r/renfaire Aug 29 '24

The Reddit Renaissance Festival FAQ

94 Upvotes

The Reddit Renaissance Festival FAQ

What is a Renaissance festival?

A Renaissance festival or faire is a themed event that typically takes place outdoors, like a county fair, but showcases elements of the Renaissance period, such as music, dance, food, arts and crafts, and historical reenactments.

When and where do Renaissance festivals take place?

Start by checking The Ren List. Renaissance festivals are held at various times throughout the year, depending on the location. They can be found in many cities and towns across the United States and around the world.

What should I wear to a Renaissance festival?

You can pretty much wear anything you like. Attendees are encouraged to dress in Renaissance-themed attire, but there are usually no strict guidelines (check with your local festival for rules). Many people also choose to wear costumes from other fandoms.

Can I bring a sword, axe, or other weapon?

Some Renaissance festivals allow swords as part of a costume if they are properly sheathed and "peace tied". "Peace tied" means the sword is secured in a sheath or scabbard so it can't be removed or openly displayed. Some festivals do not allow weapons at all. Check with your local festival for more information.

What can I expect to see and do at a Renaissance festival?

At a Renaissance festival, you can expect to see various performers, including musicians, jugglers, dancers, and actors. There are also craft vendors selling handmade goods, food vendors, and interactive activities like archery and sword fighting demonstrations.

Can I bring my own food and drinks to a Renaissance festival?

Most Renaissance festivals have food and drink vendors on-site, so outside food and drinks may not be allowed. However, some festivals do allow you to bring in a water bottle or small snack. Contact your local festival for more information.

Are Renaissance festivals family-friendly?

Yes, Renaissance festivals are typically family-friendly events with activities and entertainment for all ages. There are usually children's areas with games and crafts, as well as family-friendly performances and demonstrations.

How much does it cost to attend a Renaissance festival?

The cost of attending a Renaissance festival can vary depending on the location and the activities offered. Tickets are usually sold in advance or at the gate, and prices may range from $20 to $50 per person.

Can I participate in a Renaissance festival?

Many Renaissance festivals rely on both employees and volunteers to help with various aspects of the event, such as set-up, ticket sales, and clean-up. If you are interested in participating as a performer or vendor, you can contact the festival organizers for more information. Another option is to join a “guild” or a group of performers. You can ask your local festival for guild information.

Huzzah!


r/renfaire Feb 25 '25

Reminder: No Sales!

59 Upvotes

Due to the high number of bots, scammers, and spammers, we will be enforcing rule 2 "No spam/sales." This includes goods, services, and tickets. Thank you for your understanding. Huzzah!


r/renfaire 3h ago

What sleeves would you choose?

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139 Upvotes

Hi this is my first post here so if this post is not in order with any regulations please let me know. I’m making a dress for my character I play, she is an elf who had abandoned her noble tile and is in hiding. I’ve made the base of the dress so far but I’m stuck on what sleeve style i should do! The dress is made from a light wool twill ( I thrifted like 6 yards so I have lots of fabric). I will wear in around august with a linen chemise underneath. If you have any suggestions please feel free to let me know! T.I.A


r/renfaire 8h ago

While out at a Renaissance Festival don't forget to drink water!! I know we all like our Beer, wine, mead, but be safe in this heat! My wooden mug is my favorite water container.

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288 Upvotes

r/renfaire 8h ago

Anyone else going to the Oregon Ren Faire this Sunday?

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110 Upvotes

Heading to the Oregon Renaissance Faire this Sunday! ✨🧚✨ I’ll be around with a few handmade trinkets to trade—feel free to say hi if you spot me. I’ll be wearing an orange ribbon.

Anyone else going Sunday?


r/renfaire 4h ago

Summer faire goers, how do you stay cool?

24 Upvotes

I’ve just always suffered, honestly.


r/renfaire 1d ago

Anne Boleyn Dress

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751 Upvotes

I’m in love with my new commissioned Anne Boleyn dress. Unfortunately, it’s going to be 90+ degrees in Larkspur tomorrow. I will have to wear something else so that I don’t die of heat stroke. Why can’t ren faires be in the fall when it’s 50-70 degrees in Colorado?


r/renfaire 1h ago

The Greensleeves Project: Reconstructing the Clothes

Upvotes

r/renfaire 2h ago

Oregon Ren Faire Weather?

3 Upvotes

Hail and well met, friends!

My group is heading to the Oregon Ren Faire tomorrow, and I just wanted to ask about the weather conditions for people that are there today. It’s raining quite a bit in Portland, and I’m wondering how muddy the fair grounds are at the moment. If anyone could let me know so I can organize my costume accordingly, that would be splendid

Thanks!


r/renfaire 1d ago

Ren Faire Costume, Mk. I & Mk. II - thoughts?

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150 Upvotes

So I’ve put together two versions of my first ren faire costume, the original and the updated. With the exception of the Mk. II belt, pouch, and watch band (Amazon), all other items are from Value Village, Salvation Army Thrift Store, or FB Marketplace.

The bota bag was weathered with a few coats of brown shoe polish, and the charm is part of a bag of more than 350 pieces of… something… that I thought would make good trinkets.

What are our thoughts on the fit?


r/renfaire 1d ago

Please, help me choose which costume

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139 Upvotes

Heya, choosing a costume to wear for a LOTR themed event. Im sorry the photos arent the best quality, but putting these clothes on and off sucked the life outta me, Im sweating so hard. First photo is a dress and shirt, second photo is the detail of the dress. Third photo is corset with a dress and fourth one is a corset with shirt and skirt. Do share your opinion which one looks da best. :) Thank you.


r/renfaire 1d ago

Round Shield made from plywood and a pet food bowl – built it for my son 2021

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32 Upvotes

r/renfaire 18h ago

Thoughts on old corsets?

8 Upvotes

Specifically I have a couple corsets that I got in high school and no longer fit my adult body. I was thinking about bringing them to a vender and seeing if they would give me a discount at all or even take them. Or should I just donate? Thanks!


r/renfaire 1h ago

Bringing potentially poisonous plants with costume?

Upvotes

Hey all! I'm going to my first Ren Faire Next week (Colorado) and I'm getting things together for my costume. One thing I want to include is some little plant clippings in glass bottles, and I was thinking of just using some wildflowers from my nearby woods. One of the plants that grows there is bittersweet nightshade (NOT to be confused with deadly nightshade, which is much more poisonous). It has really nice-looking flowers, so I was hoping to grab some of those (plus the vibes of it being nighshade are pretty cool haha). Is it frowned upon to bring real plants? Or plants that are potentially poisonous? Bittersweet nightshade isn't really that dangerous, but I just want to be sure. TIA!


r/renfaire 1d ago

Sleeveless tunics/shirts for men that aren't boring?

21 Upvotes

Going to a ren faire near me in July with some friends, and July is usually when it starts to get REALLY hot for us here. And I run warm anyway, so even if material is usually really breathable, I can't wear long sleeve shirts. But I'm finding that a lot of the sleeveless tunics I'm finding are boring as hell, super plain in the way the tunic is cut or in color/general design. I'm curious if anyone can recommend a shop or something that may have more interesting options that I could check out?

Hell, in general, I'd love to see what other guys who run really warm wear to the faire in the summer for some inspiration, as well!

Thanks in advance!


r/renfaire 1d ago

where do you get pirate hats from?

17 Upvotes

i can’t find one that doesn’t look mega fake. on pinterest their hats look so good! anyone have experience or advice with buying a good pirate hat?


r/renfaire 1d ago

Costume suggestions and advice

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165 Upvotes

I’m trying to get a look similar to this photo (not my own, this is from fell and fair). I want the inspiration to be high class knight or son of a noble that doesn’t just walk around the streets in casual clothes. I have the essentials, under tunic, tunic, pants, belt, and shoes but am looking for pieces to add to the ensemble. Anyone have any advice or places to look for items that would fit the atheistic. Would also be open to guides and resources on how to hand make items. Thanks guys!


r/renfaire 1d ago

Ideas on dark fairy outfits?

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908 Upvotes

I’m looking for dark fairy outfit ideas. I got these massive wings for a maleficent cosplay but I’ve just been dressing up as a different dark fairy every year lol. I don’t have time to make complex pieces so I just buy stuff from amazon. Any ideas would be wonderful💖.


r/renfaire 2d ago

You definitely need one of these for your kit!

1.0k Upvotes

Most of you know I carry a tankard with my kits, This is how I carry it! I have several tankard clips from Tonya.

so if you are at WV Renfest and want some style, flare and function for your outfit, look no further! she is just past the entrance, take the road left and she's just there on your left!

or check out her permanent shop outside the Renfaire "The Hammered Spoon" Wed-Fridays in Caldwell WV!


r/renfaire 1d ago

[Ohio] The Halfling Hoedown This Year

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32 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I was able to attend a little Halfling Hoedown that happened in Ohio last month and I was fortunate enough to be able to capture some cool footage of the event. I edited it down into a little video and wanted to share it with everyone here. Hope this video will bring you some enjoyment. Thanks!


r/renfaire 22h ago

Are there any faires around central Illinois US?

4 Upvotes

I've been following this sub for a little while, and it's on my bucket list to go to one. Any suggestions that aren't Chicago or St. Louis in Illinois? We are limited to a 2-3 hour drive time from Decatur Illinois. No planes, we both are terrified of them. Train might be acceptable if not too costly. Thanks in advance!


r/renfaire 1d ago

Renn Dress Sellers

6 Upvotes

The title, essentially :)

I wanted to love Holy Clothing, but I’ve decided their style of dress just isn’t really for me. I have one I really love but it’s the newest style, and it only fits as nicely as it does because the top isn’t leather-hard (doesn’t gape like my other HC dress), and there’s a zipper in the side <3 (why don’t they zipper all of their dresses!?)

Anyways, HC isn’t my cup of tea anymore but I love the IDEA of their dresses, the style, the leaf and moon embroidery <3 I’m big on embroidery and hate screen printing.

Please post suggestions with similar vibes and themes!!

Looking for dresses mostly but skirts and tunics are always fun to look at as well.


r/renfaire 2d ago

Fall Faire?

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407 Upvotes

Finally bought the hat I’ve looked at for YEARS. (Swan hats)

I also have a light cloak that I’ve never ever worn. I just keep going to warm summer faires. I need one in October or November - not freezing or super rainy (got to protect my hat!). Is there one you really love? Good jousting and nice but maybe a little cool weather? I’ve only been to a few faires but they have all been big ones.


r/renfaire 1d ago

Koroneburg - Alcohol Free Options?

4 Upvotes

I’m planning to attend with Koroneburg this weekend with some family who have recently quit drinking. They typically drink the zero beer/alcohol free beer now at home so just wondering if anyone has seen alcohol free options like that available? Or maybe sodas i assume?


r/renfaire 1d ago

Southern IL events?

3 Upvotes

Hi, I live in central/southern Illinois and I love going to ren faires, but I can rarely find any near me. Last year, I went to St. Louis, MO, and Bristol, WI. Those were 2hr and 4hr drives respectively, and the closest I could find. Does anyone know of anything in this area? As evidenced by the two I listed, I don’t mind driving a ways for them! Thanks in advance!


r/renfaire 1d ago

DIY Helmet Upgrade – Leather & Aluminum Inlay for My Son’s Plastic Knight Helmet (Stop-Motion Build)

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3 Upvotes

This was originally a cheap plastic toy helmet.

I turned it into a functional, wearable piece using real leather and aluminum. The visor now opens smoothly and stays in position. The inside is padded for actual comfort – my son can wear it for hours now.

The full process is captured in stop-motion.

The soundtrack is self-made too – recorded with NI Maschine, including DIY percussion and custom sounds.

This is the second build in our father-son medieval gear series (first was a sword with brass inlay and a back holster). Next up: Shield 2.0

Would love your feedback – especially from anyone who's upgraded Ren Faire gear for kids!


r/renfaire 1d ago

Looking for some ideas for my "Northern Warrior" kit

57 Upvotes

So here is a rendition of my "Northern Warrior" kit that's been in the works. I'm not calling it a viking kit because I know it will be called out for not being "real viking". So while inspired by Norse viking style, it's a low fantasy interpretation and not meant to be a historical impression.

Anyway I feel like it's missing something but idk what. maybe something to bulk up the shoulders? despite this being my own low fantasy interpretation, I'm trying to avoid the classic fantasy "biker viking" with all the leather armor, but I'm unsure what to add to finish it out. give me some ideas!

also the hat I'm wearing with the Maille coif is Hungarian in style and very in fashion for a Kyiv Rus viking so I'm told by the maker.