The Mariachi Extravaganza Las Vegas returns to Las Vegas on Saturday, March 28, bringing a full day of vibrant music, culture, and extraordinary performances to the UNLV Performing Arts Center. From highly competitive student mariachi competitions during the day to a spectacular evening concert finale, the festival showcases the next generation of mariachi talent alongside celebrated professional artists.
The evening concert at 7:30 p.m. inside the Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall will feature Jonathan Palomar, member of the legendary Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, accompanied by UNLV's Mariachi Revolución. Palomar will perform music from his newly released single “Antes de Ti,” along with beloved classics by Vicente Fernández and José Alfredo Jiménez, and contemporary favorites that promise to bring the house down. Tickets are available here.
The star power continues with special guest and UNLV Alumna Cecilia Violetta Lopez, general director and CEO of Opera Las Vegas and an internationally recognized soprano named one of Opera News’ “25 Rising Stars.” Praised by The Washington Post for her “alluring voice and incredible range,” Lopez’s journey from singing mariachi as a child to leading roles on prestigious opera stages has captivated audiences nationwide.
Also appearing on stage will be the first-place winners of the Mariachi Extravaganza Las Vegas Vocal and Group Competitions, where top student performers from across the region compete before distinguished collegiate judges including Cirilo Campos of Texas State University, Greg Cavazos of the University of Texas at Austin and Clyde Guerra from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. These elite young performers earn medals, scholarships, bragging rights, and the unforgettable opportunity to open the evening concert.
The Mariachi Extravaganza Las Vegas is more than a concert — it is a full mariachi music festival featuring highly competitive school-based vocal and group competitions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by the grand finale evening concert at 7:30 p.m.
Back by popular demand, for the second consecutive year, the event celebrates the rich tradition of mariachi music while supporting music education, cultural preservation, and artistic excellence.
About the UNLV College of Fine Arts
The College of Fine Arts educates, empowers, and engages creative people to become visionary change-makers in the arts through acts of imagination. At UNLV we believe the arts are an essential good for society. We make education relevant and accessible through our programs and outreach. We create new knowledge in the arts. We celebrate independent thought and the power of bringing people together to foster creativity.
