[Tucson, AZ] Wed, Oct. 29 – Tohono Chul invites the community to celebrate the flavors and traditions of fall at its annual Chiles, Chocolate, & Day of the Dead Festival, happening Friday, Oct. 31, and Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This family-friendly festival blends food and drink experiences, cultural traditions, music, and art, offering a rich experience for visitors of all ages. 

Live performances throughout the festival include Mariachi Alegre, Danzaculture Mexicana, and Chalako on Friday, October 31, and Edna & Ely B-Cool, Gardenias, and Tradiciones on Saturday, November 1.  

 

Food lovers can enjoy handmade chocolate from local chocolatiers like Chocolate 66, Carolina’s Chocolate, Tucson Chocolate Factory, and Untamed Confections, along with fresh chile products from Chiltepica, The Roasted Chile, Hot Flash Chile Products, and more. The Garden Bistro will feature a special menu including Sonoran hot dogs, mole enchiladas, quesadillas, sweets, and festive drinks for both kids and adults. 

For shoppers, the festival showcases handcrafted items from local artisans such as Tierra Antigua Zapotec Rugs, Macs Upcycle Catrina Dolls, Sol Design Studio, Rainbow Goddess Designs Headwear, Arizona Warmth Textiles, Mama Bear AZ Handmade Candles, one-of-a-kind jewelry, ceramics, and more.  

 

Art and culture enthusiasts can explore Día de los Muertos altars and installations created by local artists and students from Safford K-8, Catalina High School, Salpointe Catholic High School, and Roskruge K-8. Visitors are encouraged to contribute personal recuerdos (remembrances) to Tohono Chul’s community altar, which will be honored during the All Souls Procession’s Burning of the Urn Ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 9. 

Family-friendly activities include complimentary face-painting for children, themed craft activities, and hands-on canvas painting with TJ’s Paint Parties, where families can create sugar skull or pumpkin paintings. On Saturday, Red Herring Puppets will host mask-making in the Children’s Garden from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., inviting kids to design their own Day of the Dead mask to take home.

 

The festival concludes with XIXA at the CHUL, an exclusive after-hours concert by Tucson band XIXA on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 6 to 10 p.m. (tickets sold separately), where guests can experience their latest album XOLO, sip a signature welcome cocktail (21+), enjoy complimentary face painting, air-brushed tattoos, and Tucson-inspired eats from the Garden Bistro, Churros Insunza, Jose’s Kettle Corn, Chocolate 66, and more.  

Festival tickets are available online or at the door, priced at $10 for Tohono Chul members, $25 for general admission, and $7 for children ages 4 to 12, with children under 4 admitted free. Tickets for XIXA at the CHUL, the exclusive after-hours concert on Saturday, Nov. 1, are sold separately and priced at $60 for Tohono Chul members and $70 for general admission. 

 

For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit tohonochul.org/chiles/ or tohonochul.org/xixa/ 

 

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