The Texas Renaissance Festival will once again open to the public starting Oct. 8 and 9, marking its 37th year.

The festival is held yearly for eight weekends in October and November in Plantersville, about 12 miles north of Magnolia.

The festival, occupying 60 acres, will take place Saturdays and Sundays and on Thanksgiving Friday spanning a total of 17 days from Oct. 8 to Nov. 27.

The two-month long event recreates a 16th century British village, complete with food, drink and entertainment.

This year patrons will see a variety of new attractions and performances along with international feasting options, more than 500 costumed performers and hundreds of shows.

The festival is home to about 400 shops which offer unique art, handmade crafts, clothing, jewelry and more. Child-friendly games, contests and activities are also offered throughout each day.

Inside the festival, visitors will see 17 stages which offer a variety of family oriented performances, such as the popular bird show and jousting contest.

Each weekend at the Texas Renaissance Festival will be a different theme. Themed weekends include Oktoberfest, 1,001 Dreams, Pirate Adventure, All Hallows Eve, Ramon Bacchanal, Highland Fling, Barbarian Invasion and Celtic Christmas.

Renaissance Festival General Manager Terre Albert said last year the festival drew 450,000 visitors. This year the goal is to have 500,000 visitors, Albert said. He added that the festival usually has about 40,000 to 50,000 people camp on the festival grounds each year.

Due to recent wildfires and current drought situations, the festival has changed some policies about fireworks and bonfires at the campground.

The Royal Fireworks display, which is the grand finale of each night of the Renaissance, has been canceled.

Instead, the park will hold Queen Titania’s Magical Light Show above the main arena. The light show will be accompanied by the music of Tartanic.

“The Royal Fireworks display is one of the most anticpated aspects of the festival day,” Albert said. “Given the recent wildfires in our area, it is necessary to replace the fireworks show this season in order to ensure the safety of our property, our patrons and our neighbors. We believe that the laser light show finale will still offer our patrons an exciting and magical way to conclde the day’s events.”

A press release from the festival also stated that no open flames or smoking will be allowed in the parking lot and any bonfires, fireworks, pits or heating devices will not be allowed on the campgrounds.

These policies will be in effect unless the area experiences significant rain in the coming weeks.

Tickets went on sale Aug. 1 online. Additional tickets are available at all H-E-B locations and Woodforest National Bank locations.

The festival does take credit cards and does provide ATM machines, as well as free parking.

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