Arizona Renaissance Festival

Recommend: Yes. A great place to spend the day. Cost: admission was $35 this year but food are pretty reasonable there. For clothing, merchant and others are more pricey. The performers, greeters, were all really nice people. They really do seem to love what they do and have been working it for many years. Dress code: it seems like a lot of people were dressing up. Some were even dressed up in unrelated Renaissance costumes/outfits. Tip: come early since there will be traffic. And leave slightly early to avoid traffic leaving. The traffic leaving is more heavier than coming when we went. Details:This is my first time going to the Renaissance Festival. There were a ton of things to do. Lots of shows/performances in all different areas. And lots of food around where you don't have to walk too far to get to. I enjoying seeing all the performances and it seems like they really love their jobs and have kept it up for years. There was a lot of people attending still spaced out enough where it is not unbearable. I did somewhat wish I brought a face mask with all the dust/dirt kicked up. I also saw physics there who did tarot card reading/palm reading/ or spiritual reading. I never had a tarot card reading before so I gave in. I was very surprised they were very expensive. There were two places. One offers $75 and the other was charging $65. I opted for the $65 and it was only 15 mins of reading. I wish it was a bit longer than 15 min. Overall, only the tarot card reading didn't seem like it was worth 15 min especially since it was like paying a non-licensed doctor for life advice for $65 hahaha. It was definitely nice to go out and enjoy the day here.

I've been coming to this fair for over twenty years now. This is one of the few places left where people can escape from the horrific reality of our current Blinded, and people can just have a good time. You can smoke/vape publicly outside of food tents, you can carry around alcohol without being forced to sit in a special area, and you can dress up in medieval costumes to immerse yourself into the festivity. A lot of shows have been running for over thirty years, and many troupes originated here. But here are newer acts too, and many are becoming more family friendly to children. My daughter loves Cirque du Sewer, a rat and cat show with a classically trained ballerina too weird for mainstream theater (her words, not mine). Remember the Merpeople show on Netflix, featuring Circus Siren Pod? They've been here the past few years and are very popular with young children. Birds of Prey is a great show where the handlers rehabilitate avian predators while bringing awareness to their species and habits. One of these days, I'll see the Knotty Nauticals show. Definitely buy their naughty merch. I buy shirts and shorts every year, with phrases like "Nice Chest: The Booty's Even Better" or "Booty Patrol. #NoShameFor me, there is comfort in the familiarity while watching the newness from my children's eyes. From infancy to adulthood, this has been their special treat each year as we have this family time together. The food is becoming very overpriced, though, and we've finally decided this year that $16 er Turkey leg just isn't worth the price. Don't haggle--it's rude and you're basically telling crafters their products aren't worth the price. Don't litter because that's gross and you were probably taught better. Respect alcohol laws. I bought a black raspberry mead, and the vendor asked if I was okay knowing the cup was small. Yes, I know the mead is $8 and the alcohol content is higher than what's found in draft beer. No, I'm not going to lose my crap over it.I so want to give this five stars because I do come here each year, but it's also the same in so many ways while the prices continue to climb. It really is a wonderful time though, and a precious moment with family you can keep forever. Everyone should go at least once and embrace their inner child.

This is about my fourth or fifth time going to the ren festival. I had a good time! It's fun to dress up and watch all of the shows and performances. It just sucks that the prices are starting to go up on some things. Ticket prices, food, etc. It is what it is though. I would still say for most of the food it is still relatively good pricing as it is still event food. Posted up recent pics of the food pricing on 02/22/25.

So much fun.thought I sent this. My first R.F. Was so cool. Everyone dresses up. Really beautiful.

The Renaissance Festival is always a great time! There is so much to do from shops to browse, many shows to watch, and best of all, a large variety of food to eat. The food is the best part. It's all very affordable and delicious. I would recommend getting there 10-15 minutes before opening time to avoid the long line for parking. You can easily wait 45 minutes on the highway waiting to park. The festival is outside on the dirt and there is not a lot of shade just fyi. Also be sure to bring cash, because they do not accept credit cards.

Had a good time. Took the kids and grandkids and we all had a fun day. My wife and I have gone to many renaissance fairs over the years all in California. First time here in AZ. This is bigger with permanent buildings and real restrooms. So I think it's a bit cleaner in that regard. Something along the lines of an amusement park. So you lose some period perspective. Plenty of rides and activities for the younger kiddos. Smiles for miles. It's well planned out with a lot of shopping to do and plenty of places to eat and drink. The entertainment was great and very well worth the admission. One thing I noticed compared to the ones in California is the random acts and entertainers walking amongst the crowds interacting with them. Maybe we were just missing them. The parking situation was well oiled with no problems and getting in and out of the lot was painless. Last words...2025!

Very well organized. I've been to many Renaissance festivals and this one was lovely. We even had to utilize the first aid services and the staff was quick and friendly. Great festival!

This is a fun event to go with a group of friends. It's a bit of drive, but you can easily make a day out of visiting the Renaissance Festival because there is so much to do here. I don't go every year, but every once in awhile I get invited to join a group of friends. It is definitely a place to people watch. There are the die-hard fans who like to dress up so they feel like they have been transported back in time. Then there are the hired costumed characters who walk around and have fun interacting with the crowds. I'm more of the casual fan. I grew up loving medieval sword fight movies and a big Lord of the Rings fan. So places like this are fun for me. Arizona Renaissance Festival is pretty big and is designed like an old 16th-century English village complete with a jousting tournament arena with seating. It runs in the early Spring from February to April on the weekends. I enjoy watching many of the shows like the Birds of Prey Show, The Wyld Men, Ded Bob Show and of course the Jousting. It's also fun to just walk around the Village and eat good food like a turkey leg. Some cons are that it can be a little pricey and it is a far drive (east of Apache Junction). With traffic, give yourself a good hour to drive here from the center of the Valley. Parking is in a big dirt lot outside the entrance. Majority of the shows are part of the admission price, but almost anything else you do here will cost you. Even though it takes place in the Spring, this is Arizona. Bring sun block because you will get a sunburn after hours of being here. If you have some extra cash on you, there are some nice gifts that you can buy here like costumes, swords and jewelry. They have over 200 artisan shops in the Village.Overall, the Renaissance Festival makes for a fun day. Eat Drink and be Merry.

We try to visit once each year and it's always a good time!The line to get in is super long and parking can be slow to get there and leave, but once in you are transported to another world. Dressing up adds to the fun, but even if you don't have a costume it's an experience just seeing everyone else. The food and drink booth lines are long but worth it as there are many tasty treats. I've never seen a bad show! You can't see it all in one day so pick your faves and make a plan.

waste of time. not worth your money. everything was too expansive and it was too windy and dust everywhere. parking is a nightmare. flaggers were every to get you in. it took me 2 hrs to even move to get out of the parking lot. no flaggers to help. very frustrating