Feb. 27 - Mar. 1 , 2025
Gates Open 1pm Th./ 11am Fri./ 7am Sat. - first 3 hours free
Washington Park 700 E. Madison St. Brownsville, TX 78520
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS AN OUTDOOR STANDING ROOM ONLY EVENT, THERE ARE NO RESERVED SEATS.
ALL TICKETS ARE GENERAL ADMISSION. ANY SEAT OR ROW NUMBERS ON TICKETS ARE FOR INVENTORY PURPOSES ONLY.
Children 12 and under admitted free with an adult.
SOMBRERO FESTIVAL DATES & TIMES
1pm-12am
THURS. FEB. 27
11am-12am
FRI. FEB. 28
SAT. MAR. 1
7am-12am
FAQs
CHARRO DAYS CLASSIC 5K/1M RACE
Sign up for the race here. Packet pickup will be announced.
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PARADE SCHEDULE
Parades are coordinated by Charro Days, Inc. Please see their website for more information.
CARNIVAL TICKETS (ITEC/AMIGOLAND MALL AREA)
The carnival by ITEC/Amigoland Mall is coordinated by Charro Days, Inc. Please contact Charro Days, Inc. with any questions related to the carnival.
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WHO IS MR. AMIGO
All items related to Mr. Amigo and the Bridge Ceremony are coordinated through the Mr. Amigo Association. Please see their website for more information.
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WHERE CAN I SEE MR. AMIGO
See the Mr. Amigo Association website for information about functions and events where Mr. Amigo may be appearing and how to obtain tickets.
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BRIDGE CEREMONY
The bridge ceremony is coordinated by the Mr. Amigo Association and the City of Brownsville. Please contact the Mr. Amigo Association for any questions related to the bridge ceremony.
ADA ACCESSIBILITY AT SOMBRERO FESTIVAL
Accessibility for all patrons is a high priority for Sombrero Festival.
BATHROOMS - We always include handicapped and wheelchair accessible bathrooms in all of our bathroom areas (Madison St., Adams St. @ 8th, 7th St. @ Adams).
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PARKING & ADA Accessible parking - Given that there are no parking lots dedicated to Washington Park, there are no spaces included with the rental of Washington Park to make available for the public. Sombrero Festival, Ltd. owns a lot at the corner of 8th & Monroe St. which we designate for handicapped parking.
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CONCERT ADA Accessibility - For the main stage, Sombrero Festival sets up barricades in front of the stage to allow for dedicated space for wheelchair bound patrons and a guest to see the show.
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ATMs - Sombrero Festival partners with South Texas Vending for on-site ATM machines which are low profile and fully accessible for our wheelchair bound patrons. These are placed throughout the park near ticket booths for convenience. There will be an ATM on-site beginning on Tuesday for pre-sale tickets.
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PARK GROUNDS ADA COMPLIANCE - If you have concerns about accessibility issues related to Washington Park, please contact us at info@sombrerofestival.com. Given that the park is the property of the City of Brownsville, some concerns may be outside the purview of Sombrero Festival, Ltd., but we will happily take them to the city and work together to address them so that your experience at Washington Park every day of the year is a pleasant one.
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VIP AT SOMBRERO FESTIVAL
VIP passes/wristbands can be obtained through VIP Membership (8 passes ea. day for $2,000), singles ($125 per person per day, single-day tickets only, no 3-day passes) or by becoming a corporate sponsor. VIP Passes at the VIP Membership & single level includes admission into the park, VIP privileges under the Big Tent (cookoff location) including VIP bathrooms, soda/water booths, Cantina 1, Cantina 2, and the Craft Beer & Wine Tent. VIP Beverage service is restricted to 1 beverage being served at a time to a VIP for their personal consumption. VIP PASSES DO NOT INCLUDE ACCESS TO THE VIP PLATFORM BY THE MAIN STAGE. VIP DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY INTERACTION WITH BANDS PERFORMING OR ANY BACKSTAGE PRIVILEGES. BAND MUST BE WORN SECURELY, VIP BENEFITS ARE FOR BAND WEARER AND ARE NOT TRANSFERRABLE. BANDS BEING WORN TOO LOOSELY ARE SUBJECT TO BEING REMOVED/REPLACED AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF SOMBRERO FESTIVAL, LTD. ANY ABUSE OF PRIVILEGES (PASSING BANDS/PASSING DRINKS, ETC.) WILL RESULT IN FORFEITURE OF THE VIP BAND AND VIP PRIVILEGES. VIP BANDS ARE THE PROPERTY OF SOMBRERO FESTIVAL, LTD.
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See our FORMS page for the VIP Membership Form and VIP TERMS & CONDITIONS.
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VIP STAGE - PLATFORM BY THE MAIN STAGE
The elevated VIP tent by the main stage is not accessible to all Sombrero Festival VIP wristband holders. You must have a VIP STAGE wristband in order to gain admission to this area. This is normally reserved for Corporate Sponsors or Donors starting at the $5,000 level. VIP STAGE wristbands are not available as part of any membership or for purchase by the general public, these are only available through Sombrero Festival Corporate Marketing. VIP STAGE wristbands include admission into the park, VIP privileges at the VIP STAGE (MAIN STAGE) including VIP bathrooms, under the Big Tent (cook-off location) including VIP bathrooms, soda/water booths, Cantina 1, Cantina 2, and the Craft Beer & Wine Tent. VIP Beverage service is restricted to 1 beverage being served at a time to a VIP for their personal consumption. VIP DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY INTERACTION WITH BANDS PERFORMING OR ANY BACKSTAGE PRIVILEGES. BAND MUST BE WORN SECURELY, VIP BENEFITS ARE FOR BAND WEARER AND ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE. BANDS BEING WORN TOO LOOSELY ARE SUBJECT TO BEING REMOVED/REPLACED AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF SOMBRERO FESTIVAL, LTD. ANY ABUSE OF PRIVILEGES (PASSING BANDS/PASSING DRINKS, ETC.) WILL RESULT IN FORFEITURE OF THE VIP BAND AND VIP PRIVILEGES. VIP BANDS ARE THE PROPERTY OF SOMBRERO FESTIVAL, LTD.
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See our FORMS page for VIP TERMS & CONDITIONS.
PARKING
Sombrero Festival is located in Washington Park. This is a park with no parking lot. Parking is available on all open city streets as it is any other day of the year. Some business and private property owners setup parking lots where patrons can pay to park. Sombrero Festival has no information or affiliation with any of these operations.
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PETS & SERVICE ANIMALS
Pets are allowed at Sombrero Festival, and are required to be under the control of the owner at all times. Bringing pets to Sombrero Festival is discouraged later in the day and at night, as the number of patrons does not make for a pet-friendly environment. Service animals are allowed at all times.
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TICKETING
PRE-SALE Sombrero Festival Tickets can be purchased online (convenience fees apply), and at the park on Tuesday and Wednesday during Charro Days from 6pm - 9pm. (DISCOUNTED PRE-SALE TICKET PRICES ARE SOLD ONLY AT THE PARK ON TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY VS. THE REGULAR PRICE OF $15 GENERAL ADMISSION PRICES WHICH WILL BE CHARGED AT THE GATE ON THE DAYS OF THE FESTIVAL AND FOR ONLINE PURCHASES.)
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CHILDREN - Children 12 and under are admitted free with an adult at all times.
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GENERAL ADMISSION at the park - at the park tickets are sold on a CASH ONLY basis at the main gates. Gate 1 is at the corner of E. Adams St. & E. 7th St. and Gate 2 is at the corner of E. Madison St. & E. 7th St. ATM machines are on-site if needed.
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If you become a member of Sombrero Festival, members receive their admission wristbands in advance of the festival. See Membership Forms for details on our FORMS page.
WRISTBANDS, ENTRY & RE-ENTRY TO PARK
Sombrero Festival offers free admission the first 3 hours each day. Patrons coming in during the free times are welcome to stay all day, even after the free times have ended. Patrons who pay for admission will be issued a wristband which must be worn to gain admission to the park after the free admission time has ended. The wristband must be worn in the way intended by the manufacturer, using the wristband adhesive, must be worn so that it is not so loose that it can be easily slipped off of your hand. If you leave the park, your wristband will get you back in on that same day the wristband is for. IMPORTANT: THE WRISTBAND MUST BE IN GOOD CONDITION TO BE ADMITTED, NO SIGNS OF TEARING, TAMPERING, ETC. A WRISTBAND IN GOOD CONDITION IS YOUR PROOF OF PURCHASE. SOMBRERO FESTIVAL RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ENTRY/RE-ENTRY TO ANYONE PRESENTING A WRISTBAND WHICH APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN TAMPERED WITH, WHICH IS NOT ATTACHED AS DESIGNED, WHICH IS BEING WORN TOO LOOSELY, OR WHICH APPEARS TO BE COUNTERFEIT.
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ENTRY, SECURITY & SEARCHES
Anyone seeking entry to Sombrero Festival whether during free times or during paid admission times is subject to being searched by Sombrero Festival Security Staff. This includes a search of your person and any property you have with you, e.g. purses, diaper bags, fanny packs, backpacks, tote bags, etc.
PATRONS INTENDING TO BRING ANY TYPE OF BAG WITH THEM ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO USE A CLEAR PLASTIC BAG OR A SEE-THROUGH BAG TO AID IN EXPEDITING THE SEARCH PROCESS.
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IF YOU REFUSE TO BE SEARCHED, YOU MAY BE DENIED ENTRY TO SOMBRERO FESTIVAL AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF SOMBRERO FESTIVAL STAFF.
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THESE PROCESSES ARE IN PLACE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THOSE ATTENDING SOMBRERO FESTIVAL EACH YEAR, AND ARE PLANNED IN COORDINATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.
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LOST & FOUND
Sombrero Festival Security handles lost & found items. A Security booth can be found on the 8th st. side of the park beside Cantina II. Food vendor & beverage booths face the park grounds, Security is the only booth on 8th St. which is set further back and faces 8th St. It is located behind the park electrical panel on 8th St. nearest the intersection of 8th & Adams St. After the festival you can contact Valley Wide Security in inquire about lost & found items at: 956-544-4726.
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SHUTTLE SERVICE
There is no shuttle service associated specifically with Sombrero Festival, however, Brownsville Metro has routes which will bring you to downtown from most points in the city. Some routes may require a transfer. Additionally, some local hotels offer shuttle service to guests at their properties to and from Sombrero Festival. We are very proud to have the Marriott Courtyard as a partner hotel property in Brownsville which offers free shuttle service to guests at their property.
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Patrons who intend to consume adult beverages at the event are encouraged to have a designated driver, or to take advantage or taxis or ride sharing services. None of these services are affiliated with Sombrero Festival, Ltd.
ATMS
Vendors at Sombrero Festival are free to accept cash or electronic forms of payment, at the sole discretion of each individual vendor. Sombrero Festival sells tickets for beverages on a CASH-ONLY basis at ticket booths placed throughout the park. For your convenience, we place ATM machines in close proximity to each of these ticket booths. They are free-standing low profile units, to ensure accessibility.
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BATHROOMS
Washington Park has no dedicated bathroom facilities so Sombrero Festival brings in portable bathroom units, including handicapped and wheelchair accessible units. Bathrooms available for use by the public can be found along 8th St. and near the corner of E. Adams & E. 7th St. The units are serviced daily.
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VENDORS & GAME OPERATORS
Anyone wishing to become a vendor or game operator at Sombrero Festival must submit an application for consideration. We allow very limited vendor opportunities for non-food items, and all are considered on a case-by-case basis. If you are looking to sell non-food items you should be prepared to send pictures of the merchandise and your setup for consideration by Sombrero Festival, Ltd.
Sombrero Festival works to ensure a variety of food options, and optimum placement of games, rides, and food booths based on the needs of the festival. Placement of any food booth, game, or ride is at the sole discretion of Sombrero Festival, Ltd.
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See our FORMS page for the latest Vendor Application
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SEATING
There is one set of bleachers brought in for Sombrero Festival and a very limited number of chairs available under the big tent and around Cantina I during the day at Sombrero Festival. There is no assigned or reserved seating for shows, and Sombrero Festival regularly relocates and/or removes chairs prior to headliner performances and at peak times. Patrons are allowed to bring folding chairs with them. Please know most performances, especially on the main stage normally have a standing audience, so visibility will be limited when seated.
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WEATHER
Sombrero Festival is a Rain or Shine event. In the event of inclement weather the show will go on. There are no refunds for admission or tickets due to inclement weather.
If ever there is a severe weather situation, Sombrero Festival reserves the right to make adjustments to the schedule as needed to ensure the safety of patrons, volunteers and performers.
BEVERAGES & ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
All beverages sold by Sombrero Festival operated booths only accept tickets. Very few food vendors are allowed to sell beverages for cash.
All servers of alcoholic beverages at Sombrero Festival are TABC certified. Patrons wishing to consume alcoholic beverages should be prepared to show a valid photo id verifying that you are of legal age to purchase alcohol in Texas. Minors will not be served alcoholic beverages. All Servers are authorized to refuse service to any patron who does not have valid proof of legal age and/or to any patron who appears to be intoxicated. The decision to refuse service is at the sole discretion of each TABC certified server in accordance with state law.
AREA ATTRACTIONS, HOTELS, & TRAVEL OPTIONS
For more information about Brownsville, TX, area attractions, hotel and airport information, please see the Brownsville Convention & Visitors Bureau website at www.brownsville.org
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We are proud to have the Marriott Courtyard and the Residence Inn by Marriott as hotel partners of Sombrero Festival. These properties offer free shuttle service to and from Sombrero Festival for hotel guests.
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OTHER QUESTIONS
Please send any additional questions to: info@sombrerofestival.com