Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center Unveils Winning Poster and Star-Studded Lineup for 44th Annual Tejano Conjunto Festival

SAN ANTONIO, TX — The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center has announced the official poster winner and full musical lineup for the 44th Annual Tejano Conjunto Festival en San Antonio, set for May 14–17, 2026.

Mission, Texas artist Rudy Valdez captured top honors in this year’s poster contest with a striking design featuring legendary Texas accordionist Mingo Saldivar. Known as the “Dancing Cowboy,” Saldivar is celebrated for blending country music with traditional conjunto and was recognized as a 2022 National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow. Valdez’s winning artwork, selected through an open competition, will anchor all promotional materials for the 2026 festival. He receives a $2,000 grand prize.

The annual Tejano Conjunto Festival Poster Contest drew 54 entries from across the United States — and even China — showcasing the global reach of conjunto music. Winning posters and honorable mentions will be featured in the festival’s official program, Tonantzin.

“The submissions we received this year are a true testament to the growth and international reach of our poster contest and conjunto music,” said Cristina Ballí, Executive Director of the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. “We are especially proud to recognize our winning artist for elevating the legacy of Mingo Saldivar through this year’s design.”

A Global Celebration of Conjunto

Recognized as the first and longest-running conjunto festival in the nation, the Tejano Conjunto Festival draws more than 9,000 fans annually from across Texas, the U.S., Mexico, Europe, and Asia. Over four decades, it has become the premier stage for celebrating the distinct sounds and cultural traditions of South Texas conjunto music.

Mariaelena Villarreal, coordinator of the 44th Annual Festival, emphasized the magnitude of this year’s lineup.

“I am beyond excited about this lineup because it truly is like no other,” Villarreal said. “You’ll only experience a lineup like this right here in San Antonio on the biggest stage in conjunto music.”

Festival founder Juan Tejeda echoed the excitement about this year’s programming.

“I think this is one of the best and most diverse, nationally and internationally, musical line-ups we’ve had at the Tejano Conjunto Festival in a long time. I’m excited!” Tejeda said.

Honoring a Legend

This year’s festival will also pay tribute to the late, great Flaco Jiménez, whose influence helped carry the San Antonio sound around the world.

“Flaco Jimenez’s absence will be deeply felt,” Villarreal said. “On Sunday night, we will honor his life with a special tribute featuring artists from around the globe.”

Grammy Award-winning Los Texmaniacs will lead the tribute performance, joined by Festival Founder Juan Tejeda and Executive Director Cristina Ballí in a celebration reflecting Jiménez’s enduring legacy.

Four Days of Music and Dancing

The festival begins Thursday, May 14, with a free Seniors Dance from 10 a.m. to noon at the Royal Palace Ballroom, featuring Bene Medina y Conjunto Aguila and Epi Martinez and friends.

The main festival takes place May 15–17 at Rosedale Park and includes performances by:

Friday, May 15

Jesse Perez y Sus Compadres Alegres, Los Tellez, Santiago Garza y La Naturaleza, South TX Homies, Ruben De La Cruz y Su Conjunto, Los Garcia Brothers and Los Fantasmas del Valle.

Saturday, May 16

Student conjuntos from Donna High School, Rafael Cantu Jr. High School, and Texas Best Middle and High School Champions; plus Elijah Ezequiel y Los Conjunto Addictz, Fruity Villarreal y Los Mavericks, J. Castillo y Los All Starz, Ruben Garza y Su Conjunto, “Tremendos V” Reunion, Los Cucuys de Rodney Rodriguez, Los Monarcas de Mario y Pete Diaz, Da Krazy Pimpz, Lazaro Perez and Ricky Naranjo y Los Gamblers.

Sunday, May 17

Student groups from Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, Conjunto Heritage Taller, Edison High School and Southside High School; plus Waila Mumsigo and Stevie Vavages, DeVozion, Los Estrellas de Oro, Conjunto Cats, Chente Barrera y Taconazo, Juan P. Moreno, Joel Guzman and Sarah Fox y Conjuntazzo — culminating with Los Texmaniacs and the special Flaco Jiménez tribute.

Student Artists Recognized

In addition to Rudy Valdez’s overall win, other poster contest winners include:

• Open Category: Jose Sotelo Yamasaki (1st Place); Ernesto and Cindy Tobar (Honorable Mention)
• College: “Fanfan” of Wuhan City, China (1st Place); Anna Arce of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (Honorable Mention)
• High School: Ailani Solis-Fuller (1st Place) and Ajae Parks (Honorable Mention), both of Veterans Memorial High School
• Middle School: Jorge Gonzalez Lariz of Ronald E. McNair Middle School (1st Place); Devani Garcia of Harlandale Middle School (Honorable Mention)

Ticket Information

Three-day weekend passes are $50. Single-day tickets are $20 (Friday), $25 (Saturday), and $15 (Sunday). Children 12 and under are free.

For tickets and more information, visit the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center website.

As anticipation builds for its 44th year, the Tejano Conjunto Festival continues to serve as the heartbeat of conjunto culture — honoring legends, elevating new talent, and celebrating a musical tradition that resonates far beyond South Texas.

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