(San Antonio, TX) — The 30th Annual Mariachi Extravaganza converges on San Antonio this week bringing world-renowned talent and over 1,000 student musicians to compete in the country’s largest mariachi music competition and festival of its kind. After three decades of showcasing exceptional mariachi performances with artists from both the U.S. and Mexico, this year’s event marks a milestone anniversary featuring the return of “the best Mariachi in the World,” Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, as the headliner.
Beginning Thursday, December 5 the Lila Cockrell Theatre is ground zero for fierce competition among the nation’s best middle school, high school and university mariachi groups and vocalists.
Among the anticipated highlights is a showdown between top university groups, including UTSA’s Mariachi Los Paisanos, Harvard University’s Mariachi Veritas de Harvard, and Texas State University’s Mariachi Nueva Generación. In addition, the vocalist competition will welcome finalists from Boston’s Berklee College of Music and the University of North Carolina competing against vocalists from Texas, Nevada and Utah. Full list of vocal semifinalists. Full list of Mariachi group competitors.
This year’s Mariachi Extravaganza also celebrates the acclaimed documentaryGoing Varsity in Mariachi, currently streaming on Netflix, which highlights the competitive spirit of high school mariachis in South Texas as they prepare for and compete in signature competitions beginning with the Mariachi Extravaganza.
Filmmakers Alejandra Vasquez and Sam Osborn will be honored by San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg with the Emissary of the Muses recognition and also a letter of acknowledgement by the State of Texas Music Office for spotlighting San Antonio and the Mariachi Extravaganza in the film. The Mariachi Extravaganza will also receive recognition from the City of San Antonio and the State of Texas marking the importance of the 30th Anniversary celebration.
Adding a unique cultural fusion to the closing concert, the festival will feature National Competition winners alongside New York City-based Ballet Nepantla and Mariachi Aztlán, leading into Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán’s main performance on Saturday, December 7.
Event Information:
The festival takes place December 5-7, 2024 in downtown San Antonio at the Lila Cockrell Theatre and Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center at 600 E Market St:
- Thursday, December 5: 5:00 – 10:00PM – Vocal Competition Semifinals
- Friday, December 6: 2:00 – 10:00PM – Group Competition Semifinals
- Saturday, December 7: 10:00AM – 2:00PM – Middle School and High School Group Competition Semifinals and College/University Finals
7:30PM: The Mariachi Extravaganza Concert A complete schedule is available here.
Tickets: Concert tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com; competition wristbands can be purchased at the door starting Thursday, December 5.
This year’s event is made possible by longtime presenting sponsors H-E-B and KHS America Academic Alliance, with support from Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert, Raising Cane’s, Casa Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant, the San Antonio Film Commission, UTSA Office of University Relations and Whataburger. The Mariachi Extravaganza is produced by Muñoz Public Relations (MPR) of San Antonio.
