Indio Tamale Festival

December 2-3, 2023, 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. 
Always the 1st Sat and Sun weekend in December!)

California Tamale Festivals

Parade route: Miles Avenue to Oasis to Wilson Street 10 a.m. Saturday

Downtown Indio Miles Avenue Park
82524 Miles Avenue
Indio, CA
Free admission, indiotamalefestival.com

More than 50,000 tamale lovers fill the streets of Old Town Indio to sample every type of tamale you can imagine. Activities include a festive holiday parade, carnival, Mexican Folkloric dancing and a variety of live entertainment for all ages

• Carnival
• Parade  Saturday 10 a.m. includes Marching Bands, Drill Team, Equestrian Units, Color Guard and Floats
• Live Music & Entertainment
• Beer & Wine Gardens
• Art 
• Car Show Saturday
• Kiddie Land
• Tamale Eating Contest on Community Stage
• Best Tamale Contest
• Soul Train Contest: The Amigo Stage has got soul -- as in Soul Train.  Bumptown happening now! Platforms, bell bottoms and groovy costumes, plus era dancing with two contests -- singles or couples.
• Pachuco Contest: Head for the Amigo Stage in your best Zoot Suit outfit. Open to all ages, must register

Recipes from all over the southwest feature pumpkin with Jamaican rum tamale, bourbon pork tamale, chocolate cherry tamale, and hundreds more (Indio, CA.)

Back by demand is Artesano Tamaleria, a showcase presenting meticulously crafted, small-batch tamales sourced from local households, families, and community groups. This initiative offers families a chance to pay homage to cherished traditional recipes and share them with the community. Participants  receive access to commercial kitchens for preparation, while the festival expertly serves these delightful treats to attendees, ensuring they are enjoyed steaming hot!

The  annual Indio International Tamale Festival will once again overtake Old Town Indio to kick off the holiday season in the Coachella Valley. Admission into the Festival is FREE, and family-friendly activities, arts and crafts booths, and live entertainment are geared for all ages and community interests. The Festival has been ranked as one of the top ten All-American Food Festivals in the nation by Food Network-TV.

The traditional competition for best tamale recipe will be held, and there will also be a tamale eating contest. At least 50,000 people are expected to attend the two day celebration which begins with a parade on Saturday morning. Performances will be featured on multiple stages.

SHOPPING AND VENDOR BOOTHS

There are 200 booths representing over 150 vendors offering and/or selling foods such as ethnic specialties, hot dogs, roasted corn, and desserts; clothing and accessories, wood works, jewelry, music and toys. 

 CAR SHOW
Showcase cars will take part in the opening parade and will then be displayed along Requa Street for spectator viewing and judging. The public will vote on the best in seven categories, to include: Pre-War Restored, Post-War Restored, Street Rod (up to 1959), Muscle Car, Sport, Truck and Low-Rider. The awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, December 8th at 3:00pm on the Fiesta Stage.

ART AND WINE GARDEN

Original art work, including painting, photography, sculpture, and textiles from at least 25 artists will be on display and for sale. Guests can enjoy wine tasting in the wine lounge, and beer from Coachella Valley Brewery will also be available.

FOOD TRUCK ALLEY  Approximately a dozen food trucks will offer a wide variety of cuisine, including California Grill Truck, Kogi Korean BBQ, Tornado Potato, Always Cookin' BBQ, The Sweet Stop, Steamy Bun Truck, Bakery Truck, and Chunk and Chip (Ice cream with cookie outside). Mariachi music and local high school drum lines will provide entertainment for guests, and seating will be available.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Live music, dancing, singing, and other diverse performances will be held on the Fiesta, Amigo, Sunset, and Community stages. 

History: It all started in 1992 with an idea by Dave Hernandez, a member of the Downtown Indio Merchants Association.

The rich heritage of the tamale, consistent community support and hard working tamale makers have created the festival's tremendous success.

Recently, the Food Network-TV ranked the Indio International Tamale Festival in the top 10 "All-American Food Festivals" in the nation!

Festival's Guinness World Records:

The World's largest Tamale-over 1 foot in diameter and 40 feet in length, Dec. 4, 1999. The World's largest tamale festival-with 120,000 in attendance, Dec. 2-3, 2000.

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.