Events
BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
Thru the Chute, one of New Braunfels’ most popular annual springtime events, is seeing changes in 2026. The event, which previously operated as a rst- come, rst-serve event, has had attendance grow by approximately 89% since 2023, according to Placer ID data from the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce. Due to the event’s growing popularity, event- goers have been turned away at the gate, families have been separated by gate closures, and early morning lineups have created congestion, city o cials said in an email to Community Impact . What you need to know about Thru the Chute in 2026
Diving in deeper
Before you go
Thru the Chute estimated attendance
In an e ort to provide a safe and enjoyable expe- rience for all participants and spectators, the city placed a cap on in-person attendance and began o ering free spectator tickets—which are required to enter the event. Tickets were available for free online on a rst-come, rst-served basis starting at 8 a.m. Feb. 2, according to the email. “This allows the city to set clear expectations and manage crowd size in a predictable and safer manner,” the email states. About 5,500 spectator tickets were claimed within the rst hour of being released, and in-per- son spectator tickets are now sold out. Although the total number of boats allowed for this year’s event increased, boat registration also sold out, city o cials said in the email. The city is also livestreaming the event on New Braunfels’ social media for the rst time. “A series of watch parties are being organized and hosted at downtown businesses,” the email states.
Where to watch
Thru the Chute attendance has grown by approximately 89% since 2023, according to Placer ID data from the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, which was provided by the city.
Thru the Chute
4 Scores Sports Bar & Grill 5 The Hideaway 6 Lost & Found
1 Float in 2 Kennedy's Tavern 3 Krause's Cafe
8,000
+89.3%
PRINCE SOLMS PARK
7,100
1
6,000
V E
O
M
4,000
6
2
3,750
2,000
4
3
5
0
2023
2024
2025
W. JAHN ST.
The Thru the Chute event will take place at 10 a.m. April 11 in Prince Solms Park.
N
NOTE: THIS MAP INCLUDES WATCH PARTIES LISTED ON THE CITY’S WEBSITE AS OF MARCH 2.
COURTESY CITY OF NEW BRAUNFELS
SOURCES: NEW BRAUNFELS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, CITY OF NEW BRAUNFELS, PLACER ID COMMUNITY IMPACT
CREEKSIDE TOWN CENTER 263 Creekside Crossing (830) 608-1969
NEW BRAUNFELS 1671 IH-35 S (830) 629-0434
LIVE OAK 14623 IH-35 N (210) 651-1911
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