The Ultimate First Timer’s Guide to the Renaissance Festival

It shocked almost everyone when I told them that, at the age of 37, I was attending my very first Renaissance Fair. I am, and have always been, a very nerdy person. I play copious amounts of Dungeons and Dragons, love dressing up and am obsessed with history. Everyone was in disbelief at my never having been to ‘Ren Faire.’ Renaissance Fairs seem like the absolute amalgam of everything I love, yet I had never tried to seek one out!

Part of my never attending a Renaissance Fair was because there wasn’t one in my hometown. I simply never happened across one. I would have had to travel to New York or southern Ontario to find the closest Ren Faire. The other reason was I simply felt like the older I got, the harder it would be to “fit in.” I thought everyone who went would be old-timers. And the attendees would be overprotective of their event, and newbies would be less welcome. Literally, nothing could have been further from the truth. I have never felt so welcome in my life than attending my first Renaissance Fair as in my beloved home away from home of Phoenix, Arizona.

Finding Joy at the Ren Faire

The Arizona Renaissance Fair was one of the most fantastic experiences I’ve ever had. Having lost my mom a few months ago, I was there with my dad to bring a bit of joy back into our lives. And this was the absolute best decision we could have made. For one day, we got to be someone else. Live in a different world full of excitement and wonder. And just absorb all the amazing vibes that were all around us. I wish so much I had gone to my first Renaissance Festival years.

But in truth, I just didn’t know what to expect or what it was all about. Attending a Renaissance Festival for the first time can be an exhilarating and memorable experience. However, with so much to see and do, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. In this guide, we will help you make the most of your first Renaissance Festival visit.

Table Of Contents

1. What is a Renaissance Fair?
2. What to Expect
3. Arizona Renaissance Fair
4. How Large are the Fairgrounds?
5. How Much Does it Cost?
6. Where to Find Your Nearest Ren fair
7. Parking 
8. What's Included in Your Admission?
9. Extra Costs
10. Essential Tips
11. Where to Spend That Extra Cash!

What is a Renaissance Fair?

The first official Renaissance Festival was held in 1963 in California. It was started by a schoolteacher Phyllis Patterson who wanted to create an immersive event to teach his class about medieval times. But the event caught on, and it quickly gained popularity. Spreading to other states across the country. Today, there are over 100+ Renaissance fairs are over the world, but most of them are located in the USA.

So what is a Renaissance Fair? In essence, a Ren Faire is an event that attempts to recreate the sights, sounds, and experiences of the “Renaissance” era. This generally refers to the period in European history from the 14th to the 17th century. At a Renaissance fair, visitors can expect to see performers dressed in Renaissance-style clothing, enjoy live music, and watch demonstrations of old-time crafts and skills such as blacksmithing, glass-blowing, and archery. All this occurs outside, set amongst permanent buildings designed to resemble structures from the medieval period.

Many Renaissance fairs include jousting tournaments, theatrical performances, and historical reenactments. Throughout the fairgrounds, visitors can purchase food and drink from vendors. This includes historical food as well as modern consumables (aka cappuccinos.) All visitors are encouraged to dress up in costume, be that historical garb or anything that suits their fancy. A day out at the Ren fair is all about make-believe and expressing yourself. 

What to Expect

While every Renaissance fair might be slightly different, there are generally some overarching themes and tropes that take place across the board that you can expect to get out of visiting the Ren fair. From the moment I walked into the fair, I was almost overwhelmed by the sheer amount of immersive artistry surrounding me. I had only seen a few pictures of the Renaissance Fair online and didn’t know what to think. The images I’ve seen made it seem cheesy and a bit like the theming you’d find at a Midway or state fair. But I couldn’t have been more wrong. If you’ve ever been to Medieval Times, that pales compared to the gorgeous amount of theming at these Renaissance fairs. It honestly felt like a Disney level of art and design. 

Arizona Renaissance Fair

The Arizona Renaissance Fair is explicitly located in…well, Arizona. Unlike most other Renaissance Fairs in the United States, this one is set in the desert. Most other Ren Fairs are set out in the forest, surrounded by a canopy of trees. I was initially concerned about this lack of forestry. The trees add an almost ‘Robin Hood’ type vibe to the immersion. But honestly, I was amazed by how the desert setting lent itself to that medieval era. Being barren made the buildings stand out, and you could appreciate them all the better. Plus, there were no signs of the modern world all around you. Save for the occasional plane flying overhead. 

Music at the Fair

Another thing that immediately sets your senses light when you walk in the gates is that you can hear music almost everywhere you go. And this isn’t music being pumped in from an audio system over loudspeakers. This is live music played by some incredible historical musicians throughout the park. Some of them play instruments I had never even seen before. Appropriately, some bands specialized in pirate shanties played on violins, and harpists enchant you with their fairy-like melodies. Just wandering the entire park is all you need to do to have a great time. You’ll suddenly hear a song floating through the air and chase after it to find where it’s coming from. Only to discover an old man and his lute weaving a spell across a quiet glade. 

Performers & Entertainment

Music is definitely one of the most important pieces of entertainment that you’ll find on the schedule, but in addition to this, you’ll also find an array of different live performers on various stages spread throughout the park. This includes comedy skits, acrobats, dancers, jugglers, stilt walkers, actors staging impromptu sword fights and more! 

A building held a mermaid tank where a “real-life” mermaid swam in the water. It was like watching something from a fairy tale. Occasionally she would pop out of the water to breathe fresh air, spitting water down upon a surprised audience smiling at the children only to dive back into the water and blow them a heart-shaped bubble kiss. 

We walked by a woman dressed as a pirate with a tiny pirate ship on stage that held a pirate crew of small dogs wearing eye patches and adorable pirate hats. She had them performing tricks much to the amusement of an enraptured young audience. 

Then there were the bawdy sword fighters who performed a slew of shocking acts combined with their quick-witted puns. I was actually surprised at how adult some of the comedy was. Most of it just went over the children’s heads, but it definitely was an interesting thing to behold in front of such young kids. My dad commented that this type of humour was done intentionally as part of medieval theming. Many medieval comedies were often filled with dirty jokes that shocked and amused the otherwise reserved upper classes. 

How Large are the Fairgrounds?

We were handed a hand-drawn map of the Ren Faire grounds when we arrived at the festival. First, the hand-drawn map was one of the cutest things I’d ever seen. The map also detailed to us that we were entering the “Village of Fairhaven,” as each Ren Faire has its one unique fairytale-like setting. What shocked me upon looking at the map was how vast this place was. I had no idea what to expect from the pictures online, but I didn’t think it would be this big! In fact, the festival takes place over 50 acres. And it isn’t even the largest Ren Faire out there! The Texas Ren Faire is 55 acres, New York is 65 acres, and the Bay Area renaissance festival is a whopping 260 acres!!!

Themed Weekends

Themed weekends are a great addition to the flavour of each weekend when the fair is open. These themes range from Viking Invasion, Shamrock Shenanigans, Pirate days, Bring Your Dog or Royal Romances. There might be special events happening on these particular weekends or different character interactions that bring forward the weekend’s theme. These themes can also give you some costuming ideas if you want to dress up!

How Much Does it Cost?

Admission to the different Renaissance Fairs depends on where you are attending. The fairs in larger, more expensive cities will usually cost more than those in smaller towns where the cost of living is lower. The Arizona Renaissance Faire in Phoenix was not only one of the lower admission prices, but the food and drinks inside were shockingly affordable!

The Arizona Renaissance festival costs $33 for adults or $22 for children. You can often find discounted ticket codes being offered in the local newspaper a few weeks before the festival begins. In California, ticket prices are $42 for adults and $22 for children; in New York, $42 for adults and $18 for children; and in Pennsylvania, $32 for adults and $17 for children. 

Where to Find Your Nearest Ren fair

You can check out this website to find the Ren Fair nearest you. But remember, just because it’s the closest doesn’t mean it’s the right one for you. Travelling out to a specific Ren Fair might make for an exciting trip. If you go to New York City, you may want to spend a day at their Ren fair. Or, like me, find yourself in Phoenix, Arizona; you can check out their fantastical Ren Fair. 

Parking 

It’s also essential to note parking prices. At the Arizona Ren Faire, parking was completely free as it was sponsored by a local grocery store. The walk from the car park to the entrance was also very short compared to other festivals. In California, parking is $12 for general admission, or you can pay $25 for VIP Parking. And in New York, there are free and paid parking options. The free parking is about a 15-minute walk from the entrance, while the $20 cash parking is closer to the door. These additional costs might be something to remember when planning your Ren Faire trip.

What’s Included in Your Admission?

Included in your price of admission are all the entertainment: the joust, parades, music, dance, interactive living history exhibits, Birds of Prey performances and craft demonstrations. 

There are also wandering characters, also called members of the royal family. These actors employed by the fair will spread the day’s news, perhaps filling in a central storyline or just greeting visitors. They will also happily take a picture with those “strange contraptions” we call cell phones.

The Joust

Speaking of the joust…this is one of the day’s major events and an event you don’t have to tip for. The fair employs all the actors and performers participating in the joust. Three different jousts occur throughout the day. And almost every other Ren Fairs follows the same format. There is the joust for royal favour, the joust of champions and finally, the epic joust to the death!

The joust is one of the festival’s most elaborate and entertaining acts. There is a storyline performed at the joust, which continues to escalate throughout the day. But much of the action is similar, so you should only choose one of the three jousts to attend. We choose the joust to the death, where performers ride their horses, get off, and perform a deadly sword fight at the show’s end.

When to Arrive for the Joust

It’s advisable to arrive a little early if you plan on going to the joust. Depending on the festival, seating for the joust is always slightly different. At the Pennsylvania Renaissance fair, the joust takes place in an area where there are three setting locations. At the Arizona Renaissance Fair, the joust is in the center of an arena with four sets of bleachers. We wanted to secure a spot where we could see everything but also wasn’t in direct sunlight. Sitting there for the entire show, you could get pretty sunburned if you weren’t careful. 

Support the Horses

Right before the joust starts, a costumed character will come out to your side of the viewing area to instruct who you will be cheering for. Often two to four different knights take part in the joust. And each will be represented under a different coloured banner. Depending on where you’re seated will inform which knight you’ll be cheering for. 

One of the things I found the most interesting is that they had various flags for sale that corresponded to the knight and his banner. I thought this would be another easy mark to get you to spend a lot of money, but these little flags only cost $5 and were a great souvenir. PLUS, all the money went to supporting the well-being of the horses. It was a cheap souvenir and a really good donation to boot!

Extra Costs

There are other additional forms of entertainment found throughout the fair that require extra means of payment. This everything includes archery and rock climbing to fortune tellers, petting zoos, pirate ships, pub crawls, fair quests and adventure games.

Artisan Shopping

Throughout the fair, you can find over 200 artisans in open-air shops and galleries, demonstrating techniques unchanged for centuries. You can find everything from clothing and costumes to candles, soaps, jewelry, artwork, weapons, ceramics, leather goods, books, and much more. 

Food & Drink

Some iconic food and drinks special to the Ren fair are turkey legs, meat pies, raspberry wine and even modern-day mead! But in addition to these more on-theme meals, there is everything from Mexican cuisine, iced coffee, fried fair goods and lots of different sweet treats!

Tipping

While the entertainment on the various stages doesn’t require additional fees, the performers will always ask for tips at the end of the show. I was surprised by the number of performers asking for tips at the end of their shows. I figured if you paid admission, surely you shouldn’t have to tip. But I learned afterwards that most of these performers rent their space at the fair and are only paid a little, if anything, from the fair itself. Therefore, tipping is highly encouraged (but, of course, not required). A simple thank you will go a long way if you don’t want or can’t afford to leave a tip. 

We saw about 4-5 acts throughout the day and tipped them each a few dollars. When I really thought about it, when you compare the enjoyment you get from an entire day out at the Ren Fair, likened to a comparable experience like Medieval Times, the Ren Fair was much more fun. Medieval Times tickets will cost an adult $45 as the base level, and there are so many add-ons they shove at you upon arrival. Most people need to drop $ 65+ to make it out. And the food could be better. Their shows are very entertaining, but they don’t even hold a candle to all the great acts we saw at the Ren Fair, including their joust to the death!

Rides

At any midway or state fair, you’ll find amusement rides dotted through the fairgrounds. But what surprised me was that every one of these rides at the Ren Faire was powered only by human force. You could take any of these rides and send them back to the Medieval Era, which would work just the same. The carousel spun round and round, with staff members running and jumping atop it to keep it spinning. The rocking horse was pushed by real people, and the fly machine was spun round and round by the arms of incredibly strong cast members. 

These rides all cost a small additional fee, but if I had come with a kid, I would put money aside solely for the uniqueness of the opportunity to ride in one of these ingenious mechanisms. Many were themed on Galileo’s contraptions or DaVinci’s flying machines. And I loved this inspiration and found it mesmerizing just to watch how they worked without using a single plug or generator. Although I can’t imagine how tough this job is, especially come the hot spring weather in Arizona.

Essential Tips

Now that you know much more about what to expect from the fair, here is a list of the most important tips I have for you as a first-timer attending the Ren Faire!

Dress the part

One of the most fun aspects of the Renaissance Festival is dressing. It’s not required, but it does add to the overall experience. Opt for a full costume or incorporate a few medieval-inspired pieces into your outfit to get into the spirit. Some popular costume options include knights, princesses, pirates, and peasants. While many people opt for period-appropriate costumes, you can dress up as anything! We saw fairies, trees ents, anime cartoons, and even people expressing themselves as an entirely unique character. Even if you just have a few small pieces to play the part and find yourself enraptured by all the costumes inside, you’ll find a plethora of vendors who sell costumes and accessories at the festival to bring your costume to the next level if you so choose. 

Renting a Costume

Maybe you don’t want to buy a whole outfit but want to dress up for the day. Almost all fairs have costume shops where you can rent an entire outfit! The rental costume shop at the Arizona Renaissance Festival was located even before you entered the gates, so you could get all dolled up before entering the Village of Fairhaven. 

Cost of Renting a Costume

Outfit rentals vary in cost depending on the location of the festival. But at the Arizona Fair, at Belrose, prices range for adult-size rentals from $18 to $65. After you select a costume, you can change into their dressing rooms and put your clothes in a provided bag which goes into your own personal box. At the end of the day, you can return, change back into your everyday clothes and return the items you borrowed.

What to (and not to) Wear

Since this was our first time attending the fair, and we didn’t know how quickly we would become enthusiasts, we opted not to spend too much money on our first costumes. And while I think, in retrospect, I wish I had gone all out, I think what we did is the best action plan for anyone going to their first time. 

An easy Peasant DIY

We found items from our closet that were even vaguely appropriate for the medieval era. This meant looking for textures or colours of clothing that were very common back then. My dad went with a peasant-type theme for his costume. This included a lot of tans and beige colours. He found an old button-up top and cut off the button. Then he used some old string from an old shoelace to lace up the front of the shirt, which was very period appropriate and an easy DIY. Then he added an extra large leather belt and a straw hat. All in all, for $0, it was the perfect first-time look.

Robin Hood/Maid Marian DIY

For my costume, I had a beautiful green velvet dress that I’ve had forever that felt suited to the fantasy setting. I decided to go with a Robin Hood meets Maid Marian outfit. This amazing brown lace-up corset belt immediately made it look medieval. Then, I layered some old leather belts around it, and the look instantly came together. I wanted to add texture to the velvet dress, so I layered a light cotton blouse/tunic underneath. I thrifted both the tunic and the belts for under $10. It really just goes to show that you can absolutely find things in your current wardrobe that can be restyled to fit the Renaissance era. 

Avoid Polyester Clothing

One thing to remember when planning your costume is to avoid buying anything made of polyester. Most of those cheap costume shop outfits are made entirely of polyester. And I understand wanting to save some money, but as mentioned above, I think DIY is a great affordable option, and polyester might not be worth it in the end… Polyester traps heat, and you’ll get sweaty and overheated on hot days in the sun. Anything made of cotton or similar breathable material is a much better choice. 

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Another key tip is to wear comfortable shoes that are well broken in. Don’t opt for something you bought for this occasion and have never walked more than a few hours in. Most fairs are spread over multiple acres. The Arizona Renaissance fair was over 50 acres large, and just wandering around was one of my favourite parts of the experience. If I didn’t have the right shoes, I wouldn’t have been able to do this. I actually found that a pair of Birkenstocks not only fit the environment really well but was also super comfortable and breathable.

If you plan on wearing a long dress, this will hide your shoes anyways. You won’t need to worry about them standing out against the rest of your period-appropriate clothing. But honestly, it’s worth sacrificing some fashion for comfort. You’ll definitely find yourself having a much more enjoyable time if you do so. 

Don’t Try to Do It all but Plan in Advance

Before arriving at the fair, go online and check to see if they’ve posted an event schedule. This will allow you to look at everything going on throughout the day, everything from birds of prey shows to acrobatic acts and sword swallowing, in addition to the dozens of different musical acts throughout the park. I was amazed at how jam-packed the day can get really quickly. You definitely won’t be able to see it all. I advise first-timers to go on the website and pick two to three performances you absolutely must see. For most people, this probably includes one of the jousts and two other shows that catch their fancy. 

One of the most interesting shows that caught my eye was a bagpipe breakfast which I absolutely adored. This was one of the first shows of the day, so we planned to be there as soon as we got inside the gates. Another show that my dad was really interested in was the sword swallower. The stage where this took place was at the far end of the fairground, so we ensured we were in the area around the time of the show. That way, we wouldn’t have to run from one end of the grounds to the other to catch it.

Ensuring we planned the timing and the locations appropriately meant we didn’t feel too overstretched or stressed. While wandering from one stage to another, we would catch various musical acts along the way, just on happenstance. And simply taking a break for food and sitting in the shade admiring the amazing costumes is a show all unto itself. You really want to have the space and time in your day for these moments of respite.

Check the Weather

You also want to check the weather before you leave for the day. Just in case it might rain, it’s good to be prepared. Especially in the desert, when the evening hits, the temperature can drop significantly, so if you see a cold evening in the forecast, you want to plan to bring some extra layers.

Turn off Your Phone 

Another tip that I found super helpful was to leave your phone behind. Or at least turn off any cellular data. That was a little easier for me because where the fair was located in Arizona, there wasn’t much signal anyways. But putting your phone away (when you didn’t need it for photos) really allowed you to get even more immersed. Yes, I did, in fact, take lots of photos with it, but I also put it away for a surprising amount of the day.

Honestly, there were some times when you just wandered around, and it really did feel like you’d walked back in time. And if I’d found myself just checking Instagram, looking at my emails or posting while there, I definitely don’t think I would have felt as immersed. Next time I think I will bring my camera, so I left my phone alone altogether. Sure, a camera is still modern technology, but at least it’s slightly more analogue than the phone.

Bring Cash!

One of the things that surprised me the most about the Ren Faire was everything was almost entirely cash only. When you walked up to the gates, this was made apparent with signs detailing the list of things that were cash only. There were a lot of ATMS outside and a few ATMs inside the fair as well, in case you missed the ones on the way in. 

Many artisans accept credit cards, but you must have cash for tipping, food and drinks, rides, and other attractions that require additional fees (like archery etc.) I rarely carry cash, so using it honestly felt like another level of immersion. It felt very antiquated to have ones and fives at the ready.

In addition to bringing cash, make sure you have it in small denominations. We only had $20 bills when we arrived, and we soon found that we needed to break this up as quickly as possible to tip the performers. You can easily do this by buying food and getting some change that way. But it’s good to bring some dollar bills with you, so you have some already.

Coin of the Realm

Some of the larger Renaissance Fairs have implemented a new payment system: called “Coin of the Realm.” Essentially coin of the realm is a physical coin that represents an amount of money you exchange for it. This is done by swiping your credit card and selecting the amount of coin of the realm you want to buy. Once you have these coins, you can use them anywhere throughout the fair, just like real cash money. If you buy something that costs $8 and use a $10 coin of the realm, they’ll give you $2 cash in return. 

If you don’t use up all your coin of the realm by the end of the day, you can simply go back to the kiosk, and they will refund you that amount in cash. Or you can keep the extra coins of the realm as a souvenir. This is mainly done for people who don’t want to use an ATM because they don’t want to pay the steep ATM fees. And perhaps don’t pay fees to use their credit cards. Plus, using these coins feels really immersive, and I think I would get some just for fun!

Try ALL the Themed Food

Renaissance Festival food is a unique experience in itself. There’s something for everyone, from giant turkey legs to roasted nuts and mead. Don’t be afraid to try new foods or indulge in some of the festival’s signature treats. Just be sure to bring some wet wipes or hand sanitizer, as eating with your hands is often encouraged.

One thing that really surprised me about the Phoenix Renaissance Fair was the food price. I know this isn’t true at many of the other larger Renaissance Fairs, but the food at the Phoenix Renaissance fair was extremely affordable. This made me so happy because it allowed more people to come to the fair to enjoy themselves without this huge financial barrier to entry. At least when compared to the price of food at baseball games, for instance.

You cannot bring in outside food, so you are forced to eat inside the festival. Therefore the fact that the food is a little more affordable inside seems only appropriate. I picked up a large iced coffee for almost half of what I paid at Starbucks. It was even more delicious! 

I’ve heard that places like the New York Fair need to keep up with the cost of rental spaces in New York, so the food there is much more expensive in places like that. This might factor into your planning process when considering where to attend your first Renaissance festival. Phoenix may not have originally been at the top of your list, but if you know you’ll be paying much less for food and drink, that might give you a bigger reason to come here over more expensive cities like New York City or Los Angeles. 

Interact with Performers

One of the best parts of the Renaissance Festival is the interactive performances. Be sure to catch a show or two and interact with the performers. They are often dressed in costume and are happy to answer questions about their craft. Additionally, don’t be afraid to participate in a group dance or learn a new skill from a performer.

Shop the Artisan Markets

The Renaissance Festival is home to many talented artisans, selling everything from pottery and jewelry to leather goods. Take some time to wander through the vendor booths and find unique souvenirs and gifts to take home.

Glass Blowing Demonstrations

One of the souvenirs that I took home from the fair was a piece of hand-blown glasswork. We stopped to watch the glass-blowing presentation. Not only was it so informative, but it was also amazing to see that the art of glass-blowing hasn’t changed almost at all in over 500 years. The only modern technology they use is a gas line to keep the fires burning instead of using wood. Watching these artisans at work, we got a glimpse into the hard labour and artistic talent it takes to create these pieces made of glass. When I picked out my beautiful glass flower as a souvenir, I was taking home with me not only a piece of their craftsmanship but also a cherished memory from the festival.

In addition to the artisanal shops throughout the fair, there is also a Ren Faire gift shop. These stations are often found inside the gates, so you’ll see them as you enter and leave. They sell everything from t-shirts with the Renaissance Fair logo to other souvenir items to memorialize your visit. I returned with a handmade clay mug with the Arizona Renaissance Festival logo, and it’s my new favourite coffee cup!

Stay Hydrated!

Renaissance Festivals can be hot and crowded, so staying hydrated is important to remember throughout the day. Check the website for the specific Ren Faire you will be attending to find out if you can bring in sealed water bottles. While they don’t let you bring in outside food and drink, most fairs will make an exception for water. Other Fairs will allow you to bring in an empty reusable water bottle you can fill up at various locations throughout the grounds. 

Protect Yourself from the Sun

Hydration is half the battle against the heat from the sun. Apply lots of sunscreens or even bring a large hat to keep cool. Since the Ren Faire enters outdoors, you’ll want to ensure protection. In fairs like New York or Pennsylvania, where they take place under the trees, you’ll find it is a little more shaded but not entirely. And even in the shade, you are still at risk of sunburn.

Arrive Early!

We set out to arrive at the festival slightly before the gates opened at 10:00 am. What we didn’t expect was the huge line of traffic formed solely by other attendees trying to get to the festival! We still arrived just before ten, but unfortunately, we found about a 45-minute lineup to get inside. We didn’t get in through the gates until just before 11 am. This was still plenty of time to enjoy every show we planned to see, but we missed the opening ceremonies.

If you’re dead set on getting inside the fair at the opening, I would advise arriving about an hour to 30 minutes before the gates open. We were chatting with a couple of the employees, and they said lots of people arrive as early as 8 am and have a little tailgate party in the parking lot. They bring some coffee and get into costumes while meeting with their Ren Faire friends, who all come together yearly for this special event!

This kind of enthusiasm is infectious, and even just waiting in line, we had a great time observing everyone’s costumes and chatting with all the locals who had been to the festival dozens of times before. They couldn’t wait to share with us their advice and expertise. I never met anyone unwilling to chat with me if I had questions. No one seemed like they were trying to gatekeep this event. If anything, they were only trying to encourage more people to come. To grow the festival so there are more vendors, food, entertainment, and things to enjoy.

Where to Spend That Extra Cash!

I paid for a few additional activities I wanted to share since I felt they were worth the extra money. Aside from the food and drink of course which were highly recommended!

Archery

The first was archery. I’d never shot a bow and arrow before and was so excited to finally try it. And this felt like the PERFECT place to give it a go. I’ve seen archery booths at our local state fair and always found them overpriced. But here you got 12 arrows for just $6. You could take as much time as you wanted to have fun and compete against your friends and family.

It was honestly so much fun. We laughed the entire time as we learned how to use the bow. And screamed with excitement when one of us would get a good shot. I felt like Robin Hood, especially with my outfit that day. It was worth the money, and I think it would be even more enjoyable with the kids. They had both an adult and kids section. The kid’s area was closer to the target with small bows.

Blacksmithing

Another super interesting experience was the blacksmith forge. Here you could buy a small knife and schedule an appointment to work with a real blacksmith to forge a custom knife with some personal carvings. The experience was about $40, and you got to use these amazing dragon forges where the heat came from the dragon’s mouth! It was so cool, and even if you didn’t want to spend the money, you could sit in the audience and simply watch others at work!

Umbrellas 

As mentioned, all Ren Fairs occur in summer and early fall (or the springtime in hotter areas like Arizona and California.) Since the Ren Fair is entirely outdoors, this is scheduled to attempt to ensure the weather is dry. While the fair is held rain or shine, many events, like the joust, can be difficult or cancelled due to the weather. And no one really like walking around in the rain all day. What that means is that you’ll often be out in the sun all day long. So one of the souvenirs I found to be very practical (and beautiful) to buy were these gorgeous paper umbrellas.

Paper umbrellas are something I’ve been seeing more and more people using on vacation in the summertime. I first started seeing this trend primarily in Japan, where people really try to avoid getting sun on their faces. But I’ve seen it being implemented increasingly more frequently in other countries. All of us are learning more about how bad sun damage is for our complexion, and these fabulous fashionable paper umbrellas make avoiding the sunlight all the more chic!

A Personal Tankard

One thing I saw a ton of people wearing on their belts were these gorgeous tankards. They fit through your belt; some people even had custom leather tankard holders to carry their mugs. You can use these throughout the day to drink your more modern beverages, but look the part while doing so! These tankards are for sale throughout the fair. Some are made entirely of wood, which is absolutely beautiful, and if you have the skill and patience to ensure they’re cleaned and maintained properly, I think these could be beautiful additions to your kitchen. Other are more traditional metal tankards with gorgeous fillagree decorations around the handle.

Elf Ears

While I think I would skip on things like face painting and hair braiding (mostly because the lines were always super long), a special costume addition that I think is worth the money is custom-fitted elf ears. These elf ears are sized and painted just for you, and the artisans who make them will even glue them to your ears so you can wear them all day in the park. There are different varieties of ears; some are smaller and more dainty, while others are theatrical and will draw the attention of everyone you pass! After you’re done wearing them in the park, you just need to remove and clean them before using them again. Buy some spirit gum or body-safe adhesives, and you can use these over and over again. Definitely worth the money and such a cute thing to add to your costume. 

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They also had wire elf ears that you could buy that fit over your ears like a piece of jewelry that only cost between $25 and $30 and looked absolutely gorgeous. This is definitely something I can see a lot of more alternative fashion people wearing every single day and isn’t something I’d seen anywhere else. These kind of treasures are what makes shopping at the Ren Faire so much fun!

All in all, I’m thrilled I finally pulled the trigger and visited the Arizona Renaissance Festival! After years and years of never making it out there, I can’t believe I waited this long. Hopefully, this blog post helped dissolve any hesitation you might have in making your trip out and becoming a Ren-head like me! If you’re a seasoned visitor, let me know any tips I might have missed or advice you want to share with others.

Huzzah Adventurers!