The globally acclaimed Indio International Tamale Festival made its debut in 1992 and now will commemorate its landmark 30th anniversary this December 1st-4th.

Presented by the City of Indio and produced by CUSP Agency, this is the largest tamale festival in the world, where attendees will enjoy the widest variety of handmade tamale offerings found across the globe. Last year’s Tamale Fest award winner, Juan Carlos Barajas of Outside The Masa, the newly appointed Culinary Director, will offer a richer selection of regional tamale vendors for 2022. With the new location and two additional nights of programming, attendees will relish in a space where food and beverage intersects with art and transnational culture.

Banda Machos

Curated by the region’s most progressive musical curators, Rene Contreras lines up over 40 musical acts, in which attendees will enjoy headliner bands like the popular banda from Jalisco, Banda Machos, LA’s triumphant border straddling Grammy winning quartet La Santa Cecilia, SoCal hometown rock heroes Together Pangea, Tijuana’s trailblazing Nortec icons Bostich & Fussible and LA’s electro pioneer The Egyptian Lover.

La Santa Cecilia

It’s a diaspora of sound and style befitting the richness and diversity of Indio, California and the shared identities of the Southwest.

Beyond the music and food, the festival will debut a festive holiday night market dubbed Mercadito de Noche which will offer families an opportunity to enjoy holiday lights, entertainment, food, vendors and attractions Thursday and Friday evening ahead of the festival. Attractions like The World’s Biggest Bounce House returns and there will be Ballet Folklorico, a classic car show, mariachis, carnival rides, roller skating and a mercado retailing hand crafted goods, produce, records and plants.

Admission is free for all ages, with early-bird pricing for Attractions Passes and VIP Passes are now on sale at IndioTamaleFestival.com. Attendees are encouraged to take advantage of the convenience and special early-bird pricing of Attractions Passes ahead of the festival. Available passes include: “All-Day Attractions,” featuring one admission to the World’s Biggest Bounce House, rock climbing, unlimited carnival rides and roller skating, as well as “Single Admission” to the World’s Biggest Bounce House.

Additional features for the 30th Anniversary includes a 2-day VIP Pass, good for both Saturday & Sunday. VIP passes include expedited entry into the festival, admission to an exclusive VIP area, featuring: premium viewing of Fantasy Springs Main Stage; (3) Tamales redeemable in VIP area; non-alcoholic beverages; elevated restrooms; seating & shade. Reserved Parking is available for purchase to VIP Pass holders.

Since the Tamale Festival’s first iteration in 1992, families and fans have lined up yearly for the widest variety of handmade tamales to be found anywhere in the world. In December of 2000, the festival made the Guinness Book of World Records for its record attendance of 120,000 people and has been voted as one of Food Network’s Top 10 All-American Food Festivals.