Dee Karl | Winterfest contest

Updates for Winterfest 2026

Gingerbread House allowable amount has been boosted to $70 in consideration of the price increases due to tariffs, etc.

Please note the following updates for Winterfest 2025 The contest date has been pushed a week from the traditional format to facilitate the later end of winter break and help teachers register. This push also affects the TX State Contest. Winterfest date is 8...

Ben Barber Map

Please click the title for a map of Ben Barber Innovation Academy. Download (PDF,...

Updates for Winterfest 2024

Grüße Alle! I am the new Executive Director of Winterfest, Dee Molnar. I am excited to step into this new role. I have participated in Winterfest since way back in 2007 as a teacher, judge, event coordinator, site host, and now ED. I hope to collaborate with many...

2022 Contest will be Fully Virtual (Again)

–post updated Jan 9, 2022– We had hoped for an in-person contest this year, but with Omicron and steeply rising case numbers, we are concerned about 1) student/teacher/judge health and safety, and 2) the possibility that schools or districts may decide...

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Regional Events

**Winterfest 2026**

Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026

Doors open at 9:00 am
Events begin at 10:00 am
Judges breakfast begins at 8:00 am
Judges meeting at 8:45 am

Dallas College Mountainview Campus
4849 Illinois Ave. Dallas 75211

Site Director: Jessica Matchett

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

Early bird registration fee of $15 per student will end on Wed., Jan. 21, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Online registration. This means teachers must have completed the only registration form by this time to be eligible for the early bird pricing.

Regular registration fee of $20 per student is due by Wed., Jan. 28, 2026, 11:59 p.m.

Registrations received after 11:59 pm on Wed., Jan. 28, 2026, will be considered late and incur the late registration cost ($25). Additionally, access to group events may be limited, if needed due to judging availability.

Sat., Jan. 31, 2026, 9:00 a.m. Digital Event submissions due for all online events. NO LATE entries will be accepted past 10 am. Anything submitted between 9-10 am that Saturday will receive an automatic 10 point deduction.

Tue., Feb. 3, 2026, 11:59 p.m.: Remote judging of the 7 virtual Winterfest events ends.

Wed., Feb. 4, 2026, 10:00 p.m.: Winterfest changes (adds, drops, substitutions) due. After this point, no more changes will be allowed.

State Events

**Texas State German Contest 2026**

Sat., Feb. 28, 2026:

Texas State University, San Marcos

Fri., Feb. 13, 2026, 11:59 p.m.: State online registration due for “early bird” price of $15/student (payment does not have to be mailed until 2/21).

Wed., Feb. 18, 2026, 11:59 p.m.: State online registration due for regular price of $20/student (payment does not have to be mailed until 2/21).

Sat., Feb. 21, 2026, 9:00 a.m.: Submission of entries in the 7 virtual State events due (get the link to a Google Form from your teacher). Also, Mary El-Beheri Memorial Scholarship and Sandra Dieckman GTHS Memorial Scholarship applications due (to submit the application, get the link to a Google Form from your teacher). Deadline to postmark your State payment.

Mon., Feb. 23, 2026, 8:00 p.m.: Entries in State promotional video contest due to State director.

Tue., Feb. 24, 2025, 11:59 p.m.: Remote judging of the 7 virtual State events ends.

Contact Us

Winterfest Director
Dee Karl
winterfest@texasstategermancontest.org

Winterfest Mailing Address (PAYMENTS MUST MAIL TO THIS ADDRESS)
Winterfest German Contest
1806 Newcastle Dr. Mansfield, TX 76063

Texas State German Contest Director
Jennifer Christianson
director@texasstategermancontest.org

TSGC Mailing Address
Texas State German Contests, Inc.
PO Box 2043
Boerne, TX 78006

State Onsite Directors
Dr. Ewa Siwak & Dr. Valentina Glajar
Dept. of Modern Languages
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666