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.
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
- 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)
- Rainbow Goddess Designs (handmade headwear)
- Free Spirit Beading (jewelry, 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 Catrina dolls)
- Sol Design Studio (Friday only)
- Mama Bear AZ (Arizona-themed candles, soaps, art, and jewelry)
- More TBA!
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)
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
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!
Make a positive impact with your business today. Click here to learn more about our Corporate Memberships!