17th Annual Oxnard Tamale Festival

Get the tastiest tamales in town - from sweet to savory, traditional to gourmet. Moreover, enjoy the holiday crafts fair, kids activities and live music.

The City of Oxnard's Recreation and Community Services Division is thrilled to present the 17th Annual Oxnard Tamale Festival.
The festival is scheduled for Saturday, December 7th, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Oxnard’s Plaza Park.

2023 information below stay tuned for 2024

The Oxnard Holiday Parade ends its annual route by wrapping around the park.

There will be 13 booths selling tamales, each representing a different region of Mexico, including Jalisco, Durango, Acapulco, Nayarit, Puebla and Michoacan. From Acapulco there will be shrimp tamales. Corundas come from Michoacan and are wrapped and shaped differently than typical tamales.

For those after a complete experience, champurrado, a thick, creamy, and chocolatey Mexican drink thickened with masa harina, will also be available.
What are the holidays without something sweet? In addition to sweet tamales (corn, strawberry and a strawberry pineapple one), there will be pan dulce, fancy cheesecakes, sweet empanadas and funnel cakes.

Entertainment starts at 12 noon and continues through 6 p.m. All entertainment is provided by presenting sponsor Radio Lazer, which this year is bringing about a dozen acts to the festival stage. Expect to see Mariachi Los Gallos, D Estilo, Lazaro Ramirez, La Influencia, Channel Grove, Danza de lo Diablos and more.

For the first time this year, Santa will have a mini North Pole Forest where he will be available for photos. T-Mobile, Reyes Coca Cola Bottling and Radio Lazer are providing the trees.

Get some holiday shopping done while browsing the 23 arts & crafts vendors who will fill Oxnard’s Plaza Park.

For the kiddos, there will be a Kids Zone where all activities are free. This includes inflatables (jolly jumpers), the famous City Corps Train and a seasonal arts & crafts booth.

The Best Tamale Tasting Contest starts at 2 p.m. Festival goers are invited to watch as the day’s tamale vendors compete to win this year’s title of best savory, best sweet and best all-around tamale.

Sponsors include Radio Lazer, T-Mobile, City of Oxnard Water Division, Law Offices of Paul F. Kinsler, Renewal by Andersen and Ventura County Sheriff’s Association.