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Taste & Taste Some More at the Tucson Tamal & Heritage Festival

Taste & Taste Some More at the Tucson Tamal & Heritage Festival

Nov 26, 20181 min read

The AVA Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol is hosting the 14th annual Tucson Tamal & Heritage Festival from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 1.

This festival comes at the right time as the holiday season coincides with the cravings for tamales, but perhaps the biggest gift of all is the fact that the event is totally free.

Everyone’s invited to celebrate the rich tastes, scents, and the vast variety of tamales from the Southwest and Mexico. For weeks, tamale aficionados have been crafting the perfect tamale to enter in the contest, which gives everyone an opportunity to raise funds.

Now, it’s too late to join the contest, but you can still attend and eat plates upon plates of tamales. I mean, you’ve got to try all of them in order to decide who’s offered the best, right?

https://www.facebook.com/AVAconcerts/posts/10156908323531974?__xts__[0]=68.ARCAYLv47mT2NAJMJa6QmOESJcVUoDmA3F0TH2Q47YCNmEj8n0O_kMAiVFQE7MeYHknajfEvkBIibHhPOoF8DC7clkzPFpaX4Gek_Er_ItdixxcptIKjU1PlpEUb7zvR8ynHxnIh3QElgF6EUQZHxI93p5oxhVJ5jeZB2N30v3GEt-LkJ-FBq8lHrMOsc1LJZrGx6uTtl0a2QTleRfQxQ02vJlnMWfbnmY0SSDGfplPZova6Lv9-GuNCUw9PglIMt9RYphYDWl6Fjsa95h3HN_zsynsny2ELUlmtTJ0MW_x58AWSY9IfiOSx1Y-H-FhFhrd7zOyy2z320sGXLFvetxL1sirOKL-ZtHZfcEOrqwTwPsQjnpW_Z3mdYHRC1e9dtRlsMzqlJ4W2_9HHpEL2jDKaIRHZ0_621xov0aBzVMXXkr9dd58hemKHZraikounKR01W2-Z_3Sq1AmeQRra2EfdxkzevY-aKtfX3EeJVDyunIjeX3WC2MZt67bPdgql_yxvVdlxwZ5_jY3-EI73_w&__tn__=-R

There is also going to be a lot of fun at the festival with live and local entertainment for families, and farmers market vendors with tamales, tacos, fry bread, desserts, aguas frescas, roasted corn, and more.

Additional stands will feature artisan goods such as art, jewelry, and beadwork.

Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater is located 5655 W. Valencia Rd. For more information, call (520) 838-6400 or visit casinodelsol.com.

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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This year, 18 Mexican restaurants are participating in @sonoranrestaurantweek from September 4-13. Also, National Hispanic Heritage Month begins immediately afterwards on Sunday, September 15.❤️

Here’s the full list, in alphabetical order. 

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Don’t forget to upload your receipts to enter our giveaway🎉

More on Tucsonfoodie.com/srw
Presented by @Visittucson 

#tucsonaz #tucsonfoodieThis year, 18 Mexican restaurants are participating in @sonoranrestaurantweek from September 4-13. Also, National Hispanic Heritage Month begins immediately afterwards on Sunday, September 15.❤️ Here’s the full list, in alphabetical order. @agavehousetucson @ameliastucson @bktacos @bocatucson @buendia.breakfast.lunch @asadataqueria @casadelrioaz @elcharro.cafe @crudamariscos @elmezquitetucson @humo.tucson @lachingadacocina @lafridamexicangrill @laollamexicancafe @nanas_kitchen_2008 @reformatucson @seiskitchen @sonoramoonshine Don’t forget to upload your receipts to enter our giveaway🎉 More on Tucsonfoodie.com/srw Presented by @Visittucson #tucsonaz #tucsonfoodie
TONIGHT

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Come support our amazing local makers, small businesses, and restaurants while eating an absolutely ridiculous amount of vegan food. 

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🪩Music by @visionaryhousecollective 

🌙FREE ENTRY | FREE PARKING | DOG-FRIENDLY
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@oldsoulsanimalrescue 
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Bereisheet 129
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DESSERTS
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#tucsonsmallbusiness #tucsonlocalTONIGHT @vegantucsonnightmarket❤️🐖🐄 9/5 from 6–10pm Come support our amazing local makers, small businesses, and restaurants while eating an absolutely ridiculous amount of vegan food. 📸Glamour shots by @viguerrafoto 🪩Music by @visionaryhousecollective 🌙FREE ENTRY | FREE PARKING | DOG-FRIENDLY 📍RILLITO PARK • 4502 N 1ST AVE, TUCSON, AZ 🐶 @oldsoulsanimalrescue @paws_without_borders @rescuemetucson HOT/SAVORY @substancediner @hotsaucenpepper @huhushouseofdumplings Eatgypt Bereisheet 129 @bobbyskitchen__ @delcielotamal @lovinspoonfulstucson @ensenadastreetfood @mayascajunkitchen @therealnaughtyvegan @patricias_cuban_kitchen @scratchingtheplate @themakanbowl @theveganjointaz @youslydogtucson @yumyumpocha_ DESSERTS @atekei_treats @thirddaysourdough @treats_by_gabby @donutblitz @abstractaquariums @sweetrollsandmore @tucsonchocolatefactory @uniquelymadecookies @coolkidssnackcakes @dirty_t_tamarindo @duckys_pineapplebananabread @tiasourdough @eatbliss.az @flourpotvegan @maxa_oats @sahteinpatisserie Counter Crispies BEVERAGES @espressoul_cafe @transit.tea @yourcoffeestopaz @barlapachanga @scentedleaf @konaiceofmarana @littlebearlemonade Wrapido @bardownfitnessandnutrition @brewingcupofculture @lemonpoptucson SHOP LOCAL @barknberryaz @cosmicfoundry @desierto_designs @enjoycrochetandknit @greenexpressiontucson @harvestedcreations @purpleskyincense @ricos_threads @snackabeesaz @sparkle_sparrow_az @spunkykind @yellowbirdfarm @wisteriacreekcottage @wisdombodyandsoul @tacosysalsa_tucson @thedrecreations #tucsonevents #vegantucson #tucsonsmallbusiness #tucsonlocal
@Sonoranrestaurantweek runs from September 4 through 13, 2026, and it’s the perfect excuse to pair a day of Tucson sightseeing with a prix fixe meal. Since the Old Pueblo packs desert trails, historic missions, art districts, and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation into one metro area, visitors can easily build a full day around any interest and land near a Restaurant Week stop when it’s time to eat.

Swipe to see six itineraries built around Tucson’s core attractions, each paired with nearby restaurants participating in this year’s event. Menus and prices are subject to change, so it’s worth confirming details on the Sonoran Restaurant Week website before heading out.@Sonoranrestaurantweek runs from September 4 through 13, 2026, and it’s the perfect excuse to pair a day of Tucson sightseeing with a prix fixe meal. Since the Old Pueblo packs desert trails, historic missions, art districts, and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation into one metro area, visitors can easily build a full day around any interest and land near a Restaurant Week stop when it’s time to eat. Swipe to see six itineraries built around Tucson’s core attractions, each paired with nearby restaurants participating in this year’s event. Menus and prices are subject to change, so it’s worth confirming details on the Sonoran Restaurant Week website before heading out.
Ten days. One hundred twenty-five tables. 
@Sonoranrestaurantweek begins TODAY! Have you built your itinerary?👀

From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus at $15 to $55 — at least 20% off what they’re worth—giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. 

#sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizonaTen days. One hundred twenty-five tables. @Sonoranrestaurantweek begins TODAY! Have you built your itinerary?👀 From September 4 to 13, local restaurants across Southern Arizona will come together for 10 days of incredible fixed-price menus at $15 to $55 — at least 20% off what they’re worth—giving diners the perfect excuse to explore Tucson’s amazing food scene. #sonoranrestaurantweek #srw2026 #tucsonfoodie #tucsonarizona