The oompah of booming brass musical instruments, the rich smell of roasted meats, and the cheerful cries of “Prost!” over pitchers of caramel-colored Dunkel beers means it’s November in New Braunfels and Wurstfest is here.
What began in 1961 as a modest festival created by city meat inspector Ed Grist to celebrate sausage with about 2,000 attendees is now a sprawling, 10-day annual party attracting more than 240,000 revelers to the Central Texas German town in 2023. “We host guests from around Texas, the U.S., and internationally,” says Jade Nicola, the festival’s executive director. “You never know who you might run into at Wurstfest.”
You can count on running into a collection of vendors, local German heritage organizations, musicians, and partygoers who honor New Braunfels’ community spirit. “In German, it’s called gemütlichkeit, which means a feeling of warmth, friendliness, and good cheer,” says Keith Wersterfer, festival chairman and Wurstfest Association Opa. (In German, “opa” means grandfather; in New Braunfels, the green-vested Kleine Opas volunteer to help keep Wurstfest running smoothly.)
Navigating a huge festival can be intimidating for locals and out-of-towners alike. Here’s what to expect and how to join the fun if going for the first—or oompteenth—time.
When to Go
Wurstfest is busiest on Saturday nights. If you’re seeking shorter lines, smaller crowds, and a more laid-back vibe, visit Sundays or soon after the festival starts at 11 a.m. on weekends. During the week is even better. Doors to Wurstfest open at the following times:
Nov. 1: 4 p.m.
Nov. 2-3: 11 a.m.
Nov. 4-8: 5-10 p.m.
Nov. 8: 5-11 p.m.
Nov. 9-10: 11 a.m.
How to Get There
Whether coming north on Interstate 35 from the San Antonio area or south on I-35 from the direction of Austin, visitors can take the 184 (north) or 187 (south) exits and head west toward the Wurstfest grounds at 178 Landa Park Drive. There are multiple paid parking lots across from the grounds and down the street and toward the city’s town square. Expect to pay between $10 and $20 for parking. There’s also a Park N’ Ride shuttle from the Comal County Fairgrounds. It’s $10 per person, but free for kids 12 and under.
Where to Stay
There are lots of hotels, resorts, campgrounds, and bed and breakfasts in New Braunfels. For a unique experience, the nearby Schlitterbahn water-park resort has vacation homes, hotel rooms, and even treehouse cabins available. Packages include shuttle service to Wurstfest.
How Much Does It Cost?
Tickets can be purchased online for $18-$22.50 at wurstfest.com through Oct. 31, and $20-$25 at the festival site. There are free days and buy-one-get-one ticket offers as well (see below).
If you don’t buy your tickets in advance, you’ll need to pay with cash at admissions. There are ATMs outside and on the grounds. Drink tickets can be purchased with credit and debit cards as well as cash on-site. (Note: This year, drink tickets cannot be purchased in advance like in past years.)
What do i wear?
You’ll see lots of attendees wearing German-style Alpine hats with feathers, lederhosen with suspenders, and traditional dirndl dresses, but there’s also the custom of donning weird and funny hats—everything from pigs and chickens to beer mugs and hot dogs atop people’s heads. You can buy merch like this at the fest.
What can i bring?
You can’t bring chairs or stools, but there’s plenty of seating all around the festival grounds and in the music halls. (You’ll want to designate a group spot-holder while others go get food and drink if you’re in a busy area like the main music Wursthalle.) Outside food and beverages aren’t allowed. Only service animals can enter, so leave pets at home. For a complete list of what’s prohibited, check out the festival’s FAQ.
What to Do
Apart from indulging on German food and beer, visitors can enjoy live music on five stages throughout the 10 days of the fest. See heralded polka acts including the Alex Meixner Band, Squeezebox with Mollie B, and Chris Rybak. You will want to learn how to do The Chicken Dance before you arrive because you’ll hear it a lot.
For younger attendees, there’s a Kinderhalle area with kids’ activities and programming as well as a large area of carnival rides and games.
If you need a break from food and music, you can take in a $12 melodrama next door at the Circle Arts Theater. Every year, the venue presents a Wurstfest-themed play. This year it’s Back to the Wurst, a time-travel spoof of Back to the Future.
Advice from a Long-timer
Deric Garza, a New Braunfels resident who has been attending the festival since 2005, says one thing newcomers aren’t aware of—and even frequent attendees can forget—is that the fest has multiple entrances.
“I’ve found that people will flock to the main gate [on Landa Street, where] entry can get backed up,” Garza says. “There are two other ways to get in, and typically these will have a smaller line.”
Gate 2 on Landa Park Drive, which runs through Landa Park, and Gate 3, off Elizabeth Avenue, are alternate ways to enter and exit. The Wurstfest website includes a map showing where these entrances are located as well as parking and rideshare drop-off and pickup locations.
Garza says that another good way to avoid the biggest Wurstfest crowds is visiting during the week when admission is free and lines for food, beer, and rides are much shorter.
Pro Tips
Pace yourself
You’ll get full fast on fried potato patties, sausages on a stick, and Spaten Oktoberfest beer.
Spring for the pitcher
If you’re with a group, share a pitcher of beer instead of buying individual cups. You’ll save money and get to keep the commemorative plastic pitcher as well as cups that are provided. There’s also a 1-liter souvenir stein available filled with domestic beer for $26 or import beer for $30.
Take advantage of free and BOGO days
In my multiple visits each year, I always take advantage of free days and discounted Sundays. Festival marketing chair Dan Tharp says that’s encouraged; he suggests purchasing weekend tickets in advance through Oct. 31 to save money on the $20-$25 admission price and using the fest’s other money-saving offers. Wurstfest admission is free after 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10, and there’s a buy-one-get-one admission ticket coupon at wurstfest.com. It can be used Friday, Nov. 1, for the opening day and on both Sundays, Nov. 3 and Nov. 10.
Try these
Enduring favorite Wurstfest foods include five sausages on a stick, plus a roll from the New Braunfels Smokehouse booth, the savory pork chop on a stick at the NB Little League booth, and deep fried Oreos at the Lions Club booth. Roasted corn on the cob and fried potato cakes with applesauce should also be on your dining checklist. And remember, pace yourself! You don’t want to end up feeling the worst of Wurstfest.
