaiian
6:30 PM–10:00 PM
Wholesale Buyers Hours
6:30 PM–8:30 PM
Wholesale Buyers Hours are available to approved and verified wholesale buyers who have completed the separate buyer registration process.
NOTE: New this year, VIP Access Night and Wholesale Buyers Hours will take place at the same time. Wholesale buyers must complete the required registration and check-in process to receive wholesale buyer access.
Friday, August 21 - Preview Night
6:30 PM–10:00 PM
Saturday, August 22 - Festival
8:00 AM–10:00 PM
Suggested Timed Arrival tickets are required.
Sunday, August 23 - Festival
8:00 AM–7:00 PM
Suggested Timed Arrival tickets are required.
IS THE FESTIVAL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
Yes. The Made in Hawai‘i Festival is open to the public on all four days with a valid ticket.
Wholesale buyer access on Thursday requires separate approval, registration and verification. General ticketing opens on August 1.
CAN VISITORS FROM OUTSIDE HAWAI‘I ATTEND?
Yes. Visitors are welcome. You do not need to be a Hawai‘i resident to purchase festival tickets.
WHAT IS VIP ACCESS NIGHT?
VIP Access Night is the official opening night of the Made in Hawai‘i Festival on Thursday, August 20, from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM.
It is the first public shopping opportunity of the 2026 festival and provides ticketed guests with early access to festival vendors before the full weekend days.
VIP Access Night is presented by Huakaʻi by Hawaiian and is open to the public with a valid Thursday ticket. Tickets are limited.
WHAT IS INCLUDED WITH A VIP ACCESS NIGHT TICKET?
A VIP Access Night ticket includes admission to the festival on Thursday evening from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM. The ticket provides access to the first public shopping night of the festival. It does not automatically include complimentary food, beverages, merchandise, parking or shuttle transportation.
WHAT IS PREVIEW NIGHT?
Preview Night takes place Friday, August 21, from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM.
It provides ticketed guests with an evening opportunity to shop and visit festival vendors before the full Saturday and Sunday festival days. Preview Night is open to the public with a valid Friday ticket. Tickets are limited.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VIP ACCESS NIGHT AND PREVIEW NIGHT?
VIP Access Night is held on Thursday and is the first public shopping opportunity of the festival. It is presented by Huakaʻi by Hawaiian. Preview Night is held on Friday and provides a similar evening shopping experience. Select Vendors and Sponsors are doing special giveaways for each night, depending on availability and timing. Vendors and Sponsors are managing their own giveaways and the MIHF has no oversight over the quantities and time/availability that each Vendor or Sponsor are doing special giveaways.
Both nights are open to the public with the appropriate ticket. Thursday tickets are valid only on Thursday, and Friday tickets are valid only on Friday.
DO CHILDREN NEED A TICKET?
Children 6 years old and younger are free to enter. On the ticketing site, there is an option for a free children's ticket.
All guests ages 7 and older shall have a paid ticket.
WHAT IS SUGGESTED TIMED ARRIVAL?
Suggested Timed Arrival is the ticketing system used for Saturday and Sunday.
A limited number of tickets are available for each hourly arrival period to ensure that lines and guests move quickly through the security checkpoints and that the exhibition halls have an appropriate number of guests for a better shopping experience. Guests should select their preferred arrival time when purchasing tickets and plan to arrive during that period. We ask for flexibility and patience as we are limiting the number of guest entries per hour, however, there may still be backlogs at entry that may slow the line down. We ask that everyone: 1) has their tickets and/or QR codes ready; 2) walks swiftly through the line; 3) if anyone has any mobility issues that individual plus 1 guest are able go to the Priority Pass door (Makai Side Door) for Kupuna/ADA entrance.
Suggested Timed Arrival helps distribute guest arrivals throughout the day and supports a more organized entry, security screening and ticket-scanning process.
IS MY SUGGESTED ARRIVAL TIME A STRICT ENTRY APPOINTMENT?
No. Your selected time is a suggested arrival period rather than a strict appointment.
Guests should make every effort to arrive during their selected period. Guests who arrive later may still use their ticket on the same ticketed festival day, subject to festival hours, capacity and entry procedures.
Admission and wait times cannot be guaranteed.
WHAT IF MY PREFERRED ARRIVAL TIME IS UNAVAILABLE?
A limited number of tickets are available during each hourly arrival period.
If your preferred time is unavailable, please select another available arrival period for that day.
CAN I STAY AFTER MY SUGGESTED ARRIVAL PERIOD?
Yes. The selected time applies to your arrival only.
Once admitted, guests may remain at the festival until closing, subject to festival policies.
ARE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY TICKETS INTERCHANGEABLE?
Guests should purchase a ticket for the day they plan to attend.
A Saturday ticket may only be used on Saturday, August 22. A Sunday ticket may only be used on Sunday, August 23.
CAN I USE A THURSDAY OR FRIDAY TICKET ON ANOTHER DAY?
No. Thursday and Friday tickets are date-specific and may only be used on the date shown on the ticket.
WILL TICKETS BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR?
Tickets are subject to availability and guests are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets in advance and select an available Suggested Timed Arrival period before traveling to the Convention Center. However, yes, tickets may be purchased at the door. No cash will be accepted and the kiosks will only accept card payments.
WHAT IS THE FESTIVAL REFUND POLICY?
All festival ticket sales are final.
No refunds will be issued, including for schedule changes, travel disruptions, unused tickets, late arrivals or a guest’s inability to attend.
Guests should carefully confirm the selected date and arrival period before completing their purchase.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I CANNOT FIND MY TICKET?
Please check the email address used during your purchase, including spam, junk and promotions folders.
Guests should have their ticket ready on a mobile device before reaching the screening and ticket-scanning area. If the tickets are still not located, please stand in line and when you approach the front, ask to be taken to the INFO BOOTH for assistance to look up your ticket.
HOW MANY PUBLIC ENTRY AREAS WILL THERE BE?
The main public entry line will serve two general admission doors.
Guests using Suggested Timed Arrival tickets will follow festival signs and staff instructions to the appropriate general admission door.
A third entrance will be reserved for Priority Pass guests arriving on the official festival shuttle.
WHAT WILL THE GENERAL ENTRY LINE LOOK LIKE?
The 2026 festival will use a new line configuration. The primary public line will form along the Ala Wai Canal Promenade rather than following the configuration used in previous years.
The new layout is intended to provide a more organized approach to security screening and ticket scanning while helping keep Convention Center entrances and surrounding walkways clear.
Guests should follow directional signs and staff instructions, wear comfortable footwear, prepare for outdoor weather conditions and have their tickets ready before reaching the screening area.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO ARRIVE?
The opening-morning period on Saturday and Sunday is expected to have the highest volume of arrivals.
Guests should allow additional time for traffic, parking, shuttle transportation, walking to the entrance, waiting in line, security screening and ticket scanning.
Guests seeking a less congested arrival experience may consider selecting an available arrival period after the initial morning rush. Wait times and conditions cannot be guaranteed.
WHAT IS PRIORITY PASS?
Priority Pass is a separate Saturday and Sunday transportation and arrival option that includes access to a festival ticket, official festival shuttle and a designated entry process.
Priority Pass guests must arrive through the official shuttle system to use the Priority Pass entrance.
Complete Priority Pass, shuttle, parking and transportation information is available on the Priority Pass and Transportation page of the festival website.
IS ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR KŪPUNA AND GUESTS WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY STANDING?
The Kūpuna & Accessibility Assistance entry is available for kūpuna and guests who may have difficulty standing or walking for extended periods of time.
Eligible guests may enter through the Priority Pass lane at the makai-side door and may be accompanied by one support person.
This assistance may be appropriate for:
- Seniors generally age 75 and older
- Individuals with mobility limitations
- Individuals using wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes or other mobility devices
- Individuals with medical conditions or disabilities that make prolonged standing difficult
Instructions:
Guests using this assistance entry should not wait in the general admission line. They should be dropped off or proceed directly to the makai-side Priority Pass entrance door.
Upon arrival, look for festival volunteers or staff wearing purple shirts for assistance for the Kūpuna/ADA Entrance. Guests should proceed to the Information Booth for entry support and verification.
All guests, including those using the Kūpuna & Accessibility Assistance entry, must complete the festival’s required security screening before entering. All guests must have their tickets ready for scanning.
This service is intended to support guests who require additional assistance due to age, mobility or disability. It is not an expedited entry line for guests who are able to wait in the general admission line.
Festival staff reserve the right to direct guests to the appropriate entrance or line to help ensure this service remains available for those who need it most.
For additional questions or inquiry, please contact [email protected].
WHAT IF A GUEST IS YOUNGER THAN 75 BUT CANNOT STAND FOR LONG PERIODS?
Guests younger than 75 who have mobility limitations or cannot comfortably stand for extended periods due to medical reasons may also use the assistance process.
Festival team members will be available to help coordinate at the Info Booth.
IS ADA PARKING AVAILABLE AT THE HAWAI‘I CONVENTION CENTER?
Accessible parking is managed by the Hawai‘i Convention Center.
Guests with valid disability parking placards may be directed to designated accessible parking stalls, subject to availability. Accessible parking is limited and cannot be guaranteed.
Parties may also use the Convention Center porte cochere to drop off a guest who needs mobility assistance before the driver proceeds to an available parking location.
Guests must follow all posted traffic directions and instructions from Convention Center parking and traffic personnel.
ARE PETS ALLOWED?
Pets and emotional support animals are not permitted inside the festival, per Hawaii Convention Center guidelines.
Service animals trained to perform work or tasks for an individual with a disability are permitted in accordance with applicable requirements.
ARE STROLLERS AND MOBILITY DEVICES ALLOWED?
Personal mobility devices used by guests with disabilities are permitted.
Strollers are permitted but must not block aisles, entrances, booths or emergency access. Guests may be asked to reposition or fold a stroller in crowded areas.
ARE ROLLING BAGS, CARTS OR WAGONS ALLOWED?
Large rolling bags, personal shopping carts and wagons are not permitted inside the festival per Hawaii Convention Center guidelines. HCC Security will manage this process.
Small personal bags are allowed but may be subject to inspection.
WHAT ITEMS ARE PROHIBITED?
Prohibited items include:
Outside alcohol
Weapons or items that may be used as weapons
Illegal substances
Items that block aisles, entrances or emergency access
Any item prohibited by the Hawai‘i Convention Center or festival security
All bags and personal items may be subject to inspection.
CAN I BRING OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINKS?
Outside alcohol is not permitted.
Additional food, beverage and reusable-container policies may be enforced by the Hawai‘i Convention Center and festival security.
ARE FOOD AND BEVERAGES AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE?
Food and beverages are expected to be available for purchase from participating festival vendors and designated concession areas.
Availability and menus may vary.
WILL SEATING BE AVAILABLE?
Limited seating and rest areas may be available throughout the Convention Center.
Seating is not guaranteed and should not be used to store bags, merchandise or other personal items.
We welcome you to sit and enjoy the stage entertainment as well.
CAN I LEAVE AND RE-ENTER THE FESTIVAL?
All attendees will receive a MIHF Stamp upon entry, if you wish to exit, please ensure that you have your stamp. The MIHF Stamp is only good for the day that your ticket has been redeemed.