Forget everything you think you know about craft fairs. The Texas Clay Festival isn’t about browsing tables of knick-knacks while politely nodding. It’s about watching an artist yank a glowing red-hot pot from a kiln with metal tongs, plunge it into a pile of straw, and reveal a shimmering glazed piece that literally carries the mark of fire.
For 33 years, this two-day celebration has turned historic Gruene into Texas’s clay capital every October. This year’s festival happens October 25-26, 2025, and more than 80 of Texas’s finest clay artists will be there to prove that pottery is way cooler than you remember from that college class you took.
This Isn’t Your Grandmother’s Pottery Show
The organizers call it “a two-day clay love-fest,” and they’re not exaggerating. Students and educators, professional collectors, and complete newcomers—anyone with even the slightest interest in clay—descend on this tiny historic district the fourth weekend of October to celebrate an art form that dates back thousands of years.
Since launching in 1993, the festival has had one clear mission: have a good time, celebrate clay as an art form, and educate people about ceramics. Mission accomplished on all counts.
Walk through the festival grounds and you’ll find functional pottery you can actually use in your kitchen, sculptural pieces that belong in museums, traditional work that honors centuries-old techniques, and modern interpretations that push boundaries. The range is staggering—and every single piece was made in Texas.
The Real Show: Live Demonstrations
Sure, you can browse and buy beautiful pottery all weekend. But the demonstrations? That’s where the magic happens.
Throughout both days, artists demonstrate wheel throwing, hand building, sculpture techniques, and surface decoration. Watch skilled hands transform a lump of clay into a perfect bowl in minutes. See how sculptors build complex forms without a wheel. Learn the tricks for creating intricate surface patterns.
But the crowd favorite is always the Raku firing demonstration.
Here’s how it works: Artists quickly heat pots in small gas kilns. When the pot reaches the right temperature, they open the kiln and—using long metal tongs—pull out a piece that’s glowing red-hot. Like, seriously glowing. The kind of glow that makes you step back involuntarily.
Then the artist carefully places that red-hot pot into a container filled with straw, wood chips, newspaper, or other organic materials. The fire catches. Smoke billows. The organic material combusts and creates unique patterns on the clay’s surface.
After cooling, the artist reveals the finished piece—a pot with shimmering glazes and unpredictable patterns created by the interaction of fire, smoke, and glaze. No two pieces ever come out exactly the same.
The atmosphere during demonstrations stays casual and friendly. Artists encourage questions. Conversations flow naturally. You can geek out about firing temperatures or just ask “how did you do that?” Either way, the artists love talking about their craft.
More Than 80 Texas Clay Artists
Every artist at the festival makes their work in Texas. No imports. No mass production. Just skilled artisans who’ve dedicated their lives to understanding clay.
The variety spans the full spectrum:
- Functional pottery: mugs, bowls, plates, serving pieces you’ll use every day
- Decorative vessels: pieces that serve as art first, function second
- Sculpture: from small tabletop pieces to larger statement works
- Traditional forms: honoring historical pottery styles and techniques
- Contemporary art: pushing what’s possible with clay
Whether you’re looking to start a pottery collection, add unique pieces to what you already own, or just appreciate beautiful craftsmanship, you’ll find something that speaks to you. And because you’re buying directly from the artist, you can ask about their process, learn about their inspiration, and understand exactly what makes each piece special.
The Silent Auction: Bid on Beautiful Work for a Good Cause
At the information tent, you’ll find more than just festival t-shirts. Throughout the weekend, a silent auction features clay work donated by participating artists.
Here’s what makes this auction special: the proceeds don’t line anyone’s pockets. The money helps potters in need, awards scholarships for clay-related education, and funds future festival events. You’re not just buying art—you’re supporting the entire clay community.
Bidding ends Saturday at 4:00 PM and Sunday at 3:00 PM, so if you see something you love, don’t wait until the last minute. Competition can get fierce for the best pieces.
Why Gruene Makes the Perfect Setting
Historic Gruene (pronounced “green”) is already one of Texas’s most charming destinations. Settled over a century ago, this 15-acre National Historic District preserves original township buildings while staying vibrant and relevant.
The festival takes place on the grounds in the heart of the historic district, surrounded by shops, restaurants, and Texas’s oldest continually operating dance hall. That’s not marketing hype—Gruene Hall opened in 1878 and has hosted everyone from Willie Nelson to George Strait.
The setup is perfect: spend the day browsing pottery and watching demonstrations, then grab dinner at one of Gruene’s restaurants, shop in the unique stores, and cap off the evening with live music at Gruene Hall. Or tube down the nearby Guadalupe River earlier in the day before hitting the festival. Or explore the antique shops between pottery booths.
The point is, you’re not making a special trip just for pottery. You’re planning a full Hill Country weekend.
Getting There
Gruene sits just four miles north of New Braunfels, making it an easy drive from either San Antonio or Austin.
From San Antonio (about 45 minutes): Take I-35 north past New Braunfels to the Canyon Lake exit (FM 306). Follow the signs to Gruene Historical District—go straight about 2 miles and turn left at the second light. You’ll drive right through Gruene facing the Dance Hall.
From Austin (about 50 minutes): Follow I-35 South to exit 191 (FM 306) and turn right. Follow signs to Gruene Historical District—straight about 2 miles, then turn left at the second light. You’ll end up facing the Dance Hall.
Parking is plentiful with a large free lot plus street parking throughout the historic district.
What to Expect
Dates: Saturday, October 25 and Sunday, October 26, 2025
Hours:
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission: FREE
What to Bring:
- Cash and cards (most artists accept both, but cash helps small transactions)
- A bag or box if you plan to buy (pottery can be fragile)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sunscreen (much of the festival is outdoors)
- An open mind about what pottery can be
Plan to Stay For:
- Live demonstrations throughout both days
- Raku firing (check schedule—these draws huge crowds)
- Silent auction viewing and bidding
- Conversations with artists about their work
- Actual shopping time (don’t just rush through)
Beyond the Festival: Make It a Weekend
Once you’re in Gruene, you’ve got options for the full weekend:
Texas’s Oldest Dance Hall: Gruene Hall has been hosting live music since 1878. The 6,000-square-foot dance hall still has its original layout—side flaps for open-air dancing, bar in front, stage in back, huge outdoor garden. Check their schedule for weekend performances.
The Gristmill Restaurant: Built in 1977 as a replica of the original cotton gin (destroyed by fire in 1922), this restaurant offers stunning tiered patios overlooking the Guadalupe River. The burgers and chicken fried steak have earned cult status.
Gruene General Store: Established in 1925 and barely changed since, this is still one of the most popular spots in town. Browse everything from handmade fudge to local art to that perfect souvenir.
River Activities: The Guadalupe River runs right past Gruene. Tubing, kayaking, and fishing are all available through local outfitters.
Gruene Market Days: Happens monthly (except January) with nearly 100 artisans offering handmade crafts and Texas foods. If it coincides with your visit, you’re in for double the shopping.
Why This Festival Matters
In a world of mass-produced everything, watching someone transform raw clay into functional art feels almost revolutionary. These aren’t factory workers following templates. These are artists who understand how clay responds to water, how heat transforms minerals, how glazes react unpredictably in the kiln.
Every pot tells a story: the artist’s training, their aesthetic choices, their willingness to embrace the unpredictability of fire and chemistry. When you buy directly from the maker, you become part of that story.
The festival also preserves and promotes an ancient craft. Humans have been making pottery for over 20,000 years. Some of the techniques you’ll see demonstrated at the festival are essentially unchanged from methods used thousands of years ago. Other techniques push the boundaries of what’s possible with modern technology and materials.
Supporting this festival means supporting artists who’ve chosen a difficult path—making handmade functional objects in an age of cheap imports and mass production. It means keeping traditional skills alive. It means saying yes to beauty and craftsmanship in everyday objects.
The Bottom Line
If you’ve ever picked up a handmade mug and thought “this feels different from regular mugs,” you need to visit the Texas Clay Festival. That difference is the human touch—the subtle variations, the intentional design choices, the weight and balance that comes from throwing hundreds of practice pieces before making the one you’re holding.
The festival removes the mystery. You can watch the entire process, ask questions, understand what separates a $30 mug from a $5 mug from Target. You can see why collectors spend serious money on pottery, why museums preserve ancient ceramics, why some people build their entire homes around showcasing clay art.
And yes, you can watch someone pull a glowing red pot from a kiln and transform it with fire. That alone is worth the trip.
The Texas Clay Festival celebrates its 33rd year proving that some traditions never get old—they just get fired at increasingly high temperatures.
Event Details:
What: 33rd Annual Texas Clay Festival
When: Saturday, October 25 & Sunday, October 26, 2025
Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM both days
Where: Gruene Historic District, New Braunfels, TX 78130
Admission: FREE
Parking: Free lot and street parking available
Silent Auction Bidding Closes:
- Saturday at 4:00 PM
- Sunday at 3:00 PM
Contact:
- The Barn Pottery: 830-629-7975
- Brieger Pottery: 830-833-2860
- Website: TexasClayFestival.com
For More Info on Gruene:
- Visit: GrueneTexas.com
- Located: 4 miles north of New Braunfels
- Distance: 45 minutes from San Antonio, 50 minutes from Austin
Pro Tip: Plan to spend at least 3-4 hours at the festival. You’ll want time to browse all 80+ artists, watch demonstrations, explore Gruene’s shops and restaurants, and maybe catch some live music at Gruene Hall. Make it a full Hill Country weekend—you won’t regret it.
