Face painter Shandi Howard entertains with bubbles during a media tour at the Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025.
Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle
Knights compete in a jousting tournament during the 51st annual Texas Renaissance Festival on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Todd Mission, Texas.
Raquel Natalicchio/Raquel Natalicchio / Houston Chr
An entrance at the Texas Renaissance Festival is shown in Todd Mission Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025.
Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle
Thomas Wood the Pyrojuggler performs during a media tour at the Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025.
Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle
The King, a costumed character, greets guest during a media tour at the Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025.
Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle
A year after a Grimes County judge ruled the Texas Renaissance Festival must be sold, the estate of its late founder, George Coulam, is still in control with its lawyers planning to appeal the order to sell, a move a festival representative said won’t stop the 2026 season from kicking off in October.
The First Court of Appeals on Monday granted a motion from attorneys representing Coulam’s estate and his companies to extend the time to file the appeal. It must be filed by June 12, according to court documents.
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The civil case over the sale started in August 2023. Coulam, 87, died by suicide on May 21 of last year, two weeks after Judge Gary W. Chaney of the 506th state District Court issued his ruling after several days of testimony. Chaney ordered Coulam to pay more $23 million in damages and attorney’s fees to cover money lost by the buyer during the dispute.
The original lawsuit, filed by RW Lands Inc., says Texas Stargate, Inc., Royal Campground, Inc., and Texas RF, Inc. agreed to purchase the Renaissance property, assets and nearby property for $60 million.
The suit claims Coulam and his company did not provide the required documents for the sale, and the plaintiffs learned on April 7, 2023, that Coulam would not close the sale on April 8, 2023, as planned.
Attorneys representing Coulam’s estate and his companies related to the festival did not respond to requests for comment.
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“The Estate of Mr. Coulam and the existing operators of the festival have decided to appeal the judgment of the Court. Because the festival must continue, for the benefit of all and the community, the parties are working to ensure that happens, while continuing the fight at the Court of Appeals,” said attorney Anthony Laporte, who represents Meril Rivard, the owner of the companies purchasing the festival property.
Laporte said Rivard wants the sale to move forward.
“Mr. Rivard and his group are committed to ultimately acquiring the Festival and working with it, the vendors, the community, and the valued patrons to ensure the long-term success of Ren Fest,” Laporte said. “It appears, however, additional victories will need to be obtained to ensure that outcome.”
The festival attracts more than 500,000 visitors each season. The event, which is in its 52nd season, achieved Coulam’s vision when he launched the festival in 1974.
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“Last year’s festival season demonstrated exactly what guests can continue to expect from the Texas Renaissance Festival: a vibrant, successful and immersive experience built on more than 50 years of tradition,” said Kelsey McCullough, a publicist for the festival.
She said 2025 saw one of the the festival’s highest attendance numbers.
2026 tickets and dates for the Texas Renaissance Festival
The 2026 schedule opens Oct. 10 and continues on weekends through Nov. 29 and the Friday after Thanksgiving. Tickets are now available online for 2026 on the festival’s website.
Camping reservations for The Fields of New Market Campground are also open on the website, and festival performers recently auditioned for their roles.
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“With preparations for the 2026 season already underway, the TRF staff remains committed to honoring the legacy left before them: creating magic and memories for all who walk through the festival gates,” McCullough said. “The artisans, merchants and performers remain a steadfast heartbeat in an environment that has turned into a yearly tradition for friends and families.”
Texas Renaissance Festival actors will also take part in Comicpalooza Houston, May 22-24 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.