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


Oscar Fuentes | 10 AM – 12 PM
Salsa, Rock & Roll, Pop, Musica Ranchera, Blues

Mariachi Corazon Latino | 12 PM – 1 PM
Mariachi Ensemble

TBA | 1 PM – 3 PM
Check back next week for updated information on this time slot!



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 Chili Chicken, Pork Carnitas, or Calabacitas, 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

Chile Pepper and Día de los Muertos Inspired 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!

TISSUE 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.



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.



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:

Carolee Asia
Jessica Contreras
Royce Davenport
Antonio C. Estrada & Gloria J. Valenzuela
Annie Gordon
Genevieve Guadalupe
Kate Long Hodges
Elisa Salgado
Patricia & Adam Silva
Aimee Smythe


STUDENT ARTWORK FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS

Sunshine School In Oro Valley

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



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!




Thank you to our sponsors!

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