FESTIBA 2026 MARIACHI FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Friday - Saturday, February 27-28
 

Friday, February 27

5:30- 8:00 pm: FESTIBA 2026 Mariachi Festival Vocal Competition for Middle School and High School Semi-Finals. Winners announced at the end, followed by a presentation featuring Mariachi Aztlán with Middle School first place winner and five High School Vocal Competition Finalists.
Location: UTRGV Edinburg Campus, Performing Arts Complex
Tickets at: UTRGV ARTS Showpass
(Tickets: $6 General Admission)

Saturday, February 28

9:30 – 4:00 pm: FESTIBA 2025 Mariachi Group Competition
Division winners and Grand Champion announced at the end.                                                         
Location: UTRGV Edinburg Campus, Performing Arts Complex
Tickets at: UTRGV ARTS Showpass
(Tickets: $6 General Admission)

7 – 9:00 pm: FESTIBA 2025 Mariachi Festival Grand Concert: Middle and High School Vocal and Ensemble Competition winners, Mariachi Aztlán, and Special Guest to be announced.
Workshop Registration includes free ticket to Grand Concert)
Location: UTRGV Edinburg Campus, Performing Arts Complex

(Tickets: $20 General Admission, $10 UTRGV Faculty/Staff/Senior 65+, $5 Children)

FESTIBA Special Guests


Special Guest to be announced.

Since 1989, Mariachi Aztlán has traveled throughout Mexico and the United States as musical ambassadors representing the beauty of the Hispanic music and cultural traditions. Recognitions for performance excellence initiated an invitation from the White House to perform at the signing ceremony of an Executive Order renewing and enhancing the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, performing for President Barack Obama in 2010.

In collaboration with the Houston Grand Opera, Mariachi Aztlán premiered the stage production of Cruzar la Cara de la Luna, the world’s first "Mariachi/Opera" in December, 2010.  A second performance of the same production took place in 2013 with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Mariachi Aztlán also premiered the mariachi opera El Pasado Nunca Se Termina with the Chicago Lyric Opera in 2015. Other national performances include guest artists at the Tucson International Mariachi Conference in 2015 and 2019, guest artists at the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 San Diego International Mariachi Festivals, and guest artists at the 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Chicago Mariachi Festivals. The mariachi was invited as guest clinicians and performing artists for the Mariachi Spectacular Workshop in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. For several years, Mariachi Aztlán has been invited as guest clinicians and performing artists Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza Competition in San Antonio. National performances include concerts at the Santa Barbara Bowl in August of 2019, with the famous Mexican singer, Aida Cuevas, and guest artists at the Chicago Mariachi Festival which was held at the Millenium Amphitheatre, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, June 29^th, 2019.

Other national performances at prestigious venues include Hollywood Bowl, the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center, and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Mariachi Aztlán has performed with symphony orchestras in Mexico, including performances in Monterrey, Pachuca, and Tampico, and with the Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Houston Symphony Orchestra.

Mariachi Aztlán has accompanied other famous artists such as Juan Valentin, Vikki Carr, Nydia Rojas, Azucena, Ramon Ayala, Leo Dan, Paquita La Del Barrio, and many others. International performances include the Mexican cities of Monterrey, Pachuca, Tampico, Guadalajara, Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende, and Ottawa, Canada.

In 2022 and 2023, Mariachi Aztlán toured with the “The Queen of Mariachi”, and esteemed figure in Mexico, Aida Cuevas, throughout the U.S., performing at more than 20 distinguished venues across America.

Mariachi Aztlán released a CD, Mi Nombre Es México to commemorate their 25th Anniversary.

SPRING FESTIBA 2026: Guest Artist to be announced.

Saturday, February 28, 2026
Time: 7 p.m - 9 p.m.
Location: UTRGV Performing Arts Complex
1201 West University Drive, Edinburg

For questions or accommodations, please contact the UTRGV School of Music at (956) 665-3471.

Para preguntas sobre adaptaciones especiales, llame al (956) 665-3471.

School of Music
PACB 2.108
Email: music@utrgv.edu

Francisco Loera
Senior Lecturer
School of Music
EPACB B2.133
Email: francisco.loera@utrgv.edu

Clyde Guerra
Senior Lecturer
School of Music
EPACB 2.133
Email: clyde.guerra01@utrgv.edu

For questions or accommodations, please contact the UTRGV School of Music at (956) 665-3471.

Para preguntas sobre adaptaciones especiales, llame al (956) 665-3471.