A Decade of Culture, Music, and Community Marks the 10th Annual Weekend-Long Festival
Agua Caliente Casinos Returns as Official Sponsor
Biggest Carnival Yet Returns with Pre-Sale Wristbands Available Now
Volunteer Registration Open
The City of Cathedral City invites the community to celebrate a decade of the Taste of Jalisco Festival, taking place May 1-3, 2026, in downtown Cathedral City. What began ten years ago as a tribute to Cathedral City’s sister city relationship with Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, has grown into one of the Coachella Valley’s signature cultural weekends — drawing thousands of attendees each year for three days of music, cuisine, and family tradition.
The 10th Annual festival is proud to welcome back Agua Caliente Casinos as an official sponsor, continuing a valued partnership that has helped bring the Taste of Jalisco experience to the community year after year.
“The Taste of Jalisco Festival is a reflection of Cathedral City’s unique spirit — and a proud celebration of our vibrant Latino community,” says Cathedral City Mayor Raymond Gregory. “Our sister city relationship with Tequila, Jalisco, Mexico, the food, the music, the culture — it all comes together in a way that makes this festival truly stand out. As we mark this 10th anniversary, we hope you’ll join us May 1–3 for what we think will be our best celebration yet.”
Headline performances at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater include:
- Friday, May 1 — Dreaming of You: Selena Tribute opens the festival with the music and energy of one of Latin music’s most iconic voices.
- Saturday, May 2 — Savor: A Santana Tribute Band performs the Latin rock classics and iconic guitar work that defined a generation, followed by The Shakira Experience, a high-energy tribute packed with Shakira’s biggest hits, signature choreography, and full stage presence.
- Sunday, May 3 — Lucha Libre Mexicana, presented by Masked Republic, closes the weekend with authentic lucha libre action, featuring colorful characters and gravity-defying moves for the entire family.
Beyond the headline stages, the 2026 festival delivers the largest carnival in Taste of Jalisco history, featuring an expanded footprint of rides, games, and family attractions. Pre-sale unlimited ride wristbands are available now at $25 — a savings of $10 or more off day-of pricing — along with front-of-the-line fast passes, family meal deals, and discounted game packs.
The festival also features the Gold Medal Tequila Tasting Competition for guests 21 and older, an artisan craft vendor market, authentic Mexican cuisine, community folklorico dance presentations, and daily entertainment across multiple stages.
Headline show tickets include festival admission — attendees need only show their ticket confirmation at the gate. One child 10 and under is admitted free with each paid adult. The festival is a mostly cashless event; credit cards and Apple Pay are accepted at all food, beverage, and ticket points of sale. Parking is free in the city-owned garage located behind the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater at 68-526 Avenida Lalo Guerrero, accessible from Officer David Vasquez Road off Cathedral Canyon Drive.
Volunteer registration is now open. Volunteers who work a 5+ hour shift receive free festival admission for the day of their shift or another day of their choice, plus an unlimited ride wristband as a thank-you for their support.
2026 event hours are Friday, May 1 from 5 PM to 11 PM; Saturday, May 2 from 3 PM to 11 PM; and Sunday, May 3 from 3 PM to 11 PM. Festivities take place in downtown Cathedral City at 68600 East Palm Canyon Drive. For tickets, the full schedule, and volunteer sign-ups, visit www.tasteofjalisco.com.
ABOUT THE TASTE OF JALISCO FESTIVAL
Now in its tenth year, Taste of Jalisco Festival celebrates Cathedral City’s Sister City relationship with the City of Tequila in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. The festival honors this relationship through music, fashion, culture, spirits, and cuisine. The Sister City relationship was first established in 1996 when the two cities entered into a formal Sister Cities agreement. Since then, exchanges between the Cities have included art, culture, governmental best-practices, youth-focused educational opportunities, donation of firefighting equipment, and firefighter training, among others.
WHO WE ARE: CATHEDRAL CITY
Cathedral City takes its name from Col. Henry Washington of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who in 1850 noted the area’s canyons resembled the interior of a grand cathedral. The name stuck; in 1925, developers named the area’s first subdivision Cathedral City, California. After living in the area for millennia, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians established their reservation in the Coachella Valley in 1876, which comprises approximately 28% of Cathedral City.
Incorporated in 1981—later than its neighbors—Cathedral City is dedicated to providing a quality lifestyle and welcoming business climate. Cathedral City represents about ten percent of the Coachella Valley’s population and is a destination of friendly neighborhoods, lush country clubs, diverse shopping, and unlimited business potential. Cathedral City is the fastest-growing among the desert cities, boasting higher growth in “snowbird” and full-time resident populations and economic indices than its neighbors—yet remains a great value.
Related posts:
City of Cathedral City and SoundSkilz Present Largest-Ever Taste of Jalisco Festival, Jan. 31 – Feb. 2, 2025
Cathedral City Mayor Outlines “Bold Vision, Brighter Future” at 2025 State of the City Address
Taste of Jalisco Festival Returns to Cathedral City for 10th Anniversary Celebration, May 1-3, 2026
