BETHLEHEM, Pa. — ArtsQuest is planning a shell of a festival.
TacoFest, the annual event that pays homage to that Mexican dish that fills a fried tortilla with fresh, flavorful ingredients, will return to SteelStacks from 1-6 p.m. June 1, ArtsQuest announced.
And this year, it will be offered in partnership with Cazadores Tequila.
Premium tickets, which include access to the event starting at noon (which means more tacos) and a TacoFest gift, are $15 (price increases to $20 starting May 28) atwww.steelstacks.org.
“In what has become an annual celebration, TacoFest returns in 2025 with more mouthwatering tacos than ever before.”ArtsQuest Chief Programming Officer Patrick Brogan
ArtsQuest said it will be a day filled with tacos from throughout the Lehigh Valley and beyond, live music, game shows, Margarita Madness, the Chihuahua Beauty Contest and food and drinks from a ton of vendors.
“In what has become an annual celebration, TacoFest returns in 2025 with more mouthwatering tacos than ever before,” ArtsQuest Chief Programming Officer Patrick Brogan said in a release.
“Our favorite food trucks and top restaurants from across the region converge at SteelStacks to create a taco lover’s paradise.
"Margarita fans, be sure to grab your tickets early for the wildly popular Margarita Madness — this event sells out in advance every year!”
Margarita madness, Chihuahiua contest
The annual Margarita Madness, at which a Lehigh Valley restaurant is voted Best Margarita, will kick off at 1 p.m. in Musikfest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center.
Tickets at $54 ($64 after May 26) gives each attendee a 1 oz. sample from each restaurant and a vote for their favorite margarita (plus a TacoFest gift).
Alcohol-free versions of margaritas also will be available from each participating restaurant. A complimentary tortilla chip bar with guacamole, queso and salsa to rice and beans also will be available.
Also returning will be the Chihuahua Beauty Contest next to the Levitt Pavilion Stage at 2 p.m.ArtsQuest release
Also returning will be the Chihuahua Beauty Contest next to the Levitt Pavilion Stage at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $10 ($15 week of show). Contestants can strut their pups to win categories of Goodest Doggo, Most Huggable, Cutest Tail Wiggle and more.
The winner of each winning dog will get ArtsQuest tickets and merch.
All Chihuahuas, mixes, Chihuahuas at heart and 25-pounds-or-less can participate. All dog owners must have a ticket to TacoFest to participate.
Food offerings will include SteelStacks culinary partner Levy Restaurants at Mack Truck, Central Tap and Palette & Pour, as well as taco vendors.
Confirmed so far are 4 Raices Street Tacos, Uno Taqueria, Aqui Es A Taste Of Mexico, Take A Taco (vegan/gluten-free options available) and Cactus Blue Mexican Restaurant & Food Trucks.
Also, Castaneda’s Mexican Restaurant, Don Juan Mex Grill, Grumpy's BBQ, Orizaba Restaurant and Tia B’s Street Tacos.
Additional vendors are Why Not Burgerz, Latin Bites and Levy Restaurants, and dessert by Fiesta Churros, Mon & Mel’s Sweet Scoops (Vegan/Gluten Free/Dairy Free Options Available) and Waffl’d.
More are to be announced, ArtsQuest said.
