Wurstfest 2026 Returns to New Braunfels Nov. 6-15 With 10 Days of German-Texan Tradition
One of New Braunfels’ best-known traditions is getting ready for another November run.
Wurstfest 2026 will take place Nov. 6-15 at the Wurstfest Grounds in Landa Park, bringing 10 days of German culture, Texas personality, live entertainment, food, dancing, carnival rides, games and plenty of sausage back to the banks of the Comal River.
For families across Central Texas, Wurstfest has become one of those annual events that marks the arrival of fall almost as reliably as cooler evenings. Some visitors come for the polka music and dancing. Others come for the food, beer, carnival atmosphere or simply because attending has become a family tradition.
What to Expect at Wurstfest 2026
The festival blends Alpine and Bavarian-style entertainment with the laid-back feel of a Texas community celebration.
Guests can expect live music, dancing, special events, food vendors, German, Texan and domestic beer, carnival rides and games, along with activities throughout New Braunfels and Comal County.
The festival grounds include multiple entertainment and gathering areas, with seating available in performance spaces. Visitors should leave personal chairs and stools at home, as they are not permitted inside.
Traditional German attire is welcome, too. Dirndls, lederhosen and playful hats are encouraged, although shirts and shoes are required.
Wurstfest continues rain or shine.
What are the Wurstfest festival hours?
Wurstfest hours vary by day:
- Friday, Nov. 6: 4 p.m.-11 p.m.
- Saturdays: 11 a.m.-midnight
- Sundays: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Monday through Thursday: 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
- Friday, Nov. 13: 5 p.m.-11 p.m.
Anyone planning a full-day visit should keep in mind that admission is valid for the entire day. Guests who leave and plan to return later should have their hands stamped before exiting.
Wurstfest Admission and Family Information
Children 12 and younger are admitted free.
General admission includes access to entertainment and public festival areas. Wurstfest also typically offers advance discounts, group rates and special-day pricing, with updated 2026 ticket information expected through the festival’s official website.
Families should also know that outside food and beverages are not allowed on the grounds.
Credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted at festival bars, while food vendors accept cash.
Getting There May Take Some Planning
Parking near the Wurstfest Grounds is limited, especially on busy weekends.
Visitors are encouraged to review available parking, shuttle, rideshare, bus and accommodation options before heading to New Braunfels. Handicap parking is available in designated nearby lots, and the festival grounds are handicap accessible.
For anyone coming from outside New Braunfels, planning transportation ahead of time can make a significant difference, particularly on Saturdays when crowds are typically heavier.
What You Cannot Bring Inside
Wurstfest uses walk-through metal detectors at entrances, and bags are subject to search.
Prohibited items include weapons, fireworks, mace, illegal substances, outside food and alcohol, coolers, drones, pets, balloons, bicycles, skateboards, chairs, stools, laser pointers and certain noise-making devices.
Only trained service animals are permitted inside.
Emergency Medical Technicians are stationed on the grounds during festival hours, and a First Aid Station is located near Das Grosse Zelt, or The Big Tent. A lost-person post is also available at the Information Booth.
A New Braunfels Tradition Since 1961
Wurstfest began much more modestly.
The festival was created in 1961 by Ed Grist, a veterinarian and New Braunfels city meat inspector, as a one-day celebration of sausage. About 2,000 people attended that first event.
Over the following years, the celebration expanded from a single day to “Wurst Week” and eventually to the 10-day festival visitors know today. It moved to the Wursthalle in Landa Park in 1967 and continued growing alongside New Braunfels.
The festival has also endured several major challenges, including destructive flooding in 1998, a fire that damaged historic festival structures after the 2019 event and the cancellation of the 2020 festival during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wurstfest returned in 2021, welcoming more than 240,000 attendees for its 60th annual celebration.
Today, the nonprofit Wurstfest Association says its mission extends beyond hosting a festival. The organization promotes local commerce and tourism, preserves the area’s German heritage and gives local civic groups opportunities to raise money for community projects.
That community connection remains a large part of what separates Wurstfest from a typical traveling festival.
Why Wurstfest Keeps Bringing People Back
For newcomers, Wurstfest offers an easy introduction to New Braunfels’ German heritage.
For longtime residents and repeat visitors, it can feel more like an annual reunion.
The mix of music, dancing, food, family activities and familiar traditions has helped Wurstfest hold onto its identity even as New Braunfels has grown significantly around it.
And while the festival likes to call itself “The best ten days in sausage history,” the appeal goes well beyond what is on the plate.
For many families, Wurstfest is simply one of those Central Texas traditions that belongs on the calendar every November.
Wurstfest 2026 runs Nov. 6-15 at the Wurstfest Grounds in Landa Park in New Braunfels. Visitors should check official festival updates closer to opening day for current ticket pricing, parking details, shuttle information and the full entertainment schedule.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more local events, family activities and community updates across Central Texas.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.