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Your Guide to the 2024 Pueblos Del Maíz Festival

Guide

Your Guide to the 2024 Pueblos Del Maíz Festival

by Matt SternerApr 3, 2024Updated Aug 4, 20264 min read
From Thursday, April 11 – Sunday, April 14, the nonprofit Tucson City of Gastronomy (TCoG) hosts the third annual international Pueblos Del Maíz festival, which celebrates the gastronomies, histories, and food cultures of maíz (corn) in Tucson and three other UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy. Participating cities this year include Tucson, San Antonio, Mérida MX, and Bergamo-Gandino IT. Pueblos del Maíz in Tucson will be a four-day celebration of the major role of maíz in Southern Arizona’s food heritage, gastronomy, and culture. Centered in downtown Tucson, it will also extend to Mission Garden, Native Seeds/SEARCH, Kennedy Park, and other venues across the city. It will feature a free fiesta at Kennedy Park with street food and bands, cooking demonstrations by visiting chefs, a white-cloth dinner collaboratively prepared by visiting and local chefs, live musical performances, interactive art installations, and free educational tours, demonstrations, and presentations on the theme of maíz.
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8 spots

Club Congress

311 East Congress StreetDowntown

BIDI BIDI BANDA (Selena Tribute Band)

Friday, April 12 from 7 - 11 p.m.
Bidi Bidi Banda is Austin's first all-star Selena Tribute, embarking on their final tour! Composed of members of some of Austin's premier Latin bands, Bidi Bidi Banda is the refried dream of Stephanie Bergara, a native Austinite who grew up listening to Tejano radio and singing into a hair brush while wearing her mother's red lipstick. The band's interpretation of Selena's greatest hits will leave you belting lyrics, doing the washing machine, and reliving the greatness of the Queen of Tejano Music. Learn more.
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FORGE at Roy Place

44 North Stone AvenueDowntown

Milpas and Microbes: Landscapes of Fermentation with Dr. César Ojeda Linares

Sunday, April 14 from 2 - 3 p.m.
This free presentation by a pioneer in ethno-microbiology will explore how the traditional milpa agricultural system of Mesoamerica creates landscapes designed to provide the ingredients for a variety of traditional fermented beverages made with maize and complementary crops through microbial interactions. Learn more.
Website ↗Instagram ↗

Kennedy Park

3357 South La Cholla BoulevardWestside

Pueblos del Maíz Fiesta

Saturday, April 13 from 4 - 10 p.m.

Tucson City of Gastronomy presents the third annual "Pueblos del Maíz Fiesta," a  FREE community event at Kennedy Park. Starting at 4 p.m., Kennedy Park will transform into a maíz themed fiesta with live music from Los Gallegos and more. The event will also feature local food and artisan vendors, family-friendly activities, and art installations, all celebrating the cultural and culinary significance of Maíz in the Sonoran Desert.

Live music by: Angel Norteño Los Gallegos Native Creed Dámaris Bójor La Nueva Onda DJ TitoSuavecito
Learn more.
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Mission Garden

946 West Mission LaneDowntown

Tasting History: Corn Traditions

Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13 from 9 - 11 a.m. each day
The free program will include a display and interpretation of heritage and indigenous corn varieties grown at Mission Garden, a demonstration about making cal (lime) for nixtamalization of corn, a demonstration of the nixtamalization process, and tastings of fresh corn tortillas and traditional O'odham gaivsa (corn soup). Learn more.
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Also featured in2024 Agave Heritage Festival: Four-Day Event Schedule (MAP)24 Hours in Tucson: Guide for the Super FoodieTasting Events During the 2024 Agave Heritage Festival

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Native Seeds/SEARCH

3584 East River RoadFoothills

Native Seeds/SEARCH Tour

Thursday, April 11 and Friday, April 12 from 10 - 11:30 a.m. each day

Tour the Native Seeds/SEARCH (NS/S) seed lab, seed bank, and conservation gardens. Learn about the rich history of heirloom seed conservation and seed banking in the Southwest and the diverse regional maize collection stewarded by NS/S.

The tour will be followed by a brief presentation on different types of maize and the processes and challenges of conserving it.

Learn more.
Website ↗Instagram ↗
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The Carriage House

125 South Arizona AvenueDowntown

Noche de Maíz Chef's Dinner

Thursday, April 11 from 7 - 10 p.m.
Tucson City of Gastronomy and Gastronomic Union of Tucson (GUT) present an unforgettable dinner to kick off Pueblos del Maíz 2024. Visiting chefs from sister UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy, Mérida MX, Bergamo-Gandino IT, and San Antonio TX will collaborate with award-winning local chefs to prepare wine-paired courses highlighting corn's creative culinary possibilities. Learn more.
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Also featured inFLAVA Chef Series Showcases Arizona’s Black Culinary TalentZOE Pop-Up Dinner at Carriage House (7-COURSE MENU)Five-course ‘Springs Forth Dinner’ with the Gastronomic Union of Tucson (MENU)

The Rialto Theatre

318 East Congress StreetDowntown

CIMAFUNK

Sunday, April 14 from 6 - 11 p.m.
Cimafunk is a Grammy-nominated, Afro-Cuban Rockstar. His name refers to his heritage as a "cimarrón," Cubans of African descent who resisted and escaped slavery, as well as to the essence of his music that aims to subvert classical Cuban rhythms with innovative mixes of funk, afrobeat, and hip hop. Cimafunk has received overwhelming praise touring the U.S. and Europe, making a name for himself as one of today's great showmen, performing an electric live show with La Tribu, his nine-person band from Havana. His live show is a celebration of groove and an unforgettable sonic and bodily experience. Cimafunk is redefining contemporary Cuban music as well as Afro-Latin identity and the fusion of black cultures. His latest album, El Alimento, was nominated at the 2023 GRAMMY Awards for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album. Learn more.
Website ↗Instagram ↗
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SONORAN RESTAURANT WEEK KICKOFF PARTY🍸 Tucson’s biggest culinary week of the year starts with a celebration at @Thetreasury1929! Join Tucson Foodie on Monday, August 31, from 5–8 pm for the official @Sonoranrestaurantweek Kickoff Party. Enjoy tasting stations from participating Sonoran Restaurant Week restaurants, plus a dedicated station from The Treasury’s culinary team. Sip on two signature cocktails featuring @donjuliotequila and @rombauervineyards, with beverage service by @breakthrubevaz. The night also includes live music from a DJ, photo booths, and access to all three floors of one of downtown Tucson’s most historic venues. The Treasury 1929 Monday, August 31, 5–8 p.m. $46 • 21+ with valid ID Tickets are extremely limited to keep the tasting experience intimate. Grab yours while they last! 🎟️ LINK IN BIO Photos courtesy of @thetreasury1929 #tucsonfoodie #tucsonnewsSONORAN RESTAURANT WEEK KICKOFF PARTY🍸 Tucson’s biggest culinary week of the year starts with a celebration at @Thetreasury1929! Join Tucson Foodie on Monday, August 31, from 5–8 pm for the official @Sonoranrestaurantweek Kickoff Party. Enjoy tasting stations from participating Sonoran Restaurant Week restaurants, plus a dedicated station from The Treasury’s culinary team. Sip on two signature cocktails featuring @donjuliotequila and @rombauervineyards, with beverage service by @breakthrubevaz. The night also includes live music from a DJ, photo booths, and access to all three floors of one of downtown Tucson’s most historic venues. The Treasury 1929 Monday, August 31, 5–8 p.m. $46 • 21+ with valid ID Tickets are extremely limited to keep the tasting experience intimate. Grab yours while they last! 🎟️ LINK IN BIO Photos courtesy of @thetreasury1929 #tucsonfoodie #tucsonnews
@Casaveratucson opens Aug. 12 at 7265 N. La Cholla Blvd., bringing regional Mexican cuisine to the former Tamarind space. The 7,000-square-foot restaurant seats 200 guests with a large patio, and the design draws inspiration from a warm, old-world hacienda. The family behind Casa Vera is also known locally for Guadalajara Original Grill. Casa Vera will be open daily from 3-9 p.m. Reservations are available through @opentable or by emailing reservations@casaveratucson.com. More in @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photo courtesy of @casaveratucson #tucsonfoodie #tucsonnews #tucson@Casaveratucson opens Aug. 12 at 7265 N. La Cholla Blvd., bringing regional Mexican cuisine to the former Tamarind space. The 7,000-square-foot restaurant seats 200 guests with a large patio, and the design draws inspiration from a warm, old-world hacienda. The family behind Casa Vera is also known locally for Guadalajara Original Grill. Casa Vera will be open daily from 3-9 p.m. Reservations are available through @opentable or by emailing reservations@casaveratucson.com. More in @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photo courtesy of @casaveratucson #tucsonfoodie #tucsonnews #tucson
NEW: @tokyosushitucson opens this Saturday🎉🍣 Tokyo Sushi has taken over the former Izumi space on Speedway, serving up an all-you-can-eat experience with an extensive selection of classic and specialty sushi rolls. The restaurant also features a build-your-own ramen bar, fresh salad bar, dessert bar, and ice cream station. 3655 E Speedway Blvd. Grand opening: Saturday, August 8 at 11 a.m. #tucsonazNEW: @tokyosushitucson opens this Saturday🎉🍣 Tokyo Sushi has taken over the former Izumi space on Speedway, serving up an all-you-can-eat experience with an extensive selection of classic and specialty sushi rolls. The restaurant also features a build-your-own ramen bar, fresh salad bar, dessert bar, and ice cream station. 3655 E Speedway Blvd. Grand opening: Saturday, August 8 at 11 a.m. #tucsonaz
Sonoran Restaurant Week is back for its 8th year!🎉 From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus, giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. ‼️❤️Restaurant owners: Applications are now open and close August 14. There is no cost to participate, and you’ll be included in Tucson Foodie’s biggest marketing campaign of the year, featuring print, online, social, radio, TV, menu previews, chef interviews, and more. You don’t need your Restaurant Week menu ready to apply. Just submit one application per restaurant brand, even if you have multiple locations. Apply at the link in our bio or visit tucsonfoodie.com/srw/apply. #sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 #tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizonaSonoran Restaurant Week is back for its 8th year!🎉 From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus, giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. ‼️❤️Restaurant owners: Applications are now open and close August 14. There is no cost to participate, and you’ll be included in Tucson Foodie’s biggest marketing campaign of the year, featuring print, online, social, radio, TV, menu previews, chef interviews, and more. You don’t need your Restaurant Week menu ready to apply. Just submit one application per restaurant brand, even if you have multiple locations. Apply at the link in our bio or visit tucsonfoodie.com/srw/apply. #sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 #tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizona