Texas Renaissance Festivals

in Plantersville, Austin, Tyler, Waxahachie,
Hillsboro, Ingleside & Galveston

The various Texas Renaissance Festivals are held in the Spring and Fall every year allowing people to step back into the days of yore complete with costumed performers and period merchants roaming the festival grounds. Combining performance art with a medieval marketplace and assorted daily performances, theatrics are at their highest, with each worker completely in character to enhance the period effect.

The Texas Renaissance Festival (RenFest) is one of the nation's largest, most acclaimed renaissance theme parks where the sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and beauty of the 16th Century come alive. The renfest in Magnolia features strolling merry-makers, maidens, a daily parade of the King's Court, jousting competitions, shops, food, and time period correct demonstrations and exhibitions.
Get Directions to The Texas Renaissance Festival
The Renaissance Festival location is out in the woods - the closest address is 21778 FM 1774, Plantersville, Texas 77363 800-458-3435 website
Area Lodging - There are a few hotels in Magnolia, Texas and there are many other Hotels in The Woodlands Texas which offer a shuttle service (saving you money to park and the potentially long walk to your car at the end of the day).

Renaissance Festival Weekend Themes

With more than 200 daily performances on 21 different stages by more than 3000 costumed characters, the Texas RenFest at Plantersville is the largest in the region. Each of the eight weekends of the Texas Renaissance Festival involve a unique theme.

The 2011 weekend themes include:

• Oktoberfest - October 8 & 9. Opens with a Bavarian atmosphere, fun and entertainment.
• 1001 Dreams - October 15 & 16. A weekend filled with magical wizards, elves and faeries spreading enchantment.
• Pirate Adventure - October 22 & 23. A swashbuckling weekend as the crew of the Pride of Belham invade the Shire.
• All Hallows Eve - October 29 & 30. Samhain scares up some fun when ghouls and goblins will come out to pay homage to the Queen during this Halloween weekend.
• Roman Bacchanal - November 5 & 6. Join the Italian Court for this weekend including a Pasta Eating Contests and Togas all around!
• Highland Fling - November 12 & 13. The Queen of Scotland comes to Court and brings the energetic pipes and drums of Tartanic.
• Barbarian Invasion - November 19 & 20. The Barbarian King and his fellow barbarians try to prove themselves civilized citizens of the realm.
• Celtic Christmas - November 25 - 27. The Festival concludes with a special holiday three-day weekend that includes a visit from Father Christmas.

The Texas Renaissance Festival features an International menu with Food Fit for a King or Queen. Feasting and Spirits are a big part of the festival celebration; visitors to the festival both young and old are sure to find something to tantalize their taste buds. From The Queen's Pantry featuring the Royal Bakery one can sample Scotch Eggs and a variety of fresh baked goods. King Henry's Table features Smoked Turkey Legs, Coconut Fried Shrimp, Fish and Chips, and a broad assortment of fine brews and spirits. Don Felipe's Fruitful Endeavors offers up a refreshing assortment of fresh fruits and cheeses. Sample foods from several different countries including Polska Kielbasa, Dill Pickle Soup and Pierogi at Polonia where all things Polish may be found. Stop in at La Fiesta for Fajitas, Quesadillas, Blooming Onions and Lady Ligia's infamous banana and beef empañadas. The Black Forest Inn features robust German dishes such as Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, Potato Pancakes and Apple Strudel. An old world corner bistro offering hot coffees, teas and more, along with cordials and candies can be found at the The Pavilion. Ancient Greece awaits at the Greek Agora with Beef and Lamb Gyros and Hummus. And if all of that is still not enough, don't worry, this is but just a sampling of all the available feastings there are to be had at the Texas Renaissance Festival!

Texas RenFest Tickets

The Annual Texas Renaissance Festival (37 & counting) in Plantersville is held each weekend October through November, as well as Thanksgiving Friday. RenFest Tickets are $25.00 for adults, and $12.00 for children ages 5 through 12 at the gate. Discount tickets may also be purchased at a nearby location of Woodforest National Bank, HEB and Randall's or Market Basket stores; Outlet ticket prices are only $19.00 for adults and $9.00 for children. As RenFest season nears, there is some availability to purchase tickets online, as well as reissue tickets that may have been lost, damaged or stolen.

Other Texas Renaissance Festivals & Faires

Can't wait for October? Were you destined to be a member of the Royal Court and want to gather with your fellow Chevaliers and Courtesans? Fear not, here at Woodlands Events, we've located them all for you. There are other Texas Renaissance Festivals that are held each year across Texas, beginning in February and ending in December.

Sherwood Forest Festival

Nestled in the Lost Pines section of Texas, the Year is 1189. Richard the Lionhearted has taken the Throne of England from his father, Henry II. The Sheriff of Nottingham is ruling the shire with an iron fist, when he's not fighting off Robin of Loxley and his band of Merry Men, who have gained a reputation for fighting the injustices of local earls and barons, as well as the Crown. Join in the merriment with live entertainment, merchants with all manner of wares and of course, food and beverage fit for all inhabitants of the Shire. The Sherwood Forest Festival runs for seven weekends (Saturdays & Sundays) starting in late February and continuing into early April. Gates are open 10 am – dusk, rain or shine. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $8.50 for children ages 6-12 (children 5 & under are FREE) and can usually be purchased at participating Austin-area HEB locations. Discount tickets can be purchased online. FREE parking is available. Sherwood Forest Faire is located 35 miles east of Austin on US Hwy 290. Click here for more information about the Sherwood Forest Faire festival.

Four Winds Faire

The Renaissance begins in March at Four Winds Faire. The usual season of Four Winds Faire includes themed weekends filled with full combat jousting, Renaissance entertainment, merry minstrels, swashbuckling swordsmen, pirates and buccaneers, artisan demonstrations, craft booths, and food and drink fit for royalty. Children’s entertainment includes the Children’s Knighting Ceremony, amazing puppeteers, a petting zoo with pony rides, games of skill and chance, and the Crow’s Nest ride & Joust the Dragon ride, the Royal Parade, and much more! The Four Winds Faire runs for 8 weekends (Saturdays & Sundays) March through April as well as three weekends in October. Gates are open 10 am – 7 pm, rain or shine. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $5.00 for children ages 5-12 (children 4 & under are FREE). Discounted tickets are available for a limited time by mail; more information can be found on their website. FREE parking is available. Four Winds Faire is located just 11 miles south of Tyler, Texas off Hwy. 110 South, between Whitehouse and Troup, Texas. Click here for more information on Four Winds Faire or call (903) 839-5271.

The Scarborough Renaissance Festival

The Scarborough RenFest opens its gates for their annual event each April. The season of Scarborough RenFest includes themed weekends such as The Royal Ale Festival, a special Renaissance Romance theme for Mother's Day Weekend, a Celtic music festival, and the Pirates invasion. Entertainment is nearly constant across the 35-acre grounds and takes place in Holly Field, Crown Meadow and Pecan Grove both on and off one of the 10 stages. The season of Scarborough Faire runs for 8 weekends (Saturdays & Sundays) April - May. Gates are open 10 am – 7 pm, rain or shine. Tickets are $24 for adults and $9 for children ages 5-12 (children 4 & under are FREE) and can be purchased online. Discount Tickets are available at Dallas/Fort Worth area Tom Thumb locations. FREE parking is available. Scarborough Renaissance Festival is located just 30 minutes south of Dallas/Fort Worth, in Waxahachie, Texas. Visit their website for more information on The Scarborough RenFest Festival or call toll-free 888-5-FESTIVAL or (972) 938-3247.

Middlefaire Renaissance Festival

Before Middlefaire comes to life in September, there is a special Pirate Festival in May. Taking place in a mid-seventeenth century English village occupied with minstrels, swashbuckling swordsmen, gypsies, rogues, pirates and buccaneers, there are craft booths, merchants and food and drink fit for aristocracy. Don't miss the Royal Parade, the Irish Bards and much more! The Middlefaire Renaissance Festival runs for 3 weekends (Saturdays & Sundays) September through early October. There has also been a special Magical & Midieval Fantasy Faire one weekend in October. Gates are open 11 am – 7 pm Saturdays and 11 am - 6 pm Sundays, rain or shine. Tickets are $12.00 for adults and $5.00 for children ages 7-12 (children 6 & under are FREE). FREE parking is available. Middlefaire Renaissance Festival is located just 5 miles north of Hillsboro, Texas on Hwy. 171 at the intersection of Highway 171 and County Road 1458.

Click here for more information on Middlefaire Renaissance Festival or call (254) 548-6238.

Ingleside Renaissance Faire

The annual Ingleside Renaissance Faire is a single-weekend event held in December. Watch for the Vikings, jousters, and recreations of the past as you wind your way through the massive Live Oak trees. You will encounter dragons, elves, Kings and Queens as you travel through the forest. Prepare yourself for a journey through the forest filled with entertainers and reenactors. Gates are open 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $3, and free for children ages 3 and under. The Ingleside Renaissance Faire is located in the heart of Ingleside, Texas at Live Oak Park. Visit their website for more information about the Ingleside Renaissance Faire or call toll free 888-899-2906 or (361) 776-2906.

Dickens On The Strand

Finally, why not bring the year to a close by fast-forwarding several centuries, yet still visiting days gone by? Dickens on The Strand is a long-standing tradition held each Christmas season in Galveston. Stroll amongst the bobbies, Beefeaters and the Queen herself in this recreation of the Victorian London of Charles Dickens. Presented by the Galveston Historical Foundation, Dickens on The Strand is an enchanted journey through history as a bustling 19th Century cityscape comes to life. For an entire weekend, hundreds of costumed vendors and performers will provide a look at the pomp and pageantry of the British Empire, at a time when commercial and cultural ties provided a strong connection between London and Texas’ largest and richest city.

Dickens On The Strand is held one weekend in December each year, and opens at 10:00 am each day. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for children ages 7-12 and FREE for children 6 and under. Discount tickets may be purchased online, and may also be purchased at participating Kroger stores in the greater Houston area, including Huntsville, Galveston, Bryan/College Station, Beaumont, Orange, Port Arthur and Lake Charles, prior to the festival. For more information about Dickens On The Strand, visit their website or call 409 765-7834.

Here at TheWoodlandsEvents!, we want to help you plan your day. If that involves traveling to one of the Renaissance Festivals or Faires in the surrounding communities listed here, please use this map to assist you in finding your way.

View Texas RenFest Locations in a larger map

PLEASE NOTE: All locations, dates, times, ticket prices and entertainment descriptions are subject to change without notice and are outside of the control of TWE. TWE advises calling or visiting each RenFest website before planning your day trip.