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Renaissance Festivals (i.e., renfests, medieval faires, etc.) are an American tradition dating back to 1963. While they are inspired by Renaissance England in the 15th century (think: Henry VIII) or maybe medieval times, honestly? Historical accuracy is not what these fairs are about. At all. Not even close. But that’s what makes renfaires fun. Instead of shit-covered streets, bad hygiene, plague, starvation, serfs toiling under a feudal lord, and random religious wars… you get food, ale, entertainment, safe combat, fake blood, boobs, and pickles. It’s old school Vaudeville, sketch comedy, improv, music, variety show, and entertainment like they had back in, well, medieval times!
Sounds like fun, eh? If you’ve never been to a renfest before, here’s a beginner’s guide with our very first piece of advice: Just go. Medieval Land Fun-Time World is fun and incredibly inclusive and welcoming to one and all, whether you go in period-accurate costume or go as a Star Trek redshirt on an away mission to a strange new primitive world filled with sunburned aliens in shorts, flipflops, and fanny packs. Seriously: Everyone is welcome.
Logistics & Strategy
Let’s start with the boring stuff: Logistics. Renfaires range from tiny affairs with a handful of vendors, a food truck or two, and your local theater kids to ‘fests that see 40,000 people a day, with Disney-rivalling insanity. Do a little bit of research to figure out parking and plan your day accordingly, especially if you are going to one of the epic faires in Texas, Wisconsin, Minnesota (my first!), Maryland, Georgia, and some others. Seriously. Do some planning. It’s a thing.
Generally, however, buy your tickets before you go, figure out parking, plan on a lot of walking, crowds, and budget for overpriced food (and ale, if that’s your thing). Bring money (cards work and they’ll have ATMs) and especially tip money. I would recommend reviewing the day’s schedule of entertainment and planning to hit a couple of events, subject to change at your whim. I’m not a rope-drop Disney-type guy and there’s NO WAY you will see everything at most renfaires, so pick some highlights and plan for some downtime to sit in the shade, have a snack, and browse the vendors.
Costumes & Cosplay
Costumes are not required, but these days lots and lots of people go in a costume of one sort or another. Cosplay is very popular! I’d recommend prioritizing comfort. If you have a weapon that is somewhat realistic – like a metal sword with a blunt blade – it will need to be “peace tied” with a ziptie so it cannot be drawn. You should do this yourself because security will do it for you if you don’t and it won’t camouflage into your outfit as well as if you do it yourself. Like any modern con, complement your fellow cosplayers when you see stuff you like, no matter how “good” or “bad” it is. People put time, money, and heart into their cosplay and nitpicking accuracy is unwelcome and inappropriate. Be nice and encouraging and don’t be a gatekeeping asshole.
Vendors
There will be vendors selling corsets and dresses, armor and weapons, boots and tiaras and jewelry. Bring some cash and patronize them! Some will simply be reselling the wholesale Chinese stuff you can find on temu, but you will meet genuine craftspeople like leatherworkers, real chainmail, and even people who forge real weapons. They will not be inexpensive, but art never is. We have friends who go to our local renfaire, don’t dress up, and don’t go to any shows, but they love the vendor village! There will also be all the usual services you expect at a tented art show and more: massages, tarot card readings, caricatures, poets, and some really creative and unique arts.
Jousting & Combat
There are a few big events throughout the day that are worth centering your experience around and that means jousting tournaments. There’s typically a story that will flow across the two events, so it’s fun to see the betrayal in the first joust and our hero triumph in the finale. Or? Will the hero triumph? At the last faire we were at the good guy (gal, actually) betrayed EVERYONE in the final battle and slaughtered the field, fake blood literally spurting everywhere! The sport part is absolutely real and the actors own their armor, equipment, and their horses are their lives. It’s about 50% athletics and 50% acting, a lot like wrestling. You must attend at least one of the jousts. Plan to go 30 minutes early to get decent seats (shade is nice). And then? CHEER for your “hero” even if he (or she?) is the bad guy. BOOO the other champions with gusto, especially the one playing the role of the heel. Unless you are in the heel’s section of the audience. In that case, embrace your inner evil and cheer for him and mock the losers in the other sections of the audience. They deserve it. They are pathetic and weak.
Some faires also have “real” combat with real (blunted) weapons, tons (70lbs.) of real armor, and referees to make sure no one gets (seriously) hurt (but there will be bruises). These are also really fun. This isn’t LARPing with foam weapons and fake armor. The competitors beat on each other mercilessly basically until someone is on the ground, exhausted and the warrior taps out or the referee calls it. It’s a battle royale with everyone in the fight at the same time, so physically weaker competitors often team up with each other to beat the crap outta the biggest guy first. And YES, there are smaller guys and women who compete, so it’s really fun to root for an underdog. It’s a nerd sport that is quite serious. You can join a local club that practices real combat and then participate at a renfaire yourself! CrossFit? That’s for children.
Entertainment & Stage Performers
You will not believe the level of talent at a renfaire. For many performers, this is what they do professionally, i.e., this is what they do. It’s their career. And they are very, very good. Acrobats and magicians. Singers and bands. Pickpockets, poets, comedians, jugglers, jesters and, uh, whippers? Sure. There’s a whipper. Jacque ze Whipper. Some will be locals who play the small stages and some will be professional theater troops who travel the national faire circuit with multiple actors. The talent level will be extremely high, but you can also interact with the show (you might become part of the show, actually) and you can meet the performers. Did I mention bring tip money? Tip the talent.
Participate!
You will have a lot more fun if you participate in the show which is live and everywhere at the ‘fest. If you are like me and don’t tend to want to raise your hand when the improv comedian asks for a volunteer, that’s fine, but you should sing, clap, cheer, boo, and enjoy yourself. Don’t be afraid to be silly: no one will make fun of you. OK, that’s a lie, but you will be ESPECIALLY singled out for mockery if you try to avoid the comedian’s gaze. Truly, though, these people are professionals, so they know who to tease and who to leave alone. Well. Except for the Washing Well Wenches. If you are cute (or just have beer), they will find you, you little biscuit.
Entertainment, Part II: Lane Performers
There are a ton of roaming lane performers at the renfaire wandering around and interacting with patrons. Even the folks selling beer will likely have a schtick. They are paid, but not a lot, so tip them if you interact with and enjoy them. Some will have trinkets to trade, especially with children. Wizards and fairies, mermaids and fighting men, they are in character and are talented actors. Don’t be shy. Interact with them. That’s why they are there. You don’t have to put on a fake British accent if you don’t want to (but you can). Just accept that you are a laird or lady as addressed and lean into it and have fun! Huzzah!
Kid Friendly?
99% of a renfaire is kid-friendly. Yes, the jousting has some fake gushing blood, but most young children will not notice it. Some bits may be a little scary. There’s also adult entertainment that children should not go to, but it will be well-labeled on the schedule and signs (one of the stages will be an adult stage), and the performers will screen the audience. No, there’s no porny naked stuff, but some of it is really, really raunchy and naughty. Unbelievably raunchy. Have a listen to Sir Arthur Greenleaf Holmes and his Wildly Inappropriate Poetry for some idea of how adult it can go in his period piece “I Built My Love a Menstrual Hut.” You have been warned.
Pub Sing
There’s no way you can see all of the music acts in a day, so go to the Pub Sing after the faire is over. Most patrons will skip this since all of the other events are over, but the pub sing is a jam-band combination of multiple acts with original and traditional songs. The King, Queen, and court will attend. While the peasants are lining up in their cars leaving in bumper-to-bumper traffic for an hour, you can go sing a song and raise a pint instead!
Huzzah!
Go to the renfaire. It’ll be fun. Wear a costume. Viking? Pirate? Harry Potter? Star Wars Mario Link? Sure. Why not? Yes, there are theme weekends, but it’s basically cosplay-friendly to whatever you want. I’d recommend prioritizing comfort since it’s gonna be a lot of walking. Outside. In the sun. Ticket price is going to be reasonable. Parking? Not too bad. Food? Beverages? Tips (do bring tip money, please)? Vendors? It’s not Disney or Con-level expensive and you get a lot more bang for your buck, so it is a true bargain for a day of entertainment.
Renfaires are the friendliest, most welcoming gathering of nerds on the planet.
OK. We’ve convinced you. How do you find a local renfest? Start with the wikipedia page.