A festival that honors the Coachella Valley farmworkers, but it’s not that Coachella

Coachella Valley has received a lot of recognition throughout the years due to its well-known festivals featuring a variety of world-famous artists. But now there’s a festival that is designed to focus on the Coachella Valley farmworkers.

Celebration Nation Foundation is hosting its third annual Farmchella festival on Thursday, April 17, to honor the dedicated farm working community.

“Farmchella isn’t just a farmworker festival—it’s a moment to highlight and celebrate the heroes who feed us,” said Flor Martinez Zaragoza, the CEO of Celebration Nation. “It’s a reminder that the people who feed us deserve to be seen, heard and celebrated. In the face of adversity, we choose joy, unity and cultural pride.” 

In Farmchella, farmworkers can listen to mariachi, Folklorico groups and more artists. Individuals can also obtain free clothes and accessories for the whole family. The festival distributes fresh produce and cultural snacks and has a kids zone that includes jump houses, crafts and activities for the whole family, as well as a health clinic, giveaways and resources. 

Farmchella is supported by the Rancho Humilde record label, Más for More and community organizations like the United Farm Workers Foundation.

The organization is not the only one that is shining the light on farmworkers. TODEC Legal Center, an organization for immigrants and their families, recently launched the “Real Coachella” billboard campaign, which included setting up 10 billboards featuring farmworkers who work in the fields in the Coachella Valley. The campaign, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic, has focused on highlighting immigrants and their contribution to California’s economy. 

According to a Coachella Valley Farm Worker Survey conducted in 2007, 78% of farmworkers stated that their annual household income was less than $15,000 even after working year-round. For many farmworking individuals, their annual income would be higher if they were paid for missing work on sick days and if they received overtime pay.

The survey also stated that 88% of farmworkers who live year-round in the Coachella Valley live in conventional housing situations, including apartments, houses and mobile homes. Over two-thirds identified that they were renters and that they lived with family members (69%), and only 2% identified that they lived outdoors, in cars or in trailers on private property.

The majority of farmworkers who work in the Coachella Valley are known for being affected by environmental exposures by working in the fields. Many of them are immigrants, placing them at a disadvantage in accessing needed health care as well. In the survey, farmworkers identified medical services as the first service that would be most helpful for them and their families, as 92% of survey respondents stated that they do not have private medical/health insurance.

Admission is free.

When: Thursday April 17, 2025

Time: 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Where: Coachella Valley