El Puente Festival
An annual Festival that shares performances of multicultural entertainment from all over the Valley,
by professional artists and students of all ages, bridging culture from generations through music and dance.
Enjoy an afternoon of the Valley's most talented youth performers at the 12th Annual El Puente Festival, a free event presented by Cultural Coalition at Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA) on Sunday, April 21, 2024 from 2 to 6 p.m.
Known for its signature community parade across the bridge, or “el puente” in spanish, this festival brings together artists of all ages to highlight the importance of connecting traditional arts and culture practices from one generation to the next. High school mariachi music, elementary school ballet folklórico dances, and free arts activities are just a few of the things attendees will enjoy during this event.
The festival will have a variety of educational and arts activities for youth of all ages, including free books, hands-on crafts, and activities that get excited feet moving to the beat of the live music. Cultural Coalition will activate multiple areas of TCA including theater stages for professional performances, lobby areas for storytelling with puppets, and outdoor areas for food trucks and more!
The Festival is free and open to the public thanks in part to the support of the City of Tempe, NALAC, TCC Gives, Raza Development Fund, Inc. and individual donors.
FREE TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE
Performances inside the Theater and Studio are ticketed
To reserve tickets by telephone or online, contact: 480-350-2822
TCA Box Office Hours:
10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday - Friday. Additionally, open 2 hours prior to the first show of the day through end of intermission for the last show of the day. Days and times are subject to change.
Tempe Center for the Arts
700 West Rio Salado Parkway
Tempe, Arizona 85281
PARKING
Parking Garage is located WEST of Tempe Center for the Arts and north of Rio Salado Parkway at Hardy Drive. Parking will be FREE during El Puente Festival. Bring your parking ticket into the Center for validation.
There is also a dirt lot nearby the parking garage. Parking there is also free and it's a short walk to the TCA. The Cultural Coalition and/or the TCA are not responsible for vehicles/property in this lot.
Reserve Your Tickets Today
Harmony Project Phoenix at 2:15 p.m.
Mariachi Estrella de Cobre at 3:15 p.m.
Ballet Folklórico Quetzallí at 3:30 p.m.
Rosie’s House at 4:15 p.m.
FULL SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCES
Lobby & TCA Entrance:
2:00 p.m. - Welcome by Zarco Guerrero and his CuCuis
4:30 p.m. - Phoenix Mariachi Vive Youth Group
4:45 p.m. & 5:45 p.m. - Coatlicue Danza Mexica
Theater Stage:
3:30 p.m. - The El Puente Show featuring Ballet Folklórico Quetzalli-AZ with live music by Mariachi Continental Azteca
Studio Stage:
2:15 p.m. - Harmony Project Youth Mariachi’s
3:15 p.m. - Mariachi Estrella de Cobre
4:15 p.m. - Rosie’s House Music Academy Young Adult Mariachi’s
Lakeside Room:
2:30 p.m. - Guitar Music by Gustavo Angeles
3:20 p.m. - Storytelling with Violet Duncan
4:00 p.m. - Jackrabbit & Tortoise Puppet Show by Great Arizona Puppet Theater
North Patio:
3:00 p.m. - Hoop Dancing with Cooper Nez
3:30 p.m. - Masked Musical Performance By Zarco & Marshall
Tempe Pedestrian Bridge:
5:30 p.m. - Community Procession Across the Bridge
THANK YOU SPONSORS
BECOME A EL PUENTE SPONSOR
VOLUNTEER AT THE FEST
We have a variety of volunteer opportunities available at this festival. Come lend a helping hand and be part of the celebration.
FESTIVAL QUESTIONS OR ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS?
Contact Ami Rogers, Events Coordinator at festivals(at)culturalcoalition.com or call (480) 819-3452.
INFO BOOTH APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED
Applications for informational and educational resource booths are open until April 1. Applicants will be notified within one week of application close date if they have been accepted. Selling vendors are not eligible to apply this year, informational and educational organizations and businesses only. Alternate forms of application available upon request.
Past Festivals
Online Activities for Children!
El Puente 2021: Bridging Cultures
Cultural Coalition will be celebrating the 9th year of our El Puente Festival, with a live stream of performances pre-recorded at the Tempe Pedestrian Bridge in front of the Tempe Center for the Arts. This year’s festival has been curated to highlight performances by various youth groups including cultural dance troupes and local music ensembles.
The parade crossing of the bridge, el puente, will continue as part of our festival tradition. Led by Zarco Guerrero, and accompanied by many of his sculptural creations, masks, oversized puppets, and most significantly, the Flying Serpent Quetzalcoatl [Ket-zahl-koh-ah-tlh]. Many people are aware that “puente” is the spanish word for bridge, and Cultural Coalition’s desire to create connections through sharing culture is a cornerstone to all we do. But the crossing, and the inclusion of the “feathered serpent” has meaning as well. We spoke with Cultural Coalition Zarco Guererro to learn more about this tradition, and the significance of having Quetzalcoatl as a processional sculpture in the closing parade.