May 3, 2025
11am - 7pm
Enjoy over 100 vendors from tamales to a wide variety of food beyond tamales to appease everyone’s palate and appetite! If you are thirsty, there will be margaritas, craft beer, wine, and cider (All proceeds from the Tamale Festival’s adult beverage sales benefit the Friends of the Charles Paddock Zoo). Plus a variety of merchandise vendors.
Out of the 100-plus vendors, thirty are tamale vendors from across California offering a variety of tamales for purchase from gourmet to traditional to sweet tamales. Entertainment will include your favorite Emcee, Francisco Ramirez along with Medina Light Show Designs, plus a wide variety of music!
Entertainment Schedule:
City Hall Stage:
11 am Welcome & Voces Tapatias Mariachi Band
11:30 am Aztec Folkloric Dancers
12:15 pm Ranchero Artist Manuel Enrique
1:00 pm Famous Dancing Horses
2:15 pm Chihuahua & Pet Costume Contest
3:00 pm Tamale Eating Contest
3:30 pm Paso A Pasito Folkloric Dancers
4:30-7pm Brass Mash!
El Camino Real Stage (corner of East Mall & ECR):
11:30 am The Vibe Setters
2:00 pm Steppin' Out Band
5:00-7:00 pm Big Wheel Cobra
Enjoy bounce houses, Zorb Balls, obstacle courses, and bungee jumps from Bubble Fun 101, face painting, balloon animals, a photo opportunity at the Information Booth with our local Central Coast Zoo Ambassador Animals from 11-2 pm PLUS plenty of fun for all ages!
The “Best Tamale Contest” will be in the works, where the tamale vendors showcase their outstanding work to our celebrity judges to decide the “best” tamale. Winning tamale vendors will be announced between 12-12:30 pm!
Two popular contests not to miss, the “Chihuahua & Pet Costume Contest” at 2 pm, and the “Tamale Eating Contest” at 3 pm - both on the steps of City Hall! Registration will be available at the Information booth for a nominal registration fee! Pets of all kinds can enter the Chihuahua & Pet Costume Contest, as long as they are in costume!
DO NOT MISS this popular event! Atascadero’s Annual Tamale Festival will be a fun and exciting occasion for the whole family, especially for anyone who loves tamales! The event is free to attend and enjoy the entertainment, but don’t forget to bring your wallet to purchase delicious food, activities, and merchandise; AND be sure to place your orders from your favorite tamale vendor(s) to stock up, as tamales freeze well too!
FAQ's:
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Tickets ARE NOT Required for the Tamale Festival! You purchase directly from the Tamale vendors. Bring cash as not all vendors accept credit cards and there is not an ATM on site.
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Dogs are allowed on leashes.
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Bring your wallet to purchase tamales, food, and extra activities (Bungee jump, bounce houses, Tamale Eating Contest and Pet Costume Contest, face painting).
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Plenty of Tamales are available from vegetarian to beef to chicken to pork to sweet. Vegan options are not a guarantee. Other food options are available for purchase!
THANK YOU to our Sponsors!
We would not be able to do this without you!
Platinum Sponsor: Glenns Repair & Rental, Central Coast Carts & Mechanics Bank
Gold Sponsor: Avila Traffic Safety
Silver Sponsors: AM Sun Solar, Kirk Consulting, MGP Coatings, Springhill Suites by Marriott
& Waste Management
Bronze Sponsors: Street Side Ale House, Kenneth Heating & Air, 5-Star Rain Gutters, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, Hispanic Business Association, Lola's Letters & Latino Outreach Council!
