Chiles, Chocolate and Day of the Dead Festival

Chiles, Chocolate & Day of the Dead Festival 2024

Festival de Chiles y Chocolate y Día de los Muertos 2024

Friday, Nov. 1st – Saturday, Nov. 2nd
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Viernes 1 y Sábado 2 de Noviembre de 2024



Treat yourself to a delectable fusion of flavors and traditions at Tohono Chul’s Chiles, Chocolate, & Day of the Dead Festival! 

Experience the vibrant energy of the Fall season with dozens of food vendors, local craftspeople, and entertainers who fill the gardens with delicious bites, handmade delights, and lively melodies. Kids can enjoy free craft activities and complimentary face painting for Día de los Muertos!

Immerse yourself in the artistry of personal ofrendas (altars) crafted by local artists and students, paying homage to the enduring borderland traditions of Día de los Muertos.

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 3rd to be burned in the famous Burning of the Urn Ceremony.

Chiles, Chocolate, and Day of the Dead Festival

Event Details



Ticket Information

You can purchase tickets online, at the admissions window, or at the door upon arrival.

General Admission | $25
Tohono Chul Members | $10 (click here to become a member and save on tickets!)
Child Admission (4-12 years of age) | $7
Children under 4 | FREE

*Please note Guest Passes & American Horticultural Society Reciprocal Admission Privileges are not valid during this special event and tickets are non-refundable.

▸ admisión general | $25
para miembros | $10
niños de 4 a 12 años | $7
GRATIS para niños menores de 4 años

*Ten en cuenta que los Pases de invitados y los Privilegios de admisión recíproca a los jardines de la American Horticultural Society no son válidos durante los eventos especiales.


Purchase Tickets

Each ticket is valid for one day only. To enjoy both days of the Festival, please purchase two separate tickets. Please note that tickets are non-transferable between days, and all sales are final. If you’d prefer to buy your tickets in person, our staff at the admissions window would be happy to help. Thank you!



Musical Entertainment & Performances

10 AM – 3 PM | Performance Garden

Friday, November 1st


Ballet Folklorico Los Mextucaz | 10 – 11 AM
Folklorico Dance Ensemble

Mariachi Corazon Latino | 12 PM – 1 PM
Mariachi Ensemble

Oscar Fuentes | 1 PM – 3 PM
Salsa, Rock & Roll, Pop, Musica Ranchera, Blues

Saturday, November 2nd


Tesoro | 10 AM – 12 PM
Flamenco, rock, pop, rumba and cumbia guitar duo

Mariachi Corazon Latino | 12 PM – 1 PM
Mariachi Ensemble

Oscar Fuentes | 1 PM – 3 PM
Salsa, Rock & Roll, Pop, Musica Ranchera, Blues

Chiles Performers


Culinary Delights & Local Shopping

Spicy, Sweet, & Made in Tucson

Chocolatiers & Chile Roasters


Crafts & Gifts



Food & Drink Menu

Fresh Eats and Cold Drinks From the Garden Bistro!

BISTRO GRILL


Sonoran Hot Dog | $8
Bacon Wrapped, Charro Beans, Caramelized Onions, Pico de Gallo, Jalapeño Sauce, Mayo, and Mustard

Quesadilla | $12
Mexican Cheeses in a Griddled Flour Tortilla
Choice of Red Chile Chicken, Pork Carnitas, or Calabacitas with Vegan Cheese Served with Arbol Chile Salsa


Chicken Mole | $12
Chile & Chocolate Braised Drumsticks served with Warm Flour Tortilla

Vegan Charro Beans & Mexican Cheeses | $4

Kids Cheese Quesadilla | $8

SWEETS


Cinnamon Churro | $6
Cinnamon Sugar Dusted, Chocolate Sauce

Soft Pretzel | $5
Chocolate Sauce or Mustard

Ibarra Chocolate and Cascabel Chile Flan | $8

DRINK MENU


Libations

• Prickly Pear Margarita or Mimosa | $12
• Jalapeño Prickly Pear Margarita | $13

Canned Cocktails

• Hard Seltzer | $7
• Absolut Vodka Cocktail | $10
• Bacardi Punch | $11
• Vodka Mule | $11

Beers

• Barrio Blonde | $7
• Modelo Especial | $7
• Barrio Hipsterville Hazy IPA | $7
• Mother Road Tower IPA | $8

Wine

• Cabernet | $10
• Sauvignon Blanc | $10
• Chardonnay | $10

Non-Alcoholic

• Bottled Water | $4
• Assorted Sodas | $4
• Prickly Pear Lemonade | $6
• Horchata | $5
• Matcha Horchata | $6



Create & Celebrate

Festive Crafts for Kids & Adults

Complimentary Crafts for Kids


MINI CHILE PEPPER PIÑATA
Craft a mini-chile pepper piñata using recycled materials and tissue paper! Fun idea: Turn these handmade peppers into festive ornaments for the holiday season!

mini pepper pinata

PAPER MARIGOLDS
These hand-made flowers use simple materials and are easy to craft. Fun idea: once you’re home, add them to a headband to make a DIY flower crown!

COLORFUL PAPEL PICADO
This traditional Mexican craft is often used to adorn Día de los Muertos altars, symbolizing the element of wind and the connection between life and death.

Adult Craft Activities


DIY PAPER FLOWERS | $5
Create three beautiful, hand-made marigold flowers with simple materials and easy techniques. Perfect for adding a touch of vibrant color to your home decor or next event.

SUGAR SKULL MASKS | $10
Paint a sugar skull mask, a vibrant and iconic symbol of Día de los Muertos. Personalize your mask with bold colors and intricate designs, perfect for display or wearing during the festivities!

STILL LIFE PAINTING | $15
Explore the beauty of the Southwest by painting a still life featuring iconic desert elements. Choose from chile peppers, ocotillo branches, or majestic saguaros as your subject

cactus painting


Complimentary Face Painting

10:30 AM – 1:30 PM | Children’s Garden

Enjoy FREE Día de los Muertos face painting with Desert Diva Face Painting a colorful tribute to honor and remember loved ones.

face painting
face painting example on girl


Featured Plants

Featured Botanicals to Celebrate the Season (quantities limited)

Chiltepins and Ochoa chiles will be available in the Desert Corner Nursery, conveniently located near the Park entrance.
Marigolds will be available next to La Galeria Museum Shop.


Expressions of Love and Culture

Day of the Dead Altars by Local Artists & Students

Tohono Chul’s Chiles, Chocolate, & Day of the Dead Altar Project features Altars of Remembrance created by regional artists and students from Safford K-8 School, Sunshine School, and Roskruge K-8.

Participating Artists Include:

Aimee Smythe
Annie Gordon
Antonio C. Estrada & Gloria J. Valenzuela
Carolee Asia
Elisa Salgado
Genevieve Guadalupe
Melanie Thomason
Patricia & Adam Silva
Royce Davenport
Sandy Luna

Thank you to the Arizona Commission on the Arts for their generous support of this event!


STUDENT ARTWORK FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS



Book Signing with Local Authors

Meet Local Authors Judy Paris & Rebecca Wilder

Judy Paris | Children’s Book Author & Educator
Judy Paris is an Illinois native and Arizona transplant with a passion for nature, creativity, and education. As a children’s book author, she aims to inspire young readers with positive social messages and a deep appreciation for the world around them. Paris is known for her engaging children’s books about the Sonoran Desert and its wildlife.

Judy holds Master’s Degrees in Special Education, Elementary Education, and Early Childhood and completed coursework for an EdD in Educational Administration. During her career, she was a Teacher, Director, Superintendent, and Adjunct Faculty before retiring. She received numerous awards and published a variety of educational books/texts for various publishing companies.

In simple words and beautiful pictures, this book tells the story of desert creatures working together to survive in their environment. Available in both English and Español.

Rebecca Wilder | Painter, Book Artist, & Graphic Designer
Rebecca Wilder is captivated by the vast horizons, shifting light, and the magic of the natural world. Rebecca’s work has been exhibited at esteemed venues such as The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Gallery, Graficas Gallery, The Davis-Dominguez Gallery, The University of Arizona Center for Creative Photography Special Collections, The Tohono Chul Gallery, and the Pima Community College Louis Carlos Bernal Gallery.

This book is a beautifully illustrated true story of overcoming fear and discovering trust. Available in both English and Español.


Grab your tickets today!

Each ticket is valid for one day only. To enjoy both days of the Festival, please purchase two separate tickets. Please note that tickets are non-transferable between days, and all sales are final. If you’d prefer to buy your tickets in person, our staff at the admissions window would be happy to help. Thank you!


Overflow Parking

Lifepoint Church
7355 N Paseo Del Norte

St Andrew’s Church
7650 N Paseo Del Norte

Handicap Accesible Parking




Thank you to our sponsors!

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