What’s Wassailfest? 5 things to know about the annual holiday celebration
You likely know of Wurstfest, New Braunfels’ annual celebration of beer, bratwurst and all things German, which wrapped up earlier this month.
But the city has another upcoming festival with European roots to kick off the holiday season.
The 30th annual Wassailfest is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7. Here’s what you should know before you go.
What’s wassail?
The traditional holiday beverage is a hot cider drink, often made with juice, citrus, spices or spiked with alcohol. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word came from early Scandinavian language, then Middle English. By around 1300, it came to refer to spiced ale used for Christmas and Twelfth Night celebrations.
How does New Braunfels celebrate?
The event takes place in the downtown area, with “Wassail Stops” offering drinks and music, food vendors and extended hours for downtown businesses. Local school groups will perform on stages at Main Plaza and on Seguin Avenue from 6 to 8:30 p.m., The event is one of New Braunfels “most cherished traditions,” the city said. You can find the full performance schedule on the city’s website.
How can you get there?
If you’re driving, you can look for parking in the downtown area. Check the city’s online map for potential locations. You also can park at City Hall at 550 Landa St. and take a free shuttle to West Mill and North Castell. The shuttle will run from 5 to 11 p.m.
Be aware of street closures
From 4 to 11 p.m. on Dec. 7, the following roads in and around downtown will be closed for the festivities. Drivers should remove their vehicles from these areas before 4 p.m.:
• Main Plaza
• Seguin Avenue from Mill Street to Coll Street
• San Antonio Street from South Academy Avenue to South Gilbert Avenue
• Castell Avenue from Mill Street to the alley behind the Antique Mall.
Where can you buy a tasting mug?
If you need a tasting mug for sampling all the Wassailfest offerings, you can get one from the New Braunfels Downtown Association. The group is selling commemorative tasting mugs on its website for $10. You can order the mugs online and pick them up on the Main Plaza downtown.