Chiles, Chocolate & Day of the Dead Festival
Celebrate the flavors, artistry, and traditions of the Southwest at Tohono Chul’s annual Chiles, Chocolate & Day of the Dead Festival! Explore the gardens as local chile and food vendors, chocolatiers, artisans, and entertainers come together for a lively Day of the Dead celebration.
Experience the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos through personal ofrendas created by local artists and students, honoring loved ones and celebrating the cultural heritage of our borderlands community.
Enjoy chile- and chocolate-inspired treats, handmade goods, live mariachi music, colorful folklórico dance performances, and so much more. Kids can join the fun with complimentary craft activities and face painting inspired by Día de los Muertos.
📅 Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
⏰ Time: 9 AM–5 PM
🎟️ Tickets:
- Adult | $25
- *Member | $20
- Youth (ages 2–17) | $10
- Children under 2 | Free
*Member ticket instructions: To receive your discounted member rate, you must first log in to your member account. Your member discount will be applied to the Adult ticket once you log in. If you need assistance accessing your membership, please contact development@tohonochul.org.
🍫 CHOCOLATIERS
Calling all chocolate lovers! Indulge your sweet tooth and explore handcrafted chocolates from Tucson’s favorite chocolatiers.
- Carolina’s Chocolate
- Chocolate 66
- Chocolate Ritual
- Tucson Chocolate Factory
- Untamed Confections
- Monsoon Chocolate
🌶️ CHILES & SALSA VENDORS
Explore the bold flavors of the Southwest with a selection of chiles, salsas, and spicy specialties.
- Chilttepica
- Hot Flash Products
- The Roasted Chili
- Tortilleria Arevalo
- Maria’s Chile Ristras — Desert Palm Oasis
- Desert Cactus Essentials
- Saguaro Salsas
💀 DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS ALTARS
Explore colorful artwork, handmade altars, and personal ofrendas made by local artists and students on display throughout the Exhibit House Patio. 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 8th, to be burned in the famous Burning of the Urn Ceremony.
Participating Schools:
- Roskruge Bilingual K–8
- Safford K–8
- Salpointe Catholic High School
- Catalina High School
Featured Artists:
- Aimee Smythe
- Jen Casados
- Antonio C. Estrada & Gloria J. Valenzuela
- Dawn Hollins
- Elisa Salgado
- Sandy Luna
- Mel Thomason
- Morgiana Correa
- Patricia & Adam Silva
- Royce Davenport
Thank you to the Arizona Commission on the Arts for their generous support of this event!
🌮 FOOD VENDORS
Take a break between performances and activities to enjoy tasty eats, refreshing drinks, and sweet treats from local vendors stationed throughout the gardens.
- Garden Bistro Grill | Children’s Ramada
- Garden Bistro Bar | Sami’s Courtyard and Adaptive Arboretum
- La Chica de Lemonada | Admissions Ramada
- Gelu Italian Ice | Sundial
- Churros Inzunza | Overlook
- Sabores de Abuela | Children’s Ramada
🎶 LIVE MUSIC & PERFORMANCES
Enjoy a lively lineup of mariachi performances, folklórico dancing, puppetry, and live music throughout the day. Gather in the Performance Garden and explore the brand-new Adaptive Arboretum for performances celebrating the music and cultural traditions of the Southwest.
- Mariachi Alegre | 9–10 AM | Performance Garden
- Compañía Danza Cultura Mexicana | 10–11 AM | Performance Garden
- Red Herring Puppets’ Giant Katrina Doll Performing with Las Azaleas | 11 AM–1 PM | Adaptive Arboretum
- Performer TBD | 1–3 PM | TBD
- Tradiciones | 3–5 PM | Performance Garden
🖼️ ARTISANS
Explore a vibrant selection of handcrafted goods by local and regional artists. From textiles and artwork to one-of-a-kind gifts, the festival marketplace offers plenty of opportunities to shop local and take a piece of the festival home with you.
- Pedro Montano (Oaxacan Rug Weaving & Loom Demonstration) | Garden Pavilion
- Arizona Warmth | Garden Pavilion
- De La Cruz Mexican Art | Sundial Plaza
- Macs Upcycle | Garden Pavilion
- Mama Bear AZ | Garden Pavilion
- Rainbow Goddess | Overlook
- Sol Design Studio | Sundial Plaza
- Hands of the People | Sundial Plaza
🎨 KIDS CRAFTS & ACTIVITIES
Young festivalgoers can get creative with colorful crafts, face painting, and hands-on activities throughout the afternoon.
- Desert Divas Face Painting | 11 AM–3 PM | Sami’s
- TJ’s Paint Party | 11 AM–3 PM | Sami’s
- Chili Pepper Piñatas | 11 AM–3 PM | Children’s Garden
- Calavera Mask Making | 11 AM–3 PM | Children’s Garden
- Flower Crowns | 11 AM–3 PM | Children’s Garden
🧶 OAXACAN WEAVING DEMONSTRATION
Watch traditional Oaxacan weaving come to life as Pedro Montano demonstrates his craft on a working loom. Browse his handwoven rugs and get a closer look at the artistry and tradition behind this centuries-old craft.
- Pedro Montano | 9 AM–5 PM | Garden Pavilion
🌱 DESERT CORNER NURSERY
Bring a little festival color home! Stop by the Desert Corner Nursery to shop chiltepins and marigolds, along with a selection of desert-adapted plants for Sonoran Desert gardens.
