The annual and long-loved Renaissance Festival will grace the Valley once again during the weekends of Feb. 9 to March 30. (The festival is open on President’s Day, too.) The festival is one of Arizona’s most unique experiences, as it offers attendees a one-of-a-kind opportunity to be transported back to the days of turkey legs, jousting and stunning fairytales of brave knights battling monstrous dragons and other mystical, terrifying beasts.

In preparation for the festival, we’ve compiled five reasons for why you need to make it a priority to visit this remarkable and timeless experience.

 

 

5. Making Room for Education through Student Days

Education comes first! As elementary and junior high school students learn about the mystical magic of 16th-century culture, the Renaissance Festival offers students and schools the opportunity to witness it first-hand. Student Days are pre-planned dates that have been reserved exclusively for schools.

The Arizona Renaissance Festival brings to life the language, science, arts, engineering and overall ambiance of the 16th-century village marketplace. Immersive experiences encourage students to understand this unique time period more. Student Days serve as the perfect excuse to get outside of the classroom and enjoy an educational and fun field trip.

 

 

4. Jousters, Acrobats and One-Woman Musicals – Oh My!

The Arizona Renaissance Festival features more than 40 different entertainers and the village itself comes to life with the help of 2,000-plus costumed characters who comprise the re-created 16th-century marketplace. Festival attendees can enjoy and see truly everything. Enjoy stunning performances from Cirque du Sewer, who is an acrobat with rats and cats! As seen on ABC's "The Gong Show", Melissa – who is a physical performer – and her trained animals perform captivating stunts together.

Perhaps you’re more of a music fan. At the festival, you can enjoy the works of Mistress Bawd, who is an Interactive One-Woman "Musical Comedy" experience you are sure to want to experience. Whether you see her family approved, "Muse Show" or her, not for the kiddies, Loose Cannon, (LC) "Musical Comedy Show". 

And if you simply want a taste of 16th-century sporting fun, you can’t miss the fun of watching the famed “Jousters” up close. The Jousters ignite crowds as these athletic, armored knights compete in a three-part jousting tournament, a true test of skill, courage and horsemanship. 

 

 

3. The Pleasure Feast is the Festival’s Most Exclusive Event

The Pleasure Feast at the annual Arizona Renaissance Festival is a five-course one-and-a-half-hour dinner and comedy show that is the most exclusive event within the larger festival entertainment program. Feast guests are treated like royalty as the chef’s kitchen crew and the Feast Master’s boisterous serving wenches and knaves dish up a roaring good time.

Admission to the five-course Pleasure Feast is $75.95 per person, which includes $28 festival admission for all park events, the one-and-a-half-hour five-course dinner and show, plus a souvenir limited-edition toasting tankard to take home. For more information on the feast, click here.

 

 

2. Costumes Are Welcome & Encouraged

The Renaissance Festival offers the perfect excuse to dress up, engage your inner-child and live all of your cosplay dreams – no matter your age. Get decked out like a daring knight or embrace your feminine energy as a lovely nightingale.

Though costumes are welcomed, the festival does have several guidelines and advises that all attendees follow them to ensure a positive experience. Costume swords and daggers are permitted as long as they are tied by the festival’s safety services personnel at the main entrance. For more specific guidelines and information on dress code policies, click here.

 

 

1. The Renaissance Festival is Celebrating 31 Years

For 31 years, the Renaissance Festival has captivated locals and tourists alike with daring performances, world-class food options and the unique opportunity to experience what life was like way back when. If you haven’t found your way out to the Renaissance Festival, perhaps this year is your chance to!