Editor's note: Lion's Share Tapas is no longer planned for the 45th Texas Renaissance Festival, according to festival representatives.  The Texas Renaissance Festival will launch its 45th season Oct. 5 with new entertainers, games and vendors, ranging from Full Armored Combat—armored knights battling each other—to Dragon and Unicorn Coffee, which offers hand-roasted coffee beans and cold brews, according to an Aug. 27 news release from the Texas Renaissance Festival. The festival grounds, which span 55 acres, are located in Todd Mission, and recreate a 16th-Century European village. “We are thrilled to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Texas Renaissance Festival this season,” said Joe Bailey, CEO and general manager of the Texas Renaissance Festival, in the release. “We look forward to continuing the magical enchantment that can only be found within the gates of the festival.” Themed weekends will run Oct. 5-Dec. 1.

New entertainment options

• Opal and Jade (a bawdy singing sister act)
• Full Armored Combat (knights in suits of medieval armor battling each other)
• Cliffhangers Challenge (a new game testing guests' strength and endurance)
• DaVinci Arcade (featuring new science-based games)

New food, drink and shopping vendors

• Dragon and Unicorn Coffee (hand-roasted coffee beans and cold brews)
• Blazn Brazen Galleries (metal sculptures)
• Creations (handmade daggers, swords, pole-arms and pole-axes)
• Khalid Medieval (children's swords and costumes)
• Candlelight Rocks (handcrafted Texas stone oil lamps)
• Flying Hun (Asian-inspired archery)
• The Holiday Shoppe (handmade Christmas decor)

Purchase tickets and learn more about the 45th season of the festival at www.texrenfest.com.

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Find information about each themed weekend. Know these 5 things before visiting the festival. Here are 5 things to do at the Texas Renaissance Festival. Learn the best route to travel to the festival.