Renaissance fairs see "huge resurgence"
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios
Medieval knights, pirates, viking and fairies are swarming over 300 renaissance fairs in America right now, according to The Renlist.
The big picture: These are popular attractions for millions of people every fall.
What we're hearing: "After COVID-19, there has been a huge resurgence of people wanting to go to renaissance fairs and numbers have skyrocketed across the board," The Renlist's Greg Gilbert told Axios.
Most popular renaissance fairs are on "hard sites" with year-round programming such as those in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Arizona, Ohio, Wisconsin, New York, Texas and Minnesota.
The vibe: Themes of fairs have expanded into pirate and celtic territory, like Gasparilla Pirate Fest in Florida and Pikes Peak Celtic Festival in Colorado.
Here are some pro tips on how to make the most of a fair visit from Gilbert, who has attended more than several renaissance fairs across the country.
💰 Bring cash
Renaissance fairs are one event that isn't going cashless.
📝 Plan ahead
These places are huge. Check websites, maps and plan your day. Have a parking plan, too.
🧚 Wear literally anything
"No one cares what you wear and you can dress as everything. These are open and inclusive," said Gilbert, advising attendees not to stress on their outfits. Greg's suggestions include:
- For the Lords: A loose white shirt paired with green cotton or gauze pants that are breathable.
- For the Ladies: Put on a dress and "wonky pieces together." Corsets, leather are acceptable.
🍗 Eat the turkey leg
Enjoying a turkey leg isn't historically accurate to medieval times, but they're always good. Ordering mead drinks is another must-try.
"Bread Bowls are also popular at the Northeast fairs," Gilbert said.
🏇 Watch the jousting
"Some are staged, but a few are real," Gilbert said, noting that hard-sites usually house the real ones.
Fairy sections and heckler booths are also quirky things worth visiting as well as "human chest and historically accurate viking encampments."
