The 2026 edition of the Ensenada Margarita Festival will take place on August 29 at the historic Riviera Social, Civic and Cultural Center, commemorating the 78th anniversary of one of the world’s most celebrated cocktails. The event pays tribute to a beloved tradition that has become deeply woven into the cultural fabric of the city.
Miguel Ángel Badiola Montaño, the state’s Secretary of Tourism, emphasized that the Ensenada Margarita Festival offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with one of the region’s most iconic tourist attractions and take pride in the homegrown creations of Baja California that have gone on to achieve international renown.
“Celebrating the history of the Margarita is also a way of honoring Baja California’s creative spirit. The birth of this cocktail reminds us that our state has been the stage for unforgettable experiences and milestones that have left a lasting imprint on global cuisine and hospitality,” he said.
The official added that continuing this annual tradition helps safeguard Ensenada’s historical legacy while enhancing the region’s experience offerings. He further noted that the concept of “Shared Well-Being” begins with preserving the very landmarks and attractions that have secured Baja California’s prominent place in Mexico’s tourism landscape.
Scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 29, the Ensenada Margarita Festival will unfold in the gardens of Riviera de Ensenada and offer free admission to the public. Attendees can sample a variety of culinary offerings and creative twists on the classic margarita at eight different bars at Bar Andaluz, alongside a special workshop dedicated to mastering the drink’s preparation.
The Ensenada Margarita Festival’s artistic program will feature performances by students from Casa de la Cultura, a tribute to the beloved children’s show 31 Minutos by an ensemble from the Baja California Orchestra, and live sets from Mala Banda, Los Claytons, Souls DJ, DJ Rubio, and the traditional Mariachi de Ensenada, who will perform “Las Mañanitas” in honor of the anniversary. The evening’s headline act will be a performance by Astros de Mendoza.
In addition, the festival will host a lecture on the history of the margarita, the Bar Andaluz mural, and its creator on August 27 at 6:00 PM at Patio Bugambilias. A four-kilometer run, organized in collaboration with the RYP running club, is also scheduled for Friday, August 28.
Bar Andaluz: Cradle of a Global Tradition
Originally inaugurated in 1930 as Hotel Playa Ensenada, the Riviera Social, Civic and Cultural Center rose to prominence as one of the region’s premier resort destinations during the U.S. Prohibition era.
Inside, one can find Bar Andaluz, a space where, according to local folklore, the margarita was first made in August 1948. The cocktail is said to have been created by David Negrete in honor of Marjorie “Margarita” King Plant, who owned the hotel at the time.
To this day, Bar Andaluz retains much of its historic charm and continues to operate as a working bar, drawing visitors who want to immerse themselves in a pivotal chapter of Ensenada’s tourism history and experience firsthand the birthplace of a cocktail that has become a cornerstone of Baja California’s gastronomic identity.
