The 9th Annual Tamale Festival, on May 3rd, will bring you everything you've come to expect from this fun event favorite: a variety of delicious traditional, gourmet and sweet tamales from a variety of vendors and restaurants both locally and across California, adult beverages, merchandise vendors, live music, "best" tamale, tamale eating and pet costume contests, photo opportunities, and more!

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!

To purchase early bird tickets for the Sip & Shop Wine Walk, click here.

WHY THE TAMALE FESTIVAL

Over 30 Tamale Vendors

Dancing Horses

Folkloric Dancers

Tamale Eating Contests

Variety of Music

Chihuahua & Pet Costume Contest

Variety of Merchandise & Food Vendors

Family Fun

Tamale Contests

2025 Entertainment Lineup

TAMALE FESTIVAL OPENING

11 am - City Hall Stage

The Tamale Festival kicks off with event announcements and music by Voces Tapatias Mariachi Band.

AZTEC FOLKLORIC DANCERS

11:30 am - City Hall Stage

Take in the beauty of folkloric dancing with performances by the Aztec Folkloric Dancers.

WINNERS OF BEST TAMALE CONTEST ANNOUNCED

12 pm - 12:30 pm - City Hall Stage

Don't miss an opportunity to share in a shout out for the winners of the 2025 Tamale Festival Contest.

WAFFLES, THE MINI DONKEY PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

12 pm - Next to City Hall (West Mall side)

A must do on your list this year! Be sure to get a photo with adorable mini donkey, Waffles from 12pm-2pm.

RANCHERO ARTIST MANUEL ENRIQUE

12:15 pm - City Hall Stage

Enjoy the singing of talented Ranchero Artist Manuel Enrique and performance with his dancing horse.

FAMOUS DANCING HORSES

1 pm - Front of City Hall

A Tamale Festival event favorite, you won't want to miss this year's stunning dancing horses performance!

STEPPIN' OUT BAND

2 pm - El Camino Real Stage

Voted the No. 1 Band in Northern Santa Barbara County for several years. This dance band is based on an ensemble that began in 2009 with the shared vision of Junior Juanich and Mike Arriola joined by talented musicians: Abraham Robles, Larry Kim, Joseph Del Giorgio and Bob Santa Cruz.

CHIHUAHUA & PET COSTUME CONTEST

2:15 pm - City Hall Stage

To participate in the contest, please sign up at the INFO booth between 11 am and 2 pm on the day of the event, located on West Mall near City Hall.

TAMALE EATING CONTEST

3:00 pm - City Hall Stage

To participate in the contest, please sign up at the INFO booth between 11 am and 2:45 pm on the day of the event, located on West Mall near City Hall.

BRASS MASH

4:30pm - 7:00 pm - City Hall Stage

Get ready for a high energy performance of all your favorite tunes! Groove along to the powerhouse sounds of horns, winds and percussion.

BIG WHEEL COBRA

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm - El Camino Real Stage

Born out of the band Truth About Seafood - Big Wheel Cobra is a rock band from the Central Coast of California in 2023. Made up of members of the Spazmatics, Truth About Seafood and Boogie Nights, the quartet has decades of professional experience.