La Habra Tamale Festival 2026
The 13th Annual La Habra Tamale Festival returns Saturday, December 5, 2026. The community festival, first held in 2014, celebrates the holiday season with tamales, food and community activities. The festival runs from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Euclid Street, with live music on stage through the day.
La Habra Tamale Festival
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026
Hours: 10:00 AM–8:00 PM
Admission: Free
Website: City of La Habra Tamale Festival
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cityoflahabratamalefestival/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lahabrarecreationdivision/
Location: Euclid St., between La Habra Blvd. and Bridenbecker Ave.
La Habra Tamale Festival Event Map
2026 status: Admission is free, and the festival runs 10:00 AM–8:00 PM. The 2026 entertainment lineup is posted (see Stage Entertainment below). The city has not yet confirmed the full activity lineup.
The wristband program and purchase locations below are from a previous festival and are not yet confirmed for 2026. Check the city event page before purchasing or traveling.
- La Habra Community Center: 101 W La Habra Blvd., La Habra, CA 90631
- Children's Museum at La Habra: 301 S Euclid St., La Habra, CA 90631
What to Expect at the La Habra Tamale Festival
The activity examples below are from previous festivals and are provided as a guide to what the event has offered in the past. The 2026 activity lineup is TBA.
Free Activities Include:
- Family Stage Shows
- Prehistoric Pets Interactive Booth
- Raptor Events Interactive Booth
- Water Conservation Education Booth
- CMLH Mobile Museum
- CMLH Educational Booths
- CMLH Family Art Center Activity
- Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Wristband Activities Include:
- Caterpillar Coaster Ride
- Basic Game Booths (2nd Ave.)
- Petting Zoo
- Balloon Artist
- Picture with Santa
- Tamale Making Lessons (while supplies last)
Other Things To Do
- Camel Rides will be available to purchase for $5 per ride
- Photos with Santa are available for $5 per photo (closes at 5:30PM)
Stage Entertainment: The festival's 2026 entertainment lineup includes:
- Timba Tumbao: 10:30 AM–12:00 PM
- Smooth Sounds of Santana: 1:30–3:00 PM
- Kimba Light: 4:30–6:00 PM
Past festivals have featured performances on several stages, including Portola Park, City Hall and Brio Park.
Parking & Shuttle
A free shuttle carries festival-goers from off-site parking to the event. It runs from 9 AM to 11 PM, or until the last rider is dropped off, with buses about every 15 minutes. Shuttle stops:
- Whittier Christian High School: 501 N. Beach Blvd., La Habra, CA 90631
- La Bonita Park: 500 Granada Ct., La Habra, CA 90631 (lower parking lot only; pickup at Idaho and Fahringer Way)
Uber and Lyft drop-off is at 101 W. La Habra Blvd., La Habra, CA 90631. Check the festival's shuttle page for any changes before you go.
Parking:
- Park at Whittier Christian High School and take the shuttle (see above)
- Park at La Bonita Park and take the shuttle (see above)
- La Habra Community Center Parking: 101 W La Habra Blvd.
- Washington Middle School: 716 E. La Habra Blvd.
2026 Vendor Information
2026 food and general (non-food) vendor applications are open, in English and Spanish, on the city's Tamale Festival page. Booths are assigned first come, first served once an application is complete and payment clears. Food vendors' insurance certificates (naming the city) and OC Health single-day permits are due November 2, 2026, and a $50 late fee applies to late insurance certificates. Every tamale vendor is entered in the Tamale Contest for Best Tamale, Best Dessert Tamale and the Judges Award; winners are announced at the Main Stage. Questions: La Habra Community Center, 562-383-4200.
