Hear ye, hear ye! Travel back in time to the 16th century at the 45th annual Scarborough Renaissance Festival. It’s a spring tradition in North Texas showcasing pageantry, craftsmanship, performance and community, and it’s going on right now.
The festival is every Saturday and Sunday until Memorial Day weekend. In addition to the jousting, turkey legs, costumes and man-powered rides, there are tons of fun Renaissance-style activities on tap. The village itself is brought to life by the troupe of actors who portray villagers, peasants and royal dignitaries
Each weekend has a theme and a special lineup of events and shows. Some of these themes include Barbarian Weekend, Celtic Weekend, Spring Celebration & Chivalry Weekend, Flights of Fantasy Weekend, Legends of the Sea and The Last Huzzah.
This year, the new experiences include a dozen new shows happening at one of the 20 stages. These shows include Carnival of Sound, Cirque La Vie, Gabs the Fool, The Spice Boys and more.
There will also be over 20 new guest artisans selling Viking-inspired jewelry, leather accessories, pirate accessories, interactive dragon eggs, handcrafted wooden chairs and other fantasy accessories. Some shops at the festival will include Wood Hollow Crafting, Kattegat Traders, Castaways and The Alchemy Valkyrie.
New attractions at this year’s fair include The Kingdom’s Dungeon, a fully immersive walk-through attraction exploring Renaissance-era justice and punishment. Additionally, the Scarborough Castle: Hauntings of Yore has reopened, and guests can explore the tales of restless spirits, mythical creatures and the village’s haunted past.
Some tips to keep in mind before heading to the festival include arriving an hour early if you want to park and beat the line, or arrive around midday when the morning people are leaving. Also make sure to look on the website to see what events and attractions there are and plan out the day.
Open every Saturday and Sunday from now until May 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 2511 FM 66, Waxahachie. Admission is $34 for adults 13 and up, and $15 for kids ages 5-12. Children 4 and under get in for free. Parking is free. srfestival.com