The Guadalajara Chamber of Commerce recently released the program of activities for the 31st Encuentro Internacional del Mariachi y La Charrería scheduled to run from Friday, August 23 through Wednesday, September 4.
The agenda includes mini mariachi festivals to be held in nine of Jalisco’s Pueblo Mágico destinations this year, excluding Ajijic, Sayula and Temacapulín.
Highlights of the 2024 festival include the traditional series of gala concerts featuring top-notch mariachi bands performing with the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra at Guadalajara’s Teatro Degollado from Friday, August 23 to Saturday, August 31.
An open-air gala with free admission to the public will take place Sunday, August 25, 6 p.m., at the Plaza de la Liberación set between the Degollado and the Guadalajara Cathedral.
Free mariachi concerts and fiestas are scheduled almost daily at various shopping malls and metro-area communities.
Pueblo Mágico mariachi festivals are all scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the central plazas in Mazamilta on August 24; Cocula August 27; Talpa de Allende and Tequila August 28; Lagos de Moreno August 29; Tlaquepaque August 30; Tapalpa August 31; San Sebastián del Oeste September 2; and Mascota September 3.
Lakside area residents may be interested in the affiliated National Charro Championship contests taking place Saturday, August 24 at the nearby Lienzo Charro Los Tres Potrillos, situated adjacent to the VFG events arena about halfway between Chapala and the Guadalajara airport. Charro teams will demonstrate traditional horsemanship skills in contests starting successively at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The popular Misas Cantadas (Mariachi Masses) will be held at noon services on Sunday, August 25 at the Guadalajara Cathedral and Sunday, September 1 at the Basílica de Zapopan.
The festival closes September 4, with the 9 p.m. Magno Concierto at the Auditorio Telmex featuring Mariachi Internacional CHG, the and Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga.