UNESCO Tucson Creative City of Gastronomy presents the 5th annual Pueblos del Maíz in Tucson, AZ. In partnership with three other designated food heritage cities — San Antonio, TX,  Merida MX, and Bergamo-Gandino IT — Tucson will host the first weekend of a year-long international food and culture celebration. The festivities will include regional food vendors, chef demonstrations, live music and entertainment, educational panels, art installations, and so much more celebrating the rich traditions of maíz.

As evidenced by its continued cultivation across the globe, the cultural and culinary impacts of maíz have spread across physical and cultural boundaries. Maíz’s nutritional, economic, and cultural values have proven it to be one of the most important crops for human civilization. Cultivated for at least nine thousand years as a food crop, animal feed, and now as an important material and fuel source, maíz is woven into the very fabric of modern society. Pueblos del Maíz is a celebration of the cultural and culinary significance of this globally valued agricultural staple.

Join us Sept 24th – 27th in Tucson, Arizona to launch the 2026 event!