SATURDAY OCTOBER 17
SUNDAY OCTOBER 18
welcome
to arizona’s iconic annual festival
awarded “BEST CULINARY EVENT” BY ARIZONA FOOTHILLS
SATURDAY OCTOBER 17TH SUNDAY OCTOBER 18TH
11:00AM-6:00PM
SALT RIVER FIELDS, SCOTTSDALE AZ
Top chefs
Premium agave spirits
one unforgettable weekend
CURATED LINE UP OF ARIZONA’S TOP TACO CHEFS
TEQUILA CORRIDO MARGARITAS, TASTINGS & FLIGHTS
GRAND MARNIER CADILLAC MARGARITAS
vip area with lux amenities featuring the agave show & uchi scottsdale pop up
MULTIPLE MUSIC STAGES
celebrity chefs
live cooking demonstrations
chef beau macmillan hosts the 2nd annual taco fest bar brawl
american family insurance KIDS ZONE WITH RIDES, BOUNCE HOUSES & GAMES
FREE PARKING
KIDS 12 & UNDER GET IN FREE!
main stage
CELEBRITY CHEFS
LIVE MUSIC
COOKING & COCKTAIL DEMONSTRATIONS
LIVE CULINARY COMPETITION
AARÓN SÁNCHEZ
Featured Chef // Competition JudgeSánchez is a James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, Emmy-nominated television personality, bestselling author, entrepreneur and philanthropist, best known as the co-host of Food Network’s Restaurant Impossible: Last Call, a judge on MasterChef, MasterChef Junior and Chopped. He is the chef and owner of Johnny Sánchez in Louisiana and chef and partner of Adobo Cantina, a concept developed in partnership with Sodexo with locations at universities across the country. He is also the founder of the Aarón Sánchez Impact Fund, a program of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation that supports Latino youth through food, and serves as a partner and creative director of COCINA Media, a platform dedicated to celebrating Latin food and culture.
BEAU MACMILLAN
Featured Chef // Bar Brawl Host // Competition JudgeChef Beau MacMillan is an American chef best known for his innovative approach to contemporary American cuisine and his longtime role as executive chef at the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Raised in Plymouth, Massachusetts, he discovered his passion for cooking at a young age and trained under renowned chefs before building a national reputation. MacMillan gained widespread recognition through appearances on Food Network programs such as Iron Chef America, The Next Iron Chef, and Worst Cooks in America, where his creativity, competitive success, and approachable personality made him a fan favorite. Throughout his career, he has been celebrated for emphasizing fresh, seasonal ingredients and for helping elevate Arizona’s culinary scene.
MARIA MAZON
Featured Chef Chef Maria Mazon is the award-winning executive chef and owner of BOCA Tacos y Tequila in Tucson, Arizona, where she is celebrated for her creative Sonoran-inspired Mexican cuisine. Born in Tucson and raised in Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico, Mazon blends the flavors and traditions of both sides of the border into bold, innovative dishes that have earned national recognition. She has appeared on Bravo’s Top Chef and Food Network competitions including Chopped, Tournament of Champions, and Guy’s Grocery Games, while also being named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Southwest. Through her passion for authentic Mexican cuisine and fearless creativity, Chef Maria has become one of Tucson’s most influential culinary ambassadors.
JOSÉ R. RALAT
Head Taco Competition Judge José R. Ralat is the James Beard Award-winning Texas Monthly's taco editor, writing about tacos, Mexican food, and food culture. He is the author of American Tacos: A History & Guide. He was fortunate to have lived in Mesa, Arizona, as a child. He lives in Texas with his family and geriatric dog.
BLAKE LUECKE
Featured Chef Chef Blake Luecke’s culinary foundation began with his family's influence and formal training at the Professional Culinary Institute in San Jose. After graduating in 2009, he built his early career at LB Steak, Moo Creamery, and the Padre Hotel, where he served as Executive Chef. He then managed the restaurant at Villa Creek Winery before joining Hai Hospitality in 2016 as a Line Cook at Uchi. Rising to Sous Chef in 2018, Blake was instrumental in the 2024 opening of Uchi Scottsdale, where he currently serves as Chef de Cuisine. Outside the kitchen, he enjoys aquascaping, swimming, and spending time with his young family.
LAS CALAKAS - SATURDAY
THE HOURGLASS CATS -SUNDAY
THE CONVEYORS - SATURDAY
FEATURED TACO MAKERS
FULL LINEUP RELEASED SEPTEMBER 2026
2026 FESTIVAL SPONSORS
TEQUILA CORRIDO
EL BANDIDO YANKEE TEQUILA
TRES AGAVES ORGANIC TEQUILA
LA GRITONA TEQUILA
FIRME MEZCAL
LOST LORE TEQUILA
G4 TEQUILA
PALOMO MEZCAL
ULTRAMUNDO MEZCAL
ASIL RAICILLA DE LA SIERRA
TEQUILA TROMBA
LICOR 43
TEQUILA VOLTEO
LOLEA
HERRADURA
RIABLO SOTOL
ANA MARIA TEQUILA ROSA
EL JIMADOR
DON FULANO
Pull together your crew and own the day at Taco Fest!
The VIP cabana is your headquarters, right in the heart of the action. No waiting, no stress - just you and your friends posted up in your own dedicated space for the day.
Your package includes:
6 VIP Tickets
Reserved Cabana Lounge (in VIP) All Day
Tequila Corrido Bottle Service
Agave Show Access with Spirit & Cocktail Sampling
Taco Platter
Chips & Salsa
$1,500 per day | up to 6 people | 21+ | limited availability
pre sale tickets available now
TICKETS ARE SOLD ONLINE ONLY.
festival FAQs
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Tickets can be purchased from anywhere on your phone. They will only be available to purchase online. There will not be a box office at the festival. Ticket prices will increase on the day of the event so we suggest purchasing in advance!
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Sorry, tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE. Like most ticketed festivals, concerts and sporting events, we have a no refund policy in place for many reasons. By purchasing a ticket you are agreeing to this policy and all the terms and conditions listed on the ticketing site.
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Sorry, tickets cannot be transferred from one day to another.
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Yes. The general admission area is all ages! Kids 12 and under get in free (no admission ticket needed)!
The VIP Area and The Agave Show are 21+ ONLY.
The festival will have a large kids zone with pay to play rides, inflatables and games.
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Sorry, pets are not allowed at the festival. Licensed service animals are welcome.
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No outside food or drinks except:
1 sealed water bottle per person
Baby food / special formulas for children.
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All bags will be searched before entering the event.
Only soft-sided bags and containers 16″x16″x8″ or smaller will be allowed.
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DO NOT BRING:
Firearms and other weapons of any kind are NOT allowed on Salt River Fields premises.
Illegal / non prescription drugs or other items
Large items such as beach umbrellas, lawn chairs, tents, coolers.
Outside food and drinks (except for baby or special needs items).
ALL FESTIVAL ATTENDEES WILL GO THROUGH METAL DETECTION SCREENING AND ALL BAGS ARE SUBJECT TO SEARCH AND WILL BE SEARCHED BEFORE ENTERING THE FESTIVAL.
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Alcohol / bar purchases will be credit card only. Food vendors and market vendors will operate their own sales systems and may accept cards and/or cash.
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General admission tickets are for access to the festival only. It does NOT include food and drink. Be prepared to pay for food and drink once you're inside the event. There will be entertainment including multiple stages with live music, lawn games, local vendor markets, kids activities and more.
VIP AGAVE SHOW tickets include access to the general admission area and a sectioned off VIP AGAVE SHOW area with additional amenities including tastings / drinks in the The Agave Show Tasting experience. See ticketing page for details.
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Food and drink prices will vary between vendors.
Many taco vendors will have at least 1 taco option priced at $5 or less.
Alcoholic beverages start at $10.
Water & N/A beverages start at $5.
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Many vendors (but not all) will have options to accommodate common dietary restrictions. However, the festival cannot promise availability of any particular menu options from any of our vendors. Patrons are responsible for communicating any allergies or dietary restrictions to the vendor they are purchasing food from.
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The festival will happen, rain or shine! We can't predict the weather but....
The temp is typically 85-95 degrees this time of year and the festival is fully outdoors.
There will be shaded areas but most of the festival is under the big beautiful Arizona sun. Stay hydrated and pack your sunscreen and hat!
Don't be mad at us if it's toasty!
And if it rains, just pack your boots and poncho for the party!