It’s that time of year to celebrate memories of the past and make some new ones, too.
As an acknowledgment of all things sugar and spice, Tohono Chul is hosting its annual Chiles, Chocolate, and Day of the Dead Festival from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on both Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2.
Dozens of food and craft vendors will fill the park grounds with creations from local chefs, artists, and schools. The event is meant to pay homage to the enduring borderland traditions of Día de los Muertos — allowing the community to leave remembrances of lost loved ones.
“Don’t miss our community altar, where you can leave recuerdos (remembrances) for your lost loved ones which will be taken to Tucson’s All Souls Procession on Sunday, November 3 to be burned in the famous Burning of the Urn Ceremony.”
Day of the Dead-themed face paintings and plenty of other crafts and entertainment will surely keep you busy while eating and admiring the art around the park.
Tickets are available for each day during the two-day festival for $25 per adult, $10 for Tohono Chul Members, $7 for those between the ages of four and 12, and anyone can join the fun for free.
Your tickets can be purchased here.
Chocolatiers & Chile Roasters
- Monsoon Chocolate (handmade luxury chocolate)
- Chocolate 66 (handmade chocolate)
- Carolina’s Chocolate (spicy chocolate)
- Tucson Chocolate Factory (handmade chocolate)
- Chocolate Ritual (truffles with Mexican spirits like Mezcal and Bacanora)
- Untamed Confections (chocolate sweetened with honey)
- Jose’s Kettle Corn & Cotton Candy
- Cactus Jack Lemonade (fruity & spicy fresh lemonade)
- Chiltepica (Saturday only)
- The Roasted Chile (green chile lemonade, cookies, and chocolate)
- Alfonso Olive Oils (gourmet olive oils)
- Hot Flash Chile Products (Hatch green chile products)
- Baked Bear Beef Jerky
- Maria’s Chile Ristras
- Red’s Roasters
Crafts & Gifts
- Rainbow Goddess Designs (handmade headwear)
- Silver Creations (silver jewelry)
- Mini Hobo Bags (hand-made Southwest-inspired totes)
- Tierra Antigua Zapotec Rugs (see their Loom in action!)
- Macs Upcycle (hand-made dolls)
- Sol Design Studio (Friday only)
- Mama Bear AZ (Arizona-themed candles, soaps, art, and jewelry)
- Arizona Warmth Creations (quilts, bowl cozies, handbags)
- Flex Amazing T-Shirts
- More TBA…
Musical Entertainment & Performances
Friday, November 1
- Ballet Folklorico Los Mextucaz from 10 – 11 a.m.
- Mariachi Corazon Latino from noon – 1 p.m.
- Oscar Fuentes from 1 – 3 p.m.
Saturday, November 2
- Tesoro from 10 a.m. – noon
- Mariachi Corazon Latino from noon – 1 p.m.
- Oscar Fuentes from 1 – 3 p.m.
Again, the Chiles, Chocolate, and Day of the Dead Festival is from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday, November 1 – Saturday, November 2.
Additionally, the Garden Bistro at Tohono Chul will be serving food and drinks.
Tohono Chul Garden Bistro is located just outside the park on the grounds of Tohono Chul at 7366 E. Paseo del Norte, near Ina and Oracle. For more information, visit tohonochulpark.org.
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Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt 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.
