Taco Street Fest
TACO 'bout a fall event! Each September, Downtown Chandler comes alive with a food-oriented, ticketed festival celebrating everyone's favorite - the taco. Featuring food from 20 local restaurants, live music, Luche Libre wrestling, a Margarita and Michelada tent and the Little Amigos play area - this is an event for all taco enthusiasts. Taco fanatics may want to inquire about the taco eating contest. Admission fees for Rockin' Taco Street Fest cover entertainment and concerts and do not include food or drinks.
Purchase the ticket through the event website and use coupon code: VISITCHANDLER to save $5 off the ticket price!
Oktoberfest
Don your lederhosen and dirndls and gather in Downtown Chandler for the annual Oktoberfest celebration! Brats, beer, and polka music accompany this family-friendly event with a bevy of games, wiener toss, bratwurst-eating contest, stein holding, live music, family zone and more. This year, Oktoberfest held October 1, 2022 is co-hosted by SanTan Brewing Company and Pedal Haus Brewery. Tickets purchased in advance are $15 and $20 day of the event.
Annual Mariachi and Folklorico Festival
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a Chandler tradition - experience the rich cultural history of Mexico through vibrant music and dance at the Annual Mariachi and Folklorico Festival 2002 at the Chandler Center for the Arts, presented in partnership with C.A.L.L.E. de Arizona and Maestra Vanessa Ramirez on October 1, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. The annual event features the award-winning music of Mariachi Los Camperos and 16-member Mariachi Estrella de Mexico with a dazzling array of folklorico dancers from Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli-AZ.
Chandler #AZ48 Half Marathon
Starting and ending in Downtown Chandler, this flat and fast course is USTAF certified with hydration stops located every 1.5-2 miles stocked with water, electrolyte drink and portable restrooms.The Half Marathon finisher medal is sure to be collectible item with its unique, 5" copper design and sun catcher reflecting Arizona's natural beauty. Find registration materials for the October 23, 2022 running event with course descriptions and links to partner hotels at the Chandler #AZ48 Half Marathon event website.
Annual Halloween Spooktacular
Gather your lil’ ghosts and goblins and trick-or-treat your way through Downtown Chandler where you’ll enjoy a family night filled with spirited fun on October 28th from 5:30 til 8:30 p.m. With a boo-nanza of spooky shenanigans that are sure to delight ghouls and boos of all ages. Admission into the park is FREE.
Chuck Wagon Cook-Off
Check out the original food trucks of the west at the annual Chandler Chuck Wagon Cook-Off at Tumbleweed Park. The festival is a unique culinary competition combines the tastes, smells, and sounds of the Old West. Teams work from authentic 1880-style chuck wagons to cook five courses: bread, beans, meat, potatoes, and dessert. Judges decide winners in each category, as well as best authentic wagon and best overall meal. There's also entertainment and activities highlighting history, cooking, and local food throughout the two-day event. Visitors are encourages to attend on Saturday, November12th.
Fall Rail Festival
Train lovers, history buffs and people of all ages are invited to climb aboard and explore the glory days of local and long-distance travel on America’s railways during the Fall Rail Festival in Chandler on November 12, 2022. The festival will include displays of artifacts and memorabilia, tours of vintage railcars and a large sale of railroad books, magazines, and timetables at very affordable prices. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Visitors will learn about the historical importance of railroads from museum volunteers who will explain the type of work that is required to restore and refurbish these railcars to keep them “alive” as a testament to the glory days of rail passenger travel. Several cars feature interior displays of the typical accommodations for the travelling public, including seating, sleeping arrangements, and dining facilities, complete with custom-made railroad dining car china.
The museum’s diesel locomotive will be open, affording visitors the opportunity to blow the horn, and Chandler’s historic #2562 steam locomotive also will be on display. Outdoor displays will include a wide variety of railroad signs, signals, and mining equipment.
The museum’s standard entrance fee is waived for Fall Rail Festival. However, donations from the public and local businesses are greatly appreciated. Visitors should access the event on Ryan Road, from Arizona Avenue or McQueen Road. Parking is free. Although the display building and restrooms are ADA Compliant, due to the historic nature of the equipment, access to the railroad cars is not ADA Compliant.
