Located on North Stemmons Freeway in the Dallas Design District, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Dallas TX transports visitors back to an 11th-century Spanish royal court. Since opening in June 1992, this iconic venue has entertained millions of guests with two-hour live jousting tournaments, equestrian choreography, and a hands-on four-course royal feast.
Key takeaways
- 2026 Ticket Pricing: Base tickets start at $76.95 for adults and $46.95 for children ages 12 and under.
- Free On-Site Parking: Ample complimentary parking is provided directly in front of the castle gates off Stemmons Freeway.
- 60-Minute Arrival Rule: Arrive at least 60 to 75 minutes prior to showtime to secure preferred arena seating within your ticket tier.
- Hands-On Royal Banquet: Enjoy garlic bread, tomato bisque soup, roasted chicken, and pastry without utensils, though cutlery is provided upon request.
- Live Production Highlights: Real titanium swordplay, royal falconry, and purebred Andalusian stallions bred locally in Sanger, Texas.
2026 Ticket Prices, Packages, and Promo Codes
Attending a performance at the Dallas castle requires advance planning to secure the best available rates. General admission tickets for the 2026 season cost $76.95 per adult and $46.95 per child aged 12 and under.
Children under 3 enter free when seated on an adult's lap, according to the Medieval Times Dallas official box office. Families comparing regional entertainment costs can reference our SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium guide to balance vacation budgets.
| Ticket Tier | Upgrade Cost | Seating Priority | Included Amenities |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Admission | Base Price | Standard Seating | Full 4-course banquet, 2-hour tournament show, paper crown |
| Royalty Package | +$15 per ticket | Preferred Seating | VIP lanyard, cheering banner, priority castle entry |
| Celebration Package | +$20 per ticket | Preferred Seating | Royalty perks plus framed group photo, slice of cake, personalized announcement |
| Queen's Royalty Package | +$25 per ticket | 1st or 2nd Row Ringside | Guaranteed front-row views, framed souvenir photo, VIP lanyard, cheering banner |
Comparing Royalty, Celebration, and Queen's Royalty Packages
The three upgrade packages provide structured benefits for guests wanting closer views or souvenir extras. The Royalty Package is popular with families because the color-coordinated knight cheering banners help young children feel deeply invested in the arena competitions.
For birthdays and anniversaries, the Celebration Package provides strong value by including an announcement during the Queen's address, a slice of celebratory cake, and a commemorative photo. Guests seeking unobstructed photography lines should select the Queen's Royalty Package to guarantee front-row ringside bench seating.
How to Find Verified Discounts and Coupons
Experienced Dallas theatergoers rarely pay full box-office prices. The venue routinely offers online promotional codes, including the recurring seasonal code "15MT", which takes 15% off standard admission tickets throughout the 2026 season.
Local residents who commute using the North Texas Tollway Authority can access TollPerks member discounts of up to 35% on select weeknight performances. Verified third-party platforms like Tripster and FunEx also provide discounted passes, but guests should always confirm that vouchers include the four-course dinner feast before booking.
Seating Strategy and the 60-Minute Arrival Rule
Arena seating is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis within your purchased ticket tier when you arrive at the castle. Two groups with identical General Admission passes can receive vastly different views depending on what time they check in at the front desk. Tech and gaming fans visiting the metroplex can also consult our National Videogame Museum in Frisco guide to map out daytime activities before evening shows.
How Table Assignments Work
Castle doors open 60 to 75 minutes prior to tournament showtime. Upon entering the ticket lobby, a host hands each guest a colored paper crown denoting their assigned arena seating sector. Arriving 75 minutes before showtime positions you near the front of the queue, securing center-row sightlines rather than end-zone seats.
Late arrivals arriving just 10 minutes before the opening procession are typically placed on the far ends of the arena. While all tiers provide reasonable views, center seating offers the most engaging angles for the jousting passes and royal falconry demonstrations.
Exploring the Hall of Arms and Museum of Torture
After clearing the ticket line, guests step into the spacious Hall of Arms, featuring medieval tapestries, suits of armor, and equestrian viewing windows into the royal stables. Full-service bars serve themed cocktails, craft beers, and non-alcoholic drinks in souvenir steins.
In the corner of the grand hall sits the Museum of Torture, accessible for a nominal $2 entry fee. This exhibit displays historical replicas of medieval instruments including the rack and iron maiden, accompanied by informational plaques suited for older children, teens, and history enthusiasts.
The Four-Course Feast: Dallas Castle Menu and Dietary Options
Dining at the Dallas castle is a hands-on culinary banquet served in courses throughout the tournament. Servers, styled as castle serfs and wenches, deliver hot dishes to arena benches while the storyline unfolds in the sand below. Foodies seeking traditional culinary venues with panoramic skyline views can contrast this experience with our curated list of the best rooftop restaurants in Dallas.
Managing the No-Utensils Rule with Kids
The standard banquet begins with warm garlic bread and a signature tomato bisque soup served in a pewter-style bowl designed for sipping. The main course features a seasoned half oven-roasted chicken, sweet buttered corn on the cob, and an herb-basted potato, followed by a seasonal pastry turnover.
Eating roast chicken with your fingers is thrilling for children, but it can quickly become messy. While servers supply lemon-scented moist towelettes at the end of the meal, parents should pack extra wet wipes in their pockets for mid-meal cleanups. If anyone in your group prefers modern utensils, simply request plastic silverware from your server upon seating.
Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten-Free Accommodations
The culinary staff accommodates food allergies and dietary lifestyles with dedicated alternative meals. The vegan and vegetarian feast features fresh hummus with crisp carrot and celery sticks, followed by a hearty three-bean stew with fire-roasted tomatoes and brown rice, concluded with fresh fruit or fruit ice.
Gluten-free diners receive a modified version of the traditional chicken feast, replacing garlic bread with fresh vegetables and dip. The roast chicken, corn, and potatoes are naturally gluten-free, and kitchen staff maintain separate preparation areas to avoid cross-contamination.
The Tournament Show: Knights, Jousting, and Horsemanship
Hosted by the fictional Spanish monarch Queen Maria Isabella, the two-hour performance combines medieval folklore with serious equestrian and combat athleticism. Six knights compete in skill games including ring lancing, spear casting, and precision target strikes before escalating to full-contact jousting.
Six Color-Coded Knight Rivalries
The arena is divided into six color zones: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Black & White, and Red & Yellow. Spectators are encouraged to cheer loudly for their assigned knight and boo opposing champions, creating an energetic stadium atmosphere.
Knights who excel in accuracy games reward spectators in their section by tossing freshly cut carnations into the stands. The tournament culminates in unhorsed sword battles using genuine titanium blades that send sparks flying across the arena dirt during high-impact parries.
Royal Falconry and Texas-Bred Andalusian Stallions
Between jousting matches, the royal falconer steps into the spotlight to demonstrate ancient avian hunting skills. A trained falcon glides silently over the heads of the audience, swooping within inches of spectators before returning to the falconer's leather gauntlet.
The show's equestrian stars are purebred Andalusian and Lusitano stallions. These horses are bred and schooled at the company's dedicated Chapel Creek Ranch in Sanger, Texas, located 45 miles north of Dallas. The horses execute classical dressage movements including the courbette and capriole, highlighting centuries of Spanish equestrian heritage.
Visitor Logistics: Location, Parking, and Dress Code
Historical archives from the Medieval Times corporate history archive document that the Dallas castle was the third dinner theater built by the company in North America. Located in the Design District, the castle is easily reached via Interstate 35E.
Travelers seeking additional outdoor adventures in Dallas can explore aerial ropes courses at Trinity Forest Adventure Park Dallas during the day before attending an evening tournament. Casual dress is standard at the castle, though many guests arrive in royal crowns or renaissance cloaks. For safety reasons, full-face masks and realistic weapon replicas are prohibited.
Pairing Medieval Times with Dallas Family Attractions
The castle's central position in the Dallas Design District makes it an ideal evening centerpiece for a broader city itinerary. Tourism details from the VisitDallas Design District visitor guide highlight the neighborhood's craft breweries, art galleries, and antique showrooms.
Families can begin their day exploring 19th-century pioneer structures at the Dallas Heritage Village guide, enjoy afternoon sightseeing downtown, and finish with evening dinner theater at the castle. This blend of authentic local heritage and immersive theatrical entertainment highlights the rich cultural history detailed in the Texas State Historical Association Dallas history archives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medieval Times Dallas
How long is the Medieval Times show in Dallas?
The tournament performance runs approximately two hours from the opening procession to the final combat. Expect a three-hour total visit duration, as castle doors open 60 minutes before showtime for pre-show festivities.
Do you have to eat with your hands?
The four-course banquet is traditionally served without utensils to honor 11th-century customs. However, servers happily provide modern plastic forks, spoons, and knives upon request for guests who prefer them.
Is parking free at the Dallas castle?
Yes, complimentary on-site surface parking is available for all ticket holders directly outside the castle entrance. The lot accommodates standard vehicles as well as buses and motor coaches.
Can guests with food allergies find safe meals?
The Dallas castle offers dedicated vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menus alongside its traditional roasted chicken banquet. Simply notify your server of any dietary needs or food allergies immediately upon being seated in the arena.
Are costumes allowed at the tournament?
Guests are warmly encouraged to wear family-friendly medieval tunics, royal crowns, and period attire to celebrate the festivities. For venue safety, full-face masks and realistic weapon replicas are strictly prohibited inside the castle.
