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Escape the city (and the 21st century) at Sherwood Forest Faire

Experience jousting, live performances, artisan markets, and feasts every weekend through Sunday, April 19.

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Attendees are in for a good laugh at the “Washing Well Wenches” show, hosted by the village laundresses Daphne and Cookie.

Photo by ATXtoday

Hear ye, hear ye. The gates of Sherwood Forest Faire, aka Austin’s nearest Renaissance festival, are open every weekend now through Sunday, April 19.

Set across 25 wooded acres in McDade — 35 miles east of Austin — the immersive festival transports visitors to a mystical era of knights, fairies, and fantastical creatures.

A cozy, wooden pavilion at a Renaissance fair where costumed participants engage in lively conversations and activities. A woman in a white dress sits across from a fortune teller dressed in red and gold attire, adorned with jewelry and headscarves. Another woman in a black velvet gown sits nearby, facing a man in a striped outfit who appears to be performing a service or craft. The pavilion is decorated with colorful drapes, a patterned rug, and small tables holding trinkets, bottles, and other items. In the background, fairgoers wander among the trees.

Need to spruce up your attire? No problem. Get a henna tattoo, have your hair braided, make your own jewelry, and more.

Photo by ATXtoday

Grab tickets and don your finest garb to visit the medieval village. Here’s what to expect:

  • 150+ shows each day include jousting, falconry, fire juggling, knife throwing, music + dance performances, comedy shows, sword fighting, and a castle siege.
  • 170+ local artisans set up shop in over 100 permanent buildings on the property, offering handmade goods like pottery, armor, glassware, jewelry, and more. Live demonstrations from craftspeople like silversmiths occur daily.
  • 30+ food and drink vendors serve everything from bangers and mash to chocolate-dipped worms and strawberry pickle lemonade to Thorin’s Viking Mead.
A festival attendee browses through a vendor's tent filled with colorful, handmade clothing and accessories at a Renaissance fair. Dressed in an earthy green outfit with a leather belt and pouches, the woman holds up a delicate crocheted shawl, examining its details. The stall is packed with flowing skirts, embroidered tops, and intricately knitted pieces in vibrant hues. Other shoppers, dressed in medieval and bohemian-inspired attire, peruse the offerings in the background as sunlight filters through the surrounding trees, adding to the rustic, outdoor marketplace atmosphere.

Carve out time to shop at Sherwood Forest Faire and be sure to bring a bag to stow your purchases.

Photo by ATXtoday

Psst — consider on-site camping for an overnight experience.

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