It comes around once a year, and when it does, it brings a whole lot of noise and celebration to Guadalajara, laced up in trajes de charro and gently swelling strings, belting brass and rhythmic guitar.
A small army of mariachis (from various nations, as well as Mexico) will descend on the city August 23 for the International Mariachi and Charreria Festival, bringing with them all the prestige and flair of centuries of tradition paired with a well-oiled cultural event. The festival, now in its 27th iteration, actually kicks off two days before the big inaugural parade on Sunday, August 25. The parade is one of the fixtures of the event, showcasing an unparalleled assembly of mariachi groups of all types, as well as dancers and horsemen and women. The big-ticket items are the mariachi concerts at the Teatro Degollado, but there are many free events, including two massive open-air galas in Guadalajara and Zapopan’s main plazas.
OPENING PARADE
Dozens of local and international mariachi bands, folk dancers and charro horsemen and women take part in the colorful opening parade on Sunday, August 23, starting at 10 a.m. at the Niños Heroes Glorieta and heading all the way down Avenida Chapultepec to Avenida Mexico. It’s a great spectacle but get there early for a good view.
MARIACHI GALAS
The Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra will accompany the acclaimed mariachi bands appearing in these concerts at the Teatro Degollado. Cost 700-2,500 pesos.
- Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Nuevo Tecalitlán and Sol de America. Teatro Degollado, Friday, August 23, 8 p.m.
- Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Nuevo Tecalitlán, De América de Don Jesús Rodríguez Hijar. Teatro Degollado, Saturday, August 24, 8 p.m.
- Vargas de Tecalitlán, Nuevo Tecalitlán. Teatro Degollado, Tuesday, August 27, 8 p.m.
- Vargas de Tecalitlán, Sol de América. Teatro Degollado, Wednesday, August 28, 8 p.m.
- Vargas de Tecalitlán. Teatro Degollado, Thursday, August 29, 8 p.m.
- Nuevo Tecalitlán, De América de Don Jesús Rodríguez Hijar, Sol de America. Teatro Degollado, Friday, August 30, 8 p.m.
PAVILION CONCERTS
Free recitals by local and international mariachi groups, singers, dance groups and other musical outfits are held daily in the pavilion set up in the Plaza de la Liberacion (facing the Teatro Degollado), from Friday, August 23 through Friday, August 30.
Friday, August 23.
6:30 p.m. Jerónimo Rubio y Omar Vega “Son Dos Tipos de Cuidado”
Saturday, August 24
Noon Mariachi Internacional
1 p.m. Mariachi Internacional
5 p.m. Mariachi Internacional
6:15 p.m. Máyela Orozco
Monday, August 26
4 p.m. Mariachi Internacional
5 p.m. Grupo Folclórico Tapatío
6:15 p.m. Janet Uribe con Mariachi
7:30 p.m. Mariachi America de Don Jesús Rodríguez de Hijar
Tuesday, August 27
4 p.m. Mariachi Internacional
5:15 p.m. Mariachi Internacional
6:15 p.m. Redes y Cantos de Chapala “Coro Vocal”
Wednesday, August 28
4 p.m. Mariachi Internacional
5:15 p.m. Programa de Ronda en Tlaquepaque
6:30 p.m. Vanessa Rivera con Mariachi
Thursday, August 29
4 p.m. Mariachi Internacional
5:15 p.m. Mariachi Internacional
6:30 p.m. Mareane Silva con Mariachi
Friday, August 30
4 p.m. Orquesta Típica de Guadalajara
5:30 p.m. Jazmin de la Rocha “La Gallera” con Mariachi
6:45 p.m. Mariachi Internacional
PUBLIC GALAS
The biggest free open open-air galas of the festival will be held in the Plaza Liberation Sunday, August 25, 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, September 1, 7:30 p.m. in the Plaza Juan Pablo II facing the Basicilia in central Zapopan. Top bands and singers will perform in both concerts.
VERBENAS POPULARES
These open-air fairs are lively community events held in city neighborhoods and are free of charge.
- Parque San Jacinto, Guadalajara, Saturday, August 24, 7:30 p.m.
- Glorieta Chapalita, Saturday, August 24, 7:30 p.m.
- Centro Cultural Constitución, Zapopan, Friday, August 30, 7:30 p.m.
- La Venta del Astillero, Zapopan, Saturday, August 31, 7:30 p.m.
- Atemajac del Valle, Saturday, August 31, 7:30 p.m.
MARIACHI MASSES
- Guadalajara Metropolitan Cathedral, Sunday, August 25, noon.
- Basílica de Zapopan, Sunday, September 1, noon.
FREE RECITALS IN CITY MALLS (various groups)
Friday, August 23
Gran Plaza Fashion Mall, 5:30 p.m.
Plaza Patria, 5:30 p.m.
Ciudadela, 6 p.m.
Plaza Andares, 6 p.m.
Saturday, August 24
Plaza Patria, 5:30 p.m.
Gran Plaza Fashion Mall, 5:30 p.m.
Ciudadela, 6 p.m.
Plaza Andares, 6 p.m.
Sunday, August 25
Plaza Patria, 5:30 p.m.
Gran Plaza Fashion Mall, 5:30 p.m.
Ciudadela, 6 p.m.
Plaza Andares, 6 p.m.
Monday, August 26
Plaza Patria, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 27
Plaza Patria, 5:30 p.m.
Forum Tlaquepaque, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, August 28
Plaza Patria, 6 p.m.
Forum Tlaquepaque, 6 p.m.
Plaza las Torres, 6 p.m.
Midtown Jalisco, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 29
Plaza Andares, 6 p.m.
Plaza las Torres, 6 p.m.
Forum Tlaquepaque, 6 p.m.
Plaza Patria, 6 p.m.
Midtown Jalisco, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, August 30
Plaza Patria, 5:30 p.m.
Ciudadela, 6 p.m.
Punto Sur, 6 p.m.
Plaza las Torres, 6 p.m.
Forum Tlaquepaque, 6 p.m.
Plaza Andares, 6 p.m.
Midtown Jalisco, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 31
Gran Plaza Fashion Mall, 5:30 p.m.
Plaza Patria, 5:30 p.m.
Ciudadela, 6 p.m.
Punto Sur, 6 p.m.
Plaza las Torres, 6 p.m.
Plaza Andares, 6 p.m.
Midtown Jalisco, 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 1
Gran Plaza Fashion Mall, 5:30 p.m.
Plaza Patria, 5:30 p.m.
Plaza Andares, 6 p.m.
OTHER EVENTS
- Guinness Record attempt for the largest number of baile folklorico (folk dance) couples dancing together. Plaza Liberacion, Saturday, August 24, 7:30 p.m.