Midland Events This Week: 3 Things to Do in the City

From a barbecue and music festival to a historic home celebration and a crawfish cook-off, there's plenty to experience in Midland this weekend.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:19pm

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A high-contrast silkscreen print in neon colors, featuring a repeated pattern of a barbecue grill, a crawfish, and a guitar, conceptually representing the lively events and lifestyle elements of Midland, Texas.A vibrant celebration of Midland's diverse cultural events, from barbecue and music to seafood and zydeco.Midland Today

This week in Midland, Texas, there are three notable events happening: the Basin Red Dirt BBQ and Music Festival, the 20th anniversary celebration of the Bush Family Home State Historic Site, and Down South Seafood's annual crawfish cook-off. The BBQ and music festival will feature live Red Dirt music acts, the historic home celebration will commemorate its public opening 20 years ago, and the crawfish cook-off will bring Louisiana flavor and zydeco music to the city.

Why it matters

These events showcase Midland's vibrant culture, from its Texas barbecue and music roots to its historic connections and diverse culinary influences. They provide opportunities for the community to come together, celebrate local traditions, and experience the unique character of this West Texas city.

The details

The Basin Red Dirt BBQ and Music Festival will take place on April 11, featuring performances by Whiskey Myers, Wade Bowen, Jesse Joe, Mike Chism, and Hollow Point. The Bush Family Home State Historic Site will commemorate the 20th anniversary of its public opening with a ceremony and free tours on April 11. Down South Seafood's crawfish cook-off, also on April 11, will include a competition sanctioned by the Southern Cajun Cookoff Association as well as live zydeco music.

  • The Basin Red Dirt BBQ and Music Festival is scheduled for noon to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 11.
  • The Bush Family Home 20th anniversary celebration is planned for 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 11.
  • Down South Seafood's crawfish cook-off is scheduled for noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 11.

The players

Whiskey Myers

A Red Dirt music act performing at the Basin Red Dirt BBQ and Music Festival.

Wade Bowen

A Red Dirt music act performing at the Basin Red Dirt BBQ and Music Festival.

Bush Family Home State Historic Site

A historic site in Midland, Texas, that is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its public opening.

Down South Seafood

The organizer of the annual crawfish cook-off event in Midland.

Ryan LeJeune

The organizer and business owner of Down South Seafood's crawfish cook-off.

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What they’re saying

“This year's event will include a crawfish competition and live music from zydeco acts including Jimmy Breaux, Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin' Cajuns, and Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band.”

— Ryan LeJeune, Organizer and business owner of Down South Seafood

What’s next

Tickets are required for the Basin Red Dirt BBQ and Music Festival, and more information about the other events can be found on their respective websites.

The takeaway

Midland is embracing its diverse cultural influences this weekend, from Texas barbecue and Red Dirt music to Louisiana-style crawfish and zydeco tunes. These events offer something for everyone and showcase the vibrant spirit of this West Texas community.