New Braunfels Renaissance Faire brings medieval fun to Central Texas

The tucked-away corner of New Braunfels that comprises Heritage Village, The Museum of Texas Handmade Furniture and Conservation Plaza typically devotes its space to 19th century history. But on Dec. 8, Heritage Village will be taken back much further in time.

The specifics

The inaugural New Braunfels Renaissance Faire will take place Dec. 8-10 and will host a variety of traditional Christmas celebrations throughout the weekend.

Visitors can try their hands at archery, foam sword fighting, ax throwing, table top games and more. The faire will also have steel sword fighting demonstrations, jugglers, Saint Nicholas and his workshop, magicians, fire-eaters, singers, and more. Local Circle Arts Theatre will be on hand to perform Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” and more than 60 vendors will be on hand with unique Christmas gifts and medieval wares.

“We wanted to offer something that is not only fun and historical, but also really just going to enable people to come out—not just people who go to renaissance fairs—to come out at Christmas and go and have a ball,” said Lark Mason III, one of the event’s organizers.

The takeaway

Mason said the fair isn’t just for fun, but also conceptualized as an opportunity to raise funding for local nonprofits, such as the NB Humane Society, Victory for Veterans, Circle Arts Theatre and others.

"We thought, 'Why not make something else that can be an opportunity for them to come out and to really have a good time, make some money, and add something completely new to New Braunfels,'” Mason said.

• 1370 Church Hill Drive, New Braunfels
• Dec. 8, 5-10 p.m.; Dec. 9, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Dec. 10 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• $10 (admission), free (age 12 and under)
• www.nbrenfaire.com