BAJA BEACH FEST 2025

Baja Beach Fest is easily the biggest and most anticipated Latin festival of the year. As years go by, the festival only gets bigger acts and gains more fans to join them in Rosarito to watch their favorite Latin artists on Latin music’s biggest stage. This year, I was fortunate enough to once again be part of Latin music history as I covered all three nights of what was personally one of the best lineups Baja Beach Fest has had yet. Not only did this year’s lineup have a lot of the biggest up-and-coming artists in Latin music, but it also had the biggest legends and modern-day superstars. The three headliners this year were Reggaeton legend J Balvin, Reggaeton and Dembow majesty Don Omar, and Mexican superstar Natanael Cano. But apart from the headliners, artists such as Maluma, Wisin, Young Miko, Arcangel, Myke Towers, and even Tito Double P put on spectacular headliner-level performances for the weekend. Seeing Baja Beach Fest’s evolution every year is historic, but to be part of it for media coverage is another story—and that story began on Friday, festival day number one.

Festival day number one had a strong start already with artists such as Brray, El Malilla, and Los Tucanes De Tijuana opening up the day early. With hit reggaeton tropical beats from Brray, trending sounds of a new era of Mexican reggaeton from El Malilla, and of course the Corrido legacy that Los Tucanes de Tijuana bring, it was hard to truly exceed the expectations as the bar was set so high so early. El Malilla brought a huge crowd early as he has been making a lot of traction as a leader of the reggaeton movement in Mexico, and Rosarito definitely showed out for his support. Performing his hit songs such as “Vaquero,” “Mami,” “Tu,” and “Gato,” fans were partying and dancing early on festival day one. But apart from those artists who kicked off day one early, we had Latin legends such as El Alfa, who, as we all know, gets the party to the next level with his high-energy dembow songs. And of course, this performance from El Alfa was special because Baja Beach Fest fans knew that this would be the last time for a long time that he would be performing at the festival, which is a festival he has very strong ties to.

After the Baja Beach Fest legend had taken the stage, Brazilian star Anitta took the stage with her incredible dancing skills and singing talents. When Anitta was announced on the mic by the DJ, fans quickly rushed to the front of their areas, and it seemed as if it was already time for a headliner performance so early in the night and weekend. A sea of fans quickly rushed to the stage as anticipation grew, and of course, there she was, with all her dancers performing for her entire set without any breaks. After the Brazilian icon took the stage, the talent only grew.

Mexican superstar Tito Double P took the stage next, performing hit songs from his discography such as “Rosones,” “Nadie,” “El Lokern,” and of course his hit song, “7 Días,” in which he had a surprise for all his fans. As his performance progressed and Tito put on the high-energy show he is known for, he brought out his dear friend Gabito Ballesteros. Gabito, who is no stranger to the regional Mexican genre, knew what the fans wanted to hear as he performed “7 Días” with Tito, having fans singing along from the front of the festival all the way to the back. But of course, Tito saw the fans’ excitement and even gave Gabito his own time to perform his hit song “Perlas Negras” for the entire festival. If there’s one thing to remember about Tito Double P, from the countless times I’ve seen him live, it’s the respect he has for his fellow collaborators, and that’s exactly why an artist like him is a superstar when he takes over the stage.

Puerto Rican superstar Young Miko had her moment to shine next. What makes Young Miko special is the huge support she has from not only her fans but also her community that surrounds her, and seeing the crowd prepare for this co-headliner performance made it feel like a sold-out arena concert. Young Miko had fans from GA, VIP, La Playa, and backstage lining up early to get a good spot. The crowd was completely ready and hyped, screaming and chanting her name, as her hit song “Oye Ma” echoed and the pyrotechnics went off. Young Miko played her full discography, from her early hits to her most recent releases, with fans singing every lyric alongside her. Though she may not be the craziest dancer, her stage presence is unmatched as she runs from edge to edge and raps lyric for lyric with high energy and constant interaction with fans. Her performance seemed like a true headliner performance, and it was hard to imagine how anyone could top the energy she left on that stage.

But of course, it was time for the next and final act of the night, and if there was any artist in the world who could bring the energy to the next level after a performance like that, it was none other than the legend himself, J Balvin. What J Balvin has done for the Latin music industry over the last decade has truly elevated the genre, creating a path for new and up-and-coming artists to have space to create and master their art. This headliner performance personally meant a lot to me because, as a kid, J Balvin was the first artist I heard on the radio that made me discover my passion for reggaeton. The importance of J Balvin’s career in my life is the same for many of our favorite new artists, and to see him get the headliner respect he was receiving truly brought joy to fans across the festival. As J Balvin began his act, he wasted no time, bringing out his iconic Rayo silver car that he stood on while dancers performed their magic on stage. With a huge discography, spanning early hits such as “6 AM” and “Ay Vamos” to his newest songs off the Rayo album and his mixtape projects, fans sang and danced all night, appreciating their love for the festival’s true purpose.

Festival day two kicked off with Chilean star Katteyes opening up the show. Katteyes is a Chilean artist I had heard of before, but seeing her in person and witnessing the insane number of fans showing up early to support her was even more spectacular. Katteyes is a true superstar in the making, with a rapidly growing fan base that supports her wherever she performs. Joining Katteyes on the early opener lineup was Los Angeles-based production Reggaetonlandia, accompanied by 2DEEP, who fuses reggaeton and EDM sounds to bring party energy to fans. And of course, joining them was legendary DJ Deorro. Deorro’s legacy in both the EDM scene and the Latin music scene is a story of longevity and dominance. He has die-hard fans from his early days as a hardcore EDM DJ to now entering the Latin music scene, collaborating with some of Latin’s biggest artists and creating hits. Deorro truly brought rave energy to Baja Beach Fest, with fans showing up early to headbang and turn the festival into a full-blown rave with his DJ-styled set. Every beat had the crowd jumping, and by the time he finished, the energy was unmatched, leaving fans buzzing for what was next.

After Deorro’s spectacular set, it was time for perhaps the most anticipated act of the entire festival. With hit songs trending all over social media and radio, Cris MJ’s rise to fame seemed almost out of nowhere and happened incredibly quickly. He has never toured in the US or North America, and this was the first time I knew I would ever see him live. Cris MJ appearing on this year’s lineup blew up headlines everywhere, since no one really knew how he would perform—but fans knew he had countless hits and a strong discography. The Chilean artist had fans filling the entire festival, and he wasn’t even a co-headliner. As the crowd grew louder, the time had come for Cris MJ to make his debut, performing hits such as “Una Noche en Medellín,” “No Ponga Excusa,” “Si No Es Contigo,” “Daytona,” and, of course, his biggest song yet with over 1 billion streams, “Gata Only.” Cris MJ made his entrance with a cinematic opening, and it didn’t take long for fans to sing along lyric for lyric, shouting in pure excitement. His well-known Cris MJ chain and street style perfectly matched his dominant stage presence. For the entirety of his set, he represented Chile and Latin music with pride, commanding the stage and leaving fans in awe. This was by far one of the most highly anticipated sets of the festival, and Cris MJ did not disappoint, proving why his rapid rise in the Latin music world is well deserved.

After Cris MJ, reggaeton royalty returned to close out Saturday night. Wisin co-headlined the night, taking the stage to perform his reggaeton classics for the crowd. Wisin, who was once part of the iconic duo Wisin & Yandel, has built a legacy as one of the pioneers of the genre. Like many early greats, he helped shape reggaeton into what it is today, and even though the duo no longer performs together regularly, Wisin still gives fans everything they hope for in a live show. He played all of his classic songs alongside some of his newer collaborations with rising stars, having fans singing and dancing all night to hits like “Rakata,” “Escápate Conmigo,” “Abusadora,” and “Mi Niña.” Wisin has cemented himself as one of the greats in the genre, and festivals around the world continue to welcome him back year after year.

Dubbed “The King of Kings,” Don Omar closed out day two in true fashion. He is one of the first two names you think of when speaking about who pioneered reggaeton into becoming a global phenomenon. I’ve been lucky enough to cover Don Omar multiple times in my career, and his stage presence and greatness never get old. From his huge discography of hits to being recognized as one of the greatest artists of all time by today’s biggest musicians, Don Omar is timeless and will forever be remembered as a cornerstone of reggaeton. As his set began, it was by far the most packed I had seen the festival all weekend, with the VIP section filled to the brim and the GA section stretching for miles. Fans didn’t want to miss a second of what was about to unfold. Don Omar entered the stage with his infamous bow to the crowd, fireworks shooting off, and his music playing as the party went into full swing. He showed no signs of slowing down, singing every lyric to every song, moving nonstop across the stage, and keeping the festival in full electrified mode. Don Omar’s performance perfectly capped day two, leaving fans buzzing and setting the stage for the festival’s final day.

Day three, the final day of Baja Beach Fest, arrived quickly after two days of incredible performances. From the very start, the openers were perhaps the strongest of the festival yet. Rising stars Yeri Mua and De La Rose took the stage to kick off the final day. Both female artists have been making significant waves across the music industry this year, backed by incredibly loyal fan bases. Not only are they talented singers, but their stage presence is captivating. De La Rose, a Puerto Rican singer, has had multiple hit songs collaborating with Latin music’s biggest artists, including Mora, Quevedo, Omar Courtz, Jay Wheeler, and Jhayco. She represents the new generation of Puerto Rican reggaeton and the number of fans arriving early to support her set proved she is on track to become one of the greats. Alongside her, Mexican rising star Yeri Mua brought a surge of energy to the crowd. As part of the wave of Mexican reggaeton artists making a name for themselves, Yeri has consistently released hits that show Mexico’s strong influence on the genre. Fans arrived early with custom merch and signs, supporting her previous projects, and her performance was electric, with choreography that saw her constantly running across the stage and interacting directly with fans in the front rows.

As the day progressed and the sun began to set, painting the sky in beautiful pink and orange tones, it was the perfect moment to enter the world of Danny Ocean’s “Babylon Club.” With his newest studio album having dropped just a week before the festival, fans were treated to the first live performance of the new project. Danny Ocean, representing Venezuela, fused tropical beats with pop and reggaeton, creating a sound perfectly aligned with the sunset vibes. From the first note of his hit song “Mónaco,” the crowd sang along loudly and with energy. His performance seamlessly moved through older hits and fan favorites, creating moments of intimacy and communal joy. The tempo of his set shifted naturally, starting groovy and slow before building into upbeat, danceable tracks, keeping the crowd engaged at all times. Danny’s performance was more than just music—it was an experience, bringing all fans together in celebration of Latin music’s vibrant energy and positive vibes.

Next up was Spanish superstar Rels B, whose reputation for high-energy performances and unique approach to love songs preceded him. Although he almost never performs in North America, this was my first time seeing him live, and it immediately became one of my top two performances of the festival. Rels B’s music blends emotional lyrics with upbeat, danceable production. From the moment he hit the stage, pyrotechnics, smoke machines, and dynamic choreography made it clear this would be a show to remember. His dancers executed flawless backflips and complex routines, while the stage production constantly changed to match the energy of the music. One moment he would be running along the catwalk, the next on top of a DJ table performing live, and then sitting cross-legged on the floor with his guitarist for an intimate acoustic rendition of his hits. Rels B’s ability to shift from intimate storytelling to full-blown party anthems created a live performance that was unpredictable, exciting, and unforgettable.

As the night continued, Myke Towers brought his signature style to the festival stage. His career has been marked by consistency and dominance, and fans were eager to hear his newest project, Island Boyz, along with his classic hits that cemented him as a Latin music powerhouse. Questions about whether Myke was stronger as a feature artist or a solo performer were silenced as he took over the stage with precision and charisma. Tracks like “La Vida Es Una,” “Vive La Tuya… No La Mía,” “La Pantera Negra,” “Lyke Miike,” and Island Boyz were delivered flawlessly, and fans sang along with every lyric. The energy in the crowd mirrored the passion Myke brought to his performance, with both longtime fans and newcomers fully immersed in his music. Myke Towers not only demonstrated his dominance in Latin music but also proved why he is a must-see act, delivering a co-headlining performance that was unforgettable.

Finally, the moment fans had been waiting for arrived—Maluma. As one of the biggest artists on the lineup and a performer who rarely appears live anymore, anticipation was at its peak. Recently sharing the news of becoming a father, Maluma had taken a brief hiatus, making his return to Baja Beach Fest all the more special. From the moment the lights dimmed and the crowd erupted, fans were captivated. Maluma opened with early hits like “Chantaje,” “El Perdedor,” “La Temperatura,” and “Cuarto Baby’s,” even taking off his shirt to fire up the audience. His dancers executed flawless routines, and his interaction with the crowd elevated the performance to a level only a true headliner could achieve. Maluma also invited Grupo Firme superstar Eduin Caz on stage to perform their hit collaboration “Cada Quien” and let Eduin take the mic for his song “Ya Supérame,” creating an unforgettable moment for fans in Mexico. The Colombian legend closed the 2025 Baja Beach Fest with unmatched energy, charisma, and artistry, perfectly ending a weekend of historical performances.

From start to finish, Baja Beach Fest 2025 was a celebration of Latin music’s past, present, and future. The festival showcased legends, rising stars, and everything in between, leaving fans with memories that will last a lifetime. Covering this festival was a privilege, and the seamless execution by Baja Beach Fest staff. I’d like to give a special shout out to the Exclusive Agency who made this weekend run perfectly and smoothly. Baja Beach Fest continues to prove itself as the premier Latin music festival, and if this year is any indication, the 2026 lineup will only grow bigger, better, and even more unforgettable.

Photos shot and edited by Joseph Hernandez Torrejon Article written by Joseph Hernandez Torrejon