Wurstfest 2026 in New Braunfels: A First-Timer's Guide (Near San Antonio)

When is Wurstfest 2026 and how much does it cost?

Wurstfest 2026 runs November 6 to 15 in Landa Park in New Braunfels. Admission is free Monday through Thursday, and kids 12 and under get in free every day.

Finally doing Wurstfest this year? Good for you, y'all. Just don't wait until the Friday afternoon you're leaving to figure it out, because that's right when the traffic on Landa Street starts backing up.

So this year I'm getting ahead of it. Wurstfest turns 65 in 2026, and I've watched folks from all over Texas fall in love with New Braunfels one sausage at a time. Here's everything a first-timer needs, with every date and price checked against the official visitor and city pages.

Wurstfest 2026 Dates, Hours and Location

Visit New Braunfels has the 65th annual Wurstfest running November 6 to 15, 2026 in Landa Park, right along the Comal River near downtown New Braunfels. Ten days, five stages and more than 40 bands. Honey, you will not run out of polka.

Opening day kicks off on Friday, November 6, with opening ceremonies at 4 p.m. and the famous sausage biting at 5:30 p.m. in the Wursthalle. After that, the hours follow the day of the week:

Wurstfest Tickets: What You'll Pay

Admission depends on the day, and buying online ahead of time saves you five dollars a head.

Kids 12 and under get in free all ten days. Wurstfest is also cashless, so admission and the bars only take credit and debit cards. Leave the twenties at home and bring the card you actually want to use.

My honest tip for a first visit? Come on a weeknight. Monday through Thursday is free, the crowds are lighter, and you can actually find a seat in the Wursthalle. Saturday is the big party night, which is a blast if that's your speed, but I'd save it for your second year.

Parking, the Park and Ride Shuttle and Rideshare

This is where first-timers get into trouble. The City of New Braunfels Wurstfest 2026 traffic page says it plainly: parking in Landa Park and the streets around the grounds is limited.

Here's how I'd get there instead:

• Park and ride: Park free at the Comal County Fairgrounds, 701 E. Common St., and ride the shuttle for $10 round trip. Kids 12 and under ride free, and the shuttle drops you right at the festival gate.
• Rideshare: Uber, Lyft and the other services use a designated pickup and drop-off area on Mill Race Run in Landa Park.
• Hotel shuttles: The city notes that some hotels and resorts in town run their own shuttles, so ask when you book.

Also plan on the westbound lane of Landa Street being closed to cars from Zink Street to Landa Park Drive during festival hours. It stays open to folks on foot, and you'll see plenty of them in lederhosen.

What to Eat, Drink and Do at Wurstfest

Come hungry. More than 25 local nonprofits sell food, drinks and wares on the grounds, and the money they raise goes right back into our community. That's my favorite part, truthfully. Every plate of sausage on a stick is helping somebody's club or cause here in Comal County.

A few things worth planning around in 2026:

• The Weingarten: New this year, an expanded German wine selection next to the mill pond in the historic Hydroplant section, with cheese pairings from Otto's, a local shop.
• Dance contests: Polka and waltz contests, plus a stein-holding state championship if you think you've got the arms for it.
• Kinderhalle: A children's area for the little ones, along with amusement rides.
• Music: Headliners like Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra and Alex Meixner, plus over 250 sets across the grounds.

A Salute to Our Veterans on November 11

Wednesday, November 11, brings the Wurstfest Veterans Day Salute. A huge number of my clients are military buyers from JBSA-Randolph and Fort Sam Houston, and I love that New Braunfels makes a point of honoring them. Since that Wednesday falls on a free admission day, it's an easy night to come out and say thank you.

My First-Timer Tips From Years of Going

Wear shoes you can stand in for four hours. Those cute boots looked great at home, but the grounds are big and you'll be on your feet dancing whether you planned to or not.

Bring a light jacket, too. Early November evenings by the Comal River can turn crisp once the sun goes down, and the springs keep that river cool all year.

Eat before your second beer. Trust me on this one, sugar.

Lastly, give yourself time to wander. Landa Park is gorgeous, and plenty of first-timers never realize the springs that feed the Comal River bubble up right there in the park. Come back on a quiet Saturday morning sometime and you'll see why so many people end up moving here.

FAQ

Is Wurstfest free on weekdays?

Yes. Wurstfest 2026 admission is free Monday through Thursday, November 9 to 12, and free after 3 p.m. on the final Sunday, November 15. Kids 12 and under get in free every day.

Where do you park for Wurstfest in New Braunfels?

Parking near Landa Park is limited, so the City of New Braunfels points visitors to the park and ride at the Comal County Fairgrounds, 701 E. Common St. Parking there is free, and the shuttle costs $10 round trip, with kids 12 and under riding free.

Does Wurstfest take cash?

No. Wurstfest is cashless, so admission and bar purchases are credit and debit cards only.

Come for the Sausage, Stay for the Hill Country

Plenty of folks drive up to Wurstfest from San Antonio for one night and start daydreaming about living in New Braunfels before they finish their first strudel. If that's you, call me at 210-707-9029. I'd love to show you around Comal County, from homes walking distance to downtown to a few acres out on Highway 46. You can also browse homes anytime at vhbhomes.com.

As always, I hope to see y'all around town.

Vanessa H. Bradford
REALTOR® | Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper, REALTORS®
Hill Country Queen | VHB Homes
210-707-9029 | vhbhomes.com