Texas country music singer Casey Donahew will headline the 2026 Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival along with some returning fan-favorite Zydeco bands.
The 37th annual festival is set for Oct. 9-11 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Conroe. The music lineup for this year’s event was announced Saturday night at The Table at Madeley downtown Conroe venue.
Here’s what to know about the event and this year’s entertainment.
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Festival history
The Friends of Conroe nonprofit group puts on the event each year. Proceeds from the festival support student scholarships and the annual Friends Feeding Friends Thanksgiving meal.
The 15 founding members of the nonprofit first came together in 1990 to organize the first Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival inspired by the long-running Conroe Noon Lions carnival that had taken place in downtown.
The 74th Texas Legislature designated the event as the official Cajun Catfish Festival of the state of Texas in 1995. In addition to music, there are food booths, vendors, kid’s activities and a carnival.
For the first time, the festival moved out of downtown Conroe in 2025 and into the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.
2026 Lineup
Music will take place Oct. 9-11. Zydeco acts Wayne Toups and Geno Delafose return to the festival Oct. 9 and have been staples for many years at the event.
The Oct. 10 lineup brings Zach Jones and the 45’s, Keyun & The Zydeco Masters, Bottomland, Cameron Albright, Mike Ryan and Donahew wrapping up the night.
The final festival day Oct. 11 brings the annual Mr. and Mrs. Catfish Pageant and Houston-based group Bayou Roux.
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How to go
Tickets are available online at the Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival website. Early bird tickets are on sale for $15 for a single-day ticket and $30 for a weekend pass. At the gate, tickets are $20 for the day and $35 for a weekend pass.
Children under the age of 12 are admitted for free.