As summer creeps in, the days get longer, the sun hits harder, and spending time outside becomes almost automatic. In SoCal, that usually means a wave of block parties, fairs, and outdoor events that fill weekends fast.
One of the most notable is the Tustin Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off. It’s a one-day street festival built around a spicy chili cooking competition held in Old Town Tustin. This year the event is taking place on Sunday, June 7, 11 AM to 6 PM.
During the competition, teams set up on-site and cook chili that will be later on judged on flavor, texture, aroma, and overall balance. Winners receive trophies and recognition within the chili cook-off circuit, and in some cases can qualify for higher-level competitions such as those organized by the International Chili Society.
The event is a full street fair with live music, food vendors, craft booths, beer gardens, and family-friendly activities throughout the day. Entry is free, while food and drinks are pay-as-you-go (beer and wine cost $9), and chili tasting is $2 per 4 oz sample.
Beyond the main chili cook-off, the festival also includes additional attractions such as a classic car show featuring vintage, custom, and lowrider vehicles displayed along the streets, as well as a separate salsa competition where entries are judged independently on flavor and balance.
Chili tasting and community impact
At the Tustin Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off, each competing team prepares at least 20 gallons of its signature chili, which is served in 3 oz samples during the event. All proceeds from sample sales go directly to local nonprofit organizations.
In the most recent edition, teams collectively prepared over 450 gallons of chili, helping raise thousands of dollars for community programs.
As reported by The Orange County Register, Tustin’s Chili Cook-Off earned recognition in 2007 from the International Chili Society as the world’s largest one-day chili festival, cementing its status as one of the most prominent events in the competitive chili circuit.
