The La Habra Tamale Festival is on for Saturday, December 5, 2026. The City of La Habra has confirmed the 13th annual edition on Euclid Street between La Habra Boulevard and Bridenbecker Avenue, spilling into City Hall, First and Second avenues, and both Portola and Brio parks. Admission is free.
It is a one-day, all-day street party with tamales at the center, and the city says it draws about 10,000 people a year. Hours, entertainment, and shuttle details for 2026 have not been announced, so this guide pairs what is confirmed with how the festival ran in 2025.
The quick version
| When | Saturday, December 5, 2026. Hours not yet announced (2025 ran 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.). |
| Where | Euclid Street between La Habra Boulevard and Bridenbecker Avenue, plus La Habra City Hall and its parking lot, First and Second avenues, and Portola and Brio parks, La Habra |
| Highlights | Tamale and food vendors, stage entertainment, holiday tree lighting |
| Admission | Free |
| Edition | 13th annual |
| Official site | lahabraca.gov |
What’s on the menu
Tamales first, then everything else. The festival’s own site describes a lineup of tamale vendors, food vendors, retail vendors, and informational booths, along with a cantina. The 2026 food vendor application is listed as coming soon, so the list of who is cooking will come later.
In 2025 the cantina was hosted by Second Chance Beginnings, a nonprofit focused on veterans. Whether it returns with the same host is not yet announced.
What last year looked like
The 2026 program is still to come. Here is how the city described the 12th annual festival on December 6, 2025:
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Three stages, including the Main Stage at Portola Park and the Community Stage at City Hall, with performances from local dance studios.
- Holiday tree lighting: the City Holiday Tree Lighting took place at Portola Park at 6 p.m. as part of the festival.
- Fireworks: the festival site lists a holiday fireworks show.
- Family Fiesta Square: the kids’ area, with wristbands sold in advance at the Children’s Museum at La Habra.
Enjoy OC’s listing adds that past festivals have included a petting zoo, balloon artists, camel rides and photos with Santa (each listed at $5), and tamale-making lessons.
Getting there
The festival runs a free shuttle from off-site parking, and the city has not posted 2026 shuttle stops yet. For reference, the 2025 shuttle was free, ran continuously, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. (or until the last rider was dropped off), and came about every 15 minutes. The 2025 stops were:
- Whittier Christian High School, 501 N. Beach Blvd., La Habra
- La Bonita Park, 500 Granada Ct., La Habra (lower parking lot only), with pickup at Idaho and Fahringer Way
The 2025 rideshare drop-off was at 101 W. La Habra Blvd. Check the festival’s shuttle page for 2026 updates before you go.
Same day, two tamale festivals
December 5 is a big day for tamales in Southern California. The Indio International Tamale Festival opens its two-day run in Downtown Indio the same Saturday. If you want both, La Habra is Saturday only, and Indio continues on Sunday, December 6.
Tips
- Use the shuttle. The festival takes over several downtown streets and parks, and the ride from off-site parking is free.
- Stay for the evening if last year is a guide: the tree lighting was at 6 p.m.
- Taking tamales home? Bring a cooler for the car.
- Drink water between plates, and bring a layer for after dark.
Family notes
This is a city-run community festival with children’s play activities built in. In 2025, the Family Fiesta Square required wristbands, sold ahead of time at the Children’s Museum at La Habra so families could skip the line on the day.
A little history
La Habra held its first Tamale Festival in 2014. The city says attendance was strong enough that it added the festival to its calendar of more than 100 annual events, and it has grown to about 10,000 attendees a year.
Accessibility
Accessibility details have not been posted. Questions go to the La Habra Community Center at 562-383-4200.
Still to come
As of September 28, 2026: festival hours, the entertainment schedule, food and general vendor lists, shuttle stops and parking, and Family Fiesta Square details. The festival’s own website still shows 2025 information. The 824 Journal will update this guide when the city posts 2026 details.
Sources
- City of La Habra: Tamale Festival (2026 date, edition, footprint, vendor notes, contact)
- La Habra Tamale Festival, official site (history, attendance, features, 2025 hours)
- La Habra Tamale Festival: Shuttle (2025 shuttle stops and hours)
- La Habra Tamale Festival: Cantina and Family Fiesta Square
- City of La Habra: City Holiday Tree Lighting (2025)
- Enjoy OC: La Habra Tamale Festival
Featured photo: USDA via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
