Fun for the Whole Family at Scarborough Renaissance Festival

I received tickets for my family to attend the Scarborough Renaissance Festival so I could share my experience with you.

We’ve lived in Texas for nearly ten years now. And every April, the Scarborough Renaissance Festival takes place in Waxahachie, TX and I tell my husband, “I want to go to that!” and then all of a sudden it’s summer and the festival has ended and we still haven’t been. This year, we actually went – and took both kids – and it was so much fun. Truly, it was great for the whole family.

Here’s everything you need to know to plan your trip to the Scarborough Renaissance Festival (and, a bunch of pictures – because WOW, a lot of fun photo opps!).

Get ready for some fun at the Scarborough Renaissance Festival!

What to Expect at Scarborough Renaissance Festival

Located in Waxahachie, the festival is an outdoor event that runs every weekend through April and May. The festival is spread out over 35 acres, and you’ll find vendors peddling their wares, activities for the kids, shows and entertainment running all day long, food, and even beer and wine.

Adults will enjoy the shops, food and shows. Kids will love the hands-on activities, rides, and medieval-esque costumes and buildings (okay…adults will enjoy that, too).

The grounds are beautiful, and the buildings are permanent (I was expecting more of a carnival-type environment with portable buildings). You’ll find lots of shade and scenic spots to enjoy your food or just take a break.

Reminiscent of the Renaissance, all rides and activies are powered by humans (or physics).

Lots of people dress up for the festival, and no one will look at you funny if you break out your best medieval garb! Jack was so excited about dressing up that he wore his armor and carried his sword the entire time were there (and we were there for hours). 

Jack learns how to use a sword in the Children’s School of the Sword.

Many activities are free with the price of your admission. Other cost money (usually between $2-$5). Jack loved attending the Children’s School of Sword, which was a free activity where he learned proper sword technique.

Jack is very proud of his archery skills!

Jack also had the chance to try out some archery. This cost $5 for a sheath of arrows that we let both kids shoot (with parental assistance, because ARROWS).

Claire’s favorite activity was feeding the animals.

Claire’s favorite activity was the petting zoo. For $3, we each received a bracelet that would allow us re-entry into the petting zoo throughout the day. We also paid $1 for some animal food, which as you can see was an incredible value as Claire was feeding the pellets one at a time to any animal that was interested. 

Claire feeds a mini cow.

The petting zoo also had a unicorn, and those are always exciting!

Unicorn alert!

Both festival employees and attendees dress and speak according to the Renaissance times. This leprechaun, who we stumbled across as he built a little village in a ravine, was fun to watch. Jack was amazed at the castle and bridge he had built.

Leprechaun!

Another highlight of the afternoon was the jousting tournament. I loved it because of the HORSES. Jack loved it because of the jousting and weapons and knights. The audience was split into four groups, and each group had a knight to cheer on. Ours was Sancho from Spain, who is known to resort to cheating. BRING ON THE BAD GUY! And his pretty horse, too.

Sancho of Spain and his handsome charger.

After watching the jousting tournament, Jack was really excited to find a jousting ride where he could joust on his own! Wooden horses on a wooden track gave riders the chance to joust (with a sword that appeared to be made out of a pool noodle). This ride was $3/person, but the kids loved it so much it was worth every penny. Even if they are still fighting over who won. 😉

CHARGE!

When you start to get tired from all the walking and playing and shopping you’ll be doing, there are lots of places to eat. We had chicken-on-a-stick (which was not only delicious but healthy, too) and pizza, but there were lots (and lots and lots) of food options. There was also beer and wine.

And you know what’s really great after several hours of walking around and trying to console two kids who are crying because they are super hungry and need to rest, but don’t want to sit down and eat anything?

Wine.

Yes, please!

After a little food and drink, we had our energy up and visited the Mermaid Lagoon (the kids loved meeting the mermaids), rode a llama (well…Claire did, while Jack rode a pony), played in the maze, and spent some mother-children bonding time riding a sweet elephant named Rampage. And on a random side note, can I just say that elephants are amazing? It was so special to ride this beautiful and ginormous creature. I kind of loved her.

Claire aboard her handsome steed, Black Knight.

Charles and Claire navigate the maze.

The only picture I have with me and the kids this Mother’s Day!

So…clearly, there are lots of things to do at the Scarborough Renaissance Festival! I can’t wait to go back!

What to Bring

• Suncreen
• Water
• Comfy shoes
• Map (you can buy a program with a map for $3 at the event, or you can print this map out and take it with you)
• Stroller or baby carrier – we did not take a stroller, and the grounds are all dirt and gravel. A lot of people did have strollers, though, and if you have a little kid you might appreciate having it. If you have a jogging stroller with rubber wheels, this is a great time to use it.
• Snacks for kids
• Cash – there is an ATM, but it’s easier if you just bring your cash with you – and the rides and paid activities all require cash
• Camera!

Location and Ticket Info

Location

• 2511 FM 66, Waxahachie, TX 75167 – you can get directions here

Dates & Times: 

• Saturdays, Sundays and Memorial Day Monday, April 5 – May 26, 2014 
10:00AM – 7:00PM

Ticket Prices (parking is free):

• Regular Admission: $24.00 Adults, $10.00 Children (ages 5-12)
• Children age 4 and under are free
• Discount Tickets are available at Metroplex Tom Thumb and Austin area Randalls locations
• Discount coupons available at Waxahachie Autoplex
• Discount coupons available at Long John Silver’s
• Child’s Season Passes:  $20.00 (ages 5-12)
• Friend of the Faire Memberships (Adults only): $135
• Discount group and consignment programs are available

Have ye a merry olde time!