Visit Sherwood Forest Faire for Half Price

Want to go to a Renaissance Festival without making the long trek to Plantersville? Sherwood Forest Faire in McDade is a great alternative.  Opening on February 11, 2012, the Faire will run on weekends through April 1, 2012, from 10 a.m. to dusk.  Sherwood Forest Faire is located on 23 acres in the Lost Pines, 35 miles east of Austin.  The festival boasts more than 100 shows daily in 20 performance spaces, 130 merchant shoppes, food, rides and games.  


Regular admission to Sherwood Forest Faire for adults is $16 online ($18 at the gate).  Child tickets are $8.50 online ($10 at the gate), for children ages 6 - 12.  Children 5 and younger are free!  Here are a few ways to get tickets for the rest of the family for half price, or less.


Groupon is offering the following discounted ticket options:

• For $18, you get two general-admission tickets (up to a $36 value). 
• For $34, you get a family four pack of general-admission tickets (up to a $72 value). 

The Sherwood Forest Faire website is promoting a half price Opening Weekend Special (both online and at the gate) and Bring-a-Friend Sundays (from 10 a.m. to noon):

I took five children to Sherwood Forest Faire last year and they loved it.  If you decide to go, here are a few tips:

• Follow the directions on the website.  It's a tricky place to find, down 2 gravel roads.  Both Google Maps and my GPS got me lost.  
• Parking is free.
• Download the free program insert with the entertainment schedule, so you don't need to buy a program.  The 2012 schedule is not online yet, but check here before you go.
• Bring your own food and drinks (Update: Someone left a comment saying that outside food and drink are not allowed.  Sorry about that!  I couldn't find that information on their website).  Last year pizza was $5 a slice and soda or water was $2 per bottle.  
• Bring a lot of cash!  The majority of vendors and merchants and games take cash only.  The performers also ask for tips after each show.  I ran out of money after buying pizza for 5 kids.  Thankfully, there was an ATM by the main gate.
• Everything costs extra, so you may want to have a chat with your kids beforehand about what you are willing to pay for.  The big swing was $4, the maze (which took my kids about 30 seconds to run through) was $2, to sit in a hanging chair was $2... it adds up quick!
• If you bring a stroller, make sure it has big wheels.  The ground is lined with sand, which is difficult to push a stroller through.

Plan ahead, and I think you'll have a great time.  We spent five hours there last year and the kids were begging to see more shows when it was time to go.  The nice thing is that when you're totally wiped out and ready to leave, you have less than an hour to drive home!

1883 Old Hwy. 20
McDade, Texas 78650
(512) 222-6680   

This post contains an affiliate link, which means I may receive credit or compensation for sharing the deal.  For more information, please read my Disclosure Policy.