Join us for the Texas Wendish Heritage Society’s Wendish Fest, an annual celebration of Wendish history and culture, on Sunday, September 27, 2026, from 10AM to 5PM. This family-friendly festival offers a day filled with unique cultural activities, delicious food, lively music, and engaging folklife exhibits. Held at the Texas Wendish Heritage Museum, located at 1011 County Road 212, Giddings, TX 78942, the event is free for all to attend. We encourage visitors to explore the museum, enjoy the various exhibits and demonstrations, and immerse themselves in the rich Wendish heritage. For event updates and more details, follow the Wendish Fest page on Facebook.

The festival features a variety of activities, including a silent auction, museum tours, and a tour of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Culinary enthusiasts can participate in the Coffee Cake Bake-Off or enjoy a traditional Wendish lunch meal. Highlights of the day include the announcement of the Texas Wendish Heritage Society Scholarship recipients, live entertainment by the Shiner Hobo Band and Tanzenfest Volkstanzkreis, and family-friendly activities including stick horse races, a coloring contest, and train rides for children. Adults can try their hand at washer pitching, and everyone can enjoy the live coffee cake auction, which serves as a scholarship fundraiser.

Visitors can also witness a wide range of exhibits and demonstrations, such as Wendish noodle making, wine making, sausage stuffing, quilting, and stone-ground cornmeal by 1918 Stone Grist Mill. Be sure to check out the vintage fire and farm equipment, Balcones Forge blacksmithing, German Christmas Market with Wiederhold Works, Fedor Mercantile, the Museum’s Country Store, and Jon Moerbe’s living history presentation. 

This year we are hosting a Wendish Fest raffle which will directly support the Texas Wendish Heritage Society. Tickets are $5 each or 5 tickets for $20, with 15 prizes to win, including Wendish Noodles for a Year, TWHS meal tickets, $200 Visa gift cards, and a Lifetime TWHS Membership. The drawing will be held at Wendish Fest and you do not need to be present to win. Raffle tickets can be purchased at our online shop or via the museum. 

We look forward to seeing you and your family at Wendish Fest! If you or your business is interested in sponsoring the festival, email museum@texaswends.org or call (979) 366-2441.