Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Visit the Texas Ren Fest

When you’re looking for something new and fun to do in the Orange, Texas, area, there are countless opportunities to explore unfamiliar territory. You can check out the Stark Museum of Art, visit a botanical garden, or go on a hike. However, nothing will give you the excitement, intrigue, and splash of history like the Annual Texas Renaissance Festival. A perfect event to enjoy with family or friends, the Texas Renaissance Festival offers a little something for everyone.

Read on to learn about the fest, plus the entertainment and fun activities to expect when you attend the annual event.

The 47th Annual Texas Renaissance Festival

Image via Flickr by thisgeekredes

The Texas Renaissance Festival has been an annual event since 1974 that typically takes place in the fall. This year, the festival runs from October 9 through November 28 and offers an opportunity to celebrate, learn, and grow. This fun-filled, family-friendly event takes place in Todd Mission, Texas, and is the nation’s largest Renaissance fest — with over half a million guests in attendance yearly. It offers a variety of entertainment, food, and performances to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience.

The annual fair encompasses over 70 acres of land and has grown to have over 20 stages and 230 acres of camping facilities. During the day, enjoy jousting tournaments, jesters’ performances, and a birds-of-prey presentation. At night, feature performances include a fire show and a celebratory fireworks display, good enough for royalty. Plan your visit for an optimal experience, take extra money for souvenirs from over 400 shops, or take part in their pub crawl. To feel you’re having an experience tailored to your interests, head out to the renaissance festival during one of these themed weekends.

General admission tickets for the Texas Renaissance Festival range from $12.50 to $30, depending on the weekend and events. Check the website for show-listing and daily events. Also, if you’re still holding unused tickets from 2020, the festival organizers will honor them this 2021 season. Large families wanting to save some money and still show the kids a good time will be happy to hear that entry for children ages 12 and younger is half-priced on Saturdays and free on Sundays.

Anyone planning to camp must get a camping ticket (besides the festival ticket) to camp during any festival weekend from noon on Thursday to Monday noon. With your camping ticket, you’ll be granted entry into a 200-acre meadow and facility with first-class camping accommodations. Whether you are in a tent, RV, or trailer, you and your loved ones can participate in this unique experience. For camping information, call 936-218-0972.

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest kicks off the festival this year. Opening weekend — Saturday, October 9 and Sunday, October 10 — begins with recognizing everything associated with bratwurst and beer. Wear your lederhosen just like they do in the Alpines and Bavaria, and join the daily costume contest.

1001 Dreams

The weekend of October 16-17 is a celebration of everything fanciful and mythological at the festival. Prepare yourself to see fairies, elves, and other mythical creatures scampering about at New Market Village. Create your own set of fairy wings to wear at the festival, and join in the wing contest.

All Hallows Eve

All Hallows Eve at the 2021 Texas Renaissance Festival is a real treat with a side of scare. Win some spooky prizes in their costume contest, check out a few ghoulish creatures, and enjoy some fair food from Saturday, October 23 through Sunday, 31. For families, the fest is a great way to keep kids from trick-or-treating door to door. Children will appreciate getting to still celebrate Halloween and show off their costumes in the family-friendly environment.

Heroes and Villains

During the festival’s Heroes and Villains-themed weekend, see some of your favorite heroes from legends of old or walk the festival grounds. Dress up as your favorite hero or villain and enjoy walking in some else’s shoes. Take part in the costume contest for a chance to prove your costume-making skills. Heroes and Villains weekend is November 6 through 7.

Celtic Christmas

Celebrate the Celts and the season of giving during the Renaissance Festival’s Celtic Christmas, from Friday, November 26 through Sunday, November 29. This three-day celebration closes out the festival with the help of Mother and Father Christmas. The kids will rejoice in seeing elves and the gorgeous Christmas wonderland. Begin your holiday shopping while listening to your favorite holiday tunes fill the festival lanes. Support local, and choose from handmade soaps, paintings, jewelry, and other specialty crafts. With over 400 shops to choose from, you’ll find the perfect and unique gift for those in your life who have everything.

Other Events

The festival hosts other events throughout the season. For a challenge, join in the 5K run. Get a seat at Odin’s Table and lift your goblets while taking part in a Texas Wine Tasting event. Wine-tasting is $30 per seat and only open to those 21 and older. Outside of the wine-tasting event, the table is open to festival participants who want to purchase a glass or bottle of wine separately. Festival guests can also take part in bourbon, rum, or scotch tastings.

Tea and Strumpets is a family-friendly daily event suitable for all ages. At 2 p.m., bottomless pots of tea and hand-baked treats are served to participants for $55 a seat. Strangers can’t sit together, and tables seat four to six people. This is the perfect event to enjoy for a family with kids. Escape room challenges, a king’s feast, a masquerade ball, and various concerts round out the other fantastic activities at the annual Texas Renaissance Festival.

So there you have it. Granger Chevrolet has just shared with you highlights of the Texas Renaissance Festival this year. What do you think of our suggestions for themes and activities to check out at this Texas festival? Did we miss your favorite activity? Let us know. Leave a message and we’ll be happy to include your recommendations on our list. Meanwhile, check out our inventory of new and pre-owned vehicles to get you to the fest in style. Our friendly finance department is ready to help you find a deal that fits your budget for your dream vehicle.