The 8th Annual Taste of Jalisco Festival, presented by Agua Caliente Casinos, returns to downtown Cathedral City February 2 – 4, 2024. This annual celebration honors the 27-year sister city relationship between Cathedral City and Tequila, Jalisco (Mexico) through culture, cuisine, music, fashion, and fun.
The weekend includes a family-friendly carnival which has expanded in size from previous years, artisan craft vendor market, tequila tastings with a tequila tasting competition, plus authentic Mexican cuisine. Daily entertainment at the Jalisco Community Stage will feature local and regional musical groups and acts celebrating Mexican art and culture. Don’t miss the free Sunday car show featuring more than 40 cars and trucks at the neighboring Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City parking lot from
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The celebration kicks off Friday with the official flag raising at 5 p.m., followed by the opening of festival grounds, artisan market and entertainment featuring Outlaw Mariachi. The official tequila tasting takes place at 6 p.m. and offers a fun, educational exploration through the world of tequila (must present valid ID). Also, for those 21 and older, the party continues next door at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City at 9 p.m. with a free performance by Nacho Bustillos. Playing a variety of Latin music, Bustillos will be accompanied by a full mariachi band.
Headlining this year’s festival is a live performance of the Legends of Lucha Libre at 6 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday nights. Lucha Libre has played an important role in Mexican culture since the late 1950s. The sport became famous mainly due to its masked wrestlers, who incorporated their own family traditions, beliefs and fears into the design of their masks, transforming an ordinary person into a fearless character. Since the mid 1990s, Lucha Libre has become a global phenomenon with Lucha stars in every major wrestling company on the planet.
Saturday’s wrestling matches feature Legends of Lucha Libre Champion Tinieblas Jr. with Alushe defending the title against the Galeno del Mal, the son of legendary luchador Dr. Wagner Jr – the very man Tinieblas beat to become champion. Plus, the Pro Wrestling Revolution Tag Team Championships will be on the line as the two best pairs of brothers in the Tijuana wrestling scene bring their rivalry to Taste of Jalisco when “Lucha Solos” Arkangel Divino and Ultimo Maldito defend against “Lucha Kings” El Rey and Bamboo. Also in action will be Super Astro Jr., Rey Leon and more.
Sunday evening’s the first-ever Legends of Lucha Libre Women’s Champion will be crowned as former Lucha Libre AAA Reina de Reinas Champion Keyra and former Baja California Women’s Champion Baronessa go mano-a-mano – plus the legendary Solar, Solar Jr, Damian 666, Bestia 666, White Tiger and more.
Additional entertainment follows the wrestling with Dreaming of You Selena (Ultimate Tribute to Selena) taking the stage at 9 p.m. on Saturday and Carlos Santana tribute favorite – Savor the Band performs at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission to the festival is pre-sale $4 per person – available online, and $5 at the door (children 5 and under are free). Carnival rides, wrestling show, food and drink are additional fees. Unlimited carnival ride wristbands start at $25 each and “Legends of Lucha Libre” tickets start at $26. VIP tickets which include exclusive access, premium seating, meet and greet, and other benefits are also available. Tickets for all activities are available at tasteofjalisco.com.
Festival hours are Friday from 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday noon to 11 p.m., and Sunday noon to 9 p.m. with the carnival starting at 1 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Festivities take place in downtown Cathedral City, at 68600 East Palm Canyon Drive. Parking is free. For tickets and more information about the Taste of Jalisco Festival visit tasteofjalisco.com.