It’s that time of year where summer comes to an end, and you may be wondering if there are still any good Ren Faires left to attend this year as we start to enter the fall season. Don’t fret! Some of the best Ren Faires across the country continue running well into the fall, and this is one of the best times of the year to experience and enjoy all that they have to offer. Listed below is a selection of the best Renaissance Faires taking place all across the country, offering all kinds of entertainment and diversions: sword fighting, plays, demonstrations, artisanal goods, food & drink, games, and more!

Bristol Renaissance Faire in Kenosha, WI

Dates: July 6 - Sep 2nd (Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day)

As the earliest festival on this list and one of the longest-running Ren Faires in existence (starting in 1972), the Bristol Renaissance Faire is a fan-favorite among Ren Faire attendees. It serves as a recreation of the visit of Queen Elizabeth I to the city of Bristol in 1574. The fair spans 30 acres and features tons of open-air stages, games, rides, and other activities, as well as nearly 200 artisans in the Bristol Faire Marketplace. Many fairgoers especially recommend the Moonie and Broon show at the end of the day is a must-see. (renfair.com/bristol)

New York Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo Park, NY

Dates: Aug 17 - Oct 6 (Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day)

The New York Renaissance Faire follows a different storyline that changes each year: this year, is the 47th season, the main storyline involves joining Queen Elizabeth I “on a grand visit to a beautiful 16th-century English village” (renfair.com/ny). Featured guests include Robin Hood and his Merry Band, and even Queen Elizabeth I herself! The gigantic 65-acre faire offers a variety of stage shows and musical performances, and a marketplace featuring over 100 artisans. Many guests have noted “cheering your favorite knight at the Joust Tournament” as a festival highlight.

Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire in Manheim, PA

Dates: Aug 17 - Oct 27 (Saturdays and Sundays)

The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire takes place at the 35-acre Mount Hope Estate and Winery and serves as a recreation of a 16th-century English village with authentic Tudor buildings, twelve different stages, and hundreds of costumed characters. The faire has a different theme that changes every weekend (ranging from Fairies and Fantasy to Viking Weekend) and offers a different experience each time. Besides the excellent plays and musical performances, many festival goers enjoy the comedy shows at the Ball & Chain stage for some raunchy hilarious (albeit not kid-friendly) fun. (parenfaire.com).

Maryland Renaissance Festival in Annapolis, MD

Dates: Aug 24 - Oct 20 (specific dates on website)

The Maryland Renaissance Festival is a 27-acre fair that takes place in Crownsville (just outside of Annapolis) and recreates the setting of a fictional 16th-century English village named Revel Grove. The festival uses a storyline that progresses forward in time each year (in 2024, the year is 1537) and follows the timeline of the reign of Henry VIII and his six wives. The festival contains several stage shows and exhibitions, including a “jousting arena” that hosts “authentic combat joust thrice daily” (rennfest.com). (rennfest.com).

Ohio Renaissance Festival in Waynesville, OH

Dates: Aug 31 - Oct 27 (Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day)

The Ohio Renaissance Festival is set in a 30-acre village containing 24 stages, over 100 shops, and a variety of food, drink, and entertainment. The festival adopts the setting of a 16th-century English village and also has themed weekends every other week such as Fantasy Weekend, Pirates Weekend, and Romance Weekend. The Kamikaze Fireflies, an acrobatic performance featuring dangerous feats and comedic stunts, is a festival must-see. (renfestival.com).

Northern California Renaissance Faire in Hollister, CA

Dates: Sep 14 - Oct 20 (Saturdays and Sundays)

An excellent option for those located on the west coast, the Northern California Renaissance Faire takes place in the fictional village of “Willingtown” in Derbyshire, England during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign in the 16th-century. The 11-acre fair hosts over 200 artisans and six stages of non-stop shows, and hosts two jousting matches every day of the faire. The festival also hosts themed weekends each week (Pirate Invasion, Halloween Fantasy), with Cottagecore (weekend of Sep 28th & 29th) being a new theme for 2024. (norcalrenfaire.com).

Carolina Renaissance Festival in Huntersville, NC

Dates: Oct 5 - Nov 24 (Saturdays and Sundays)

The Carolina Renaissance Festival takes place in the fictional 16th-century village of “Fairhaven”. The 25-acre grounds are home to cottages and bungalows, sixteen outdoor stages, and a well-renowned open-air artisan marketplace featuring over 140 vendors. The festival features many unique attractions such as “jousting knights on horseback”, “majestic falconry”, “beautiful mermaids and fairies”, and “friendly dragons” (carolina.renfestinfo.com).

Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission, TX

Dates: Oct 12 - Dec 1 (Saturdays, Sundays, and Thanksgiving Friday)

The Texas Renaissance Festival is one of largest festivals on this list, first starting in 1974 and spanning a gigantic 55 acres of land. The festival also draws in over half a million guests annually, making it the most popular Renaissance Festival in the country. The festival features over 400 vendors, 500 costumed actors, and 25 stages, and follows a different theme for each weekend (such as Oktoberfest, Celtic Christmas, and Roman Bacchanal). The festival also offers over 200 acres of camping ground and facilities as an option for patrons desiring a unique and fully immersive festival experience.

As you prepare to embark on your own Renaissance adventure, don’t hesitate to rely on Museum Replicas LTD for your costuming needs. We offer Renaissance replicas including weaponry, armor, men and women’s clothing, hats, accessories, and more! Take a look through the “Renaissance” section under our “Shop By Theme” tab to find the perfect ensemble for your next faire. (texrenfest.com).