Vikings, barbarians to take over Scarborough on April 26-27

Come be a part of the invasion of the Viking & Barbarians this weekend at Scarborough Renaissance Festival® (Scarborough Faire®)! The invasion is all in fun, of course, as the weekend is filled with themed special events such as costume contests, the Stein Holding competition, tug o’wars, and the all-new beard contest; along with the one weekend only engagement of the Black Wolf Viking Encampment. Plus, Saturday it’s Deaf Awareness Day and Sunday is Community Heroes Day!

Visitors are invited to compete in the Viking & Barbarian themed costume contests for both adults and children at 12:00 noon each day at the Crown Meadow Stage and the Tug O’ War at 3:00 pm at the Joust field.

Adults, you can show off your glorious whiskers in the all-new Beard Contest at 4:00 pm each day at the White Horse Tavern and then to round out the day, see if you have what it takes to hold a beer stein longer than the rest to win your very own Scarborough Renaissance Festival® limited edition stein in the Stein Holding Competition. The competition takes place at the Royal Pavilion at 4:30 pm each day. No pre-registration is required for any of the competitions – just come join in the fun! You'll also want to stop by the Black Wolf Viking Encampment for an historically accurate example of the Viking age.

“Viking & Barbarian weekend is fast becoming one of our most popular themed weekends with incredible costumes and spirited competitions” says Helaine Thompson, Director of Marketing & Communications. “This year we have also added the Viking Artisan Village with amazing Viking themed jewelry, accessories, and clothing and the Black Wolf Viking Encampment. You’ll definitely want to check it out and come join in the Viking & Barbarian fun this weekend at Scarborough Renaissance Festival®!.”

Saturday, April 26, is Deaf Awareness Day. Scarborough Renaissance Festival® (Scarborough Faire®) is proud to provide special signed performances throughout the Festival complements of Hired Hands, Inc. Sunday, April 27 is Community Hero Day when police, firefighters, EMT, and educators can get a $3 discount off of single day adult tickets when they show their work ID and purchase their tickets at the gate.

Scarborough Renaissance Festival® (Scarborough Faire®) is a full day of interactive fun for everyone, 16th Century style, with full-combat jousting (new for 2025), Birds of Prey exhibitions, and 20+ stages of incredible, interactive live entertainment. There are Renaissance rides, games of skill, the all-new Royal Menagerie Petting Zoo, knighting ceremonies, a Living Chess Match, food & drink fit for Royalty, and much more. Limited engagement entertainment this weekend includes The Foxy Bard, Lady Prudence, The London Broil Show, Paolo Garbanzo, The Rogues, and The Toasted Clover Show. Showtimes and the complete entertainment schedule can be found at www.SRFestival.com.

Visitors will want to explore the Artisan Marketplace’s 200 shoppes and be amazed by authentic artisan demonstrations too! Joining Scarborough’s Artisan Marketplace for a limited time are guest artisans The Dancing Hatter, Little Wing Studio, Log Hollow Studio, Spellbound Creations, and Snuggle Dragons.

Visitors 21 & older can get a taste of the custom blended mead from North Texas’ Breaking Brew Meadery along with other adult beverages at the (17) pubs and taverns. Those with discerning pallets can partake in a one-hour beer or wine tasting event. These events take place two times each Festival day and each weekend has a different theme and variety. This weekend’s themes are the Wines and Beers of Germany. The seating at the tasting events is limited and they regularly sell out, so visitors are encouraged to purchase their tasting tickets in advance (and at a discount) at www.SRFestival.com. Tasting tickets are $40 each at the events in addition to Festival admission.

Come Step Back in Time for the Time of your Life at Scarborough Renaissance Festival®(Scarborough Faire®) Saturdays, Sundays, and Memorial Day Monday, now – May 26, 2025. Costumes designed for a family friendly environment are welcome at Scarborough but are not required. Upcoming themed weekends and special events are Live the Fantasy Weekend May 3 & 4, Chivalry Weekend May 10 & 11, kids free on Mother’s Day May 11, Legends of the Seas Weekend May 17 & 18, and The Last Huzzah May 24, 25 & 26.

Some food & drink locations, all of the pubs, and the souvenir shoppes will no longer be accepting cash. Credit, debit, Apple Pay, and other forms of digital payment are accepted throughout the Festival. Cash is still accepted at many artisan shoppes and food locations as well. Additional attractions, games, and rides remain cash only. ATMs and reverse ATMs are conveniently located throughout the Festival for your convenience.

Single day tickets for the 2025 season are $38 at the gate for Adults (13+) and $18 for Kids (5-12). Kids 4 & under are always Free. Advance date-specific discount tickets are available at www.SRFestival.com and single day discount tickets are available at North Texas Tom Thumb & Albertsons stores.

Located in Waxahachie, Texas, Scarborough Renaissance Festival® (Scarborough Faire®) is just 30 minutes south of downtown Dallas, off I-35E and one hour north of Waco. Scarborough Renaissance Festival® (Scarborough Faire®) is sponsored by Dr Pepper, Tom Thumb & Albertsons, and Whataburger.

For more information visit www.SRFestival.com or follow us on Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, & Twitter (SRFestival) or on Instagram (theSRFestival).