Step Back in Time at the Ohio Renaissance Festival
The Ohio Renaissance Festival returns for its 35th season in 2026, transforming a 30-acre village in Warren County into a living, breathing portal to 16th-century England.
Running on weekends and on Labor Day from September 5 through November 1, this immersive cultural celebration invites you to leave the modern world behind and experience the pageantry, craft, and spirit of the Renaissance.
Gates open at 10:30 AM, and the festivities continue until 7:00 PM each day, giving you ample time to explore every corner of this remarkable recreation.
Where Is the Ohio Renaissance Festival?
Located at 10542 Ohio 73 in Waynesville, Warren County, the festival grounds sit conveniently between Cincinnati and Dayton. The site is easily accessible via Interstate 71 and Interstate 75, with State Route 73 providing direct access to the entrance.
Free parking is available to all guests, with accessible parking near the gate for visitors who need it. The location itself feels worlds away from highway traffic—once you pass through the gates, you’ll find yourself surrounded by authenticity that makes the 21st century feel like a distant memory.
What Are the 2026 Dates and Themed Weekends?
The 2026 season spans nine distinctive weekends, each offering its own unique atmosphere and special events. Here’s your complete schedule for planning your visit:
Opening Weekend: September 5-7, 2026 (includes Labor Day Monday) – The season kicks off with three full days of celebration as the village comes alive with special performances and the energy of a new season.
Fantasy Weekend: September 12-13, 2026 – Mythical creatures, enchanted beings, and the Witches of Willy Nilly transform the village into a realm of pure imagination. ASL interpreters will be available this weekend to ensure all guests can enjoy the magic.
Fools Weekend: September 19-20, 2026 – Embrace foolishness and whimsy as jesters and comedians take center stage with their antics filling every corner of the grounds.
Pirates Weekend: September 26-27, 2026 – Sea shanties echo through the lanes as pirates commandeer the village. A giant pirate ship becomes the centerpiece for swashbuckling entertainment and Pirate Play Time activities.
Time Travelers Weekend: October 3-4, 2026 – Cosplay enthusiasts and fans of science fiction, comics, and fantasy arrive in force. Dress as your favorite character from any era or universe—steampunk, anime, film, or television—and celebrate alongside fellow fans.
Viking Weekend: October 10-11, 2026 – Norse warriors and their culture take over as the village transforms into a Viking stronghold. Special guest Albannach, the renowned Celtic rock band, performs on the Reveler’s Stage at 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM, and 5:00 PM, with a special appearance at Pub Sing.
Highland Weekend: October 17-18, 2026 – The pipes are calling as Scottish heritage fills the air. Expect bagpipes, Highland games competitions, traditional dancing, and yes, even haggis for the brave.
Romance Weekend: October 24-25, 2026 – The festival takes on a softer tone as couples and romantics find enchantment in every corner of the village.
Heroes and Villains Weekend: October 31-November 1, 2026 – The season concludes with a Halloween-themed celebration, with children 12 and under receiving free admission. Military members and first responders receive a $3 discount at the ticket booth in appreciation of their service.
What Can You Experience at the Festival?
The Spectacle of the Joust
At the Arena of Champions, also known as the Guinness Arena, knights in full armor thunder past on horseback in tournament jousts performed exactly as they were over 400 years ago. The ground shakes beneath the hoofbeats. Lances splinter. The crowd roars. This isn’t a sanitized version of history—these are skilled equestrians and performers bringing authentic medieval combat to life with real weapons, real horses, and genuine danger. Shows run throughout the day, and arriving early ensures you’ll secure a good viewing spot for what many consider the highlight of the festival.
Over 50 Daily Shows Across 21 Stages
The village pulses with entertainment from the moment the gates open until closing. Fire jugglers like the Kamikaze Fireflies risk life and limb with blazing torches. Sword fighters demonstrate medieval combat techniques on the Swordsmen Stage. The infamous Mudde Show delivers comedy that’s equal parts storytelling and controlled chaos—performers, literally covered in mud, deliver jokes that leave audiences gasping for air between laughs. Musicians perform everything from period ballads on lute and harp to energetic bagpipe performances that echo across the grounds.
More than 150 costumed characters wander the lanes and interact with guests. You might encounter Queen Elizabeth I herself, resplendent in her elaborate gown and unmistakable ruff, presiding over the day’s festivities. Pirates roam looking for mischief. Jesters crack jokes. Nobles parade with their retinues. Every character stays firmly in their role, creating an immersive experience that makes you question which century you’re actually inhabiting.
The Artisan Village and Marketplace
The sprawling marketplace offers more than shopping—it’s a living museum of Renaissance craft. Skilled artisans demonstrate their techniques throughout the day, allowing you to watch glassblowers transform molten glass into delicate vessels using traditional blowtubes, leatherworkers hand-stitch armor and boots, blacksmiths hammer glowing metal into functional art, and jewelers craft intricate pieces using period techniques.
The selection of handmade goods includes clothing and footwear for those wanting to dress the part, weaponry ranging from decorative swords to functional throwing axes (all properly peace-tied according to festival rules), chainmail and metalwork, blown glass pieces, leather goods including belts, pouches, and armor, jewelry and accessories, woodcarvings and toys, fiber arts, and Renaissance-themed home goods.
Every item in the marketplace comes from the hands of skilled craftspeople, many of whom travel the Renaissance festival circuit and have perfected their crafts over decades. You’re not buying mass-produced souvenirs—you’re taking home functional art created using techniques that have existed for centuries.
Food and Drink That Satisfies Medieval Appetites
The aroma of roasting meat draws you through the lanes. Giant turkey legs—the unofficial symbol of Renaissance festivals everywhere—are roasted to juicy perfection and large enough to satisfy even the heartiest appetite. Beyond turkey, the food offerings span savory meat pies, pulled pork sandwiches, burgers and sausages, fresh-baked pretzels and bread bowls, kettle corn and roasted nuts, and specialty items that change by vendor.
The Aleing Knight Pub and other drinking establishments serve beer, mead, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. For a true period experience, order your drink in a clay stein—you can even purchase the stein as a souvenir. The Three Fools Pub and Tipsy Cauldron offer their own atmospheres for relaxing between shows and people-watching as the costumed crowd passes by.
Interactive Experiences and Games of Skill
This isn’t a festival where you simply watch from the sidelines. Games of skill dot the grounds, challenging visitors to test their aim at archery ranges where you can channel your inner Robin Hood, try axe throwing for the first time under expert supervision, participate in the massive tug-of-war battles, and compete in traditional games like the Dart Trebuchet or Knights’ Challenge.
The Daily Knighting Ceremony allows children to be dubbed knight or lady by Queen Elizabeth herself—a moment parents capture eagerly with cameras, knowing it will become a treasured memory. Character meet-and-greets happen throughout the day, letting you interact directly with pirates, fairies, knights, and members of the royal court.
Human Combat Chess on the Chess Field turns the classic game into a physical spectacle, with costumed players moving across a giant board while the crowd watches the strategy unfold. The Wheel of Death features death-defying acrobatics that will have you holding your breath.
How Should You Prepare for Your Visit?
Tickets and Timing
Purchase tickets in advance through the festival’s official website to guarantee admission, as popular themed weekends can sell out. Several ticket options exist: single-day admission for one festival day, season passes that grant access to every weekend, afternoon passes valid after 2:00 PM for reduced prices, and special packages that include extras like access to The Resting Squire premium rest area.
Dated tickets cannot be exchanged for different dates, so choose your weekend carefully based on which theme appeals most. The festival operates rain or shine, with performances adjusted for safety during inclement weather. Optional ticket insurance through the third-party provider can protect your purchase in case of emergencies.
Seniors receive a complimentary beverage (soda, tea, water, or coffee) when they show ID at the Information Booth. Children 12 and under get free admission during Heroes and Villains Weekend on October 31-November 1.
What to Wear and Bring
Comfortable walking shoes are essential—you’ll cover miles exploring the 30-acre grounds. The festival actively encourages period costumes, though modern dress is perfectly acceptable. If you want to participate fully, consider Renaissance-inspired attire like flowing skirts and bodices, peasant shirts and breeches, cloaks and capes, or boots and leather accessories. Vendors onsite sell costume pieces if you want to purchase something during your visit.
Many guests come in full costume matching the weekend’s theme—expect to see elaborate fantasy creatures during Fantasy Weekend, pirate regalia during Pirates Weekend, and kilts during Highland Weekend. The Time Travelers Weekend sees the most creative costumes as sci-fi, steampunk, comic book, and fantasy characters converge.
Dress in layers since September and October weather in Ohio can be unpredictable. Bring sunscreen for sunny days and rain gear if clouds threaten. A refillable water bottle helps you stay hydrated (water filling stations are available). Carry cash for artisan shops and food vendors, though many now accept cards. A small bag or pouch for purchases keeps your hands free for turkey legs and beverages.
Where to Stay
While the festival grounds don’t offer overnight accommodations, the surrounding area provides numerous lodging options. Waynesville itself has charming bed-and-breakfasts that complement the festival’s historic atmosphere. Chain hotels cluster near Interstate 71 and Interstate 75 exits within 20-30 minutes of the festival. Lebanon, Mason, and the northern Cincinnati suburbs all offer additional hotel choices with easy highway access.
For the full experience, consider booking early—accommodations fill quickly during festival season, especially during the most popular themed weekends. Many visitors make the Renaissance Festival an annual tradition, returning to the same lodgings year after year.
What Makes the Ohio Renaissance Festival Special?
Now in its 35th year, the festival has refined its approach to creating an authentic, immersive experience. Unlike smaller Renaissance fairs that might feel more like craft shows with a few performers, Ohio’s festival commits completely to the illusion. The village itself looks and feels genuinely period, with structures built to resemble 16th-century English architecture. The level of detail extends to everything from the authentic sawdust paths to the period-appropriate landscaping.
The cast and crew take their roles seriously. Characters don’t break from their personas, maintaining the illusion that allows visitors to truly feel transported. The entertainment quality rivals professional theater—these aren’t hobbyists putting on a show; many performers travel the festival circuit professionally and have honed their crafts over years or decades.
The festival also supports the artisan community, providing a venue where traditional craftspeople can demonstrate their skills, sell their work directly to appreciative audiences, and keep centuries-old techniques alive. In an age of mass production, watching a glassblower create a vessel or a blacksmith forge a knife connects us to human creativity and skill that predates industrial manufacturing.
Exploring Beyond the Festival Grounds
While the Renaissance Festival easily fills an entire day, the surrounding region offers additional attractions worth considering if you’re making a weekend of your visit. Kings Island amusement park sits roughly 30 minutes south, offering roller coasters and thrill rides that provide a complete tonal shift from Renaissance-era entertainment. The National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton showcases aviation history with an impressive collection of aircraft and artifacts. Cincinnati’s attractions, including the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, are all within reasonable driving distance.
The small towns surrounding the festival grounds—particularly Waynesville itself—embrace the festival season with shops and restaurants that cater to visitors. Antique stores, craft boutiques, and local eateries provide pleasant ways to extend your Renaissance-themed day.
Planning Your Perfect Festival Day
Arriving when gates open at 10:30 AM gives you the full day to experience everything. Start with a show schedule review at the entrance—the marquee board lists special guests and performance times. Many veterans of the festival recommend catching the joust early, then spending midday exploring the artisan demonstrations and marketplace when crowds thin at the performance venues.
The Mudde Show typically draws enormous crowds, so arrive at the Muditorium well before showtime if you want a good viewing spot. Similarly, popular musical acts and special guests attract large audiences—the appearance of Albannach during Viking Weekend draws devoted fans who follow the band across multiple festivals.
Pace yourself with food and drink. While the giant turkey leg makes a great photo opportunity, the festival offers diverse options that let you graze throughout the day rather than committing to one massive meal. Taking breaks in shaded areas or at pub stages where you can sit with a beverage while watching performances helps prevent fatigue.
Engage with the characters you encounter. Ask the blacksmith about their technique. Chat with the leather worker about how they tool their designs. Request a song from the wandering minstrel. The interactive nature of the festival rewards participation—the more you engage, the more memorable your experience becomes.
Is the Ohio Renaissance Festival Right for You?
The festival appeals to a remarkably broad audience. Families with children find age-appropriate entertainment, educational opportunities wrapped in fun, and the chance to create lasting memories through experiences like the knighting ceremony. History enthusiasts appreciate the attention to authentic detail and the chance to see demonstrations of period crafts and combat. Fantasy and sci-fi fans embrace themed weekends celebrating their favorite genres. Couples find romance in the atmosphere, particularly during Romance Weekend or any evening as the setting sun casts golden light across the village.
Even skeptics who might initially resist the idea of “dressing up and pretending” often find themselves charmed by the experience. The festival doesn’t take itself too seriously—the humor and whimsy prevent it from feeling like a stuffy historical reenactment—but it takes the quality seriously enough that you feel you’re getting genuine value for your admission.
The Ohio Renaissance Festival 2026 season runs September 5 through November 1 on weekends and Labor Day, with gates open from 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM. Whether you choose Fantasy Weekend to encounter mythical beings, Pirates Weekend to embrace your inner buccaneer, or Highland Weekend to experience Scottish culture, you’ll find a fully realized world waiting to transport you across the centuries. The village stands ready to welcome you—will you answer the call to step back in time?
