Stardew Valley's festival system is the envy of other farming life simulator games. Each festival feels unique, like the player actually taking part in the town's community, and each has special benefits and unique items associated with it. The Luau is a Summer holiday that can hugely influence players' standing with the entire town at once.
The Luau is, of course, a Hawaiian-themed festival that takes place on the beach each year. Players won't be able to fish the day of, not even before the event starts, but it's well worth stopping by the beach to take part in the festival, even if players don't put much effort into their contribution.
6 It Happens On 11 Summer Each Year, From 9 am to 2 pm
Each festival in Stardew Valley happens only once each year, and the specific day of the season never changes. The Luau takes place in the middle of summer, on 11 Summer, from 9 am to 2 pm on the beach. As long as players arrive at the beach before 2 pm, they can stay at the Luau as long as they like.
When the events of the Luau are over, players will be returned to their farm at 10 pm, just like most festivals in the game. It's important to make sure crops are watered and animals are fed before heading to the beach, as players will be very crunched for time if they procrastinate until after the Luau.
5 The Main Attraction Is The Communal Potluck Soup...
The Luau is a super upbeat community-focused event that takes each townsperson's contributions and, theoretically, turns it into something delectable. The Communal Potluck Soup is an exercise in trust and the ability of the townspeople to work together, but it's not all sunshine and roses on the beach.
The soup pot is the centerpiece of the Luau festival grounds – it's hard to miss the giant metal cauldron with a crowd standing around it. Just like everyone else in Stardew Valley, the player is able to put a single ingredient into the Communal Potluck Soup.
4 ...But Be Careful What You Contribute — The Governor Will Taste It
The Communal Potluck Soup is an exercise in trust among town residents, and it's implied that the soup is delicious every single year, at least before the player shows up to town. Mayor Lewis is not the ultimate judge on whether it tastes good or not, though: that honor belongs to the Governor.
The Governor makes his only appearance in the game at the Luau and comments on how excited he is to try this year's soup. The player can add just about anything to the soup, but obviously, some ingredients are better than others. A metal ingot, after all, is certainly less suited for soup than, say, an Iridium-quality potato.
3 There's One Ingredient That Triggers A Unique Dialogue...
There's one item in Stardew Valley that screws with the outcomes of multiple events and festivals. Early on, players get a request from Lewis to find his purple trunks, as he couldn't figure out where he left them. If players never give him back his trunks, they can have a lot of fun.
Put Lewis' Purple Trunks into the communal potluck pot, and players will get a unique dialogue. Lewis will point out that the soup was perfectly good until the shorts were added, and that he's, "never been more ashamed of this community." Damning words, from a peaceful man.
2 ...But There Are Six Normal Responses To Your Ingredient
The dialogue where Lewis calls the soup "truly disgusting" due to his shorts is just one of the possible outcomes of the Communal Potluck Soup event. Depending on what players decide to add to the soup, there are a possible six total responses that the Governor will have to the soup when he tastes it. Look up all the possible additions and their rankings before choosing one to bring to the Luau.
The best outcome gives 120 friendship points with everyone in Stardew Valley, while a good outcome gives 60 with everyone. If the soup is average, the player's friendship points won't change, but if the soup is bad or awful the player will actually get a penalty to their friendship with everyone in town. If players don't add anything to the soup, the Governor will claim that it is "missing something".
1 Pierre Sets Up A Special Booth At The Luau
Just like with most festivals in Stardew Valley, Pierre sets up a small booth at the Luau to sell themed items and specialty, once-a-year goods. His booth at the Luau is special, though, as it's one of the few places the player can acquire Starfruit in the first year. It's overpriced, but it's well worth it to use as a special gift for NPCs who love Starfruit.
Pierre's booth at the Luau sells jungle and beach-themed items, such as the Totem Pole, the Plain Torch, a variety of leaf and jungle decals, as well as a wall-mounted palm tree image. Compared to his offerings at other festivals during the year, his booth at the Luau is actually relatively cheap, but it's still a good idea to check ahead of time and save up money for anything players desperately want.