IF FOOD IS ONE OF THE BEST ways to experience culture, then the New Mexico Tamale Festival cooks up the perfect chance to take a huge bite. The Cinco de Mayo celebration brings together local restaurants, chefs, and food trucks, plus Mexican beer gardens, ballet folklórico performances, live music, and a night mercado from 4 to 10 p.m. on the Plaza de Las Cruces. “Everyone loves tamales,” says Justin Hodges, founder and owner of PartyTenders Inc., which hosts the event. “They bring up fond memories, specifically of the holidays.” Hodges anticipates 15 to 20 varieties of tamales to sample.

“Expect a ton of traditional choices and a few really interesting takes,” he says. Try them all and vote for your favorites, but here are three returning vendors not to miss.

Tamalazos Tamales. This pop-up, which usually sells only around the holidays, took home first place in last year’s inaugural event. “They offer a classic selection of red chile pork, Hatch green chile and cheese, and verde con pollo,” Hodges says.

Sugar Drip. Michael Guerra’s Las Cruces–based food truck has a sweet focus, making a variety of flavored cotton candy, ice creams, and sprinkle-covered treats. “He created a tamale with ice cream, whipped cream, and Mexican sugar and spices,” says Hodges.

Xanthe’s Grill. Greek food and tamales may not be the most intuitive combination, but these are a hit. “One had a hummus and black bean filling,” Hodges says. “Another was a gyro in tamale form.”

NEW MEXICO TAMALE FESTIVAL

4–10 p.m. May 5, 100 N. Main St., Las Cruces

Robert Mirabal at the IndigenousWays Festival. Photograph courtesy of IndigenousWays Festival/Willa Shalit.

INDIGENOUSWAYS FESTIVAL
May 3

The annual summer series brings live music, art, and more to Santa Fe Railyard Park.

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES FIESTA
May 3-5

Founded in 1950, this festival takes over the town the first weekend in May with a parade, live music, rodeo, beer gardens, and cornhole tournament.

THE LINCOLN FOREST RENAISSANCE FAIRE
May 17-18

Seize the spirit of medieval times at this Renaissance fair in Ruidoso, packed with scrumptious bites, activities for kids, court jesters and singing troubadours, a vendor market, and more good fun.

SILVER CITY BLUES FESTIVAL
May 25-26

Silver City marks Memorial Day weekend with a festival at Gough Park showcasing a lineup that includes Kelli Baker Band, Felix y Los Gatos, and Silver City’s Illusion Band. Plus, kick things off Friday night with concerts at venues throughout town. 

NATIVE TREASURES ART MARKET
May 24-26

The Santa Fe Community Convention Center hosts over 150 Indigenous makers and artisans at the 20th annual event. 

Try wines from all over the state at the New Mexico Wine Festival. Photograph courtesy of the New Mexico Wine Festival.

Santa Fe International Literary Festival past participants Stanley Crawford, Lucy Lippard, and Don J. Usner. Photograph courtesy of the Santa Fe International Literary Festival.

SANTA FE INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL
May 17-19

Some of the brightest lights in the literary world, including Pulitzer Prize winner Anthony Doerr and National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward, converge on the City Different.

That’s not all May has in store! Go to nmmag.us/events for more.