Germantown's signature fall festival is returning this September with nearly 400 arts and crafts vendors, free admission, live entertainment, festival food and one gloriously specific athletic event: the Running of the Weenies. The two-day gathering is shaping up as a full weekend of shopping, family activities, cars and dachshunds at maximum speed.
The City of Germantown announced the dates Tuesday in a city Facebook announcement, setting the festival for Saturday, September 12, and Sunday, September 13, at the Germantown Civic Club Complex. Saturday hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a noon-to-6 p.m. schedule Sunday.
The event's official website describes the festival as the 53rd annual edition and says admission will remain free. The lineup includes children's activities, rides and games, live stage entertainment, car exhibits, community displays, food vendors and shopping from nearly 400 local and regional artists and craftspeople, according to Germantown Festival organizers.
Nearly 400 vendors and a full family lineup
The City of Germantown's event listing says the festival will fill the Civic Club Complex with arts and crafts shopping, children's attractions, live entertainment, food, auto exhibits and the dachshund race. The city also says free shuttle service will be available to help visitors avoid the parking crunch that comes with a popular fall weekend event.
Festival organizers say shuttle buses will run continuously from two free parking lots, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Dogs can ride too, provided they are leashed and controlled, either held or secured in a small carrier — a transportation policy that feels particularly on-brand for this event.
The Running of the Weenies returns Saturday
The weekend's most unmistakable tradition is scheduled for Saturday at the Germantown Charity Horse Show Arena. The Best Dressed Contest begins at 11 a.m., followed by the Running of the Weenies dachshund race at 11:30 a.m., with the event sponsored by the Germantown Animal Shelter, according to the festival's official schedule.
The festival is landing during one of the busiest stretches of the Mid-South event calendar. Memphis Travel's 2026 guide lists Germantown's weekend alongside the Delta Fair and Music Festival and Southern Heritage Classic events, making September 12 and 13 a particularly packed weekend for regional festival-goers.
