Scarborough's Hollow returns Sept. 26 with bigger fall festival

Scarborough's Hollow will reopen Sept. 26 in Waxahachie with a larger 2026 run, new storyline elements and more live entertainment, artisan shopping and immersive attractions. The fall fantasy festival runs on Saturdays through Oct. 31, plus Nov. 1 for a Día de los Muertos finale, with tickets starting at $29.70.

Why it matters: - Scarborough's Hollow is expanding into a longer, more immersive fall festival that blends fantasy storytelling, artisan shopping and seasonal celebrations. - The 2026 season adds new attractions and special events that aim to draw repeat visits across more than five weeks. - The festival also broadens access with Deaf Awareness Day programming and family-friendly holiday experiences.

What happened: - Scarborough's Hollow returns Sept. 26 at Scarborough Faire's 16th century village in Waxahachie, Texas. - The festival runs Saturdays from Sept. 26 through Oct. 31, plus Sunday, Nov. 1, for a Día de los Muertos celebration. - Festival hours are 1 to 9 p.m. at 2511 FM 66. - Tickets go on sale Aug. 6 at Scarborough's Hollow. - Adult admission starts at $29.70, and children's tickets for ages 5 to 12 start at $16.50, plus tax. - Children 4 and younger are admitted free. - General parking is included with most adult admission tickets.

The details: - The 2026 season adds more live entertainment, artisan shopping, seasonal food and beverages, themed environments, immersive attractions and interactive experiences. - Scarborough's Hollow is built around an original storyline featuring the Three Sisters, Morwyn, Faylen and Slyra. - Lucian is the new force in the story, and the character's influence will unfold through live performances, roaming characters, interactive encounters and storytelling across the grounds. - Guests can shop handcrafted goods, enjoy live music, comedy and stage performances, and encounter whimsical creatures and colorful characters. - Visitors are encouraged to wear family-friendly autumn, fantasy, Renaissance or period-inspired attire. - Artisan merchants will sell clothing, accessories and handcrafted wares. - Deaf Awareness Day is set for Saturday, Oct. 3, in partnership with Hired Hands, Inc. - American Sign Language interpretation will be available during select performances for Deaf and hard-of-hearing guests. - Artisan Appreciation Weekend falls on Saturday, Oct. 17. - Guests who spend $250 or more with participating artisans will receive one complimentary admission ticket to the 2027 Scarborough Renaissance Festival or any remaining 2026 Scarborough's Hollow day. - Qualifying receipts must be presented at the Redemption Booth before leaving the festival, and exclusions apply. - Halloween Celebration takes place Saturday, Oct. 31. - The first 500 children through the gates will receive a complimentary trick-or-treat bag. - Halloween activities include a Costume Contest, pumpkin coloring in Kids' Hollow, live entertainment, seasonal food and beverages, Blackthorn Castle Haunted House, Rottingwood Cemetery Scavenger Hunt and festive photo opportunities. - Día de los Muertos Celebration is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 1. - The closing-day event will feature mariachi performances, cultural programming, face painting, a community ofrenda, sugar skull coloring in Kids' Hollow and a Family Costume Contest. - Optional attractions include Blackthorn Haunted Castle, Trickster's 3D Fun House and Secrets of Rottingwood Cemetery. - Blackthorn Haunted Castle is described as an eerie realm shaped by Lucian's influence. - Trickster's 3D Fun House is a walk-through attraction with colorful illusions, playful surprises and mind-bending twists inspired by Slyra's magic. - Secrets of Rottingwood Cemetery is an interactive scavenger adventure that becomes more mysterious after sunset. - Adults 21 and older can attend Harvest Wine Tastings hosted by Certified Sommelier Flynn Markley or Brews of the Hollow Beer Tastings led by Certified Cicerone® Seamus Norwood. - Season passes, bundled admission packages, premium parking, tastings and select attractions are available for additional charges. - Scarborough Renaissance Festival is sponsored by Dr Pepper and Tom Thumb & Albertsons. - The event is produced by Southwest Festivals, which also produces Scarborough Renaissance Festival.

Between the lines: - The festival is leaning harder into experiential entertainment, with story-driven characters and attractions designed to keep guests moving through the village throughout the day and into the evening. - The special weekends signal a strategy to widen the audience, from accessibility-focused programming to retail-driven incentives and holiday-themed family events. - The added premium attractions and tastings suggest the festival is also trying to increase per-visitor spending, not just attendance.

What's next: - Organizers will roll out the full run of special weekends and immersive story elements as the festival opens Sept. 26. - Guests can get schedules, tickets and more information at Scarborough's Hollow or follow SRFestival on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. - The season concludes Nov. 1 with the Día de los Muertos celebration.