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What to know about the 2025 Arizona Renaissance Festival

By Teresa K. Traverse

January 27, 2025

The Arizona Renaissance Festival returns for its 37th year. From parking to what to wear, here’s what you need to know about the 2025 event.

One of Arizona’s biggest annual events—the Arizona Renaissance Festival—returns this spring for its 37th year.

Renaissance fairs are popular nationwide, and it’s easy to see why. Visitors can enjoy plenty of live shows, devour decadent food offerings, and see performers decked out in Medieval attire. It makes for one memorable and lively day out.

Whether you go every year or are thinking of heading out for the very first time, here’s a comprehensive guide to the festival. 

Keep this in mind

“This is a popular event. Crowds can vary depending on the day and event theme,” Sanja Malinovic, marketing & sales director for the Arizona Renaissance Festival, told us. “Patience and a sense of adventure (and humor) will serve you well to enjoy your adventure in time travel where no passport is required.” 

What to Know About the 2025 Arizona Renaissance Festival

The Arizona Renaissance Fair includes a diverse bunch of shows, including some featuring falconry. (The Arizona Renaissance Fair)

Arizona Renaissance Festival basics 

When

The festival runs from Feb. 1 to March 30 and is open on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s also open on Presidents’ Day Monday. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event is rain or shine.  

Where

The address for the festival is 12601 E. US Highway 60 in Gold Canyon. The festival is seven miles east of Apache Junction.

Cost

Adult tickets cost $35 plus tax. Tickets for children ages 5 to 12 cost $23 plus tax. Admission for children four and younger is free. Tickets purchased at the door cost $1 more. Parking is free.

Seniors (those 60 and older) and military personnel with ID can get a voucher that’s good for one complimentary soda, iced tea, or bottled water at the festival kitchens. 

Ways to save

You can snag two tickets for $46 using the code HF.

What’s included

Parking, all shows, tournament jousting, and birds of prey performances are all included in the ticket price. 

What’s not included

Food and beverage, rides, games, and arts and crafts items are not included. Please bring cash. You must pay cash at eight food and drink locations and to enjoy rides and games. Eight ATMs will be on the property in case you forget!

What’s not allowed

Guests are not allowed to give away or sell tickets on festival grounds. Open carry and concealed firearms are prohibited. Music instruments and large props are not allowed. Pets are not allowed. Guests are not allowed to bring their own food and drink except for one 16 to 24-ounce factory-sealed bottle of water.

Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs are allowed. Wheelchairs, scooters, and strollers are available to rent.

Mistakes people make

According to Malinovic, the most common misconception people have is that they think pets are allowed. They are not. The other common mistake people make: “Not dressing for the day. Temperatures in this region in February and March range in the 50s to 80s, often with blue skies and lots of sun. The festival is entirely outdoors. Sunglasses and hats, along with sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes are recommended,” says Malinovic.

Need to know

Shirts and shoes are required. Only prop swords, daggers, and weapons are allowed.

Bag policy

Bags of any size are welcome. They don’t have to be clear. All bags are subject to search, though.

Digital tickets

The festival recommends placing your tickets in Apple Wallet or Passbook so you can access it even if your phone struggles with Wi-Fi connectivity. If your phone battery dies, take your device to the box office/will call. They can help you out. 

Themed weekends

Consider timing your visit with one of the festival’s themed weekends. These include pirates invasion, royalty weekend on Feb. 15, 16, and 17, and time traveler’s weekend on Feb. 22 and 23. See the full list of themed weekends here.

What to expect

A family-friendly atmosphere. Expect to do plenty of walking. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes. Guests are encouraged to wear medieval costumes. They also can rent costumes from the Belrose Costume Shop. Adult costume rental prices range from $35 to $65, and child costume rental prices range from $15 to $25.

Food, entertainment, and more

Entertainment

The Renaissance Fair is well known for its plethora of entertainment options. Guests have 16 stages spread across festival grounds where they can watch a variety of shows. These include shows like “The Ancient Art of Falconry,” jousting, bagpipes, and drums. Keep in mind that stages are spread out. It’s best to plan out what shows you want to see ahead of time so you don’t miss out. For times and specifics, check out the complete schedule.

What to Know About the 2025 Arizona Renaissance Festival

The Arizona Renaissance Festival features a total of 16 stages where people can enjoy a variety of entertaining shows. (The Arizona Renaissance Festival)

Food and beverage

One of the many reasons people love renaissance fairs is due to the food and beverage offerings. Attendees will not be disappointed here. They can devour plenty of tasty delights like turkey legs (a classic fair food), sausage on a stick, baked potatoes, onion rings, fish and chips, gouda mac-n-cheese, Italian meatball sandwiches, chicken teriyaki fried rice, funnel cakes, and pizza. Some sweet offerings include a variety of foods dipped in chocolate, English toffee, and peanut butter cups. That’s just a short list of what’s being offered. Come hungry! 

Pleasure Feast

Held at the Fairhaven Feast Hall, the Pleasure Feast is a five-course meal that also includes a 90-minute show. The menu will feature Mediterranean cuisine like lentil soup, a tabbouleh salad, and a semolina cake. The main course is the diner’s choice of lamb, chicken, or a vegetarian option of a quinoa stuffed pepper. The vegetarian option must be ordered at the time of reservation.

Parents, keep in mind that the show features risqué humor that is intended for adults and not young ones. Ticket prices start at $110 and include admission. This meal is held at noon and 2:30 p.m.

Village Marketplace and Artisans

Here, you can find more than 200 vendors selling a variety of handmade wares. This can include jewelry, leather goods, metalwork, pottery, candleworks, and blown glass created by artisans.

Expect to find plenty of original works. See the full list of vendors here.

What to Know About the 2025 Arizona Renaissance Festival

Arizona Renaissance Festival attendees can look forward to shopping from more than 200 vendors making handmade items at this year’s festival. (The Arizona Renaissance Festival)

The Hops Pub Crawl

The Hops Pub Crawl includes four 7-ounce pours. This is offered twice a day, once at 11 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. During this crawl, attendees can also enjoy some adult humor courtesy of Rowland & Florian of The Renaissance Man. Reservations must be made in advance. The pub crawl tickets cost $85 per person plus sales tax. Prices include admission to the festival.

Games and rides

Kids can delight in a variety of games, rides, and adventures. This includes rock climbing, a petting farm, archery, pony rides, a dragon tail slide, and camel rides. For a full list, please visit this link.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. x?republication pixel=true&post=&ga=G NWLBHRL

 

READ MORE: Weird & wacky Arizona festivals happening in 2025

Author

  • Teresa K. Traverse

    Teresa K. Traverse is a Phoenix, Arizona-based writer and editor. Her work also has appeared in national print outlets including Weight Watchers, Bust and Parenting magazines and on sites like Tripadvisor, Wine Enthusiast, SFGate, Brides, Rachael Ray Every Day, Bustle, Racked, ForRent.com, WeddingWire, Refinery29, The Daily Meal, Oxygenmag.com, USA Today and Fast Company. She's the managing editor of Sedona Monthly. In her spare time, she loves hiking, reading magazines and spending quality time with her long-haired Chihuahua, Rocket. Visit teresaktraverse.com to check out more of her work.

CATEGORIES: THINGS TO DO
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