Mariachi, norteño and banda for hire in Los Angeles: live music for parties
Published October 14, 2026. Every figure has its source at the end; ZONAS counts are live.
Almost half the people in Los Angeles County are Hispanic: 49.3%, according to the US Census. And the city has a whole plaza devoted to mariachi. Here’s how many groups ZONAS has for each genre, what they cost and where to find them.
ZONAS doesn’t sell performances or take a commission: you talk directly with the group, and the deal is between you.
Mariachi Plaza, in Boyle Heights
Since the 1950s, mariachis have gathered at Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights, waiting to be hired: a full band, a trio or a solo singer. As early as the 1930s, that corner was a meeting point for musicians looking for work.
The plaza resembles Mexico City’s Plaza Garibaldi, both in form and in what happens there.
People looking for music in Los Angeles usually mean the whole area, not just the city. That’s why the groups for the whole area, Los Angeles and Orange counties, are listed below too.
How many groups are in Los Angeles today
ZONAS has 396 grupos and musicians in Los Angeles, counted live from the catalog. By genre:
By type of group:
And in the Los Angeles area, which adds the surrounding cities, 586:
What it costs
The Bash puts the average cost to hire a mariachi in Los Angeles at $505 (accessed Oct 13, 2026). It doesn’t say whether that’s per hour or per event, so it’s useful for comparing cities, not as a rate.
As an hourly reference, GigSalad puts a professional mariachi in the US at $350 to $650, depending on the city, the number of musicians and their experience.
For each celebration
- Mariachi for your wedding
- Quinceañera music
- Day of the Dead, December 12, the posadas and the holidays
- Mariachi, norteño, banda or sierreño: which one fits your party
- How not to lose your deposit
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mariachi cost in Los Angeles?
The Bash puts the average cost to hire a mariachi in Los Angeles at $505. By the hour, GigSalad puts a professional mariachi in the US at $350 to $650.
Where can I find a norteño band for a party in Los Angeles?
ZONAS has a page for norteño groups in Los Angeles and another for the whole LA area, with their music, social media and direct contact, no commission.
What is Mariachi Plaza?
A plaza in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, where mariachis have waited to be hired since the 1950s. It resembles Mexico City’s Plaza Garibaldi.