Renfaire enthusiasts range from folks who want to be able to just do something a little different for a day to members of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), an international society of living history enthusiasts who attempt to recreate portions of medieval life and living as authentically as possible. Many of these fairs attract outstanding performing talent and artisans of medieval and not-quite-so-medieval crafts.
Following is a listing of renaissance fairs operating in September and October that expect or have previously had an attendance of over 1,000. I have provided the names of the fairs because they all have websites with details about ticketing, hours, and special events. Many even list talent or artisans that will be appearing there. If you've never attended one, it is certainly something you should experience. As a side note, many southern states in the U.S. have events that run during the months of November through March. May through August are popular months for these events throughout the U.S. and Europe.
UNITED STATES
ALABAMA
Florence, AL - Alabama Renaissance Faire, 4th weekend in October, attendance 38,000
Mobile, AL - Mobile Renaissance Faire, Nov 10-12th, attendance 6,500
ARKANSAS
Texarkana, AR - Texarkana Renaissance Faire (New), October 5-7th, est. attendance 500
CALIFORNIA
Sonora, CA - All Hallows Fantasy Faire, Oct. 18-20th, attendance 3,000
Folsom, CA - Folsom Renaissance Faire & Shakespeare Festival, Oct. 19-20th, attendance 7,000
Escondido, CA - Gold Coast Escondido Renaissance Faire, Oct. 26-27th, attendance n/a
Taft, CA - Great Western War (War Through the Ages), Oct. 9-14th, attendance n/a
Grass Valley, CA - KVMR Celtic Festival & Marketplace, Sept. 27-29th, attendance n/a
Hollister, CA - Northern California Renaissance Faire, Wknds Sept. 14 - Oct. 13, attendance 150,000
San Diego, CA - Tournament of the Phoenix (New, Jousting Tourney), Oct. 18-20th, est. attendance 3,000
CONNECTICUT
Norwich, CT - Connecticut Renaissance Faire, Wknds Sept. 21 - Oct. 20th, attendance 11,000
GEORGIA
Columbus, GA - Southern Pirate Festival (New), Oct. 20th, est. attendance 1,200
IDAHO
Emmett, ID - Idaho Renaissance Faire, Oct. 12-13th, attendance, 2,000
INDIANA
Fishers, IN - Fishers Renaissance Faire, Oct. 5-6th, attendance, 15,000
IOWA
Sioux City, IA - Sioux City Riverssance Festival, Oct. 5-6th, attendance 9,000
KANSAS
Wichita, KS - Great Plains Renaissance Festival, Sept. 21-22nd, attendance 18,000
Kansas City, KS - Kansas City Renaissance Festival, Wknds Aug. 31 - Oct 14th, attendance 200,000
MARYLAND
Annapolis, MD - Maryland Renaissance Festival, Wknds Aug. 24 - Oct. 20th, attendance 290,000
MASSACHUSSETS
Carver, MA - King Richard's Faire, Weekends Aug. 31 - Oct. 20th, attendance 150,000
MICHIGAN
Holly, MI - Michigan Renaissance Faire, Weekends Aug. 17 - Sept.29th, attendance 250,000
MINNESOTA
Shakopee, MN - Minnesota Renaissance Festival, Wknds Aug. 17 - Sept. 29th, attendance 280,000
MISSISSIPPI
Ocean Springs, MS - Ocean Springs Renaissance Faire, Oct. 19-20th, attendance 8,000
NEVADA
Las Vegas, NV - Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival, Oct. 11-13th, attendance 40,000
NEW MEXICO
Santa Fe, NM - Santa Fe Renaissance Faire, Sept. 21-22nd, attendance 6,500
NORTH CAROLINA
Huntersville, NC - Carolina Renaissance Festival & Artisan Marketplace, Wknds Oct. 5 - Nov. 4th, attendance 170,000
OHIO
Harveysburg, OH - Ohio Renaissance Festival, Wknds Aug. 31 - Oct. 20th, attendance 175,000
PENNSYLVANIA
West Newton, PA - Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival, Wknds Aug. 24th - Sept. 29th, attendance 50,000
TEXAS
Plantersville, TX - Texas Renaissance Faire, Wknds Oct. 12 - Dec. 1st, attendance 450,000
VIRGINIA
Salem, VA - Green Hill Medieval Faire & Highland Games, Sept. 28-29th, attendance 2,000
Radford, VA - Radford Highlanders Festival, Oct. 12th, attendance 10,000
GREAT BRITAIN
Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire - International Living History Fair, Oct. 25-27th, attendance n/a
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire - Robin Hood Pageant, Oct. 26-27th, attendance n/a
Although our Renaissance Fair is long since over, Colorado has a great one that runs from mid-June to early August. Attendance runs approximately 200,000 each year for almost 40 years running. Set midway between Denver and Colorado Springs, you'll feel 400 years in the past. coloradorenaissance.com/
ReplyDeleteYes, there were several fairs throughout the US and Europe that didn't get entered here because they do not open until the spring/summer of 2014. I did note that the attendance to the CO Renfair was quite impressive. Maybe I'll get a chance to see it personally.
Delete