Huzzah!! It’s that time of the year for the Carolina Renaissance Festival & Artisan Marketplace. Every fall, from September through November about 200,000 thousand visitors make their way to this 25-acre theme park in Huntersville, N.C. (right outside of Charlotte, ~2.5 hours from AVL) to visit the fictional, 16th-century European village known as Fairhaven.
The Carolina Renaissance Festival opened in 1994 – making this the 25th anniversary – and what began as six acres of exhibits, performances, fun + food, has now grown to be one of the largest Renaissance fairs nationwide. Today, the Ren Fest features charming cottages, castles, restaurants, pubs, rides, entertainments, plus unique games, rides, and so much more.
Photo by @mereditheglenn
The best part? With over 500 costumed characters wandering this festive village, you will encounter singing fairies, charming pirates, silly wenches, mind-blowing acrobats, singing nuns, magicians, and many more. And, since patrons are encouraged to dress up as a character, now is the time to break out your favorite Game of Thrones, Vikings and Spartacus costumes.
Click here or the button below for a guide on feasting, fun, and the full Ren Fest experience. And after you’ve talketh to the fam or squad, it’s time to grab a costume, bid thee farewell to your pup, and maketh thee way to the land of Fairhaven. Bonus: A vocab guide so you can blend right in without feeling like a dunce. ⬇
🎭How to get in
📍16445 Poplar Tent Rd. Huntersville, NC, 28078
☎704-896-5555
🎟 Ticket prices
Under 5: Free
5-12: $14
13+: $24
Buy here. (Sept. 29 – Nov. 18)
Bonus: Student tickets + admission days here. Find discounts + coupons here.
🚘Driving
🎭What to watch
🗺Map
Multiple stages and showtimes – Tortuga Twins, The Jousters + Barely Balanced Acrobats are a total #MustDo.
Photos of performers here and here. Bonus: New living mermaids.
Photo by @rei.pics
🎭How to dress
Every weekend has a different theme. See the full schedule from BrewFest to Pirates’ Christmas here.
Pull out those costumes – or rent one there. The Carolina Renaissance Fest offers costumes for rent ranging from $8-25 for children and $18-65 for adult sizes through The Belrose.
Pro-tip: If you bring your own props, costume blades (swords, daggers, axes, arrow heads, etc.) must be blunted, properly sheathed, and peace-tied with red twine or ribbon. Arrows must remain tied together and inside the quiver. All prop weapons must be checked by Safety Services Personnel at the Festival Main Gate. Firearms are not permitted.
Even if you’re not in character, make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes since this is an outdoor event with lots of walking along the grounds.
Photo by @kaegoodford
🎭Where to feast
🗺Map
There are about 20 places to feast around Fairhaven. Find everything from turkey legs, beer, bread bowls, Scotch Eggs, fish + chips, sandwiches, fried mac-n-cheese, mimosas, coffees, tea, Cinnamon Crunch Almonds + Pecans, crepes, giant slices of cheesecake, chocolates + more.
Photo by @rei.pics
🎭Fun and games
🎪Games and rides run about $1-5 per game.
Over 20 games of skill and rides including Archery, Jacob’s Ladder, Shatter the Platter, The Maze, Toddler’s Swan Swing + more.
🗺Map
🎭Bring home a trinket
There are several shops + vendors around the grounds to buy trinkets, props, jewelry + etc. 🗺Map. Make sure to stop in The Artisan Marketplace, which features over 100 artisans with a variety of handmade wares. Find hand blown glass art, pottery, sculptures, leather work, jewelry, clothing, and so much more. Perfect for early holiday-season shopping.
Photo by @rei.pics
🎭Know your words
Now before you head to Fairhaven, you must be warned that their lingo is quite a bit older than ours. Know your way around with these main vocab words + phrases so you don’t feel like a total dunce. 🗣 And yes, some characters talk in Pig Latin. Oundsay oodgay?
Good day/good morrow: Hello/good morning.
Well met: Nice to see you.
Farewell/I bid thee farewell: Goodbye
Anon: I will see you later
Thou/thee: You
Huzzah: Hooray!
I cry your mercy: I beg your pardon.
Thou art a cutpurse: You are a thief!
Prithee: Please
Privy: Bathroom
Carouse: Party
Haply: Hopefully
Fie: Disgust
Ere: Before
Yea/Aye: Yes
Nay: No
My Lord/Lady: Ms. or Mr.
Art: Are
Wench: A type of woman who is not a Queen, princess, or nun.
Bawdy: PG-13 to rated R (adult material)
“St” and “th”: can be added to the end of most words take → taketh or takest
The Carolina Renaissance Festival is one of my all-time favorite events here in N.C. My family has adventured to the ren fest every year since I was 14. There is so much to see, do, eat, learn, and enjoy it is worth the experience.
This year I’m planning to go all out and dress up. Still deciding between being a Victorian maiden or a pirate. 🤷 Have you been to the Carolina ren fest? What’s your favorite part? Tag us in any photos on Facebook + Instagram to see all your medieval fun.
Bonus: If you go, be sure to take a photo with this magical, walking tree.
Huzzah and good morrow, Asheville!!
