The 19th Annual CrawDaddy Blues Fest 2025: Dates, Lineup, And The Legendary Cajun Feast In Madrid, NM
Get ready to mark your calendars: The 19th Annual CrawDaddy Blues Festival is officially set for May 17–18, 2025, promising a powerful blend of authentic blues music and a legendary Cajun feast. This iconic New Mexico event, hosted at the historic Mine Shaft Tavern in Madrid, New Mexico, is one of the Southwest’s premier roadhouse music experiences, drawing blues aficionados and food lovers from across the country for a two-day celebration of Southern culture and sound.
As of late December 2025, details are emerging about the highly anticipated festival, confirming a full weekend of high-energy performances, fresh-boiled crawfish, and a unique, historic atmosphere that only the Old Coal Mining Town of Madrid can provide. The event is a deep dive into the Louisiana and Texas blues and culinary traditions, transplanted to the high desert of the Turquoise Trail.
The Essential CrawDaddy Blues Fest 2025 Event Details
The CrawDaddy Blues Fest has cemented its reputation as a must-attend event for fans of genuine American Roots Music and authentic Cajun cuisine. The 19th annual installment continues this tradition, with the historic Mine Shaft Tavern once again serving as the perfect, atmospheric host. The festival is a celebration of the unique cultural intersection where desert blues meets bayou spice.
- Event: 19th Annual CrawDaddy Blues Festival
- Official Dates: Saturday, May 17, 2025, and Sunday, May 18, 2025
- Location: The Mine Shaft Tavern, 2846 Highway 14, Madrid, New Mexico (NM 87010)
- Gates Open: Noon (12:00 PM) on both Saturday and Sunday
- Tickets: $35 Per Day (Ticket prices are subject to change, check official vendor sites)
- Pre-Party: The festivities kick off on Friday, May 16, 2025, with the official CrawDaddy Pre-party starting at 8:00 PM inside the Mine Shaft Tavern.
- Logistics: A dedicated shuttle service will be available for festival attendees, with parking conveniently located next to the ballpark.
Confirmed Blues Lineup and Featured Artists
While the complete, multi-stage lineup for the 2025 festival is still being finalized and announced, several key acts have been confirmed, showcasing the festival’s commitment to high-quality, diverse blues and roots music. These artists represent some of the best talent from the regional and national blues scene, ensuring a powerful, soulful experience across the weekend. The performances will take place on multiple stages, including the main CrawDaddy Amphitheater and the intimate Cantina Stage.
Confirmed Entities for the 2025 Festival Include:
- KALO: Confirmed to headline the CrawDaddy Pre-party on Friday, May 16. KALO is known for their raw, powerful rock and blues sound, setting a high-energy tone for the weekend.
- Hillary Smith w/ Chill House & High City Horns: Scheduled to perform on the CrawDaddy Amphitheater stage at 12:30 PM on Saturday, May 17. Hillary Smith is a New Mexico legend, and her collaboration with the High City Horns promises a dynamic, soulful, and funky performance.
- CW Ayon: A powerful one-man band blues act, CW Ayon is confirmed to play the Cantina Stage at Noon on Saturday, May 17. His gritty, authentic Mississippi Delta-style blues is a festival favorite.
- Felix Y Los Gatos: Known for their unique blend of blues, funk, and Latin rhythms, Felix Y Los Gatos are a staple of the Southwest music scene and a confirmed act for Saturday’s main stage.
Additional artists and the full Sunday lineup will be announced closer to the event date, but the current roster already guarantees a high-caliber blues experience, covering everything from Delta Blues and Soul to electric, horn-driven funk.
The Legendary Cajun Feast: Beyond the Blues
What truly sets the CrawDaddy Blues Fest apart is its unparalleled dedication to the culinary traditions of the Deep South, bringing a genuine taste of Louisiana and Texas to the New Mexico high desert. The festival is as much a food event as it is a music festival, centered around fresh, high-quality Cajun specialties.
The Mine Shaft Tavern meticulously sources its ingredients, famously bringing in fresh, live crawfish directly from the organic rice fields outside of Louisiana. This commitment to authenticity ensures a truly unforgettable, spicy, and messy culinary experience.
Must-Try Cajun Specialties and Entrée Entities:
- Fresh Boiled Crawfish: The centerpiece of the festival, boiled to perfection with traditional spices.
- Crawfish Corn Pie: A rich, savory baked delicacy that combines the sweetness of corn with the spice of crawfish.
- Crawfish Boudain: A classic Louisiana sausage made with pork, rice, and crawfish—a true Cajun staple.
- Green Chile Blue Crab Cakes: A unique New Mexico twist, blending the sweet flavor of blue crab with the heat of local green chile.
- Chicken and Sausage Gumbo: A hearty, slow-cooked stew, perfect for soaking up the blues atmosphere.
- Gulf Shrimp: Served both boiled and fried, offering a taste of the Gulf Coast.
- Cajun Specialties: The menu also features other classics like jambalaya, red beans and rice, and the tavern’s famous award-winning MadChile Burger for those who prefer local New Mexican fare.
The Mine Shaft Tavern: A Historic Roadhouse Venue
The atmosphere of the CrawDaddy Blues Fest is intrinsically linked to its location: The Mine Shaft Tavern. Situated in the quirky, historic coal mining town of Madrid, New Mexico, the venue itself is an entity steeped in history, adding a layer of authenticity to the entire event.
The Mine Shaft Tavern is one of Santa Fe County's oldest continuously run taverns, with a history that stretches back to the late 19th century. The original structure, which served the Madrid miners, opened in 1897. After a fire, the current, iconic roadhouse was rebuilt in 1947. Its most famous feature is the incredible 40-foot pine bar, which was built specifically to allow the town’s miners enough room to spread out and enjoy a drink after a long shift.
The town of Madrid, a former ghost town nestled on the scenic Turquoise Trail (Highway 14), has been reborn as an arts and culture hub. The tavern and the surrounding village provide a perfect, rustic backdrop for a blues festival, combining the Old West aesthetic with the soulful sounds of the American South. This unique setting is a core part of the CrawDaddy experience, making it a truly unique event among blues festivals nationwide.
Planning Your 2025 CrawDaddy Blues Fest Trip
For those planning to attend the 19th Annual CrawDaddy Blues Festival, early preparation is highly recommended. Madrid, NM, is a small village, and while the Mine Shaft Tavern is the heart of the event, accommodation options in the immediate area are limited. Many attendees choose to stay in nearby Santa Fe, which is a short, scenic drive away on the Turquoise Trail.
Due to the limited parking in Madrid, utilizing the festival’s dedicated shuttle service is the most convenient way to access the venue. The shuttle will run from a parking area located next to the ballpark, making for an easy, stress-free arrival and departure from the historic roadhouse.
Whether you are traveling for the raw, electric blues of CW Ayon, the soulful power of Hillary Smith, or the irresistible, spicy allure of Fresh Boiled Crawfish and Crawfish Boudain, the 2025 CrawDaddy Blues Fest promises a high-desert cultural experience unlike any other. Don't miss out on securing your tickets for this iconic New Mexico tradition.
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