Live music for parties in San Antonio, Texas
Published October 15, 2026. Every figure has its source at the end; ZONAS counts are live.
Six in ten people in Bexar County are Hispanic: 60.7%, according to the US Census (July 2025 estimates). San Antonio is a mariachi city: it has its festival on the river and the Mariachi Extravaganza student competition. Here’s how many groups ZONAS has and what they cost.
ZONAS doesn’t sell performances or take a commission: you talk directly with the group, and the deal is between you.
Mariachi Vargas at the Mariachi Extravaganza
The 32nd Mariachi Extravaganza closes on December 5, 2026, with a grand concert at the Lila Cockrell Theatre featuring the competition winners and Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, according to its organizers.
In spring, Fiesta San Antonio’s Ford Mariachi Festival puts hundreds of musicians on barges on the River Walk, with free admission. In 2026 it was on April 22, and it has run for 56 years.
ZONAS still has few San Antonio groups. They’re counted live below, along with all of Texas, which also counts those with no city listed.
How many groups are in San Antonio today
ZONAS has 16 groups and musicians in San Antonio, counted live from the catalog.
And in all of Texas, counting those with no city listed, there are 472:
What it costs
The Bash puts the average cost to hire a mariachi in San Antonio at $353 (accessed October 15, 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
Where can I find a group for a party in San Antonio?
ZONAS has a page for San Antonio groups and another for all of Texas, with their music, social media and direct contact, no commission.
How much does a mariachi cost in San Antonio?
The Bash puts the average at $353 in San Antonio. By the hour, GigSalad puts a professional mariachi in the US at $350 to $650.
When is the Mariachi Extravaganza?
In early December. In 2026 its final concert is on December 5 at the Lila Cockrell Theatre, with Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, according to its organizers.
Sources
- US Census Bureau, QuickFacts: Bexar County, July 1, 2025 estimates, accessed October 15, 2026.
- Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza, “Mariachi Vargas to perform at the 32nd Annual Mariachi Extravaganza!,” July 7, 2026.
- Fiesta San Antonio, “Ford Mariachi Festival,” accessed October 15, 2026.
- The Bash, mariachi bands in San Antonio, accessed October 15, 2026.
- GigSalad, “Mariachi Bands for Hire Near Me,” accessed October 14, 2026.