This past weekend we were invited out to the Texas Renaissance Festival (Tex Ren Fest). We’ve been several times before and we always have a great time.
This year was SO much more fun though! Our kids are at a really good age and actually enjoyed the shows and the jousting.
Now, Ren Fest can be pricey, but that’s only if you aren’t strategic about things!
Here are my 5 tips to save money at the Tex Ren Fest:
#1 Buy your tickets online, by mail, by phone or at your local Randall’s or Walgreens. Also, plan to go on a Sunday. Pre-order tickets are $17 per adult and $8 per child on Sundays (as opposed to $25 for adults and $12 for kids on Saturdays). Lizzie is still free (she’s 3), but next year we’ll opt for the family 4 pack. This is $40…which breaks down to just $10 per person (as opposed to $50 if you buy the pre-order Sunday tickets individually).
You can see all ticket info here.
#2 Have a plan. Check the entertainment schedule and make sure you have a game plan for what shows you want to see and what events and contests you want to be present for. This keeps the kiddos from getting bored! Bored kiddos make us spend money 😉
#3 Let’s just be honest here. Who doesn’t go to Ren Fest expecting to EAT?! That’s my favorite part! I could easily spend hundreds of dollars on food and still not try everything I want to try! Remember though, there is always next year. Sit down and check out the Festival Feasting page on the Ren Fest website and decide what you NEED to try. Set a food budget. Stick to your food budget!
#4 Once you get in the door, spending money is totally optional. There are SO many free things to see and do! Walk in out of the stores, see the shows, go to the special events (the Princess tea was a HUGE hit for my daughter!) and the most fun thing to do…PEOPLE WATCH! You won’t find better people watching than at the Texas Ren Fest!
#5 Set a souvenir budget. Chances are, you’ll want to bring something home to remember your experience. Or your kids will. Go in with cash and once it’s gone…it’s gone. No running to the ATM!
Finally, just have fun! The Texas Ren Fest is an experience like no other. It’s a yearly tradition for us and it’s so much fun to watch our children grow and enjoy different things each year.
When they get a bit older, we might even try camping out there!
Also be sure to check out their Themed Events page. This past weekend, the kids were able to trick or treat! It was so much fun!
Be sure to follow The Texas Renaissance Festival on Facebook and Twitter for up to the minute news and festival information!
Disclaimer: We were invited to check out Texas Renaissance Festival at no cost to us. We were under no obligation to post anything about the festival, but truthfully we always have SO much fun there! All opinions are our own!
