The International Mariachi Student Conference, Showcase, and Competition is a community-friendly event providing live entertainment for families to come together and celebrate San Diego's Mexican heritage through mariachi music, traditional ballet folkloric dancing, and a celebration of arts, culture, and culinary delights. The mariachi program supports today's youth in their artistic, individual and educational development. The Mariachi Conference offers mariachi music instruction and training for 300 students from throughout the United States and Mexico by renowned Mariachi educators and practitioners.

The Mariachi Student Conference and Showcase will take place on March 10-11 at the University of San Diego, Shiley Theatre - Camino Hall. Registration is open to mariachi students. Cost to participate in the 2-day workshop is $65/pp and includes lunch on both days. Workshops capacity is 300 students.

The two day workshop culminates to the Mariachi Festival and Competition on Sunday, March 12, 2017 at Port Tidelands Park. The festival features FREE admission, merchant booths, mariachi and ballet folklorico performances, live entertainment, an interactive children's area, food vendors, arts & crafts, and music demonstrations. Expected attendance is 15,000.