NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas – Wurstfest in New Braunfels is an annual Texas tradition that celebrates German culture.
The 10-day festival is known for music, food, games, a carnival and lots of beer.
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Wurstfest started in 1961 as a festival to honor sausage -- no, seriously.
In 2006, millions of television viewers got a taste of Wurstfest when ABC’s "Good Morning America" came to the festival on opening day. More than 3,000 local residents arrived at the grounds by 5:30 a.m. that morning to participate in the live nationwide broadcast, according to Wurstfest.com.
New Braunfels will welcome thousands of visitors Nov. 2-11.
Gates open at 4 p.m. opening day, 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Entertainment end times vary from 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday and midnight on Saturdays.
What you need to know
Cash is king -- beer tickets and admission costs are cash-only but ATMs can be found on-site.
Beer tickets are sold on Wurstfest grounds and are required for alcohol purchases. They can also be purchased online here.
Rain or shine -- Wurstfest carries on even when it’s raining.
Only trained service animals are allowed on festival grounds. Emotional support animals are not protected under the same laws as service animals and therefore are not required to be permitted on Wurstfest grounds.
Leave the pocketknife at home or in the car. Weapons (including regular pocketknives) aren’t permitted at Wurstfest.
Crazy hats are encouraged, masks are not -- leave them at home.
What's new
This year Wurstfest grounds have expanded 20 percent to include a new bier garten area.
The carnival has expanded as well and now includes minigolf.
Four new food vendors have been added to the normal menu and there have been several historical restorative projects on some of the buildings.
Sweet Child of Wurstfest
Posted by Wurstfest on Monday, November 7, 2016
Masskrugstemmen
What the heck is masskrugstemmen? It’s when competitors hold out a fully stretched arm while holding a stein full of beer and see who can last the longest with their arm up.
It’s not easy but it’s definitely entertaining.
Get more information on masskrugstemmen here.Â
Wurstfest will be at 120 Landa St. in New Braunfels.
Don't forget to raise your stein and yell "Prost!" -- it's the traditional cheers at Wurstfest.
Get in to Wurstfest for FREE
This is the first year Wurstfest is offering free admission on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights!
"It's a way to help locals attend more than once and help with admission costs," said Wurstfest President Eric Couch.
Wurstfest will offer free admission on the following days:
Nov. 2 from 4-7 p.m.
Nov. 5 from 5-10 p.m.
Nov. 6 from 5-10 p.m.
Nov. 7 from 5-10 p.m.
Nov. 11 from 3-10 p.m.
Advanced general admission tickets are already on sale for $12. That price will only be available through midnight on Nov. 1. Individual tickets purchased at the gate or online after Nov. 1 will be $15. Purchase tickets here.
There are discount rates available for groups of 16 people or more and children 12 years and younger are always free.