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At San Diego Theatres, we strive to offer live entertainment experiences as diverse as the vibrant community we serve. Both Balboa Theatre and San Diego Civic Theatre have hosted world-class Spanish-language performances for decades. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor our city, our community, and our own past by showcasing Hispanic, Chicano, and Latino artists on our stage.

“El Teatro Balboa”

The Balboa Theatre, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, has a particularly significant connection to Hispanic culture. Built in 1924 in an ornate Spanish Colonial Revival style, the theatre initially opened its doors as a vaudeville and silent movie house. In the 1930s, the theatre underwent a transformation, becoming Teatro Balboa, hosting Spanish-language films and plays for the local Hispanic community, as pictured to the right.

Coming Soon to Balboa Theatre

This fall, we’re thrilled to spotlight performances that reflect the multifaceted spirit of Hispanic, Chicano, and Latino culture, including musicians, comedians, and more. These shows celebrate the rhythms, stories, and voices of the community, creating a bridge between historical and contemporary culture.

Culture Clash – November 3

Comedy. Chaos. Community. These are the words that best sum up Culture Clash, a performance troupe made up of 3 California natives that’s running 40 years strong! Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza pull from their Chicano backgrounds and a full spectrum of current events to create their own unique brand of satire. “Their comedy can be rude, crude, witty, refined, pointed and highbrow, often within the same sketch,” according to the San Jose Mercury News.

November 3 marks the group’s first performance in San Diego in nearly 15 years, and its first ever at Balboa Theatre! “Culture Clash’s 40th Anniversary Desmadre” (that’s Spanish for chaos!) is an all-new show in honor of 40 years of comedy that will serve up an explosive cocktail of humor and satirical outrage. They will be joined by longtime friend and collaborator Kirk Ward and the hilarious standup comedian, writer, creator, podcast producer, and voice actress Mala Muñoz. Pianist Michael Roth will accompany Culture Clash throughout the evening.

San Diego Theatres is proud to present Culture Clash and bring them back to America’s finest city!

Mariachi Sol de Mexico – December 10

The beloved holiday tradition returns! 2024 marks San Diego Theatres’ 8^th year bringing these “Ambassadors of Mariachi” to our city. It has been a joy to host crowds of merry revelers for a holiday fiesta featuring songs from both sides of the border, year after year. The upbeat and family-friendly Merry-achi Christmas show will take place on December 10.

Mariachi Sol de Mexico is led by José Hernández, a master of mariachi music, Grammy Award winner, and world-renowned musician, composer, and educator. He is a seventh-generation mariachi whose family has played music professionally since the 1700s, when Mexico was New Spain. José’s daughter Crystal is following the family tradition, joining her father’s all-female mariachi ensemble Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles. Mariachi Sol de Mexico has performed for five US presidents, and in venues across the world from New York City, to China, to Prague. They’ve collaborated with The Beach Boys, Willie Nelson, Linda Rondstadt, and more, all as part of their quest to bring the best mariachi music to those around the world.

We are honored to have them back on the Balboa Theatre stage for another festive evening!

Aida Cuevas – October 13

The “Queen of Ranchera Music” Aida Cuevas will celebrate the life and legacy of Juan Gabriel, Mexico’s bestselling artist in history, with a special set list composed of her legendary friend’s greatest hits. Fans of both artists can hear Aida’s interpretations of “Te Lo Pido Por Favor,” “Te Sigo Amando,” and “La Diferencia,” among others. Six-time GRAMMY® nominee Juan Gabriel passed away in August 2016, having sold over 100 million albums worldwide. He was inducted into the Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame in 1996 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009. La Jolla Music Society brings this celebratory mariachi spectacle to Balboa Theatre on October 13.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse in Concert – October 22-24

Miles Morales, the new iteration of Spider-Man featured in Marvel’s Spider-verse movies, goes through the typical teenage struggles, like falling for a girl, trying to succeed at school, and make his parents proud, all while saving our world and a few others! The first film in the Spider-verse series, Into the Spider-verse, took the world by storm in 2018. This special event will feature the sequel film, 2023’s Across the Spider-verse, accompanied by a live orchestra that includes a DJ turntable to bring the film’s hip hop-infused score to life, all courtesy of Broadway San Diego. In both Spider-verse films, you’ll hear Miles speak Spanish with his Puerto Rican mother as she encourages him to follow his dreams, even if she doesn’t know he’s saving multiple dimensions from super-villains!

La India Yuridia – November 14

Standup comedian La India Yuridia will make her return to Balboa Theatre courtesy of LJ Productions! This “defender of women” has gone viral on social media, reaching over 9.6 million people through comical videos, often made with her husband Rigoberto. She is originally from Zacatecas in central Mexico, but now she travels the world performing standup comedy, sharing funny anecdotes from her everyday life. She describes herself as a “video creator, mother, businesswoman, fighter, dreamer, and warrior.”

Encanto Sing-Along Film – November 17

This award-winning 2021 Disney film tells the story of the Madrigal family, a multigenerational cast of characters living in rural Colombia. Elements of Colombian culture, like arepas con queso and the traditional skirts of the Vélez region, are woven into the film’s story of family unity. Songs from Encanto’s soundtrack, composed by the renowned Lin-Manuel Miranda, topped the Billboard charts, and you can hear them live at this special event, presented by La Jolla Music Society.

Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernandez – March 23, 2025

“Long before ‘Riverdance,’ Amalia Hernandez understood the power of rhythmic thunder. Before ‘The Lion King,’ she saw the magic of dancers who could “become” animals or giant puppets. When her 50-year-old institution, Ballet Folklorico de Mexico, whirled through Galveston’s 1894 Grand Opera House on Saturday, the audience was ready to shout ‘Viva Mexico!’ well before the cast did.” — Molly Glentzer, Houston Chronicle

Ballet Folklórico de México founder Amalia Hernández featured the beauty of her culture by sharing the traditional dances of Mexico with a global audience. Now, over 70 years later, Hernández' artistic legacy continues to flourish in these exquisite works featuring great technical difficulty, elaborate costumes, and world-class dancers. This incredibly talented is in town for one night only, courtesy of La Jolla Music Society.

Embracing Diversity Through Entertainment

San Diego Theatres is committed to curating a diverse array of performances that represent and celebrate our community's various of cultures. From operas and Broadway shows to cultural performances and comedy acts, our theaters are a space where all voices are heard and celebrated. We believe that the arts can unite people, inspire creativity, and foster understanding, and this philosophy drives everything we do.

This year, as we reflect on the Balboa Theatre’s historic connection to the Hispanic community, we invite you to join us for any of the exciting events happening during Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond at the Balboa Theatre and San Diego Civic Theatre. Whether you're looking for a high-energy concert, a comedy show, or a memorable outing with your family, San Diego Theatres promises bold variety, big fun, and unforgettable experiences.