La Onda Festival 2025 Sees a Second Year of Success in Napa Valley
After a successful debut last year, La Onda Fest returned to Napa Valley for its second edition bigger and better. In a region such as the Bay Area with a strong Latino presence, La Onda fills that void of a much-needed Latino cultural space, offering a festival that speaks directly to the community's heart.
This year’s lineup featured a dynamic mix of legends and rising stars in Latin music, including Carin León, Grupo Firme, Marco Antonio Solís, Xavi, Tito Double P, and Pepe Aguilar, among many others. This curation is a beautiful balance, bridging generations and genres to create a festival where your abuelitas and Gen Z could celebrate together. However, the celebration was not without its challenges. Just one day before the festival kicked off, Grupo Firme, one of the Sunday headliners, announced on Instagram that they would be canceling their performance due to visa issues preventing them from entering the U.S. Their cancellation came following the news of another major disruption—Michelada Fest in Chicago had to cancel entirely due to similar visa complications for international performers. The wave of visa denials is becoming a growing concern among Latin artists with U.S. tour dates.
Still, despite the setback, La Onda Fest 2025 pressed on and delivered a weekend to remember. The festival grounds were top-tier. Booths from major sponsors like Corona, Jack Daniel’s, Don Julio, and Modelo kept the party flowing and the drinks coming. Volunteers walked around handing out free chips and water—a thoughtful and refreshing touch that showed La Onda's commitment to its guests. Instagrammable props like vintage '70s lowriders and Día de los Muertos statues added flavor and flair to the festival’s already colorful vibe. One of the standout features was the return of the Lucha Libre stage, a crowd favorite from last year. Between music sets, fans packed in to cheer on Mexican-style wrestling matches.
It was pure joy—unexpected, fun, and full of energy. The first day featured unforgettable performances from rising stars like Chino Pacas and Xavi, both making waves in the corridos tumbados scene. Their sets were well received, with the crowd enthusiastically singing along. Pepe Aguilar reminded everyone why he’s a living legend, while Banda MS brought the party atmosphere, getting the whole festival dancing. The night closed with Marco Antonio Solís, the former Los Bukis frontman, who delivered a timeless set that united generations. From your 13-year-old cousins to your 50-year-old tías, everyone sang along proving that his music continues to be timeless.
The second day kicked off with a touching moment as Clave Especial invited a fan onstage to perform together, creating an unforgettable memory for both the fan and the crowd. Oscar Maydon and Codiciado, two standout artists from Rancho Humilde, kept the energy high performing all of their hit songs.. Tito Double P, originally scheduled for Saturday, was moved to Sunday to replace Grupo Firme’s time slot and the change paid off.
Tito drew a massive crowd, thanks to his rapid rise in the genre and hit collaborations with heavyweights like Peso Pluma and Junior H. Closing out the weekend, Carin León delivered an electrifying performance. The buzz and excitement before he took the stage were incredible, and his set brought the festival to a perfect close. La Onda Fest 2025 was another success, even in the face of uncertainty. The announcement of 2026 dates via the festival’s Instagram confirmed what fans already felt—La Onda is here to stay. No matter the political climate, the Bay Area now has a Latin music festival that celebrates its roots, champions its culture, and brings generations together under one beat.
Review & Photos by: Josue Cambara
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