Ren Faire 2023 - General Audience

SPONSORED BY THe northern california renaissance faire

The Queen and her court return to the Northern California Renaissance Faire on September 16

The Queen is back! Her Royal Highness will return to the fictional village of Willingtown, brought to life at the Northern California Renaissance Faire for its glorious opening weekend on September 16 and 17. Long live the Queen! As the NorCal Ren Faire court knows well, not a single lance is thrust, not one bawdy ballad sung before the Queen declares it so. The Queen and her court will attend the faire for six weekends from September 16 to October 22. The faire returns in all its splendor, with maximum entertainment, unique wares and delights around every corner. This year, the festival features non-stop shows, an artisan’s marketplace, full-contact jousting, games of skill for all ages, delicious food, mugs of frothy brew and — of course — those giant turkey legs. Don’t miss the opening weekend with a special discount of $10 off a general admission ticket, only available online. We have many popular weekends at the faire, so reserve your online tickets in advance. Kids 12 and under are free every weekend.

Every day of the faire the Queen enters the village carried by six burly Queen’s Guards. Her first stop is the Feasting Commons, where she visits with the commoners and poses for photos. The procession continues to the Royal Garden Main Stage for the Queen’s Royal Reception, where her courtiers fawn over her in hopes of securing her favor. The fawning escalates when her favorite fool presents a young upstart playwright by the name of William Shakespeare. In his excitement to impress her, he creates unlimited folly and mayhem.

Check out our themed weekends. On September 23 and 24, grab your first mate and your eye patch for Pirate Invasion at the Faire. Heroes and Villains invade the village on September 30 and October 1 where you can conjure up your most beloved characters from comic culture, history, literature or your own imagination — both virtuous and vile. One of more popular themes is Oktoberfest on October 7 and 8, boasting the best brews of the harvest and plenty of German Mercenaries to ring in the fall season. By October 14 and 15, the Venetians have taken over with Carnevale & Masquerade in a celebration of Italian culture. The faire comes to a spectacular close with its final weekend ― perhaps the most highly anticipated of all ― Halloween Fantasy on October 21 and 22, with trick-or-treating throughout the Faire and costume contest prizes for both kids and adults.

The faire features no less than seven stages full of live entertainment, including a 21+ stage at the Dockside Ally with plenty of acts for mature revelers. This year the Naughtiest Show in the Shire returns, The Mermaid Tavern Review. This bawdy spectacle always fills the house so adults should get there early. While fans of swashbuckling swordfighters can catch Rules of the Duel on The Royal Garden Stage. The skilled swordsmen of The Albion School of Defense show off their prowess with live steel in two shows each day. Their ferocious wit and inventive swordsmanship will not cease to amaze. Instead of swinging swords, Cy the Sword Swallower, prefers to consume them. He’s a curious entertainer who’s either extremely brave or totally nuts. Behold Cy swallowing a multitude of blades in all shapes and sizes on the Romany Camp Stage, and you’ll have a tale as tall as time to tell your grandchildren.

If more laughter is what you seek, you’ll be pleased to discover that the musical stylings of The Sea Dogs are back. These masters of maritime music are a long-standing tradition at the Faire. Let’s face it, they practically invented sea shanties. An afternoon spent with these singing sailors won’t be a waste of anyone’s time. You may even learn a song or two. At 1pm, join the Queen at the Royal joust, a highlight for many faire attendees. Armed with lances, swords and shields, watch the Knights compete for the title of Champion. The Joust features an experienced and professional team of Knights that have collectively been entertaining the masses for decades. Crossing lances is only the beginning of the fun and excitement this group delivers. The knights tilt lances again at 3pm and 5pm each day.

Looking for unique, one of a kind, handcrafted wares? Visit our Artisans Marketplace featuring blown glass, knives, swords, clothiers, leather, jewelry, art and much more. Among its many pleasures, the faire has always been known as a diverse gathering and a place for young people to come and express themselves. The spirit of camaraderie, imagination and community lives on at this Northern California cultural gem, inviting a rare opportunity to step back in time and engage in the world of fantasy. Tickets are only available online. Go to the Northern California Renaissance Faire website to plan your trip. The Queen and her court look forward to seeing you this season! Huzzah!

The Faire features no less than seven stages full of live entertainment, including a 21+ stage.

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Leave your preconceptions at the door and just immerse yourself in the village experience.”

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At 4pm, Her Majesty holds high tea at the Guild of St. Cuthberts, where she is joined by guests, many of whom have been coming for years. She cherishes her time with everyone, encouraging first-time guests to take full advantage of this unique opportunity. “Have fun. Leave your preconceptions at the door and just immerse yourself in the village experience," she says. "Give yourself permission to try something new. Throw an axe! What? You don’t think you are good at it? It doesn’t matter! The important thing is that it’s fun to do something you never would do in your regular life.”

If all these novelties work up an appetite, you’ll find delicious food and beverage options to satisfy any faire-goer. From tri-tip sandwiches to grilled artichokes to Ahi tuna and tofu poke bowls to artisan cupcakes and, of course, turkey legs, let the faire dazzle your stomach with options for everyone. For the young at heart, but still of legal age, there will be plenty of ciders, ales and beers to guzzle down.

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SPONSORED BY THe northern california renaissance faire

The faire has always been a place for young people and families to come and express themselves.

Get your tickets now: The family-friendly Northern California Renaissance Faire is back

The Faire features no less than seven stages full of live entertainment, including a 21+ stage.