East LA Youth Mariachi Festival 2026

The East LA Youth Mariachi Festival returns for its third year on Saturday, November 14, putting young mariachi musicians on an outdoor stage at the East LA Civic Center. It is free to attend, it runs through the day, and it is one of the more welcoming picks among the LA events this weekend for families who want live music without a ticket line.

When: Saturday, November 14, 2026, 10 AM to 4 PM Where: East LA Civic Center, 4801 E 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90022 Price: Free Organizer: The Goddess Mercado Bazaar

What to expect

The festival centers on youth ensembles, students and teens who play the violins, trumpets, guitarrón and vihuela that define mariachi, and who sing the classic rancheras and boleros the genre is known for. The organizers describe the day as a celebration of young mariachi musicians, Mexican culture and the East LA community, so expect the program to feel more like a neighborhood gathering than a formal concert.

The event poster shows performers in the traditional white charro-style jackets on a grassy lawn, framed by marigolds, which fits the season: the festival lands in the days around Día de los Muertos. The host, The Goddess Mercado Bazaar, runs community markets, so a mercado atmosphere with local vendors is a reasonable thing to look for. The listing does not publish a performer schedule, so plan to wander in rather than arrive for one set.

Practical info

The East LA Civic Center sits on 3rd Street in unincorporated East Los Angeles, with a park-like lawn and plenty of room for blankets and folding chairs. Bring sun protection for the daytime hours and a layer for the shade. Because admission is free, the grounds can fill up by midday, so earlier arrivals get the easier parking and the better spots near the stage.

If you are building a plan around upcoming events in Los Angeles, this one pairs well with a meal nearby on Whittier Boulevard or Cesar Chavez Avenue afterward. Check the AllEvents listing for any last-minute changes to timing or lineup before you head out.

Why it is worth the trip

Mariachi is one of the most recognizable sounds of Southern California, and festivals like this one are where the next generation gets its stage. Watching teenagers carry the tradition, with family members cheering from the lawn, is the kind of local culture that rarely shows up on big-venue calendars. For anyone scanning things happening in Los Angeles this month, a free, outdoor, all-ages festival rooted in East LA is an easy yes. Browse more on our festivals category for other community celebrations around the city.