TrekUnity
When
October
Attendance
~500,000 (across the season)
Admission
Ticketed
Setting
Outdoor
Set on a permanent 55-acre village northwest of Houston, the Texas Renaissance Festival is the country's largest Ren faire — nine consecutive themed weekends of jousting, artisans, turkey legs, live music, and full-costume revelry each fall.
Each weekend has its own theme (pirates, Oktoberfest, Highland fling, and more), and many visitors camp on-site to make a full weekend of it. It's an all-day, walk-everywhere experience built for groups who like to dress up and wander.
Want to go? Turn Texas Renaissance Festival into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
Weekends, early October through late November
Admission
~$38 adults · discounted kids · multi-day and camping passes
Parking
Large on-site lots (general and preferred); arrive before opening on themed weekends to avoid the entry queue.
Nearest airport
Houston (IAH) — ~1 hr; Houston Hobby (HOU) — ~1.5 hr
Typical weather
Warm, humid Texas fall — 70s–80s °F; afternoons can be hot, evenings pleasant.
Official website
Location
Todd Mission, TX
Where to stay
On-site camping (Fields of New Market)
The classic way to do it — camp all weekend by the gates.
Magnuson Hotel (Magnolia)
Simple rooms in the nearest town, ~20 min out.
The Woodlands hotels
Fuller hotel + dining options ~45 min away.
Where to eat & drink
Turkey legs & festival fare
The on-site staple — eat your way through the village.
Local BBQ (Magnolia)
Texas barbecue in the nearest town for the drive out.
The Woodlands dining
Wide range of restaurants for a post-faire group dinner.
Nearby attractions
Lake Conroe
Boating and lakeside dining a short drive away.
The Woodlands Waterway
Walkable dining and entertainment district.
Sam Houston National Forest
Piney-woods hiking and paddling nearby.
A sample itinerary
1Set up camp
- •Afternoon: check into camping or hotel
- •Evening: pick up costumes / gear
- •Plan tomorrow's themed weekend
2Full faire day
- •Morning: arrive at opening
- •Midday: jousting tournament
- •Afternoon: artisan market + shows
- •Evening: themed feast
3Second pass + depart
- •Morning: catch missed acts
- •Lunch: turkey legs
- •Afternoon: drive back toward Houston
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Buy tickets online ahead of time to skip the gate lines on themed weekends.
- Camp on-site with your group to make it a full weekend and split the site cost.
- Go in costume — half the fun is joining in.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Texas Renaissance Festival?
It runs on weekends from early October through late November, with a different theme each weekend.
Can you camp on-site?
Yes — on-site camping is a big part of the experience and a popular way to do a full themed weekend with a group.
Is it worth doing more than one day?
The village is huge; two days lets you catch the jousting, the shows, and the market without rushing — and different weekends have entirely different themes.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Texas Renaissance Festival or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.