Kauai luaus at a glance
The four luaus below each have an active booking page of their own and sit in four parts of the island: Wailua, Kapaʻa, Līhuʻe and Poʻipū. This is not a full list of every luau on the island. Listings show that a show is offered, not that every date is running after the storm, so confirm the date you want before you plan around it.
Booking early is recommended. There is no general state reservation rule for luaus. This is an independent guide, not a luau operator.
Kauai luaus compared
Prices and times as listed by the operators in 2026. A dash means that no price is listed.
| Luau | Area | Adult price | Children | Days and times |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smith Family Garden Luau | Wailua | $150 | Ages 7–13 $45, ages 3–6 $35 | Check-in 5:00 p.m. (4:45 p.m. November to February), show 8:00 p.m. (7:45 p.m.) |
| Lūʻau Ka Hikina, Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach | Kapaʻa | $189 (General Seating, from age 14) | Ages 7–13 $115, ages 3–6 $75, ages 1–2 free | Check-in 5:20 p.m., seating 5:30 p.m. |
| Lūʻau Kalamakū, Kilohana Plantation | Līhuʻe | – | – | Tuesday and Thursday, selected Mondays in summer and winter |
| ʻAuliʻi, Sheraton Kauai Resort | Poʻipū | – | Up to age 3 free on a lap | Monday and Wednesday, check-in 5:00 p.m. (October to February) or 5:30 p.m. (March to September) |
Our picks: Kauai luaus
A buffet dinner with show and a VIP dinner package.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
VIP dinner and luau show
A lei greeting, champagne toast, four-course dinner, one drink and premier seating. Tips, the hotel transfer and the train ride are not included.
Check availability →
Luau with buffet dinner and show
A lei greeting, open bar, dinner buffet and show. Tips are not included, and the hotel transfer costs extra.
Check availability →Kauai tours and day trips
Luaus, boat tours, helicopter flights and more, with live prices and availability.
What to expect
At the Smith Family Garden Luau the evening includes an imu ceremony, a buffet, music and a separate show. In winter, admission opens 15 minutes earlier. The listed adult price of $150 does not include parking, and the operator charges park admission and parking separately.
Lūʻau Ka Hikina lists its General Seating ticket at $189 for ages 14 and older, without taxes, fees and tips. Its page also contains a minimum-age note that does not match the children's prices, so check the age rule when you book. Lūʻau Kalamakū sells packages named Hawaiian, Silver, Gold and Manor House. The ʻAuliʻi luau lists event parking or free valet in its FAQ.
How to choose
- By area: Pick the luau near where you sleep. Wailua and Kapaʻa are on the East Side, Līhuʻe is by the airport, and Poʻipū is on the South Shore. See where to stay and Wailua.
- By day: The days differ. Kalamakū runs Tuesday and Thursday, ʻAuliʻi Monday and Wednesday. Check the days of your stay first.
- With children: The age bands differ between luaus. Smith's has a $35 band for ages 3–6, Ka Hikina a $75 band, and ʻAuliʻi lets children up to age 3 sit on a lap for free.
- By price: Of the two luaus with an adult ticket listed, the spread is $150 to $189. That is not a price range for the whole island, and extras such as taxes, parking and tips differ.
Planning the day around a luau
Check-in at the three luaus with listed times falls between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m., and in winter Smith's opens at 4:45 p.m. Allow time for the drive and for parking. From Līhuʻe Airport it is about 15 minutes to Wailua and about 30 minutes to Poʻipū, according to state tourism information, so a luau fits the evening of an arrival day if your flight lands early enough. Keep the afternoon free of long tours, and leave a margin for traffic.
Weather and cancellation
The ʻAuliʻi luau lists a full refund with at least 24 hours' notice. In bad weather it can move the show into the Sheraton ballroom. Do not mix it up with the Sheraton Coconut Beach in Kapaʻa, which hosts Ka Hikina. For the other luaus, read the cancellation terms at booking, since they are not listed here.
If you are comparing islands, Maui and Oahu have their own guides to luaus: luaus on Maui and luaus on Oahu.
Plan the rest of the day
Pages that fit a luau evening.
Kauai luaus: frequently asked questions
How much does a luau on Kauai cost?
Where a price is listed, adult tickets are $150 at the Smith Family Garden Luau and $189 for General Seating at Lūʻau Ka Hikina (2026). Taxes, fees, tips and parking can come on top.
Do I need to book ahead?
Booking early is recommended. No general state reservation rule for luaus is listed.
Can children go to a luau?
Yes, with different age bands. Smith's lists $45 for ages 7–13 and $35 for ages 3–6, Ka Hikina $115 and $75, and at ʻAuliʻi children up to 3 sit on a lap for free.
What happens if it rains?
The ʻAuliʻi luau can move into the Sheraton ballroom in bad weather. For other luaus, check the weather policy when you book.
Which luau is on which day?
Kalamakū runs on Tuesday and Thursday and ʻAuliʻi on Monday and Wednesday. Smith's and Ka Hikina list their own schedules on their booking pages.