One of the many persuasive arguments for eating bread is the concha, one of Mexico’s most popular pan dulce, the enriched-dough bread crowned with a sweet, crunchy topping. Soft underneath, crumbly on top. Marvelous. And now the bread is getting its own festival.
The Mexican panderia staple will get an afternoon of its own when Concha Fest returns to Santa Ana on Saturday, Oct. 10. The festival runs from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Heritage Museum of Orange County, with pan dulce from participating local bakeries as well as a marketplace featuring more than 50 local makers.
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Conchas take their name from the Spanish word for shell, a reference to its shape and its scored topping. The bread starts with enriched yeast dough, while the crust is made separately from a paste of sugar, flour and butter. Vanilla, strawberry and cocoa are among the common flavor options.
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This year’s program includes a People’s Choice Concha competition, giving visitors a choice to vote for their favorite, as well as prizes for “most creative” and “best traditional” conchas.
The sweet fete will also extend to the day’s activities, including miniature ceramic conchas that visitors can paint while supplies last. Live music, performance and loteria games are also slated on the program.
Food and beverage will be sold separately from the price of admission. Tickets are $16.78 for adults, $9.31 for children 6 to 12 and free for kids 5 and under. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite. Admission includes access to the museum grounds, entertainment
The festival debuted at the museum in October 2024.
Find it: 3101 W. Harvard St., Santa Ana