Faire Friends Return
Sherwood Forest Faire sparks more medieval magic in Austin area for '26
Sherwood Forest Faire returns February 28.
Austin, prepare your pirate, fae, and peasant looks: Sherwood Forest Faire is opening its gates for 2026. Festivities commence with special opening weekend events Saturday and Sunday, February 28 and March 1, and the fair runs every weekend through April 19, plus one extra day on March 20.
Although Texas is home to the massive Texas Renaissance Festival, the 25-acre Sherwood Forest in McDade is closer to home for Austinites (about an hour's drive) and equally worth a visit. In fact, it is still the 15th biggest Renaissance fair in the United States, and in 2025 it won Best Medieval Festival in the Renaissance Festival Awards, which allowed fair-goers around the country to vote for winners. The two events don't overlap — TRF is held in the fall.
According to a press release from Sherwood Forest Faire, the crew of vendors, performers, and more expect 175,000 visitors this season, which marks the fair's 17th year.
An average day at Sherwood Forest includes 150 shows — things like full-contact jousting, falconry, live music, and a castle siege — and 170 artisans. The town is permanent even though it isn't always open, with more than 100 buildings and plenty of pubs, food vendors, and stages. There are even three wedding venues.
George Appling is the event’s co-founder and will be performing in a 25-minute retelling of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream three times a day during the duration of the faire.He said: “I'm the only fair owner that does acting, sword fighting and horse riding.
“We’ve had pirate weddings, Viking weddings, fairy weddings, anything you can think of," said the fair's co-founder George Appling in a press release; he also performs at the festival. He'll put on three 25-minute versions of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream per day, and he also does sword fighting and horseback riding performances.
“I built this business because I love it," Appling said. "I already loved castles, swords, medieval history and the music you hear at Renaissance festivals. I didn’t want to be the owner walking around in a polo shirt with a clipboard. I wanted to be in the middle of it.”
To help visitors plan their day in anachronistic fashion, Sherwood maintains a weekly calendar online. Users can select the events they're interested in and add them to their personal calendars, both on the site and exported to calendar apps. There are plenty of ways to celebrate the opening weekend, but organizers are especially eager to welcome The Wellermen, a vocal group whose sea shanty performances have gone viral on TikTok.
Other special events are scheduled for American Sign Language and Deaf-Blind Weekend on March 28 and 29. Volunteers from across the country will attend to interpret shows and activities, and some staff and cast members will also be signing.
Tickets ($16.59-33.48 for one day) to Sherwood Forest Faire are available now. Add-on options for camping and special activities are also available.
DIIV's set was moody, but propulsive thanks to strong bass lines.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Zachary Cole Smith can always be counted on for a nostalgic 'fit.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Starcleaner Reunion singer Jo Roman keeps the beat.Photo by Brianna Caleri
From the looks of it, no one had a better time onstage than Wayne Coyne, frontman of the Flaming Lips.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The tinsel whip was one of many props.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Flaming Lips are known for touring with huge inflatables.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A joyful crowd reacts to being blasted with confetti during the Flaming Lips' set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Ty Segall was king of the guitar jams.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Segall's painted jeans were probably the most unique fashion statement all weekend.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Psych Fest uniform: Earthy shorts and calf tattoos.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thomas Attar Bellier of Al-Qasar plays a beautifully adorned electric saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The more mics, the better for Al-Qasar.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A closer look at the saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Lyrics in Arabic brought extra gravitas to the set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
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New Candys guitarist Emanuele Zanardo puts a physical flourish in his playing.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Black Angels interrupted the technicolor parade for a largely black-and-white set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Black Angels bassist Misti Hamrick-French basks in the cold glow of a strobe light.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Dumbo Gets Mad reminds us that Italians just get fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Luca Bergomi gets in on bassist Ivan Torelli's shot.Photo by Brianna Caleri
LA LOM bassist Jake Faulkner captures the sun.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Zac Sokolow danced for the whole set, which happened to be on his birthday.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's grandstanding added flavor to the show, which ultimately didn't need psychedelic visuals.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's howls cut through the air, hardly amplified.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Trish Toledo paid homage to mothers and couples in her romantic set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Not a practical shoe for a rainy weekend. We salute her sacrifice for fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thee Sacred Souls closed out the festival with a brass section.Photo by Brianna Caleri
This backup singer was exquisitely styled in blue.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Singer Josh Lane snapped a photo of an adoring audience. See you next time, Josh.Photo by Brianna Caleri