Shows and music
Comedy acts, musicians, storytellers and theatre on small stages, plus roaming characters who'll pull you into a scene.
What Is a Ren Faire?
A Renaissance faire, or ren faire, is an outdoor festival set in a version of old Europe. Think village streets, stages, swordfights, artisan stalls, turkey legs, and a lot of people in costume.
It's part history, part theatre and part community party. You don't need to know anything or dress up to enjoy one.
What you'll find
Every faire is different, but most have some mix of these.
Combat and jousting
Choreographed swordfights, armoured combat, historical fencing and, at bigger faires, a joust on horseback.
The market
Handmade goods from leatherworkers, smiths, weavers, woodworkers and jewellers. Many work and demonstrate on site.
Food and drink
Turkey legs, meat pies, fresh bread and sweets, often with a tavern or mead. Modern food safety rules still apply.
Things to try
Archery, axe throwing, games of skill, workshops and craft demos. Some cost extra or need a sign-up.
For kids
Kids' areas, crafts, scavenger hunts and plenty of knights and dragons. Most faires let young children in free or cheap. Ren faires with kids.
Before you go
Tickets
Buy early. Most faires sell in tiers, and early-bird tickets are usually the cheapest. Booking fees and tax are often added at checkout, so the price on the poster isn't what you pay. Check whether parking is extra too. See what a ren faire costs, or every faire's price on our price pages.
Timing
Check the opening time on your ticket, not just the date. Arriving early beats the entry line, and some faires let you pick up wristbands the day before.
Food and water
Find out before you go whether outside food and water are allowed, and where the refill stations are. Bring a reusable bottle either way.
What to bring
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen and a hat
- Comfortable shoes for grass, gravel and trails
- Cash and a card
- Rain layer, since most faires run rain or shine
- A small bag for what you buy
Accessibility
Ask ahead about terrain, accessible parking and entry, seating, shade and washrooms. Good faires answer these on their website.
Costumes and etiquette
Dressing up is welcome and never required. Some people aim for history, others come as elves, pirates or something they made up. Jeans and a t-shirt are fine too. For ideas, see what to wear to a ren faire.
- Weapons. Costume weapons are usually allowed but must be peace-tied, meaning strapped so they can't be drawn. Check the faire's rules before you bring one.
- Photos. Ask before you photograph someone in costume. Most will happily pose.
- Costumes aren't consent. No touching people or their outfits without asking.
- Play along. Performers stay in character. You can answer in kind or just enjoy the show.
- Trinket trading. Some guests carry small trinkets to swap with strangers. It's a fun way to meet people.
How historical is it?
Loosely. Modern ren faires started in California in the 1960s as a mix of history pageant and craft fair, and grew into the festivals you see today. Most borrow from the 1300s to the 1600s, with Tudor England as the classic look.
Some faires work with historians and reenactors and teach as they go. Others lean into theatre and fantasy. Most land in between, and the goal is a place that feels real for a day, not a history lesson.
Not sure if what you're looking at is a ren faire, a medieval festival, LARP or something else? See ren faire vs medieval festival vs LARP.
Faires in Canada
Canada's faire scene is smaller and younger than the American one, but it's growing fast. Most Canadian faires run one to three days a year, from May to October, on fairgrounds, in parks and at historic sites. Quebec has its own tradition of medieval festivals, many in French. Canadian ren faires in 2026 has the numbers.
Find one near you on the Canadian calendar, or by region:
Glossary
- Garb
- Your costume.
- Rennie
- A regular faire-goer or performer.
- Playtron
- A guest in full costume who plays along, somewhere between patron and player.
- Huzzah
- The all-purpose cheer. Shout it at the joust.
- Peace-tied
- A weapon strapped into its sheath so it can't be drawn.
- Lists
- The fenced field where jousts and tournaments happen.
- HEMA
- Historical European martial arts: real sword techniques from old manuals.
- Buhurt
- Full-contact armoured fighting, often team against team.
- Gate
- The entrance, and the ticket price if you buy there on the day.
- Early bird
- The cheapest ticket tier, sold well ahead of the faire.