GermanFest Schedule

Pre-Festival

The excitement of GermanFest kicks off early with Pre-Festival Events hosted by the four German-American clubs of Fort Wayne! Starting the Sunday before the festival, these events take place at various locations around the city, offering a taste of German culture, community, and tradition before the main celebration begins

  • 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM IGermanFest Schwarzbier Abend

    Chapman’s Brewing Company
    1102 Swinney Ave
    Fort Wayne, IN 46802

    Prost!

    Get ready for an early access celebration at the Germanfest Schwarzbier Abend! We will be launching the official brew of GermanFest, the Schwarzbier Lager!

    This event is for true fans of Germanfest and will feature:
    Free giveaways
    Keg tapping
    Stein hoisting competition
    Cup racing
    Live music
    All You Can Eat German Feast

    This event is open to all. Tickets are not required to attend. Tickets will be available though for early birds wanting an exclusive Germanfest Schwarzbier mug and discounted pricing for the German buffet.

  • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | GermanFest Mass

    St. Peter's Catholic Church
    518 E DeWald St
    Fort Wayne, IN 46803

    The first day of GermanFest community-wide events begins at beautiful and historic St. Peter's Catholic Church, with a German language church service. Musical accompaniment by the Fort Wayne Maennerchor/Damenchor under the direction of Thomas Remenschneider. Immediately following the services, gather for a reception of German style refreshments at the church Pavilion.

    12:00 PM | 5th Annual GermanFest Schnitzelfest

    Fort Wayne Turners
    3636 Parnell Ave.
    Fort Wayne, IN 46805

    The 5th Annual Germanfest Schnitzelfest invites the community to enjoy food, games and fun.
    On Sunday starting at noon at 3636 Parnell Ave, enjoy schnitzel, brats, Turners homemade potato salad and more.

    Anyone is able to attend and a kickball tournament begins at 2:00 p.m. Open to all, the doors open at noon and games will begin at 2:00 P.M.

    This fun-filled day celebrates German food, learning new sports, and celebrating the Turners German heritage while kicking off a weeklong celebration of GermanFest in Fort Wayne.

    4:30 PM - 7:00 PM | Männerchor/Damenchor Konzert & Heimatabend at Park Edelweiss

    Park Edelweiss
    3355 Elmhurst Drive
    Fort Wayne, IN 46809

    The Fort Wayne Maennerchor/Damenchor opens GermanFest with its annual kickoff concert in our clubhouse, Park Edelweiss. From pieces by famous composers to timeless folk tunes, celebrate the tradition of German choral music being kept alive in our community.

    After the concert stay for Heimatabend ("back home night") with coffee and cake.

    Doors open at 4:00 p.m. Concert at 4:30pm. Coffee and cakes after concert. Event is free; freewill donations welcomed.

  • 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM | Spaten Night 6v6 Tournament

    Fort Wayne Sport Club
    3102 Ardmore Ave.
    Fort Wayne, IN 46803

    Join us for Spaten Night: the 6v6 Coed Soccer Tournament on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 3102 Ardmore Ave, Fort Wayne! Open to players 18+, this fun-filled evening features three guaranteed games per team, small goals (no goalkeepers), and divisions for every level—from just-for-fun to fiercely competitive. Registration is open for teams (up to 12 players) and individuals, with early bird discounts through May 25. Enjoy food, drinks (including Spaten beer!), and plenty of action under the lights. Spots are limited—register early to save and secure your place on the pitch!

  • 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM | GermanFest Abend by German Heritage Society

    Hop River Brewing Company
    1515 N Harrison St
    Fort Wayne, IN 46805

    Come join Fort Wayne German Heritage Society for German food, drink, and music!

Main Festival

Join us at Headwaters Park East for Fort Wayne’s biggest festival, GermanFest, where Fort Wayne comes alive with four days of authentic German food, beer, music, entertainment, and games! From lively polka bands and folk dancers to stein hoisting contests and delicious bratwurst, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

  • 10:00 AM - 10:30 PM | Bilingual German Storytime - Zweisprachige Märchenstunde - OFFSITE 📖

    ACPL Main Library
    900 Library Plz
    Fort Wayne, IN 46802

    Join us for a bilingual storytime in German and English!
    Schließen Sie uns an, für eine zweisprachige Märchenstunde auf Deutsch und Englisch!

    11:00 AM | Festival Tent Opens 🎉

    11:00 AM - 3:00PM | Tommy Schober and the Sound of Sorgenbrecher 🎵

    12:00 AM - 8:00PM | Hammerschlagen Hotsted by T-Mobile 🔨
    Step up to the stump and test your hammer skills in this classic German nail-driving game! Hammerschlagen is a fun and competitive challenge where each player takes turns trying to drive a nail into a wooden log—using precision, not just power. Stob by the T-Mobile tent in the Bier Garten to play!

    3:00PM - 7:00PM | Jay Fox and the Jammin’ Germans 🎵

    6:00 PM | Official keg tapping! 🍺

    6:30 PM - 7PM | Costume Contest 🩳
    Get into the spirit of GermanFest with our Costume Contest, open to both individuals and groups! Whether you’re rocking traditional attire or a creative twist on fest-wear, we want to see it.
    Sign up at the info booth!

    6:15PM | Fort Wayne Tanzers 🕺💃

    7:00PM - 11:00PM | Aaron Dussing Band🎵

    9:00 PM | Legs n Lederhosen 🩳
    Get ready for the ultimate showdown of calves and creativity! Contestants in lederhosen (or wildly creative interpretations thereof) perform behind a partial curtain, visible only from the waist down.

    Our panel of judges will score based on presentation, authenticity, originality, and form—but identities stay hidden until the winners are revealed!

    Sign up at the info booth!

    11:00 PM | Festival Tent Closes👋

  • 11:00 AM | Festival Tent Opens 🎉

    11:00 AM - 3:00PM | Jay Fox and the Jammin’ Germans 🎵

    7:00 PM | GermanFest 5k
    The annual GermanFest 5k will be taking off from Lawton Park.

    3:00PM - 7:00PM | Aaron Dussing Band🎵

    7:00 PM | Masskrugstemmen 🍺
    Think you’ve got what it takes to go the distance? Step into the spotlight for Masskrugstemmen, the stein hoisting challenge!

    Come cheer on the competitors or try it yourself—it’s a crowd favorite that brings big laughs, big cheers, and big biceps.

    Sign up at the info booth!

    7:00 AM - 11:00PM | Tommy Schober and the Sound of Sorgenbrecher 🎵

    11:00 PM | Festival Tent Closes 👋

  • 11:00 AM | Festival Tent Opens

    11:00 AM - 6:00PM | FamilienFest (Headwaters West)

    11:00 AM - 3:00PM | Aaron Dussing Band🎵

    2:00PM | Fort Wayne Tanzers 🕺💃

    3:00PM - 7:00PM | Tommy Schober and the Sound of Sorgenbrecher 🎵

    4:00PM | Fort Wayne Tanzers 🕺💃

    6:00PM | Fort Wayne Tanzers 🕺💃

    7:00 PM | Polka Like a Star
    Ready to dance your heart out? Join Patric Didier and his talented team for a lively evening of spins, steps, and smiles during Polka Like a Star!

    🎶 Kick things off with a fun, beginner-friendly polka lesson, then show off your moves in a friendly dance competition. Dancers will compete in a process of elimination—so bring your energy, rhythm, and flair!

    Stop by the information booth to sign-up!

    7:00PM - 11:00PM | Jay Fox and the Jammin’ Germans 🎵

    11:00 PM | Festival Tent Closes👋

  • 11:00 AM | Festival Tent Opens 🎉

    11:30PM | Fort Wayne Tanzers 🕺💃

    12:00PM - 5:00PM | Aaron Dussing Band🎵

    1:30PM | Fort Wayne Tanzers 🕺💃

    3:30PM | Fort Wayne Tanzers 🕺💃

    5:00 PM | Festival Tent Closes👋