With the exception of Landa Park, Fischer Park and Camp Comal, the consumption of alcoholic beverages or the possession of an open alcohol container in city owned parks is prohibited by city ordinance.

In New Braunfels, Texas, the laws regarding public drinking are highly specific and depend on where you are and what you are drinking out of. As of 2026, you can legally consume alcohol while floating on the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers, but you must strictly follow the "Disposable Container Ordinance" (the famous "Can Ban"). This means you cannot have any "single-use" containers on the river, including aluminum cans, plastic bottles, or glass. All beverages must be in reusable containers like insulated tumblers or gallon jugs. On dry land, public drinking is generally prohibited in most city streets and parking lots, though it is permitted in certain designated "Entertainment Districts" and during sanctioned festivals like Wurstfest. If you are caught with a "disposable" container on the river, you can face a fine of up to $500. The 2026 enforcement remains strict to keep the river ecosystems clean, so the rule of thumb for New Braunfels is: drink what you like, but keep it in a permanent, reusable cup if you are on the water.