Mas conjunto — The Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center is hosting its 32nd Annual Conjunto Festival on October 3-4 at Los Fresnos Memorial Park. The event attracts thousands of fans who see some of the best in the genre. (San Benito News/Ray Quiroga)
NEWS Staff Report
LOS FRESNOS, TX. —The Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center (NMCAC) is hosting its 32nd Annual Conjunto Festival on October 3-4, 2025, at Los Fresnos Memorial Park, 900 North Arroyo Blvd.
Admission is $10 per person per day at the gate. Music begins at 5:30 and 4:15 p.m., respectively, and ends at 11:30-midnight, respectively. Gates open at 3 and 2 p.m., respectively.
According to organizers, the two-day event is a unique cultural experience, drawing over 2,500 attendees for a celebration described as the best in live Texas-Mexican Conjunto music.
This year’s festival features 14 Conjunto acts from across the region, as well as from Mesa, Arizona. The 14-band lineup is full of talented musicians who keep the Conjunto music tradition alive, say organizers. The event includes performers ranging from beginner musicians to seasoned artists, all ready to get Conjunto music fans dancing.
This year’s lineup features seven bands who are making their festival debut, including Ricky Naranjo y Los Gamblers, Bobby Salinas y Los Mas Bravos Del Valle, Los Arcos Hermanos Pena, Joe Castillo y Los Allstarz, Mambito y Los Champs, Javier Solis y Los Unikoz, and from Mesa, Arizona, 15-year-old Elijah Eziquiel y Los Conjunto AddictZ.
Finally, San Antonio-based photojournalist Mariaelena Villarreal will be photographing and videotaping the festival.
The NMCAC Conjunto Festival is the longest-running festival of its type in the Rio Grande Valley and one of only two festivals nationwide dedicated to the Conjunto music genre. The Narciso Martinez Conjunto Festival is the largest annual cultural event organized by the NMCAC, which was founded in San Benito on October 29, 1991, on Narciso Martinez’s 80th birthday.
Residing on the outskirts of San Benito, Martinez (October 29, 1911-June 5, 1992), known as El Huracan del Valle (the Valley Hurricane) for his lightning-fast accordion playing, is considered the genre’s grandfather, having pioneered the music style with his innovative accordion riffs and approach.
“Enjoy two days of live Conjunto music. There will be dancing, food, beverages, and authentic RGV-driven hospitality,” said NMCAC co-founder Rogelio Nunez.
Attendees are asked to bring lawn chairs, and no outside beverages or food are allowed.
“We look forward to a safe and healthy event,” Nunez added.
Friday’s lineup includes: Joe Castillo Y Los Allstarz at 5:30 p.m.; Bobby Salinas Y Los Mas Bravos Del Valle at 6:30 p.m.; Boni Mauricio Y Los Maximos at 7:30 p.m.; Epi Martinez and Friends at 8:30 p.m.; Flavio Longoria Y Su Conjunto at 9:30 p.m., and the evening concludes with Ricky Naranjo Y Los Gamblers, scheduled to hit the stage at 10:30 p.m.
Saturday’s lineup kicks off with Los Fresnos High School/Elementary Conjuntos, who take the stage at 4:15 p.m., followed by Javier Solis Y Los Unikoz at 5 p.m., Los Arcos Hermanos Pena at 6 p.m., and Elijah Eziquiel Y Los Conjunto Addictz at 7 p.m., Los Monarcas at 8 p.m., Mambito y Los Champs at 9 p.m., Ruben De La Cruz y Su Conjunto at 10 p.m., and Los Tejano Boys cap off this year’s festival at 11 p.m.
According to the organization’s mission statement, the NMCAC preserves, promotes, and develops the rich cultural heritage of the Mexicano community through programs in visual arts, music, theater, dance, and literature.
2 comments
When do you all play music. What days
Elijah Eziquiel is a young accordion 🪗 player with real breakthrough star potential. I hope he does well. See him if you can next Saturday night at the NMAC festival!
He is a nice young man.