From October 4 to 10, 32 mariachi groups from Jalisco, Michoacán, Guerrero and Colima will take part in the XXIV National Traditional Mariachi Encounter, celebrating one of Mexico’s most iconic musical traditions.
The festival will unfold across Guadalajara and six municipalities—Ajijic, La Barca, Tlaquepaque, San Martín Hidalgo, Tala, and La Manzanilla de la Paz—with a diverse program of concerts, academic discussions, and cultural activities.
Traditional mariachi music is typically performed by smaller ensembles, often featuring string instruments like violins, vihuelas and guitarrones (a large, deep-voiced bass guitar), and occasionally drums. Unlike modern mariachi, the traditional form does not include trumpets or other brass instruments.
One of the event’s highlights will be the International Colloquium “Mariachi in the 21st Century,” taking place from October 6-8 at El Colegio de Jalisco.
On Saturday, October 4, a didactic traditional mariachi concert will be held at the Centro para la Cultura y las Artes de la Ribera in Ajijic, at noon. Performers include the Colectivo Mariachero de Polanco, Mariachi Tradicional Los de Occidente, Son del Coamil and Mariachi Tradicional Los Choznos. The groups will interpret sones, jarabes, rancheras and other genres and will explain to the public the origin, cultural context, and the instruments used in this music.
The Guadalajara part of the festival opens on October 7 with a concert at the Edificio Arroniz in downtown Guadalajara, followed by another on October 8 at the Ex Convento del Carmen.
The festivities culminate on October 10 with two gala performances at the Degollado Theater, where awards will be presented to those who have made significant contributions to the preservation of traditional mariachi music.
For the complete schedule, visit www.sc.jalisco.gob.mx/agenda/carteleras.