'Halfway to Halloween': Scarborough Renaissance Festival brings monsters, mystics, and magic
WAXAHACHIE – Fortune tellers are reading the cards, mythical monsters are lurking in the village and daring performers are cracking fiery whips as Scarborough Renaissance Festival celebrates the halfway point to Halloween.
April 30 marks the midpoint between now and Oct. 31. Known in parts of Europe as Walpurgis Night, the date has long been associated with folklore, mystery and supernatural legends.
Guests can celebrate Halfway to Halloween during Scarborough Renaissance Festival’s 45th season April 25-26 and May 2-3, when the 16th-century village comes alive with mystical readings, dungeon adventures and fantastical characters.
Across the country, Halloween enthusiasts increasingly celebrate the halfway point to Oct. 31 with springtime events, costumes and spooky fun. For fans of fantasy, folklore and cosplay, Scarborough Renaissance Festival offers the perfect setting to embrace the spirit of the season months before Halloween arrives.
Set across 25 acres in Waxahachie and celebrating the 1545 visit of King Henry VIII and Queen Katheryn Parr, the Festival recreates a bustling English village filled with live entertainment, artisan shoppes, human-powered rides and thrilling tournaments in the newly enhanced Joust Arena.
Monsters, Mysteries and the Macabre
Guests looking for darker thrills will find plenty of mysterious encounters throughout the village.
Scarborough Castle: Hauntings of Yore invites curious travelers to explore the underbelly of the Lord Mayor’s castle, where legends whisper of restless spirits, creatures of myth and ancient mysteries that refuse to rest.
The King’s Dungeon transports visitors into the shadowy world of Renaissance justice. This immersive walk-through experience features recreations of historical torture devices, atmospheric dungeon staging and educational storytelling that explores the darker side of history.
Inside the Mythical Monster Museum of Raptus and Krane, visitors encounter vampires, trolls, mermaids, dragons and other legendary creatures. Guests can learn the stories of fearless monster hunters while viewing artifacts, preserved remains and fantastical displays that bring myth and legend to life.
Strange Performances and Curious Characters
The spirit of mystery and spectacle continues throughout the village with unusual performances and unforgettable characters.
Adam Crack’s Fire Whip Show thrills audiences with daring whip-cracking stunts including balloon popping, candle snuffing and fiery routines.
Cirqa Brava captivates crowds with high-flying aerial acrobatics that blend comedy, beauty and circus spectacle.
Cy the Sword Swallower astonishes audiences as he swallows swords of varying shapes and sizes in a thrilling and comedic performance.
Digger Plotz, the Grave Singer, roams the village singing humorously dark songs about life, death and the strange things in between while strumming his shovel guitar.
Guests can also experience the action and romance of the Festival’s iconic joust tournament, where armored knights clash in a spectacular display of horsemanship and skill.
Mystics, Fortune Tellers and Whispers of the Future
Halfway to Halloween is also the perfect time to ask the age-old question: what does the future hold?
Throughout the village, visitors can step into the mystical world of tarot and palmistry as skilled fortune tellers offer playful glimpses into destiny and possibility.
At Mystic Tarot, guests can explore the ancient art of tarot card reading, where symbolic imagery and intuition combine to reveal potential paths and hidden opportunities.
Visitors can also meet Kolisha, who reads tarot cards and palms to interpret personality, life journeys and what fate may have waiting just beyond the horizon.
At Palmistry by Stermer, the future unfolds through the fascinating study of the palm, offering insights into character, destiny and the twists and turns that may lie ahead.
Whether seeking guidance, curiosity or simply a bit of magical fun, these mystical readings invite guests to embrace the mysterious spirit of Halfway to Halloween and discover what secrets the universe might reveal.
Dress for Adventure
Halfway to Halloween is the perfect excuse to arrive in costume. Guests are encouraged to dress as pirates, princesses, rogues, dragons, wenches and other imaginative characters.
Many Festival guests already arrive in costume each weekend, making Halfway to Halloween the perfect time to fully embrace the fun of cosplay.
Those who arrive without a costume can find plenty of options throughout the Festival village.
Suit Your Fancie Costume Rental offers a variety of Renaissance attire for guests wishing to indulge in dress up during their visit.
Boss Wench features clothing inspired by adventurous pirates and the noble lords and ladies of the Renaissance.
Pendragon Costumes showcases handcrafted historical garments with Renaissance and Neo-Victorian influences.
Silverleaf Leather offers handcrafted leather goods ideal for Renaissance festivals, cosplay and fantasy costuming.
Midnight Orchid Design creates handmade Viking clothing located in Crown Meadow.
Accessories can be found throughout the village, including handcrafted hats at Blonde Swan Hat Co., vibrant apparel at Belly Dance Treasures, and handcrafted festival masks featured in the Mask Parade by Vincent Ur.
Visitors can also explore more than 200 artisan shoppes featuring handcrafted goods including jewelry, pottery, glasswork, sculpture, leatherwork, woodworking and metalwork. Face painting, hair braiding, henna artistry, floral crowns, massages and other festive touches add to the immersive experience.
Special Themed Weekends
The Halfway to Halloween celebration coincides with two themed Festival weekends.
April 25-26: Celtic Weekend and Deaf Awareness Day
Guests can unleash their inner Celt while enjoying music, culture and traditional fun. Children ages 12 and under are invited to participate in the Children’s Highland Games. Sunday also features Community Hero Day, where police officers, firefighters, EMTs and educators receive $3 off single-day adult tickets at the gate with valid work identification.
May 2-3: Spring Celebration and Chivalry Weekend
Villagers celebrate the arrival of spring with May Day traditions and floral festivities throughout the village. Guests can compete in the Fabulous Derby Hat Contest, participate in chivalry lessons or renew their vows in a romantic ceremony.
A Festival Tradition
Now celebrating its 45th season, Scarborough Renaissance Festival remains one of Texas’ most beloved spring traditions. With artisan craftsmanship, immersive entertainment and unforgettable experiences for guests of all ages, the Festival offers the perfect place to celebrate the magical midpoint to Halloween.
Whether discovering mythical monsters, consulting a fortune teller or stepping into costume for the day, visitors will find that Halfway to Halloween at Scarborough Renaissance Festival is filled with mystery, merriment and a touch of Renaissance magic.
Tickets and Visitor Information
Tickets are available at SRFestival.com. Admission is $34 for Adults (ages 13+) and $15 for Kids (ages 5–12) plus taxes and fees. Children 4 and under are always admitted free. Some activities, games and rides require an additional fee. Parking is free.
Friends of Faire memberships, Season Passes and Weekend Passes are also available for guests who want to return again and again. Advance discounts will be available at North Texas Tom Thumb and Albertsons. Military and Senior discounts are available at the gate with valid ID.
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