The quinceañera’s formal entrance procession is commonly called an entrada. The Spanish word means “entrance” or “entry.”
During an entrada, the honoree may enter with parents, court members, or other important relatives. Music, coordinated clothing, and a planned order can make the arrival one of the reception’s most formal moments.
The exact program differs by family and region. Some celebrations use a religious procession connected with the Mass, while others reserve the presentation for the banquet hall or party venue. The entrance may be followed by a toast, a first dance, or introductions of the court.
Entrada should not be confused with salida, which means “exit” or “departure.” Nor is it the same as the quinceañera’s dance sequence, which may occur later in the program and can have its own choreography and name.