Thursday, May 15 marks the kickoff of the 43rd annual Tejano Conjunto Festival in the Alamo City.
This annual celebration is expected to draw thousands of Conjunto music lovers to enjoy the very best of this uniquely-SATX musical genre.
What is Conjunto Music?
Conjunto refers to several types of small musical ensembles. The main instrument is the button accordion, which was brought over to Texas by European immigrants in the late 18th and 19th centuries. The bajo sexto is a Mexican string instrument with ties to Mariachi music.
Both instruments create a musical fusion of Polka and Ranchera sounds that tell the stories and share the rich history of the people living in South Texas. Today, Conjunto is an umbrella term that includes other genres like Tejano and Norteño music.
Think: Ramon Ayala, Tigres del Norte, and Selena.
The history + facts
- The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center organized the first festival in 1982, making it the longest-running celebration of its kind in the US.
- The event takes place at Rosedale Park on the Westside — one of the birthplaces of Conjunto music.
- In 2021, however, the festival was held virtually due to COVID-19.
- The festival also includes an annual poster contest, and the winning design is used in its promotions and marketing materials. This year’s winner, Robert Sosa, also won back in 1983 and again in 1985.
Check out the festival’s 2025 lineup. | Screenshot via The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center
La Musica
Every year, the festival features musicians from all across the Lone Star State. Performances begin this Friday, May 16 and will last through the evening of Sunday, May 18.
A free Seniors Conjunto Dance kicks off the festival on Thursday at at Progreso Hall, followed by a new photography event that’s open to the public at the Guadalupe Latino Bookstore.
Purchase single-day tickets or a three-day wristband.