Best Renaissance Festivals in the US

Fire eaters, jousting knights, the king's feast, the artisan market, jesters, jugglers, rides and more! Spend a fun weekend at some of the largest renaissance festivals in the US.

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Carolina Renaissance Festival

Watch knights battle for the Queen’s favor in a modern representation of a Renaissance-era jousting tournament at the annual Carolina Renaissance Festival in Huntersville, NC. This major festival runs from October through November, with several activities and attractions, including an artisan marketplace, games and rides.

Texas Renaissance Festival

Go to the Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission, TX, to experience its 8 themed weekends of fun, including Oktoberfest, All Hallows Eve, Pirate Adventure, Barbarian Invasion, Highland Fling and Celtic Christmas. We recommend checking out the exciting Fire Whip Show.

Maryland Renaissance Festival

Stroll through Valley Meade, Kenwood Lane, White Stag Grove, King’s Field, Kenwood Lane, Meadow Lane and Mary’s Dale Way, at the Maryland Renaissance Festival in Crownsville, MD. Sample tasty food like smoked turkey legs, friar’s fritters, meat pie on a stick, peasant bread, king’s dogs and many more delicious delights.

New York Renaissance Faire

Visit Tuxedo Park, NY, to enjoy the fun at the New York Renaissance Faire. Nestled in the groves of Sterling Forest, this faire is a full-on experience of Elizabethan England, complete with 16th-century games, rides, arts, crafts, food, music and dance. From August through September, take the kids to see aerial acrobatics, knife throwers, royal pipers, jousting and storytelling.

Scarborough Renaissance Festival

Watch performers Don Juan and Miguel sword fight at the Scarborough Renaissance Festival in Waxahachie, TX. Located south of Dallas, this festival runs from the beginning of April through the end of May. It’s a unique place for a spring wedding, too. Royalty, Nobility and Gentry wedding packages are offered to couples who want to get married in the Wedding Garden.

Bristol Renaissance Faire

In Kenosha, WI, the Bristol Renaissance Faire is held on a 30-acre site where visitors can meet Robin Hood or Queen Elizabeth in person, or watch swordfighters and jesters perform on open-air stages. At the Bristol Fair Marketplace, more than 200 artisans sell their wares, including jewelry, pottery, tapestries, pewter and crafted leather.

Northern California Renaissance Faire

For about a month, starting the second week in September, the Northern California Renaissance Faire in Hollister, CA, is the place to be for travelers looking for fun. The Queen’s Band and other musicians fill the streets of Willingtown with magical sounds of the Elizabethan era. The faire also has themed weekends, including Fantasy Weekend, where visitors may catch a glimpse of Titania, the Queen of the Fairies.

Ohio Renaissance Festival

Welcome to Harveysburg, OH, home of the Ohio Renaissance Festival. Visit a 30-acre recreated 16th-century English village where guests can rub elbows with Queen Elizabeth and over 150 costumed characters. In addition to fire eaters, this festival features nearly 100 shows each day on 11 stages, 135 arts and crafts shops, food and drink fit for a king, games of skill and human-powered rides to amuse all ages. Check out this fun festival on the weekend during August, September or October.

Arizona Renaissance Festival

Enjoy feasting on a variety of food and a bevy of beverages, including Medieval Margaritas, Da Vinci Coladas, Dukes of Daiquiri, wine, honey mead, beers, ales and more. Located near Apache Junction, AZ, this daylong family adventure features a 13-stage theater, 30-acre circus, and arts and crafts fair and jousting tournament. The Arizona Renaissance Festival runs from the beginning of February through the end of March.

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

Witness intense live armored jousting at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, MN. This festival -- held from the beginning of August through Labor Day weekend -- has become the largest Renaissance Festival in the US, with an annual attendance of 300, 000 people.

King Richard's Faire

Cleavage Contest, Vow Renewal, Biker’s Weekend, Children’s Fairies Contest, Prince and Princess Costume Contest and the Beard and Moustache Contest are just a couple-themed weekends held at the King Richard’s Faire in Carver, MA. From August to October, hundreds of people converge on the 80-acre site to see knights battle on horseback, beggars compete in mud, and performers put on an acrobatic show. We recommend a visit to the royal zoo to see birds of prey, snow leopards, Bengal tigers and jaguars.

Georgia Renaissance Festival

Watch the Celtic rock group The Rogues perform at the Georgia Renaissance Festival in Fairburn, GA. In addition to live music, this festival also features comedic storytelling, 4 pubs, a royal petting zoo, King Henry VIII and his Court, and the Jousting Tournament of Kings. Looking for more to do? Check out the games and rides like the Corkscrew Slide, Junior Joust, Sea Dragon, Drench-a-Wench, Catapulting Frogs, Ax Throw and King of the Log.

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Best Renaissance Festivals in the US

Related To:

Shop This Look

Carolina Renaissance Festival

Texas Renaissance Festival

Maryland Renaissance Festival

New York Renaissance Faire

Scarborough Renaissance Festival

Bristol Renaissance Faire

Northern California Renaissance Faire

Ohio Renaissance Festival

Arizona Renaissance Festival

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

King Richard's Faire

Georgia Renaissance Festival

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