These five local festivals are all about celebrating and devouring tamales – Press Telegram
It’s tamale time with a trio of festivals celebrating the wildly popular dish and holiday staple in December.
“This is an all immersive tamale festival,” said Sal Flores, founder of the Long Beach International Tamale Festival, which is set to take place at Long Beach City College Dec. 9 and will not only offer tamales but also live Latin music, cultural dancing and vendors. “It’s for anyone who loves tamales and Latin culture,” Flores said.
But before the Long Beach event takes place, Orange County tamale lovers can head to the 10th annual La Habra Tamale Festival. It’s set to take place Dec. 2 around City Hall.
Also happening the same weekend as the La Habra festival is the Indio International Tamale Festival, which is set for Miles Park Dec. 2-3. There’s also the Placentia Tamale Festival on Dec. 7 and Posadas in Downtown Downey on Dec. 9.
Here’s what you need to know about the festivals.
La Habra Tamale Festival
When: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 2
Where: 301 S. Euclid St.
Cost: Free to enter
Information: lahabraca.gov
The 10th annual festival includes dozens of food and retail vendors selling all sorts of grub and of course tamales. There’s a tamale competition between the vendors and a dessert tamale contest too. The festival includes live music from groups like Latin party band Grupo Neblina and Latin jazz group Timba Tumbao. There will be a holiday tree lighting ceremony, a kids play area, photos with Santa and camel rides. Yes, people can ride an actual camel for $5.
Indio International Tamale Festival
When: 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Dec. 2-3
Where: Miles Park, 82524 Miles Ave. Indio
Cost: Free to enter
Information: indiotamalefestival.com
With more than 200 vendors, six stages of live entertainment, beer gardens, and more than 50,000 people expected to attend, this is likely the biggest tamale festival around. It includes the Tamale Plaza where all sorts of tamales can be devoured. There’s more than just tamale action too because returning this year is The Chavela Throwdown with more that 20 luchadores performing throughout the weekend. People can also check out Ballet Folklorico, see a classic car show, listen to mariachis, go on carnival rides and catch local bands too like cumbia-rock blenders Tropa Magica.
Long Beach International Tamale Festival
When: 1-9 p.m. Dec. 9
Where: Long Beach City College PCH campus, 1350 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach
Cost: $15-$70
Information: lbhomeliving.com/lbtamalesfest
The third annual festival includes traditional tamales and a homemade tamale competition. But this is also the place to come discover some exotic tamales that may not be found anywhere else. Among the rare tamales for sale at the festival will be things like fried tamales, as well as a “pizzatamal,” which is made with pepperoni and marinara sauce and the Tamal de Esquite, which is modeled after street corn and made with corn, mayo, chile and lime. The event includes carnival games and groups like the all female Banda Las Angelinas and La Nueva Ola, who sport wrestling masks and turn English-language songs into cumbias.
Placentia Tamale Festival
When: 4-10 p.m. Dec. 7
Where: Old Town Placentia, 100 and 200 blocks of Santa Fe Avenue and the 200 block of Bradford Avenue, Placentia
Cost: Free to enter; a free shuttle will ferry attendees from nearby parking areas.
Information: www.placentiatamalefestival.org
The city of Placentia’s 29th annual festival draws 8,000 to 10,000 attendees each year. Festivities include live entertainment, food vendors, a beer and wine garden, pictures with Santa, a tree lighting and games for kids.
Posadas in Downtown Downey
When: 5-9 p.m. Dec. 9
Where: 11024 Downey Ave., Downey
Cost: Free to enter
Information: eventbrite.com
Downtown Downey’s first-ever Posadas celebration will feature food trucks and vendors, a DJ and family-friendly activities.
