(Sinaloan style tamales. Photo by Amairani Hernandez.)
The Long Beach International Tamales Festival is back for another year this holiday season. This family-friendly event will feature food, retail vendors, live music, tequila tasting, live performances, a tamales contest, a kids zone and more.
In a time when the political climate is putting real pressure on Latino communities, the International Tamales Festival will be more than just a party. According to Playa Larga, the event’s host, the festival represents “resistance wrapped in masa” and an opportunity to celebrate belonging, cultural pride and community.
For many of us Latinos, tamales are more than just food; they’re a cherished tradition and a way to create lasting memories with our loved ones, whether we’re making them together or enjoying them at the table. The tamale festival is calling out every tamale maker in the city to participate in their tamale contest to see who really runs the masa in Long Beach with pride and lots of flavor.
Prizes for the contest include cash, merch, gift cards, and a chance for a free booth at their next festival to sell your winning tamales, a feature on their site, and a video interview. But most importantly, the prestigious “Best Tamales of 2025” title. To purchase tickets, click here.
When: December 07, 2025.
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Where: 855 Elm Ave, Long Beach, California 90813
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