The 65th annual Wurstfest, New Braunfels’ ten‑day “Salute to Sausage,” kicks off on Nov. 6 and runs through Nov. 15 at Landa Park. Festival President Marc Allen says the event celebrates the city’s deep‑rooted German heritage and brings visitors from around the world to experience local culture.
Dates and Hours
Festival hours vary each day:
- Nov. 6: 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.
- Nov. 7 & 14: 11 a.m. – midnight
- Nov. 8 & 15: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Nov. 9‑11: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Nov. 12‑13: 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Tickets and Admission
Ticket prices differ by day and can be purchased online, at the gate, or at the box office. Children 12 and under receive free admission for all days.
New Additions
For the 65th anniversary, organizers have added several new features. A Weingarten near Gate One, located in the historic hydro plant, will serve German wines and premium U.S. selections. Three new beers—Modelo, Paulaner Pils and Weihenstephan—will be on tap.
Food options expand with Rocky Mountain Crepes and a new carnival‑style trailer offering nachos and street tacos. All Wurstfest vendors will operate cashlessly, accepting tap‑to‑pay, credit or debit cards; nearby small‑business vendors will still accept cash.
Community Impact
Wurstfest supports 26 local nonprofits through food, drink and merchandise sales. Many of these organizations rely on the festival for a significant portion of their annual budgets. In addition, the event’s “Big Give” initiative commits $130,000 in matching funds to local charities.
“At its heart, Wurstfest is a service organization,” Allen said in a news release. “We consistently look for intentional ways to support the people of New Braunfels and Comal County.”
Transportation and Parking
Attendees can use a shuttle service for $10 (individuals 13 and older) from the Comal County Fairgrounds to the festival grounds. Hotel shuttles run on Fridays and Saturdays for $25 round‑trip, payable at Gate 3. The Landa Park Pavilion on Mill Race Run serves as the pickup and drop‑off point, accessed via Gate 2.
Program Highlights
The opening ceremony and traditional “biting of the sausage” begin at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 in the Wursthalle. Other scheduled events include a waltz contest (Nov. 8, 3:30 p.m.), a veterans salute (Nov. 11, 7 p.m.), and sausage‑making demonstrations on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Competitive stein‑holding (Masskrugstemmen) will culminate with the 2026 USSA Texas Steinholding State Championship Tournament Finals on Nov. 15 at 2 p.m., followed by a polka contest at 3:30 p.m.
Live Music
Five stages—Wursthalle, Stelzenplatz, Grosse Zelt, Kleine Zelt, and Stelzenhaus—will host live performances ranging from German DJs and polka bands to yodelers. Several acts are traveling from Germany to perform at the festival.
Wurstfest offers a blend of tradition, new culinary experiences and community support, making it a must‑visit event for families, heritage enthusiasts and anyone looking to enjoy New Braunfels’ vibrant German culture.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
