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What to Eat & Drink at the 2024 Tucson Folk Festival (April 5 – 7)

Tucson Folk Festival (Photo by C. Elliott Photography)

What to Eat & Drink at the 2024 Tucson Folk Festival (April 5 – 7)

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The Tucson Folk Festival is back for its 39th year on Friday, April 5 – Sunday, 7!  

The 39th Annual Tucson Folk Festival is an exciting weekend of live and original music featuring more than 150 performances and 400 musicians across six stages at/near Jácome Plaza in downtown Tucson.

Band with fiddle, guitars and drums plays to a seated crowd under a tent at Tucson Folk Festival by Church Avenue
(Photo courtesy of Tucson Folk Festival)

This year’s headliners include national and regionally celebrated acts: Steve Poltz, Lisa Morales Band, Keith Secola, Leslie Mendelson, The Cross-Eyed Possum, Eagle Rock Gospel Singers, Baba Marimba, and Mariachi Nuevo Azteca de Tucson.  

“I’m thrilled to be playing the Tucson Folk Fest especially when the desert is in full bloom,” said Lisa Morales of Lisa Morales Band. “It’ll be wonderful to be home, doing what I love and I can’t wait for Tucson to hear the new songs that will be on my upcoming album!” 

The full stage schedule for the 2024 Tucson Folk Festival can be found on their website.

Tucson Folk Festival
Tucson Folk Festival (Photo by C. Elliott Photography)

“We must conserve letters. We are running out of them,” Steve Poltz joked. “Therefore, I hereby make a motion that we can save our precious letters by condensing ‘best festival’ to ‘bestival’ and Tucson Folk Festival to ‘TFF.’ TFF will be the bestival I’ve ever played. I can’t wait.”  

There will be culinary options and unique crafts in the Elise Grecco Community Marketplace, the Festival Beer Garden, a kidszone with musical and arts experiences, raffles, and a festival store.

So, you’re bound to get hungry! Here are the food and beverage vendors setting up at this year’s fest.

Participating Food & Beverage Vendors

  • BlackJack Citrus Infusions
  • Hungary Express
  • Gus’s Gyros and Lemonade
  • Fiesta Filipina
  • San Francisco Chocolate Factory
  • Hot Pops Kettle Corn
  • 3 Margaritas Kitchen
  • Pam’s Kitchen
  • Eatgypt
  • Mr. Ice Guy

Where to Find the Music

 The six festival stages each present a unique listening atmosphere highlighting some of the most historic sections of Downtown Tucson.

The Presidio Museum Stage takes place inside the historic walls of the Presidio San Agustín where a 150-year-old Sonoran house serves as the performer green room.

Tucson Folk Festival
Tucson Folk Festival (Photo by C. Elliott Photography)

The North Church Stage leaves plenty of room for dancing as some of Tucson’s best blues, country, and original Americana bands take the stage. The Court Stage, Telles Stage, and three workshop and song circle tents surround the Old Town Artisans block, providing more intimate listening experiences for acoustic-oriented acts. 

All stage venues are within walking distance of Jácome Plaza (corner of Stone and Pennington).  

Pre-Tucson Folk Festival Show 

The public is also invited to the Tucson Folk Festival Kickoff Showcase and Fundraiser on Thursday, April 4 from 6 – 9::30 p.m. at Monterey Court.

During the evening, attendees will be entertained by more than a dozen of the festival’s performers while raising donations to support the free festival. Reservations are encouraged and can be made in advance on Monterey Court’s website.

a group of people standing in front of a restaurant
Live music at Monterey Court (Photo by Hannah Hernandez)

The Tucson Folk Festival is presented annually by the Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association and the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance with support from the City of Tucson, Pima County, Rio Nuevo District, Arizona Commission on the Arts, and the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona. 

For more information, visit tucsonfolkfest.org.

Tucson Folk Festival
Tucson Folk Festival (Photo by Rex Scofield)

Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.

He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.

If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.

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Join the Tucson Foodie team for our November Foodie Dinner at @Wildgarlicgrillofficial on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 6–8:30 pm!

Enjoy a three-course menu featuring:

🔥FIRST COURSE 
Lemon Sole Paupiettes filled with shrimp and crab mousse, with basil-red pepper beurre blanc

🔥MAIN COURSE
Mesquite-Grilled Gold Canyon Ranch Filet Mignon with blue oyster mushrooms, roasted heirloom potatoes, asparagus, and morel mushroom-truffle cream sauce

🍮DESSERT
Raspberry-Vanilla Crème Brûlée

🍷Optional wine pairings and drink specials will also be available!

Tickets are $105 per person, plus tax. Foodie Club members receive a discount with a promo code at checkout!

Seats are limited! Ticket ink in bio.🎟️

Video clips by @AddiewankenobiJoin the Tucson Foodie team for our November Foodie Dinner at @Wildgarlicgrillofficial on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 6–8:30 pm! Enjoy a three-course menu featuring: 🔥FIRST COURSE Lemon Sole Paupiettes filled with shrimp and crab mousse, with basil-red pepper beurre blanc 🔥MAIN COURSE Mesquite-Grilled Gold Canyon Ranch Filet Mignon with blue oyster mushrooms, roasted heirloom potatoes, asparagus, and morel mushroom-truffle cream sauce 🍮DESSERT Raspberry-Vanilla Crème Brûlée 🍷Optional wine pairings and drink specials will also be available! Tickets are $105 per person, plus tax. Foodie Club members receive a discount with a promo code at checkout! Seats are limited! Ticket ink in bio.🎟️ Video clips by @Addiewankenobi
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Take the “How Greek are you?” quiz: tucsonfoodie.com/opa 

Gyros, baklava, saganaki, and so much more. 

@Tucsongreekfestival🎉

Jácome Plaza | 101 N. Stone Ave. 
Final day: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026Experience the warmth and hospitality of Greece right here in Tucson! Head downtown to Jácome Plaza for delicious Greek food, lively music, folk dancing, shopping, and plenty of cultural celebrations. Take the “How Greek are you?” quiz: tucsonfoodie.com/opa Gyros, baklava, saganaki, and so much more. @Tucsongreekfestival🎉 Jácome Plaza | 101 N. Stone Ave. Final day: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026
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After an October pop-up, the Phoenix-based sourdough bakery and stone flour mill has decided to keep both former @Cafefrancaistucson locations open.

The decision follows a warm response from the Tucson community, with new customers discovering the bakery and returning week after week.

Both locations are open Wednesday through Sunday, 7 am to 2 pm. 

📍 7831 E. Wrightstown Road, Suite 113
📍 3855 E. Broadway Blvd.

More details on Tucsonfoodie.com@Proofbread is staying in Tucson! After an October pop-up, the Phoenix-based sourdough bakery and stone flour mill has decided to keep both former @Cafefrancaistucson locations open. The decision follows a warm response from the Tucson community, with new customers discovering the bakery and returning week after week. Both locations are open Wednesday through Sunday, 7 am to 2 pm. 📍 7831 E. Wrightstown Road, Suite 113 📍 3855 E. Broadway Blvd. More details on Tucsonfoodie.com
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Both former @penelope.woodfired bartenders are making their return for a special tiki pop-up next Tuesday from 7–10 pm. 

Here’s what’s on the menu:

DRINKS
- Longboi Island
- Tai’d Up
- Sfumungle Bird
- Mammoth Tusk
- Banana Bastard
- The Witch of November
- Miami Vice Jello Shots
- Rusted Root Bombs

FOOD
- Seared mortadella and pineapple skewers brushed with Japanese BBQ sauce
- Hawaiian mac salad with house-made pasta and charred scallion cream sauce

Penelope is typically closed on Tuesdays, so come out for this special one-night pop-up🏖️

Photo by @addiewankenobiStephen and Toby are BACK Both former @penelope.woodfired bartenders are making their return for a special tiki pop-up next Tuesday from 7–10 pm. Here’s what’s on the menu: DRINKS - Longboi Island - Tai’d Up - Sfumungle Bird - Mammoth Tusk - Banana Bastard - The Witch of November - Miami Vice Jello Shots - Rusted Root Bombs FOOD - Seared mortadella and pineapple skewers brushed with Japanese BBQ sauce - Hawaiian mac salad with house-made pasta and charred scallion cream sauce Penelope is typically closed on Tuesdays, so come out for this special one-night pop-up🏖️ Photo by @addiewankenobi