Christmas markets · New Braunfels, TX
Christmas markets in New Braunfels
New Braunfels keeps its German roots at Christmas: the Sophienburg Museum's Weihnachtsmarkt fills the Civic Center the weekend before Thanksgiving, and on the first Thursday of December the whole downtown turns out for Wassailfest. Gruene's market days add a December weekend of nearly 100 artisans in the old cotton-gin district.
3 markets · checked October 2026
🧒 With kids
- Weihnachtsmarkt New Braunfels · Downtown
- Wassailfest · Downtown
✨ Date night
- Wassailfest · Downtown
- Gruene Market Days December · Gruene Historic District
🎉 With friends
- Weihnachtsmarkt New Braunfels · Downtown
- Wassailfest · Downtown
- Gruene Market Days December · Gruene Historic District
German market
IllustrationGerman market · Downtown
Weihnachtsmarkt New Braunfels
An indoor German-style market with a Texas twist, held since 1988 for the Sophienburg Museum: more than 60 artisans with German collectibles, ornaments, antiques and gifts, plus a gala, Breakfast with Santa and a holiday tea.
🎉 With friends🧒 With kidsWhat's there
- 60+ artisans and vendors
- German collectibles and ornaments
- Gala with live music on opening night
- Breakfast with Santa, Kaffeeklatsch craft class and holiday tea
The real German-heritage market of the Hill Country — worth a trip from San Antonio the weekend before Thanksgiving.
- 2026
- Nov 20–22, 2026 (gala Thu Nov 19, 6–9 pm)
- Last season
- Nov 21–23, 2025
- Cost
- $15 market admission (2026); special events ticketed
Getting there and parking
- Downtown New Braunfels on S Castell Ave; parking around the Civic Center
Worth knowing
- Proceeds support the Sophienburg Museum
- Three days only, the weekend before Thanksgiving
Weekend market
IllustrationWeekend market · Downtown
Wassailfest
Not a shopping market but the town's favourite Christmas night: free wassail tastings from downtown businesses and nonprofits, lights, school choirs and late shop hours around Main Plaza.
🧒 With kids✨ Date night🎉 With friendsWhat's there
- Free wassail tastings (leaded and unleaded)
- Christmas lights and school choirs
- Shopping specials and late hours downtown
The most New Braunfels night of the year — come thirsty, not to shop.
- 2026
- Dec 3, 2026, 6–9 pm
- Last season
- First Thursday of December, 2025
- Cost
- Free
Worth knowing
- One Thursday evening only
- Food vendors are local nonprofits
IllustrationWeekend market · Gruene Historic District
Gruene Market Days December
The December edition of Gruene's 30-year-old monthly market: nearly 100 artisans with handmade goods and packaged Texas foods, free live music, in front of the Gruene Coffee Haus.
✨ Date night🎉 With friendsWhat's there
- Nearly 100 artisans
- Packaged Texas foods
- Free live music
- Historic Gruene shops, wine tasting and live entertainment
A pretty December weekend outing — pair it with lunch by the Guadalupe.
- 2026
- Dec 5–6, 2026, 10 am – 5 pm
- Last season
- Dec 6–7, 2025
- Cost
- Free (free parking)
Getting there and parking
- By car to the Gruene Historic District; free parking
Worth knowing
- Only the first weekend of December is the holiday edition
- 10 am–5 pm both days