Yi-Ha! The annual mariachi festival, the biggest Mexican folk music and cowboy event in the world kicked off on Sunday in Guadalajara. Meanwhile, over in Moscow, military bands from all over the world took centre stage in the city's Red Square for an annual festival.

The streets of Guadalajara were filled with musicians and colorful dancers on Sunday as mariachis from around the world gathered for the annual mariachi festival - the biggest Mexican folk music and cowboy event in the world.

The festival offers free mariachi concerts, the charro championship and theatrical events, among others.

The annual mariachi festival, the biggest Mexican folk music and cowboy event in the world kicked off on Sunday in Guadalajara.

The event, which has been organized by Jalisco state's Chamber of Commerce since 1994, is a showcase for Mexico's mariachi tradition.

Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state, is considered by many to be the 'most Mexican' of all cities and is a culturally-rich haven for traditional music and other key cultural elements that are quintessentially Mexican.

The music has an international following, and this year groups from Bolivia, Chile, Canada, Colombia, Peru and the US, joined in on the celebrations.

"This is our seventh year coming, and it is important to us to share our culture with those around us. We take a little bit of Mexico every time we go back home to Indio (California), so we really enjoy coming," said Jubenal Gouzalez, US mariachi musician.

"I feel very proud, I think we're the only mariachis from Canada. And it is truly a passion of mine. This is our fourth year attending the festival," said Patrick Ernst, Canadian mariachi musician.

Meanwhile on Saturday night, military bands from around the world staged a colourful performance in front of the Kremlin in the heart of the Russian capital.

The festival, called Spasskaya Bashnya" or, Kremlin's Saviour Tower, featured bands playing a wide range of music - from classical pieces and military marches, to popular modern melodies.

A dazzling light show was projected on the walls of St. Basil's cathedral and the festival ended with spectacular fireworks.

It is the 7th time Muscovites got a rare chance to see military musicians from various countries playing on the Red Square.

This year's festival attracted over 1000 performers from 12 countries of Europe and Asia. It will run until September 4th.