Texas Renaissance Festival to open with new programming and safety measures

The Texas Renaissance Festival will open for its 46th season on October 3 in Todd Mission, with new programming and safety measures.

The 16th-century-themed festival is getting several new attractions, including the manually propelled DaVinci’s Flying Machine, Dragon Tower Slide, Airy Botter’s Escape Room and a pirate ship museum, according to a Friday release.

The lineup of performers ranges from singer, songwriter, and accordionist Amanda Kitchens to pyro-juggler Thomas Wood.

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New food and drink vendors include The Kackle King serving drunken chicken and pork; Wyrmwood Public House offering craft cocktails; and Tea and Strumpets offering ethically sourced teas as well as a high tea available by reservation.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the festival said it canceled the After Dark Saturday entertainment experience, costume rentals and annual School Days event for the 2020 season.

The 60-acre outdoor event also announced social distancing guidelines, including 50 percent capacity, vehicles parked six feet apart in lots, plexiglass partitions at several food booths, socially distanced seating at performance venues and eating areas, and hand sanitizing stations situated throughout the grounds.

Face masks, spot cleaning at high traffic areas and line monitors outside the front gate to maintain social distancing as guests enter are also part of the measures.

Date-specific tickets, $30 per adult and $15 per child for general admission, are available in limited quantities at outlets such as H-E-B, Groupon, and the Festival’s website.

The Texas Renaissance Festival, located one hour north of Houston, is scheduled for Saturdays and Sundays from October 3 to November 29.