Wolffest returns to Butler Plaza April 7-9, offering entrepreneurial students the opportunity to test their business skills and letting visitors feast on different fares.
The University of Houston’s annual student-run festival, Wolffest, returns this month. The three-day business competition serves as the ultimate test for entrepreneurial students, tasking them with applying years of classroom theory to a high-stakes, real-world marketplace.
Held from April 7-9, the event is named for the Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship in the C. T. Bauer College of Business. During Wolffest, the UH campus transforms into a vibrant hub of entrepreneurship and entertainment.
As a capstone project, WCE seniors lead seven student teams through the process of launching companies and partnering with local vendors to operate pop-up food and beverage stands. Teams compete to maximize sales and operational efficiency.
This year’s student teams and their featured food partners include:
- NOSH: South American flavors from Elotes & Hot Dogs Don Pepe and Tornado Taco.
- Wolff Summit: Texan favorites from BB’s Tex-Orleans and Unicookies.
- Wolff Nation: International cuisine from Fruteria Queens, a Salvadorian based brand, Main Bird Hot Chicken and Portillo’s.
- Wolffstock: Music festival-inspired fare from Wingstop, Fajita Pete’s and Halal Shack & Grill.
- H-Toon: Houston-inspired eats from Burger Bodega, Gyro King and Pudgy’s Fine Cookies.
- Backyard Wolves: Cookout classics from Weenie Wagon, Raising Cane’s, OMG! Burger, The Waffle Bus and Love Ice.
- Wolff Legacy: Renaissance Fair-themed bites from Chicano BBQ, Crawfish & Noodles, Cosmic Ice Cream and Lé French Press.
“Wolffest isn’t just an event — Wolffest is where bold ideas hit the grill, community partners and real businesses come to life, and students prove they can thrive under pressure,” WCE Executive Director David Cook said. “For years it’s been a high-energy celebration of entrepreneurship, where every bite fuels the next generation. Bring your friends, come hungry, leave inspired.”
The annual, three-day event consistently draws thousands of visitors.
Empowering the Next Generation
On April 9, the festival will welcome a special group of young entrepreneurs. In a unique community collaboration, fifth graders from neighboring Blackshear Elementary School will showcase their own business ventures. Eleven students, split into two teams, will market and sell their unique lemonade brands: Energize Lemonade and The Thirst Quenchers.
WCE leadership partnered with Blackshear faculty to teach these students the fundamentals of entrepreneurship to help them launch these pop-up businesses. All proceeds from the lemonade stands will directly benefit Blackshear’s after-school programs.
This initiative is inspired by philanthropist Cyvia Wolff’s longstanding support of Blackshear Elementary and aligns with the WCE mission of strengthening the Houston community by fostering an entrepreneurship mindset beyond the UH campus.
“At WCE, our mission is to empower students through personal and professional growth. We aim to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs to think, lead and connect,” said Danna Ceron Jaramillo, WCE program director of community outreach. “By working with the students at Blackshear, we have the opportunity to start this journey early — creating an inspiring and meaningful experience for them.”
A UH tradition since 2002, Wolffest has grown into a major event. Proceeds from vendor sales fund scholarships and student activities for future WCE cohorts. The event consistently draws thousands of visitors; last year’s festival raised more than $225,000 through food sales and donations.
Event Details
- What: Wolffest
- When: April 7-9, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Where: Butler Plaza, in front of UH’s MD Anderson Library, 4333 University Drive, Houston
- Cost: No entrance fee; food and beverages are sold at individual booths