Survival Guide for Newbies
Welcome to the Kingdom of The Texas Renaissance Festival, where an encounter with an enchanted fairy, pirate or mythical creature is expected as you interact with our cast of characters, take in a show at one of our 19 stages, choose your team during the joust, dine on a flavorful food that you fancy, test your gaming skills, brave a ride or shop to your heart's desire.
The 77 acres of festival grounds can be overwhelming to the TRF newcomer, so we've put our best tips
together so you can plan your best Renaissance Festival experience based on your interests and the
group you are visiting the kingdom with.
1. What to Bring
Our festival gates are open rain or shine, so be sure to check the weather for Todd Mission, TX before you leave for the day. Sunscreen is recommended even on cloudy days. Hats and Sunglasses are strongly suggested, and Comfortable shoes are a must. Cash - If you don't bring enough with you, many of our vendors accept major credit cards, just ask before you place your order. There are also ATMs located throughout the festival grounds for your convenience.
One (1) unopened bottle of water is permitted when entering the festival. Empty water bottles that can be filled in the festival are permitted. You may also bring in food for infants and toddlers.
2. When to Arrive
The majority of our patrons arrive between 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., so to avoid long lines, we invite you to arrive early so you can be at the gate when the King and Queen declare the festival open with the cannon at 9 a.m. Alternately, arrive after 2 p.m. and stay for our Royal Fireworks Show sponsored by Top Dog Fireworks.
3. How to Get to the Kingdom
There is only one road that will take you to the gates of the festival, and that is FM 1774.
DO NOT rely on apps like Google or Waze as they may re-route you if there is traffic and many side streets and alternate routes have been closed to Festival traffic. We strongly recommend approaching the festival from the North.
- Route 1: From I-45 North, exit at 105/Conroe and travel West until you get to FM 1774 in Plantersville and head South.
- Route 2: Take Hwy 290 to Hwy 6 Navasota. From Navasota take Hwy 105 to FM 1774 in Plantersville and head south.
- If you are traveling North on the Tomball Parkway from 249, take the Woodtrace Blvd. exit and proceed on through Magnolia, taking the FM 1774 flyover to the festival gates.
Parking at the festival is free, however you can upgrade to Preferred Parking or Valet. Both options are available online for a discounted price than what you will pay at the gate.
4. Tickets
ALL tickets are DATE SPECIFIC and can be purchased in advance or at the box office.
Purchase at texrenfest.com.
If you have purchased your tickets in advance online via texrenfest.com, please take a photo of your ticket QR code or add to your Apple wallet before you get to the gate. Cellular service didn't exist in the 16th century, so while we have made every attempt to be accessible via every carrier, some are more responsive than others.
5. Plan Your Day
First things first, before entering the gates of the festival you can rent a stroller or wagon for the wee ones, or an electric scooter for yourself! $3 hourly for the former, $99 daily for scooters. To reserve now call 817-808-6249!
Pick up a Souvenir program at the Information Booth to get a grasp of the layout of the festival, figure out where the nearest turkey leg or brew is, and what time your favorite act is hitting the stage.
6. Just for Kids
FYI - Not all the stage shows at TRF are appropriate for children, so we invite you to explore the "Things to Do for Kids" page for Entertainment, Demonstrations, Rides and Activities and Family Friendly Dining spots.
Children 4 and under are admitted free to the festival every day.
Kids 12 and under are FREE on Sundays. No need to purchase a ticket. Their presence will be accounted for at the gate.
7. Lockers
Guided Tours Available
If you're still a bit overwhelmed about navigating the
festival, you can reserve a guide for a few hours or for the day, depending on
your needs and your points of interest. Our TRF Ambassadors know the festival
inside and out and can provide guidance for your family or group. This is
a free service, however we suggest a donation to one of our
beneficiaries: RESCU Foundation, Inc and ASLFaires TX. All tour
requests must be made at least three days in advance in order for our
Ambassadors to tailor your itinerary to your interests and/or needs.
Simply fill out our request form and an Ambassador will get back to you with a
plan for your visit!