Downey Unified's Mariachi Music Festival

Downey Unified presents
Mariachi Music Festival 
Downey High School Allen Layne Stadium
11040 Brookshire Ave. | Downey, CA 90241

Returning in 2026!

About

Downey Unified’s Mariachi Music Festival

Presented by Downey Unified Mariachi
You are invited to a FREE mariachi festival at Downey High School’s Allen Layne Stadium. Bring your friends and family to enjoy a day of live performances from middle school through college mariachi groups from across Southern California, as well as Folklorico dancers from the Downey Unified School District. Come hungry, as food trucks will offer a variety of delicious meals available for purchase.

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ABOUT THE EVENT

Mariachi music encourages creativity and allows students to learn about their culture and represent it with pride. It is imperative to provide students with invaluable opportunities to showcase their talents through live performances, enabling them to hone their skills and cultivate confidence as aspiring artists and musicians.
We invite Southern California schools with students from 6th grade through college to participate in this Mariachi event. We are proud of their dedication to continuing their learning and love for this genre of music and hope to inspire younger audiences to follow their passions as well.

2025 festival highlights

2024 festival highlights

Performers

The Participating Mariachi Groups in 2025

Mariachi de la Tierra

This is the first year as an ensemble at Grover Cleveland Charter High School in Reseda, CA.

Mariachi Ositos de Oro

Newest ensemble in the Godínez Fundamental High School mariachi program in Santa Ana.

Mariachi Raices de Honor

Mariachi Raices de Honor is a young elementary ensemble united by their love for Mariachi culture, dedicated to showcasing the talent and potential of young musicians. In their first year together, these students from various schools meet after school to perfect their craft and challenge expectations. 

Mariachi All Stars

Mariachi All-Stars from El Monte City School District is a special collaboration with Hernandez Productions, offering students an enriching Expanded Learning Opportunity. In their first festival appearance, they are excited and grateful for the chance to perform and share their music with you all.

Mariachi Los Jaguares

Mariachi Los Jaguares from the STEAM Academy @ Burke in Pico Rivera, CA, features talented 6th-8th grade students with 1-3 years of experience. Led by Roberto Mendez, they bring passion and dedication to their music.

Mariachi Osos de Oro

Mariachi Osos de Oro, the premier mariachi ensemble at Godínez Fundamental High School in Santa Ana, California, is now in its second year as an official class. Showcasing talent and cultural pride, they perform at school events, in the Santa Ana community, and beyond.

Mariachi Las Palmeras

Mariachi Las Palmeras from Palmdale High School in Palmdale, California, is proudly reviving Mariachi on campus after more than 20 years. In their first-ever competition, they are excited to share their music and hope you enjoy their performance!

Mariachi Hollydale

Mariachi Hollydale has been part of Hollydale School’s music program at Paramount Unified for three years, featuring 15 talented musicians from 6th to 8th grade with experience in multiple instruments. Under the direction of Ms. Claudia Zuniga, these dedicated students, many of whom also perform in Advanced Orchestra and Concert Band, proudly represent Hollydale School in South Gate.

Mariachi Oro De Downey

The Intermediate Group from Downey’s Mariachi Program is a talented ensemble of young musicians honing their skills in traditional mariachi music. They serve as a bridge between beginner and advanced levels, refining their technique, stage presence, and repertoire while celebrating the rich cultural heritage of mariachi.

Mariachi Los Osos de Arvin High School

Mariachi Los Osos de Arvin High School, now in its third year in the Kern High School District, offers Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced mariachi classes that allow students to fulfill their A-G requirements. The group has performed at prestigious events like Music Days at Knott’s Berry Farm, CABE, CMEA, UCLA, and the National Migrant Conference, with a mission to enhance music education and equip students for success.

Mariachi Honor Juvenil de MUSD

Mariachi Honor is an elite extracurricular ensemble in Madera Unified, bringing together the district’s most dedicated mariachi musicians. Meeting three times a week, they perform with pride to honor past generations and inspire future ones.

Mariachi Nueva Luna

This is a community mariachi group of high school aged students that hails from Montebello, CA. These dedicated young musicians are committed to upholding their cultural traditions through their musical artistry. 

dA Mini Mariachis

Established in 2019, the dA Center for the Arts’ Mini Mariachi group in Pomona, CA, welcomes students ages 4 to 19, offering beginner to intermediate training in mariachi instruments and vocals under the leadership of Gustavo Zambrano. Through cultural and musical education, community performances, and professional mariachi experiences, students develop confidence, teamwork, and a deep connection to mariachi traditions.

Mariachi Diamante de Downey

Downey’s very own mariachi program is on its third year and includes students from both middle and high school grades.

Mariachi Estrellas

This Action Youth America (AYA) After School Program is dedicated to fostering a love for music while helping children develop leadership, communication, creativity, and cultural appreciation. Since its founding in 2017 at Eastmont Intermediate School, Mariachi Estrellas has flourished, earning recognition through performances at prestigious events and national festivals, where students have been awarded for their dedication to preserving mariachi traditions.

Mariachi Herencia Michoacana

This group of college-aged performers was founded in 2017 in the city of Azusa.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE EVENT:

Seating & Free Parking

There will be ample seating in the stadium stands and more free parking options in Downey High’s parking lots off of Brookshire Ave. (at Firestone Blvd. and just south of 5th St, near the Aquatic Center pool), as well as off Lakewood Blvd., at 3rd St.

We still encourage everyone to walk, use public transit, carpool or use rideshare services (like Lyft or Uber) to lessen the potential traffic congestion as everyone is arriving at the same time.

Please note, this is a family event. Alcohol is not permitted on the premises. No pets are allowed. By attending the event, you agree to the event’s privacy policy.

Do You Have an Ensemble?

Want to Perform at the 2026 Mariachi Music Festival?

We had an amazing event this year, and hope to continue to grow it in 2026. Mariachi ensembles interested in joining the performance are encouraged to submit the interest form below.

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Downey Unified logo
Downey Unified School District is committed to developing all students to be self-motivated learners and productive, responsible and compassionate members of an ever-changing global society. Our highly qualified staff foster meaningful relationships with students, parents, and the community while providing a relevant and rigorous curriculum in facilities that advance teaching and learning.