Sherwood Forest Faire is an annual Renaissance festival held every spring in the picturesque Lost Pines section of Central Texas. The 25-acre Renaissance village in McDade features over 100 shops, a castle, pubs, and other premises. Nestled in a lush wooded area, Sherwood Forest Faire could be reached in 35 minutes by car from downtown Austin. Attendees can immerse themselves in legendary times around 1189, with chivalrous knights, robbers, comedians, jugglers, musicians, peasants, and other characters. Everyone can meet Richard the Lionheart, Robin Hood, Lady Marian, Little John, and the Sheriff of Nottingham!
Entertainment
Sherwood Forest Faire offers premium entertainment: over 40 stage acts every day, like full-contact jousting, magic, birds of prey, music shows, and more. In addition, visitors can wander through a vibrant marketplace with over 170 artisans and merchants. Educational demonstrations include glass blowing, weaving, blacksmithing, pottery, leather armor making, and more. Vendors offer costumes, hand fans, corsets, kilts, swords, body armor, mugs of wood, potter, and pewter. Over 20 food vendors serve up giant turkey legs and gourmet foods like oysters, egg rolls, and cannolis. Wash it down with wine, beer, and mead at the fair pub.
Several jousting events take place at the fair. The Jousting Tournament on April 13-14, 2024, is an impressive show featuring 6 to 8 knights, breaking hundreds of lances in pursuit of victory. Smaller jousts by the New Riders of the Golden Age take place every day. Very realistic full-contact competitive matches always gather large crowds. Castle Siege with Robin Hood is another highlight of the Sherwood Forest Faire. The action-packed show features fierce sword fighting, archery, and a fiery finish. Find out if Robin Hood can keep the English throne from falling into the hands of a treacherous Prince John!
Camping and tickets
Sherwood Forest Faire hosts on-site camping and overnight accommodations: five-bedroom suites in the Great Hall of King Richard’s own Nottingham Castle. Reservations must be made in advance. The Faire is open on weekends and Friday, March 15th. It runs from 10 am until dusk. General admission is $26 online or $30 iat the gate. Youth (aged 6-12) pay $15.50 online or $18 at the gate. Children 5 and under don't need a ticket. A weekend camping fee is $19 for an adult (youth: $11).
