There’s something special about Fall in New Braunfels. As the temperatures begin to cool, the city’s calendar fills with festivals, celebrations, and traditions that bring neighbors together and showcase the culture that has made this part of the Texas Hill Country such a distinctive place to call home. For the residents, these events are part of a lifestyle that extends well beyond the boundaries of the community.
If you’re considering a move to New Braunfels, fall 2026 offers the perfect opportunity to experience that lifestyle firsthand. From a county fair rooted in Texas tradition to one of the state’s best-known celebrations of German heritage, here are four signature events to put on your calendar.
Comal County Fair & Rodeo
Few events capture the hill country spirit of New Braunfels quite like the Comal County Fair & Rodeo.
Held September 23–27, the annual fair brings together generations of Comal County residents for five days of classic Texas entertainment. Visitors can expect rodeo games, livestock shows, carnival rides, live music, food vendors, exhibits, and activities for all ages.
One of the highlights arrives Friday morning with the Comal County Fair Parade. Scheduled for the morning of September 25, it is recognized by organizers as one of Central Texas’ largest county fair parades and brings the celebration from the fairgrounds through the city. More than entertainment, the fair represents the strong agricultural heritage, schools, families and organizations that have shaped Comal County.
Día de los Muertos Festival
As September rolls into the crisp temperatures of October, New Braunfels holds the annual Día de los Muertos Festival, where the city celebrates Hispanic culture and traditions that are an important part of the community.
Hosted by the New Braunfels Hispanic Business Alliance, this free, family-friendly festival takes over Downtown New Braunfels on Saturday, October 17, from noon until 10pm. Visitors can expect live music, dancing, food trucks, arts and crafts, face painting, and local vendors.
Día de los Muertos traditionally provides an opportunity to remember and celebrate loved ones who have passed while bringing families and communities together through art, music, food and storytelling. In New Braunfels, that spirit becomes a citywide celebration centered around historic Main Plaza.
It’s also a great example of what makes living here special. New Braunfels proudly celebrates the traditions that helped create the city while continuing to embrace the people and cultures shaping its future.
Wurstfest
You can’t talk about fall in New Braunfels without talking about the world-famous Wurstfest.
What began in 1961 as a one-day festival conceived by city meat inspector Ed Grist to celebrate sausage has grown into a 10-day celebration of German-Texan heritage that welcomes visitors from across Texas and beyond. By 1968, Wurstfest had expanded to its now-familiar 10-day format, and its history has become closely intertwined with New Braunfels itself.
The celebration runs November 6–15 on the Wurstfest grounds near the headwaters of the Comal River. Expect Alpine and Bavarian-style entertainment, live music, dancing, carnival rides and games, traditional festival foods and plenty of opportunities to experience the German heritage that dates back to the founding of New Braunfels.
Opening ceremonies on November 6 officially begin the festivities with two longstanding Wurstfest traditions: the ceremonial biting of the sausage and tapping of the keg.
Downtown Lighting & Santa’s Arrival
Just days after Wurstfest concludes, New Braunfels transitions from fall festivities into the holiday and Christmas spirit.
On Friday, November 20, the Downtown Lighting & Santa’s Arrival brings the community back to historic Main Plaza for one of the city’s most anticipated holiday traditions.
This joyous celebration features holiday music, activities, and a seasonal market before thousands of lights illuminate downtown. The evening includes a performance by American Dance Co., music from the New Braunfels Community Band, and the mayor-led countdown to officially light downtown for the holidays. Santa’s arrival adds another tradition for younger members of the family.
A fitting conclusion to a fall season built around gathering together.
More Than a Place to Live, A Community to Experience
What connects these events isn’t simply their location on the calendar. Each event tells part of the New Braunfels story.
Set within the pages of the New Braunfels story, Veramendi offers residents a master-planned community designed opportunities to connect while keeping them close to the traditions, destinations and experiences that make New Braunfels one of the Texas Hill Country’s most celebrated communities.
Fall is a particularly good time to see it all for yourself and take a trip. Spend a weekend exploring New Braunfels, experience one of these local traditions and make time to visit Veramendi along the way.
Come Tour Veramendi and Discover A Whole New Braunfels Way of Life