Indio International Tamale Festival - The 1st full weekend in December every year! — Attraction in Indio

This year's Tamale festival was the worst ever. Drove 78 miles to pay $4 to $5 per Tamale oh and here's the choices. Chicken, Pork, Cheese. Ill be honest 1 tent had the baby back tamales but after 6 other vendors with tamales that taste the same as XLNT why not call this what it is Expensive tiny blah tamales or even better The Gut Truck Festival. Or how about the Carnival of Indio that may have some Tamales. Chile and Cheese Tamales had mostly masa hardly any cheese and 1 sliver of jalapeño. Indio organizers of this event here's what you do. If the vendors run out of Tamales they can either close up shop or make enough to last the entire festival or at least half of the last day. One vendor said his corn won 1st place. I can tell you why your chicken, pork, and cheese didn't. Because they were the worst tasting Tamales I've ever ate. So sad this event has turned into what it has but hey blame Covid right. Pathetic attempt. My wife and I will make our own Christmas Tames this year. Oh and if anyone wants some decent sized Tamales go to the Norwalk courthouse. That guy at least isn't trying to rip people off. If you're going to Indio next year save the gas and stop at Del...

This festival started in 1992 which means we've been going there for 26 years! I guess I don't need to tell how much we enjoy the event. It's in Indio so sometimes it's hot, windy, cold but mostly it's just awesome weather. They close the streets in the downtown area and fill it with multiple stages of Live Music in every venue that you could imagine. Not to be outdone with the multitudes (remember it's "International") of tamales. Some are filled with chocolate, pineapple, cheese, hot peppers the normal stuff. But some are made with squid, shrimp, artichoke, spinach (yuk), etc. Plenty of activities for the family including a carnival ride area. Much to say but you'll have to go and find out for...

First I would like to say the person in charge of the 2021 indio tamale festival really bad decision you made , Where were the tamale stands I have been coming here for the last 6 years and this was the worst so many open spots I felt like I was walking in two empty blocks. I drove from los Angeles for this I won't be coming back. No chairs , No tables , no umbrellas , so many seniors citizens looking for a chair to set what a shame. This suppose to be a tamale festival not a Coachella festival where...