The Texas Renaissance Festival runs for nine weekends each fall in Todd Mission, about 50 miles north of Houston

The Texas Renaissance Festival (also called the Texas Ren Fest or Ren Fest) operates from late September through November on weekends only. The grounds sit on 55 acres in Todd Mission, Texas, in Grimes County. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to dusk on Saturdays and Sundays, with some special event nights that extend hours.

The festival is not run by the state or a government body — it is a private, for-profit event owned and operated by the same company that runs the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. Admission requires a paid ticket, and the grounds include stages, food vendors, craft booths, and themed areas that recreate a 16th-century European village setting.

Key Takeaways

  • The festival runs nine consecutive weekends from late September through November, Saturdays and Sundays only, with occasional extended-hours nights.
  • Gate admission costs vary by day and advance purchase — weekend days cost more than weekday preview nights, and buying tickets online before arrival is cheaper than buying at the gate.
  • The grounds cover 55 acres and include multiple performance stages, food vendors, craft merchants, and themed village areas, but no rides or amusement park attractions.
  • Parking is included with admission and located on-site; the festival provides shuttle service from the parking area to the gate during peak hours.
  • Outside food and drink are not permitted, but the festival allows re-entry with a hand stamp if you leave and return the same day.

Ticket prices and how they vary by day

Gate admission is not a single price — it changes based on the day of the week and whether you buy in advance. Weekend days (Saturday and Sunday) cost more than weekday preview nights (Thursday and Friday). Advance online purchase is cheaper than buying a ticket at the gate on the day you arrive.

The festival also offers season passes and multi-day packages. A season pass covers all nine weekends and costs less per visit than buying individual tickets for each weekend. Multi-day packages (usually two or three consecutive days) offer a discount compared to single-day tickets but cost more upfront.

Discounts are sometimes available through partner retailers, local radio stations, and the festival's own website. Children under a certain age (typically under 12) may enter free or at a reduced rate depending on the year — check the current season's pricing page before you go, as these policies change annually.

What happens on the grounds

The festival recreates a 16th-century European village with multiple themed areas and performance stages. Stages host live comedy, music, juggling, acrobatics, and theatrical performances throughout the day. Performers are costumed actors and musicians, not celebrity entertainers, and performances rotate on a schedule posted at the entrance.

Craft vendors sell handmade items including jewelry, leather goods, clothing, weapons (theatrical and decorative), artwork, and home décor. Food vendors operate throughout the grounds and sell turkey legs, bread bowls, meat pies, mead (honey wine), beer, and other period-themed or festival foods. No outside food or drink is permitted on the grounds.

The festival does not include amusement park rides, roller coasters, or mechanical attractions. It is a walking festival with stages, vendor booths, and open areas for crowds to gather and watch performances. Visitors are encouraged to wear costumes or period clothing, though it is not required.

Parking, entry, and what to bring

Parking is included with your admission and is located on-site. During peak hours (typically mid-morning through early evening on weekends), the festival operates shuttle buses from the parking area to the main gate. Walking from the parking area to the gate is also an option, though the distance varies depending on which lot you are assigned to.

The festival grounds are outdoors and exposed to weather. Visitors should bring sunscreen, hats, and water. The grounds are not climate-controlled, so dress for the season — late September can still be warm in Texas, while November can be cool or rainy. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, as the grounds cover 55 acres and involve significant walking.

Outside food and drink are not permitted, but the festival allows re-entry with a hand stamp if you leave the grounds and return the same day. This means you can step out to your car or a nearby location and come back without paying again.

Accessibility and facilities

The festival provides wheelchair and mobility device access throughout most of the grounds, though some areas are gravel or uneven terrain. Accessible restrooms are located at multiple points on the grounds. Visitors with mobility concerns should contact the festival directly before attending to ask about specific areas or accommodations.

The festival does not provide lockers or bag storage, so plan accordingly if you are bringing items you do not want to carry all day. Backpacks and bags are permitted but are subject to search at the gate.

How the festival differs from other Renaissance fairs

The Texas Renaissance Festival is one of the largest Renaissance fairs in the United States by attendance and acreage. It operates for nine consecutive weekends, which is longer than many other regional fairs. The grounds are permanent and set up annually, rather than being a traveling event that moves to different cities.

The festival is owned by the same company that operates the Kansas City Renaissance Festival, so the two events share some performers and production style. However, the Texas festival has its own unique themed areas, vendor lineup, and performance schedule. If you have attended another Renaissance fair, the Texas festival will follow a similar format but with its own character and layout.

Planning your visit

The festival website publishes the performance schedule, vendor list, and special event dates before each season begins. Special events include themed weekends (such as pirate weekend or fantasy weekend), which feature additional performances or activities tied to that theme. Some special event nights extend hours beyond the standard 10 a.m. to dusk schedule.

Arriving early in the day (around opening time) means shorter lines at the gate and parking, and you will have more time to see performances and browse vendors before the grounds become crowded. Weekday preview nights (Thursday and Friday) are typically less crowded than weekends, though they also have fewer performances and vendors operating.

The festival is located about 50 miles north of Houston, roughly a 45-minute to one-hour drive depending on traffic and your starting point. GPS coordinates and detailed directions are available on the festival website. The nearest town with hotels and restaurants is Navasota, about 15 minutes away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear a costume or period clothing?

Yes, costumes are encouraged but not required. Many visitors wear Renaissance-era clothing, fantasy costumes, or modern clothes. Weapons (swords, bows, axes) are permitted if they are theatrical or decorative and clearly not functional. Real weapons are not permitted on the grounds.

Are there discounts for groups or families?

Group discounts are sometimes available for parties of a certain size — check the festival website or call ahead to ask about current group rates. Family packages or multi-day discounts may also be offered depending on the season.

What if it rains?

The festival operates rain or shine. Most performances continue in light rain, though some outdoor stages may cancel shows during heavy rain or lightning. The festival does not offer refunds for weather. Bring rain gear or plan to take shelter in vendor areas if rain is forecast.

Can I bring my dog or pet?

Service animals are permitted on the grounds. Pets that are not service animals are generally not permitted, though the festival's specific pet policy may vary by year — contact the festival directly to confirm current rules before bringing a pet.

How long does it take to see everything?

Most visitors spend four to six hours on the grounds, though you could spend a full day and not see every performance or vendor. The festival is designed to be revisited across multiple weekends, and many people return several times during the season to catch different shows and explore different areas.