5 takeaways from the Carolina Renaissance Festival
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Hear ye! Hear ye! 'Tis renaissance festival season.
State of play: Thousands flock to the 16th-century village of Fairhaven in the kingdom of Huntersville every autumn to watch knights joust, feast on turkey legs and test their archery skills.
What to expect: The Carolina Renaissance Festival is at 16445 Poplar Tent Road in Huntersville, every Saturday and Sunday from Oct. 4 through Nov. 23, from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., plus a pre-opening gate show at 9:05 a.m. You can find directions here.
- Festival parking is free.
Here are five things to know before you head to the Carolina Renaissance Festival.
Buy tickets in advance
Tickets sell out quickly, and you can buy them online. They cost $37.99 for ages 13 and older and $23.99 for children ages 5-12. Ages 4 and under receive free admission. Your ticket is only good on the date you purchase it.
- Season passes, which must be purchased at the ticket office after Oct. 1, are available for adults only and cost $226.99.
My thought bubble: I've seen groups show up to the festival without tickets around midmorning only to find out tickets were already sold out.
Bring cash
Most of the 140 vendors only accept cash. There are ATMs onsite, but spare yourself the wait in line and bring the king’s currency with you ahead of time.
Cheer on your knight
Your time in Fairhaven isn’t complete without witnessing a joust, and everyone knows it — that’s why seats in the stadium fill up so quickly. There are multiple jousts throughout the day, but it’s best to claim a seat at least 30 minutes early.
- Newly added VIP joust seats are $21.99 for all ages.
Yes, but: There are plenty of stages with live entertainment and peasant-powered rides to try too.
Bring your appetite
One of the best parts about the festival is feasting on a turkey leg, but there are plenty of other options, too. The pub is also packed with ale and mead, plus coffee and teas for colder days.
- Outside food and beverages are not permitted, except one sealed water bottle per person. There are fountains to refill your water bottle, too. Stay hydrated and wear sunscreen!
- There’s also a pub crawl twice a day for ages 21 and up for $89.99.
Dress up
Embrace the experience. Dress up as a knight, king, queen, lord or lady, maybe even a peasant or fairy. Have fun with your costume, but leave real weapons at home. This is just for play. You won’t be called upon to defend the castle. You can also rent one outside the festival entrance or buy one inside.
My thought bubble: I went to the festival for the first time in years, and I wish I’d thought to wear a costume. I will be going back in full costume.
Between the lines: Your journey to Fairhaven may not be completely historically accurate, but hopefully, you can overlook any anachronisms and have a laugh or two — perhaps some at your own expense.
Editor’s note: This guide was originally published on Oct. 23, 2015, and was updated on Oct. 2, 2025. Leslie Bryant previously contributed to this guide.