Deutschen Pfest turns 50 at Pfluger Park

Austin's biggest German festival is hitting a milestone this fall. Deutschen Pfest turns 50 at Pfluger Park in Pflugerville, and the anniversary edition keeps the usual mix of traditional music, food and beer that has made it the city's longest-running community tradition. It runs over two days: Friday, October 16, from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and Saturday, October 17, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

The music is the first thing to look at. Friday opens with Suede from 5:30 to 7:00 PM, followed by Red Not Chili Peppers and the headlining EZ Band both from 8:00 to 10:00 PM. Saturday leans more traditional, starting with the Austin Polka Band from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, then Bidi Bidi Banda from 2:00 to 3:30 PM, and The Spazmatics from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. Around the music, the festival fills in with a Biergarten pouring cold drinks and showing football on the big screen in support of local nonprofits, a vendor market with more than 50 craft sellers, a steinholding challenge and the Wunderpark, which is free and packs in carnival rides, games, a petting zoo, pony rides and entertainment for kids.

For anyone who wants to earn their beer, the Pfun Run is the morning event to build your day around. It's an annual community race that starts at Pfluger Park and runs to Windermere Park along the Gilleland Creek Trail, complete with cheer stations and live polka music along the way. There's a Kids 1K and a 5K, and registration includes free entry to the park. Packet pickup runs Thursday, October 15, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM at the Pflugerville Recreation Center, and Friday morning from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, with a final pickup at the Pfluger Park main gate on Saturday. You'll need a confirmation email or QR code, photo ID and a route map.

Getting in and out is where you'll want a plan. General admission tickets are the norm, and pre-purchasing is recommended to skip the line; the gates are cashless, so bring a credit or debit card. Kids under 6 get in free, and wearing a 2025 Deutschen Pfest T-shirt or a Pfun Run T-shirt acts as a two-day pass. T-shirts can be added via Eventbrite and picked up at the Pflugerville Recreation Center starting in October. A few ground rules are worth knowing before you go: bring your own chair, leave coolers and outside food and drinks at home, and keep pets at home.

Parking is the one part that requires some thought, because there's none available at Pfluger Park during the festival. On Friday, parking is at the East Parking Lot of Pflugerville High School at 1301 W Pecan Street, with shuttles running from 4:45 PM to 11:15 PM. On Saturday, it shifts to The Pfield at 1440 W Pecan Street, with shuttles running from 9:00 AM — earlier for Pfun Run participants — until 11:15 PM. ADA parking is at Gilleland Creek Pool, and rideshare drop-off and pick-up are also there at 700 N. Railroad. Uber users within city limits get $4 upfront with up to $10 of the ride covered by a voucher, and WAV accessible vehicles can be arranged by calling 512-607-4599 for a voucher and a golf cart shuttle from the pool to the festival.