Ostrich Festival finds new nest at Rawhide
Chandler Ostrich Festival Spreads Its Wings to New Home
After more than two decades at Tumbleweed Park, the beloved Chandler Ostrich Festival is packing up and heading to greener pastures. The 36th annual celebration of all things ostrich will strut into Rawhide Western Town and Event Center this March, marking the festival's first relocation since 2003.
The move comes as no surprise to longtime attendees who've watched the quirky event grow from a hometown celebration into a regional phenomenon attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors. Recent amenity changes at Tumbleweed Park and steadily swelling crowds made the decision an easy one for organizers.
The new digs at Rawhide promise some serious upgrades. Festival-goers can look forward to indoor vendor spaces, permanent restrooms with actual running water, and expanded room for carnival rides and attractions.
The Chandler Chamber of Commerce, Gila River Indian Community, and City of Chandler jointly announced the move, with Chamber President Terri Kimble noting that Rawhide provides the infrastructure to elevate the festival experience.
Mark your calendars for two weekends of ostrich-themed fun: March 13-15 and March 20-22. While the 2026 concert lineup hasn't dropped yet, previous years have featured headliners like The Beach Boys, Nelly, and Walker Hayes.
The festival traces its roots to 1988 when Chandler decided to honor its unusual history as an ostrich ranching hub. Rawhide sits at 5700 W. North Loop Road on the Gila River Indian Reservation, just southwest of Chandler.
Same big birds, fresh new nest.
Sources: AZ Family | 12 News | ABC15 | Visit Chandler