Southern Living Names New Braunfels Wurstfest Top Texas Festival
The annual celebration takes the top spot on the magazine's list of the best Oktoberfest events in Texas.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Food and Drink
Live Poll
Do you prefer attending local hometown festivals over nationally recognized large-scale celebrations?
Southern Living has ranked New Braunfels' Wurstfest as the number one Oktoberfest celebration in Texas. Fredericksburg's Oktoberfest follows closely at number two on the publication's list.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the enduring popularity of German-heritage festivals across Texas, which draw visitors through cultural activities and local community traditions.
Wurstfest spans 10 days of programming, while the runner-up festival in Fredericksburg lasts for three days. Fredericksburg previously secured the number five spot in USA Today's 2025 10Best Readers' Choice awards.
The players
Wurstfest
This annual 10-day festival held in New Braunfels celebrates German culture with music, food, and rides.
Southern Living
This lifestyle magazine publishes rankings and editorial content focused on Southern United States culture and events.
USA Today
This national newspaper conducts annual 10Best Readers' Choice competitions covering travel and entertainment destinations.
The details
Wurstfest, which began in 1961, takes place at Landa Park and offers German cuisine, live musical performances, dancing, and various carnival rides. Fredericksburg's festival, founded in 1981, is also currently a finalist in the 2026 USA Today 10Best Oktoberfest competition.
Timeline
Wurstfest began as a festival in 1961.
Fredericksburg's Oktoberfest was founded in 1981.
Fredericksburg ranked number five in USA Today awards in 2025.
Fredericksburg was named a finalist in the 2026 USA Today competition.
Wurstfest is scheduled to return to Landa Park from November 6-15, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
These festival rankings reflect a broader trend where regional heritage events leverage national media recognition to bolster tourism. This competition mirrors the success seen in the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice awards.
Visitors looking to attend the top-ranked Wurstfest can plan their trips around the upcoming 10-day event window in November. Travelers interested in the runner-up celebration can access Fredericksburg's shorter three-day program to experience its award-finalist atmosphere.
The takeaway
Texas hosts a diverse range of cultural festivals that maintain deep historical roots while evolving to meet modern tourism expectations. Attendees can look for these highly-ranked events to experience authentic German-inspired celebrations during the fall season.
What happens next
Wurstfest is scheduled to host its next festival at Landa Park from November 6 through November 15, 2026.
Further reading
Discover more about local culinary traditions by visiting the Texas Food and Drink section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MySA.
Live Poll
Do you prefer attending local hometown festivals over nationally recognized large-scale celebrations?
