A quinceañera is no ordinary birthday party. Celebrated in many Latin American countries and communities, the quinceañera (or 15th) birthday is a special coming of age celebration for girls. Think of it as a Sweet Sixteen crossed with a Bat Mitzvah crossed with a Debutante Ball, with a lot of fiesta thrown in!
The event is celebrated differently depending on the culture, but all quinceañeras (also known as quinces) mark a transition for the girl between childhood and adulthood. In some cultures, girls are not supposed to dance in public until their 15th party, so you can imagine that music and dancing play a huge role in the event.
Mariachis and other traditional Latin music groups are obviously popular choices for entertainment, but so are Latin DJs, or pop DJs who can play songs that appeal to all the girl of honor. Because these parties are multi-generational family affairs that can last until the morning hours, having several different types of entertainment at different times can keep everyone happy. Magicians and Karaoke are both entertainment types that appeal to different audiences on different levels. Many cultures feature a "hora loca" or "crazy hour" with entertainment and masks as part of the event, and finding a DJ or band leader who understands this tradition is a must.
For more information and ideas about quinceañeras, check out our quinceañera event page. Have you been to a quinceañera? What was the entertainment like?
