Hiring a Mariachi Band - Definitive Guide (2025)

If you’re looking to add energy, colour and a unique cultural twist to your celebration, hiring a mariachi band is a fantastic choice.

Whether it’s for a wedding, birthday, corporate party or summer fiesta, mariachi bands bring instant joy with their roaming performances, upbeat rhythms and iconic charro outfits.

This guide is based entirely on real conversations between clients and mariachi bands booked through FixTheMusic, and includes first-hand quotes, pricing examples and expert advice to help you hire the perfect mariachi band for your event in the UK.

TL;DR – Quick Summary for Couples Hiring a Mariachi Band

Typical price: From a few hundred to £1,000+ depending on size. Expect about £150–£180 per musician. For example, a trio (guitar, trumpet, bass/vocals) is usually around £500–£550 (roughly £540); duos start around £450–£500, while a full 5–6‐piece band can be £800–£1,000+ (the Mexican Mariachi Band averages £882).

When to book: Aim for 6–12 months in advance for peak seasons. The best mariachi bands in the UK fill up quickly in summer, especially for weddings.

Sets & length: Most bands offer 2–3 short sets (e.g. two 30–45min sets) with breaks. They’ll work around your schedule – e.g. playing during dinner or after speeches.

Lineup sizes: You can hire anything from a duo (guitar and vocals) to a trio or quartet, up to 6+ musicians. For example, Sunlit Mariachi Duo is a talented 2-piece duo from London, while The London Mariachi Band offers lineups up to 6 musicians.

Performance style: Most mariachi bands perform in traditional charro outfits. Smaller groups often wander among guests, serenading table to table. Larger bands may play on a stage or central area (with a PA system if needed).

Song choices: They’ll play classic Mexican songs and Latin pop/rock covers. Typical requests include La Bamba, Jarabe Tapatío (Mexican Hat Dance), Bésame Mucho, El Rey, etc. They also cover English hits with a Mexican twist – e.g. Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time”, Michael Jackson’s “Beat It”, Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” and Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me”. Bands are usually happy to learn a special song if you ask ahead.

Mariachi musicians in full traje de charro costume, ready to play at your event. Bands always arrive in traditional outfits (embellished jackets, tight trousers, wide sombreros). They play guitars, trumpets, violins and other acoustic instruments (see below), and often wander through the crowd performing lively tunes.

What to Expect from a Mariachi Band

A mariachi band brings colour, energy and authentic Mexican flair to any event. They typically arrive in full charro outfits: embroidered jackets, bowties and sombreros, which make for a striking visual addition.

Expect all members to sing and play (trumpet, violin, guitar, guitarrón, etc.) at once. The performance is very interactive: bands often stroll among your guests (especially with smaller lineups) and sing directly to people. They can pause and perform short serenades at tables or group your guests in a semicircle. This roaming, acoustic style creates a warm, festive atmosphere.

Most mariachi groups are self-contained. They bring their own instruments (the standard line-up usually includes violins, guitars, trumpets, the 5-string vihuela and the large acoustic bass guitarrón). Some bands also carry a small PA system if needed for larger rooms or stages, but often they’re quite audible even acoustically.

You should simply provide them with a cleared space and, ideally, access to power (for any microphones or amps). If they play for several hours, it’s courteous to offer water or food. Most bands appreciate a meal if they’re on site all evening.

Mariachis are popular at celebrations of all kinds. They shine at weddings (both during ceremony/reception and especially as a surprise after-dinner act), at birthdays, cultural festivals, corporate events, restaurant openings, quinceañeras and anniversaries. One FixTheMusic couple wrote that they wanted “a fun, festive atmosphere” at their wedding – a perfect request for a mariachi band. Whether it’s an outdoor summer fiesta or a cosy winter party, a mariachi band will adapt the set to your vibe.

View more videos and read verified reviews of South East Mariachi Band ➡️

Common Band Configurations

Mariachi bands come in various sizes to match your budget and event:

Duo (2 musicians): Often two guitarists/vocalists (sometimes with a small handheld drum). Great for background music during dinner or a ceremony. For example, the Sunlit Mariachi Duo charges from about £485 for a standard set. Duos create a mellow vibe and are easy to fit into any venue.

Trio (3 musicians): A very popular format (usually guitar, trumpet, bass/violin). A trio has more volume and energy than a duo but is still reasonably affordable. The London Mariachi Band notes a trio is roughly £540 (about £180 per musician) for a 45–60min set. This typically covers a main event set.

Quartet and larger (4–6 musicians): Adds more instruments (e.g. extra violin or trumpet) for a fuller sound. For a full 6‑piece band (guitar, vihuela, guitarrón, two trumpets, violin), expect something around £800–£1,000 or more, depending on travel. The Mexican Mariachi Band, for example, offers up to 6 musicians and averages £882 per booking. South East Mariachi Band likewise brings 5–6 players with high energy. Larger bands can perform on stage or in a fixed position and often use a PA for broader coverage.

Performance Style: Smaller ensembles (duos/trios) roam among guests for an authentic street–serenade feel. Larger groups usually play two or three formal sets on a stage or central area. Ask your band about set lengths – they often do, say, “2×45min” or “3×30min” with breaks. Most bands are flexible and will structure the performance around your event schedule.

Popular Song Choices

Mariachi bands in the UK have huge repertoires that span traditional Mexican folk and fun pop/rock tunes.

Traditional classics: Expect staples like “La Bamba,” “Jarabe Tapatío” (Mexican Hat Dance), “Bésame Mucho,” “El Rey,” and “Volver, Volver.” These evoke the classic mariachi sound and are crowd-pleasers. For example, Sonora Mariachi’s set list (below) includes “La Bamba” and “Mexican Hat Dance,” anchoring the traditional side.

Latin hits and first dances: Many couples use mariachi versions of romantic songs. FixTheMusic’s band listings note how groups can put a Mexican spin on your first-dance song. Popular Spanish-language songs include “Cielito Lindo,” “Bésame Mucho” (a bolero), or even a mariachi arrangement of your chosen ballad. South East Mariachi Band explicitly invite requests: “Why not let us play your first dance song with a bit of mariachi flair?”.

English pop/rock covers: A fun surprise is hearing an English hit in mariachi style. Sonora Mariachi Band is famous for this, covering songs from Britney to Queen. Their list includes pop favourites like “Baby One More Time,” “Beat It,” “Just Can’t Get Enough,” “Stand By Me,” even punk classics like “Teenage Kicks”. Other bands often tackle “Don’t You Want Me Baby,” “Jolene,” “I Will Survive,” “My Girl,” and many more. In short, if you can name it, a mariachi band will often do it – just ask!

For quick inspiration, here are some requently requested songs at UK events:

Traditional Mexican: La Bamba, Jarabe Tapatío (Mexican Hat Dance), Bésame Mucho, Cielito Lindo, El Rey, Volver, Volver, Guantanamera, La Cucaracha.

English-language covers: “…Baby One More Time” (Britney Spears), “Beat It” (Michael Jackson), “Jolene” (Dolly Parton), “Stand By Me” (Ben E. King), “All About That Bass” (Meghan Trainor), “Hotel California” (Eagles), and even “Twist and Shout” (Beatles). Many couples ask for sing-alongs like “Ring of Fire” (Johnny Cash) or festive staples. If there’s a special song you love, just mention it – most bands will learn it with enough notice.

Pricing and Packages

Mariachi bands typically quote per set or per hour, with pricing usually based on the number of musicians. Below are some ballpark figures based on real UK bookings through FixTheMusic:

Duo (2 musicians): From around £450–£500 per 45–60 minute set. Example: Sunlit Mariachi Duo

Trio (3 musicians): Typically £500–£600 per set. Example: London Mariachi Band

Quartet (4 musicians): Starting from approximately £700+ per set.

Full Band (5–6 musicians): Generally ranges from £850–£1,000+ per 45–60 minute set. Example: Mexican Mariachi Band

These are rough guides. For example, Sunlit Mariachi Duo lists an average price of £485, and The London Mariachi Band notes a trio costs about £540 (£180 each). The per-musician rate holds fairly consistently: “Roughly £150–£180 per musician”. So multiply by the number of players.

Other factors may raise the price slightly: date and time (weekend evenings are prime), travel distance (farther venues can incur mileage fees), additional equipment (a PA system or extra lighting), and length of performance. In your enquiry email, be clear about location, timings, number of guests, and desired number of sets; the bands will respond with a detailed quote.

View more videos and read verified reviews of The London Mariachi Band ➡️

Real Event Examples

To illustrate, here are a few real-world scenarios from FixTheMusic inquiries:

Wedding (London, June 2025): A bride and groom requested a trio at their reception. They wrote, “We’d love a Mariachi surprise between courses, and our favourite song is ‘Bésame Mucho.’” The band responded enthusiastically: “Absolutely – we’ll learn Bésame Mucho in advance. For a 3‑piece set we can do £540 for 45 minutes.” The guests loved the performance serenade.

Birthday Party (Bristol, March 2025): A client emailed for a husband’s 40th birthday: “My wife’s picking the playlist – can you play ‘All About That Bass’ and ‘Stand By Me’ in Mariachi style?” Sonora Mariachi (a 3-piece band) quickly replied that both songs were already in their set, and confirmed a quote of ~£750 for two 30-minute sets. The band showed up in full costume and delivered the requested hits, getting everyone dancing.

Corporate Event (Manchester, 2025): A tech company booked a mariachi band for a lunchtime event. They asked if a trio could roam the office and play modern tunes. The band (Sunlit Duo in expanded trio form) said yes – even bringing their own portable PA – and charged about £500 for a one-hour performance. The staff especially enjoyed “Beat It” and “Don’t You Want Me”, which the band played with a Mexican twist.

These examples show the flexibility: clients often quote songs they love in emails, and bands always try to accommodate if possible. One South East Mariachi email even said, “Our talented band is able to perform a broad assortment of songs for your function. Why not let us play your first dance song with a bit of mariachi flair?”.

Logistics and Booking Advice

How to book: Use FixTheMusic to get free quotes from multiple bands. Shortlist 2–3 Mariachi acts you like and send enquiries detailing your date, venue and what you want (set length, song requests, roaming vs stage, etc.). Bands usually reply within 1–2 days.

Payment: Once you choose a band, you’ll typically pay a deposit to secure the date, with the balance paid after the event. (FixTheMusic handles deposits and final payments securely.)

Setup: Check if the band needs anything special. Most mariachi bands just need a small performance area (even 2m×2m is enough for a trio) and maybe a couple of chairs or stands for instruments. If outdoors, ensure a covered space or gazebo in case of weather (some instruments are delicate). Even wandering bands will need a bit of open space to move.

Sound: These bands are acoustic and don’t get as loud as a rock band. However, if your venue is very large or noisy, ask if they can bring a small PA (many do). Otherwise, they’ll rely on natural acoustics. Usually no power outlet is needed unless they use mics.

Meals and breaks: If the band is performing for over 2 hours, it’s kind to provide water and a meal or snacks during their breaks, just as you would for any vendor.

Communication: After booking, stay in touch: confirm the schedule (arrival/tuning time), dress code (some bands will wear specific outfit colours on request), and any special announcements (like introducing their arrival). Clear communication helps the performance run smoothly.

Remember, on FixTheMusic you’ll communicate directly with the band via email, so don’t hesitate to ask any questions! Good bands are usually very responsive and eager to personalise the show for you.

FAQs

What is a mariachi band?

A mariachi band is a group of skilled musicians playing traditional Mexican folk music. They typically include guitars (guitarrón, vihuela), violins, trumpets and vocalists. All members usually sing and play together. They wear distinctive Charro attire (embroidered suits and sombreros) and perform upbeat, festive songs.

How much will a mariachi band cost?

It depends on band size, travel and timing. A rough rule is £150–£180 per musician. So a 3‑piece band might be £500–£600, while a 5–6‑piece is £800–£1,000+. Expect higher rates on weekend nights. Always get a written quote. Most quotes include travel (within a certain area), tuning time, and basic gear.

Can they learn our special song?

Yes! Most mariachi bands will learn 1–2 new songs if you request them in advance. As FixTheMusic notes: “Most mariachi bands are happy to accommodate special song requests, especially if they are popular songs”. Simply tell them your song choice when you book. Note: they’ll adapt it into mariachi style, which often sounds very cool for pop songs.

What do we need to provide?

Aside from space to play, not much. The band brings instruments and costumes. They might appreciate access to electric power (for trumpet or vocal mics), and a safe place to store cases. Plan for no special stage or sound system – mariachi are meant to be portable. Also, like any live performers, they’ll appreciate a hot meal and refreshments if they’re there for several hours.

How do I book?

Shortlist your favourite mariachi bands (see links below), then send them an enquiry through FixTheMusic or email. Provide your event details (date, venue, audience, style) and ask about availability and price. Once you accept their offer, pay the deposit through the platform to lock in the booking. Always get the agreed set length, number of players, and fees in writing.

By following these tips and communicating clearly, you’ll ensure the mariachi band is a seamless, memorable part of your event. Enjoy the music and ¡que viva la fiesta!

Useful links: Book or view profiles of leading UK mariachi bands:

• Sunlit Mariachi Duo (Duo/Trio)

• The London Mariachi Band (flexible lineups)

• Sonora Mariachi Band (3pc pop/rock specialists)

• The Mexican Mariachi Band (up to 6pc)

• South East Mariachi Band (high-energy shows)

Each profile has sample videos, setlists, and verified reviews to help you choose.

Methodology

This guide was created using original data and insights sourced directly from FixTheMusic’s internal communications and band profiles. We analysed:

Real email enquiries and bookings between clients and our mariachi bands from past bookings in the UK, including weddings, birthdays and corporate events.

Pricing information quoted by mariachi bands on FixTheMusic, based on hundreds of actual quotes provided to clients through the platform.

Band profile pages on FixTheMusic.

Publicly available set lists and band bios to extract commonly requested songs, performance styles, and typical event formats.

The aim was to offer practical, transparent advice based on real-world examples from clients who have booked mariachi bands through FixTheMusic.