What is the San Jose International Mariachi Festival?

Now in its 17th year, the San Jose International Mariachi Festival presents a weeklong schedule of music and educational events, drawing over 50,000 people to hear artists like Linda Ronstadt, Aida Cuevas, Lila Downs, Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Mariachi Cobre, Los Tigres Del Norte and Pepe Aguilar.

The Festival is the cornerstone of the Mexican Heritage Corporation’s programming and the largest of its type in the nation. During the Festival educational music and dance-master classes are offered by internationally renowned mariachis and maestros of ballet folklorico. The Festival closes with an outdoor feria, featuring music, arts, cultural activities and food in a celebration of Mexican heritage and cuisine.

Mexican Heritage Corporation and the Festival enjoy a partnership with the National Music Educator’s Association as a provider of mariachi education programs to local public schools. This year the Festival’s educational programming will feature panel discussions with the NEMC’s mariachi educators advisory board, including Board chair William Gradante, and Board member Mack Ruiz.

During the Festival educational music and dance-master classes are offered by internationally renowned mariachis and maestros of ballet folklorico. The Festival closes with an outdoor feria, featuring music, arts, cultural activities and food in a celebration of Mexican heritage and cuisine.

Festival FAQ

Workshops

How much does it cost to attend the Workshops?
$75.00 if you register before July 31st
$85.00 if you register between August 1st and September 15th
$150.00 after September 15th.
What if I can’t afford that? We do grants scholarships to any students who are designated to receive free or reduced lunches at their school. Just fill out the Scholarship Form and send it to us along with the proof of your free or reduced lunch designation.
How much experience do I need to attend the educational workshops? We ask that all students attending the workshops with Mariachi Cobre and Jose Tena have at least one year of experience dancing or playing their instrument. However, the Beginning Mariachi Workshop with Eugene Rodriguez, Music Director of the international Mexican music group Los Cenzontles at the Theatre on San Pedro Square on September 25th is specially designed for beginners, so no experience is necessary to attend this workshop.
Does my experience have to be in mariachi? No! If you play an instrument already and are interesting in learning how to play it in a mariachi context, please feel free to register for our workshops.
What will I need to bring to the workshops? We ask that students bring their own instruments, as well as concert attire – white shirt or blouse and dark pants or skirt for instrumentalists, Jalisco for dancers.
What performance opportunities are there associated with the Workshops? Workshop students perform at the Gala concert on September 27th at the San Jose State Event Center. There will also be an optional Student Showcase at the Theatre on San Pedro Square on Thursday, September 25th at 7:00 pm for students wishing to perform for each other and the public.

Outdoor Festival

How much are tickets to the outdoor festival? $10.00 general admission. Children 12 and under are free.
How do I buy tickets? Tickets can be purchased at the gate on the day of the event.
Who will be performing? Everyone from local mariachis to nationally renowned artists! Please see our full festival schedule for details
What other activities will there be at the festival? Arts and crafts, vendors selling authentic Mexican arts and crafts, delicious Mexican food, a special workshop on Mexican trick roping, and much more!
I’m a vendor and I’d like to have a booth at the festival. Who do I contact about that? Thanks for your interest in the festival. Please call Terry Alderete at 510-436-6672 or 510-648-2337.

Gala Concert

How much are tickets to the Gala Concert? Depending on where you’d like to sit, tickets are $40, $65, $80 or $125.
How do I buy tickets? Please call Ticketmaster at (408) 998-TIXS or (415) 421-TIXS or visit www.ticketmaster.com
Do I have to buy my tickets in advance? We’d certainly recommend it. With a collection of great artists like Linda Ronstadt, Aida Cuevas, Lila Downs, Mariachi Cobre, Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, and our very own Los Lupeños de San José, we don’t think there’ll be many tickets left by the night of the show!

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