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Jousting knights on horseback, fantastic falconry, fairies, dragons, and feasting! So much excitement, all live, and you are a part of it. The colors, the sounds, the buildings, and the atmosphere draw you into another time and place. Action, music, dance, and entertainment take place all around you as you walk down the streets of the village, and over 500 costumed characters interact with you.
Photo courtesy of Carolina Renaissance Festival
When Is The Carolina Renaissance Festival?
The Carolina Renaissance Festival will be held Saturdays and Sundays October 5 through November 24.
The Artisan Market
The Artisan Market houses 140 vendors, some blowing glass or cobbling shoes, others selling fine jewelry or arts and crafts. There are fortune tellers and psychics, those selling dragons and fairies, lotions and potions, clothing and leatherwork, and swords and axes. There is something for everyone in the marketplace.
The Jousting Tournament
The Queen’s knights joust three times a day, so be sure to schedule your time at the festival to catch one of the tournaments. It is exciting to cheer on your knight as they charge at each other on their stampeding horses with their jousting lance extended. You learn about jousting, too. Check schedules for times of shows.
Games And Rides
The festival is full of games of skill and rides for the entire family. It is important to note there is an additional charge for these games, rides, and attractions. You will find Da Vinci’s Flying Machine, a camel to ride, a climb-a-lot tower, a petting zoo, and much more. Generally, prices range between $2 and $7.
The Art Of Falconry
Photo courtesy of Carolina Renaissance Festival
You will want to attend the falconry show as large birds of prey swoop back and forth just over your head. They are majestic birds and perform impressively. It is difficult not to oh and ah in amazement during the show. It is also almost impossible not to duck as they fly overhead. You will learn the history of falconry as you watch the birds’ and trainers’ abilities. Check schedules for times of shows.
See The Living Mermaids
Your child will love visiting the Shire’s grotto, where the Living Mermaids reside. They will enchant you with their grace and beauty. And make your little ones’ dream come true as they watch them move and play underwater.
Join The Feast
What is a festival without a feast? There is plenty to choose from to eat at the Renaissance Festival, including, of course, the giant turkey legs. They have sausage on a stick, chicken on a stick, meatball subs, portabella mushroom sandwich, bread bowls with meatballs and marinara, broccoli and cheese, chili, and clam chowder. They also have gluten-free choices, steak on a stake, fried rice with teriyaki chicken, chopped salad, fish and chips, BBQ pork ribs, and much more – as well as beer, soda, and coffee.
Admission
- $34 for Adults 13 and up; Sales tax included; Date specific
- $20 for Children 5-12; Sales tax included; Date specific
- Children 4 and under free
- Buy tickets online
Special Promotion Days
Wizards & Revels Weekend – Oct 12 & Oct 13
Donate a new or gently used coat at the Festival entrance and receive a free child’s admission. No coupon is required.
Win Prizes at the Sorcerers and Spell Casters Costume Contest at The Haven at 3pm.
Brewfest Weekend – Oct 19 & 20
Learn the time-honored craft of beer brewing, sample a selection of micro-brewed ale, and play a series of RenFest beer games. Costumed ladies are invited to flirtatiously strut their stuff in the Saucy Maiden Costume Contest. Activities start at noon at The Haven, behind Edgewood Stage. Sampling sales end at 3:15pm. Activities end at 4pm.
Halloween Daze & Spooky Knights – Oct 26 & Oct 27
Free Child admission for 12 and under. Adults accompanying children must have a paid admission ticket, so purchase yours before they are sold out. Free children’s tickets are available online for these dates. Children and adults must have a ticket. Children and adults will enjoy trick-or-treating at over 100 locations throughout the Festival village. Pick up your treasure map at the front gate and search for the Queen’s Treasure Chest, filled with prizes, too!
Children and adults can enter the Halloween Costume Contest at 3pm at The Haven, behind Edgewood Theatre.
And don’t miss the spooky Knights Of The Living Dead zombie jousting challenge that happens three times daily.
Celtic Music Weekend – Nov 2 & 3
Enjoy a weekend of your favorite Celtic music and have a chance to win tickets for a return visit. Hunky highlanders are welcome to show their stuff in the Men Of Skills Competition. Contests include A Test of Strength, A Test of Confidence, and A Test of Skill. All in good fun. Prizes will be awarded. The contest is at 3pm at The Haven behind Edgewood Theatre.
Time Traveler’s Weekend – Nov 16 & 17
Free Children’s admission with a school supply donation. Children must be accompanied by an adult with a paid admission ticket, so purchase your ticket before they are sold out. School supplies to be donated should be only these items: pencils, Crayola crayons, Crayola markers, highlighters, Expo dry-erase markers, composition books, filler paper, notebooks, and pocket folders. To receive a free child ticket, simply hand your donation to a volunteer working on the central collection display.
Win free tickets for a return visit and other prizes in the Time Traveler’s Costume Contest for children and adults at 3pm at The Haven behind Edgewood Theatre.
Final Huzzah! – Nov 23 & 24
Free Children’s Admission with a canned food item donation. Children must be accompanied by an adult with a paid admission ticket, so purchase your ticket before they are sold out. To receive your free child’s ticket, simply hand your canned food items to the volunteers at the Second Harvest Food Bank collection display. Come enjoy the last weekend of the Renaissance Festival!
Important Festival Facts
- The Festival is located at 16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville, NC. It is recommended not to use GPS services like Google and Apple Maps but to print driving directions.
- The Festival runs Saturday and Sunday, September 30 – November 19, 2023
- The hours are 9:30 am-5:30 pm, rain or shine
- Parking is free
- Pets are not permitted
- Costumes may be worn
- Check the schedules to plan what events you want to see so you don’t miss any
- For More Information
Step Back In Time In Winston-Salem
The Carolina Renaissance Festival takes you back to Medieval times, but we have our own transport back to another era in history right here in our city, Old Salem. If you have never taken a tour of the town, be sure to read our article about the history of Old Salem to gain some information. It might pique your interest enough to consider a tour something you want to do in the future.
If you have experienced a Renaissance Festival, what did you enjoy most? Tell us in the comments.
