It started as a simple idea…

the Coachella Valley didn’t have a true foodie event—one that brought cultures, street food, and local flavor together in one place. As people began reconnecting after lockdowns, a small but passionate group of local organizers came together with one mindset: Everybody eats. That October, Yum Food Fest launched with hopes of a few thousand attendees—over 7,000 showed up.

That first year was far from perfect—long lines, vendors selling out, and not enough staff—but it was real. The energy, the turnout, and the community support proved something special was happening.

In 2022, expansion brought challenges. A windstorm in May and rain in October disrupted events, and by November, attendance dropped to around 2,500. It was a tough stretch, but it forced a shift—away from multiple events and toward building one intentional, high-quality annual experience.

That evolution paid off. Yum Food Fest came back stronger in 2023, grew in 2024, and by 2025 returned to over 7,000 attendees—this time with a solid foundation and refined experience. Today, Yum is more than a food festival—it’s a celebration of culture, community, and small businesses. And we’re just getting started. Year 6 returns October 10–11. Are you Yuming?