News and Updates

NEW: Changes and updates for 2027

NEW: Pass auf! preparation

Houstonfest Scholarships - 2026 Winners Announced!

Scholarships at State

Houstonfest history

Arrival at Heights High School

Lunch options
 

Teacher-to-teacher tips

Tips for Pair Discussion

Daily log of changes to State-qualifier list

State promo video contest

Contest promo video #1 (students from one school tell why they love contest)

Contest promo video #2 (one student tells why she loves contest)

Contest promo video #3 (hilarious 2024 State-winning submission from our own Klein Oak High School!)

Contest promo video #4 (2025 State-winning submission from Cedar Ridge High School)

Contest promo video #5 (fun 2026 State-winning submission from our own Jordan High School!)

Photo gallery

Important Dates

Mon., Jan. 11, 2027, 4:00 p.m.: Provided we receive funding from the Houston Saengerbund, the application for transportation grants opens; link will be sent to teachers.

Fri., Jan. 15, 2027, 11:59 p.m.: Transportation-grant application closes.

Wed., Jan. 20, 2027, 11:59 p.m.: Houstonfest registration spreadsheet due for regular price of $15/student (payment does not have to be mailed until 2/1).

Wed., Jan. 27, 2027, 11:59 p.m.: Houstonfest registration spreadsheet due for late price of $20/student (payment does not have to be mailed until 2/1).

Sat., Jan. 30, 2027, 9:00 a.m.: Submission of entries in the 7 virtual Houstonfest events due (get the link to the Google Form from your teacher).

Mon., Feb. 1, 2027: deadline to postmark payment for registration fees (or pay electronically).

Tue., Feb. 2, 2027, 11:59 p.m.: Remote judging of the 7 virtual Houstonfest events ends.

Wed., Feb. 3, 2027, 10:00 p.m.: Houstonfest changes (adds, drops, substitutions) due. After this point, no more changes will be allowed.

Sat., Feb. 6, 2027:  Houstonfest, Heights High School, Houston.

Fri., Feb. 12, 2027, 11:59 p.m.: State online registration due for regular price of $15/student (payment does not have to be mailed until 2/xx).

Wed., Feb. 17, 2027, 11:59 p.m.: State online registration due for late price of $20/student (payment does not have to be mailed until 2/xx).

Sat., Feb. 20, 2027, 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 an application, get the link to a Google Form from your teacher).

Mon., Feb. 22, 2027, 8:00 p.m.: Entries in State promotional video contest due (link to submission form typically emailed to teachers 1-2 weeks in advance).

Tue., Feb. 23, 2027, 11:59 p.m.: Remote judging of the 7 virtual State events ends.

Sat., Feb. 27, 2027: Texas State German Contest, Texas State University, San Marcos.

Sat., Mar. 6, 2027, 11:59 p.m.: Houstonfest Scholarship applications due.

Sun., Mar. 14, 2027: Gail Cope State Scholarship applications due (link to application form is typically sent to teachers a few days after State contest).

between Fri., Jan. 1 and Fri., Apr. 30, 2027: submit Gail Cope Teacher Grant applications.

If you would like to make a donation to Houstonfest

(or Sprachfest, Winterfest, or the Texas State German Contest)

via PayPal,

please click this link, which will first take you to a Google Form

that will gather some information,

and at the end of that form you'll be directed to PayPal:

Donate online to Houstonfest

If you prefer to make your donation by check, you may make it out to

"Houstonfest" and mail it to

2507 Slippery Rock Dr.

Sugar Land, TX 77498

Houstonfest has always been able to cover all operating costs with the registration fees paid by the participating schools. Unless that ever changes, donations will be used to fund scholarships for individual students, transportation grants to help schools with bus costs, and long-term initiatives to make the contest experience better for everyone.