Do you find yourself dreaming of wizards, fairies, and fantasy costumes? If so, you might be a “rennie”, or a Renaissance festival attendee. If you are, you may find yourself looking for the best renaissance festivals in the United States. You will be pleased to know that there are many great festivals in America that include many attractions and draw many rennies in each and every year. Here’s a list of the top three best renaissance festivals in America!

 

The Faire Fae by Christa Thompson
The Faire Fae by Christa Thompson

It’s Renaissance Festival Time

 

Arizona Renaissance Festival

 

Arizona is home to one of the largest renaissance festivals in the United States. Driving in a whopping 250,000 people each year, this festival is home to over 200 craft shops, 13 stages full of entertainment and even features an arena with jousting for the complete adventurer. This festival is known for its fully costumed actors and actresses as well as dancers from all over the world. This festival is completely unique, authentic and is set on thirty complete acres.

 

renaissance festival

Florida Renaissance Festival

 

This festival attracts more than a million people each and every year. This festival has hundreds of merchants, artisans in the craft village and more than 100 performers. You’re able to watch beautiful Celtic performances, horseback jousting and even sword fighting during this festival. You are given access to tons of middle-age food and this festival is complete with the world’s largest rocking horse. The Florida Renaissance Festival is a can’t miss event happening from February to March each year. If you’re a dragon lover, you see fairies in your garden or you wear your shield to work each day, this festival is for you.

 

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

 

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is the oldest and largest festival in the United States. This festival attracts more than 280,000 people each year. This amazing festival is complete with costumed actors and knights in complete body armor. This festival happens in an outdoor event center that looks like a fictional 16th-century fantasy world. This festival includes 800 unique entertainments, food booths and medieval crafters and craft booths. This festival is perfect for all ages to enjoy and be entertained.

 

Getting There

 

Many Renaissance festivals are on the outskirts of town, so shared rides may be in order. This is also a good opportunity for Uber and Lyft drivers to be on the lookout and ready to make a trip while even enjoying some magic.

 

renaissance festival
by Christa Thompson

 

You may be pleased to know that you can make some extra cash to spend when you get there by sharing your car. By driving other knights and princesses to the festival with you, you can make extra cash using your own HyreCar.  Drive your Hyrecar to and from the festival using Uber to make extra bucks to buy all of the turkey legs you can handle. If you know a fairy whose wings will not carry her that far, invite her to share your vehicle for a flat rate. You may be surprised when she says yes.

 

Final Thought

 

Renaissance fairs are fun for all. If you’re looking for an age-appropriate event for everyone or even a vacation to take in the early spring, a renaissance festival may be perfect for you. 

Author

Christa Thompson is the Founder and Chief Editor of The Fairytale Traveler. She started traveling the world in 2003 when she attended a summer abroad study at the University of Cambridge in England. Since then, her wanderlust has been fierce. Her three passions in life are her son, traveling, and being creative. The Fairytale Traveler brand gives Christa the opportunity to do all of these things and to live intentionally every day. "It's never too late to believe in what you love and to pursue your dreams." -Christa Thompson

3 Comments

  1. Texas Ren Fest is by far the largest faire in the states, dwarfing Minnesota by about 400,000 attendees.

  2. Texas Renaissance festival is definitely the biggest, and also the best.

  3. Not sure why the Bristol Renaissance Faire keeps getting snubbed by these “Best Renaissance Faire” stories? It has literally been voted the Best Faire for something like 9 years in a row!

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