About The Festival
Arizona State University (ASU) El Diablito Alumni Chapter will sponsor the 18th Annual Somerton Tamale Festival on December 20, 2025.
The memory of preparing and enjoying our families’ tamales during the holiday season is a cultural tradition. Using that same tradition and unique family recipes, the El Diablito Alumni Club has organized the festival to showcase Yuma County’s best and finest tamales. This all-day event features music, cultural dances, and a variety of tamales which have attracted a range of people including local families, senior citizens, teenagers and out-of-state travelers.
The ASU El Diablito Alumni Club, along with many local sponsors, has helped students achieve their goal of attending college for the past 20 years by providing over $450,000 in scholarships to local students attending ASU. The Somerton Tamale Festival has helped boost the local economy by attracting thousands of visitors.
This event features vendors and showcases the community’s non-profit and school clubs. According to the Yuma Sun, the Tamale Festival attracted 30,000 people in previous year. This event was featured in Phoenix magazine as one of the top 52 weekend adventures in the state. The El Diablito ASU Alumni Club is seeking your support for this event. Your generous contribution will help students further their education and your company’s name will be represented to the highest standards.
“The Woodstock of tamale events.”
ABOUT SOMERTON, AZ
Somerton, in the fertile Yuma Valley in southwestern Yuma County, is about 12 miles south of Yuma and 180 miles east of San Diego, at an elevation of 103 feet. It is equidistant from the California and Mexican borders. Somerton was established in 1898 and incorporated in 1918. Many residents are employed in citrus and vegetable growing and processing. Somerton also has a commercial service sector with ample room for further growth.
Get Involved!
The Somerton Tamale Festival is more than an event, it’s a community tradition. Every year, neighbors, businesses, and volunteers come together to make the festival possible while raising scholarships for Yuma County students. Want to be part of it? Here are three ways to get involved:
Become a sponsor
Support education and showcase your business to 30,000+ festival attendees. Sponsorships come with benefits like event signage, booth opportunities, and recognition on our website and social media.
Apply as a vendor
Bring your food, crafts, or products to the heart of the festival. Vendors make the festival come alive with flavors, artistry, and local pride.
Volunteer with Us
From helping set up to greeting guests, volunteers are the backbone of the Somerton Tamale Festival. Give back, meet new people, and be part of a tradition that makes a difference.
Download The Festival App
Make the most of your festival day with the official Somerton Tamale Festival app!
With the app you can:
Browse tamale vendors
Check entertainment schedules
Navigate with the interactive festival map
Get real-time updates and announcements
