Are you going to the Renaissance Faire?
The magic is calling…
I have never been to a ren faire before. Truthfully, I hadn’t really wanted to go before. But ever since I picked up D&D a few years ago, then logged hundreds of hours in Baldur’s Gate 3, then heard the stories of my parents visiting ren faires when they were young, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It’s officially on my bucket list, and now I can safely say it is one of the funnest, most magical experiences of my life!
What is a Renaissance Faire?
A Ren Faire essentially is an event that recreates a Renaissance-era bustling marketplace with a mix of historical and fantasy elements. It features handmade costumes, artisan crafts, mouth watering food, and exciting entertainment like jousting, music, fire throwing, and plays. These faires, which began in the 1960s in California, blend education about the Renaissance/medieval period from history buffs, with elements of colorful fantasy, attracting attendees interested in both history and fantasy.
Why visit one?
The Renaissance Faire offers a chance to engage in an immersive experience with wizards, elves, and characters straight out of fairy tales amid the 13 stages of constant entertainment.
The Faire has arts and crafts, music, dancing, parades, plays, real-life jousting, rides, an elegant Queen, and games. There is too much to do reasonably in one day- meaning there is something for everybody here. You get to see free performances of sword swallowing, flame juggling, and breathtaking acrobatic shows!
If you’re interested in people-watching and seeing all the unique costumes, there are tons of places to sit in the shade. The vendors and actors are friendly and fun, and excited to chat with you about history or fantasy.
There really is something for everybody at these faires!
Where and When to Visit
The Ren Faire I went to is the Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Irwindale, CA, but there are many Ren Faires around the US!
What to Wear?
Choosing your outfit can be one of the best parts of the ren faire, because you will meet and interact with so many others at the faire who put time and thought and energy into their ensemble as well. Don’t feel pressured to dress up though; a t-shirt and jeans will not stick out at all. But, a ren faire fit can help set the mood, especially when you take theme into account.
Some ren faires have different theme days, so check those ahead of time to see what theme weekend you’d like to visit! I’ve got you covered below with three of the top theme days most ren faires use. Even without a theme day, one of these can help set your mood for your exciting and adventure filled day ahead of you!
Some Ideas
Fairytale
The traditional Ren Faire garb is a long white smock (I found mine at a thrift store for $8!), a corset or colorful overdress, hiked up to show the white smock underneath, and plenty of accessories. Wings, flower crowns, necklaces, belts, pouches, and the like add the perfect whimsy to your outfit! To add more mystical effects, don’t be afraid to go all out- buy or make horns (toilet paper roll cardboard, wire, masking tape, aluminum foil and some air dry clay will do wonders) for a satyr effect, add a mini bird cage with an animal on your belt, tie a colorful bottle as a potion to your belt, add a tail, tie necklaces around your waist, paint your face with makeup, and decorate to your heart’s desire!
Knight
The Knight is more difficult to dress as, and takes a bit more purchasing/crafting power than the traditional fairy or tavern maid. Start off with a tunic, either buying one or making a shirt into a sleeveless vest, then add pants or a maxi skirt, and top off with either plate armor (made from craft foam or purchased- note that full plate costs around $500) or, more feasibly, leather shoulder and hip pads and arm bracers. Add lots of belts, a sword and scabbard (the black double scabbard on your back is a cool way to reference the Witcher if you’d like), and even paint on a fake scar, and you’re set! Huzzah!
Pirate
The easy way to do this is to simply go to Amazon or Party City and buy a pirate costume. The fun way is to start off with a white long sleeve (button ups work best- thrift in the men’s aisle for these!), tuck that into dark trousers, wear a red or colorful shirt/vest/overcoat on top, then finally, top off with a brown coat. I bought my full pirate gear at a thrift store before Halloween a few years back, and it’s served me well! A great way to accessorize this is to get bellydancing scarves with the coins on it, or just tie a regular scarf around your waist. Of course, don’t forget the hat! Add a feather in your cap and a bird on your shoulder, and you’re ready to sail to high seas, matey!
Experience smells of sweet pastries and savory stews, cool breezes blowing in from the lake, birds chirping and geese honking, tinkling of bells, ringing ocarinas, uproarious laughter from the crowds, and bombastic “huzzahs!” as you traverse the Faire.
Don’t forget the map with all the showtimes so you don’t miss out!
Want some basic tips for your ren faire experience? Come equipped with sunscreen, a hat, water, food, cash, comfortable shoes, a fun costume, and an open mind. Make sure to use the map and locate the bathrooms (“privvies”) and all the cool shows!
5 Helpful Tips
1. Be Comfortable
Wigs, contacts, and cool belts and costume accessories are all fun and games until you’re in a hot park for several hours. Test run your pieces for a few hours at home to make sure they’re comfy! Wear comfortable shoes, and hike up your skirt or long pants to make sure you don’t trip over them constantly (and, by the way, anything from the knees down WILL get muddy/dusty). Or, at the very least, feel no shame in taking pieces off and stowing them in a bag for the rest of your experience!
2. Bring cash!
Yes, even as recent as 2024, it is ye olde times in the Ren Faire after all. Food and cool shopping are cash only- and while there are ATMs, the lines are long and you don’t want to waste your time doing that. Like going to a casino, only bring as much cash as you’re willing to spend.
3. Show up early to jousting!
Show up early to jousting to grab a seat! It can be very uncomfortable to stand during the whole performance, and it is absolutely worth it to see. Feeling the energy of the crowd as you watch these big beasts and their boasting jockeys is a once in a lifetime experience.
4. Take care of your basic needs!
First off, when you enter the park, locate the bathrooms, and keep them in mind as you wander around. Sometimes these have long lines- don’t wait until the last moment to go.
Hydrate! Bring an unopened water, and drink it throughout your trip- it’s the best thing to avoid overheating and tension headaches.
Eat! While most ren faires don’t allow you to bring food in the park because they want you to spend $20 on a turkey leg, there are ways to sneak it in like I did here. Especially if you have dietary restrictions, do NOT feel badly breaking this one rule. A quick way to ruin your ren faire experience is to be hungry and grouchy and stressed over spending money.
Also, bring any medications you think you may need. You can never go wrong with ibuprofen.
5. Lastly, interact with people!
Yes, even if you’re shy, have anxiety, or are an introvert- ren faires are special places full of everyone who are genuinely just there to have a good time. Interacting with positive strangers is so fun, and the actors are paid to entertain you. It really can elevate the experience from a strange zoo to a hilarious party. Plus, they’re all weirdos, so if you feel like you look strange in your wings or horns or plain white t shirt- don’t worry, they do too. 😉
