I partnered with Carolina Rennaisance Festival on this post. All thoughts are my own.

One of the biggest and most anticipated festivals in North and South Carolina is here once again, and running through the end of November. The Carolina Renaissance Festival has been delighting families, friends, and fans of all things Renaissance for many years. The festival sits in the heart of Huntersville, NC, on its own festival grounds, providing acres of land for a merry time of food, entertainment, and fun!

Cars line the streets for miles around the festival grounds every weekend in October and November, as fans come from all over NC & SC to attend the iconic festival. Be prepared to park and walk from the parking area to the festival gates. VIP parking tickets are available for an additional fee, and the prime parking spots allow you to basically roll out of your car door and right to the gate!

Costumes are available for rent or purchase, so you can dress up in period apparel and get in on the fun!

One of the best parts of attending Carolina Ren Fest is the costumes. There are those who live for attending Ren Fest, dressed in period costumes. My husband and I have yet to dress up, but our kids love dressing up! There are different themes for different weekends. On Halloween weekend, kids can wear their costumes and trick-or-treat throughout the festival. There is also a Time Travelers weekend, and a Pirates weekend (happening this weekend 11/9-10). It's so much fun to see the costumes. Some of those attending the festival go all out! 

Our valiant knight, Sir B, and Princess Bean.

Our little knight and princess were a couple attention-grabbers at the festival! Festival employees and attendees couldn't get enough of Princess Bean in her chariot (Simplay3). It was much easier for us to keep up with our three-year-old princess by carting her through the festival grounds in her wagon, as opposed to dragging her by the hand or having to carry her. There are usually crowds at the festival, and this year has been one of the most crowded I have ever seen Carolina Ren Fest. There are wagons available for rent as you approach the festival ticket booth and front gate, FYI.

Various artisan shops line the festival grounds, open for browsing and shopping.

We love browsing the shops at the festival. There are so many gorgeous handmade gifts available. I love looking at the jewelry, and some of the pottery, glass, and metalworks. Every year, I pour over the stained glass and gorgeous chalices, while my husband looks over the armor, leather goods, and instruments. Our son, of course, loves to look at the helmets, shields, and swords. This year, he even added a foxtail pelt to his collection of goods from Ren Fest. Princess Bean was excited to select a beautiful flower headband, fit for a princess.

A colorful display of dragons was a highlight for our crew.

There are all types of weapons, such as swords and throwing stars, available for purchase. These specialty shops are often a highlight of the festival for collectors and admirers, alike. There are many shops in which children need to be watched carefully, so nothing is broken, and no one is hurt. Shop owners do keep watch over their goods.

Little cart shops are also all over the festival, with smaller goods.

We love the whistle cart and the cart with the gorgeous bubble wands! You never know what you might find at Ren Fest. You might want to plan on attending more than just one day, so you don't miss anything!

One of the things I love about the festival is the live entertainment. At every turn, there is either live music, storytelling, plate spinning, juggling, balancing acts, comedy shows, and much more. Some of the shows are not suitable for children, and notice will be posted for parents at each show area.

There are plenty of things for kids to enjoy, too- there is a free swan swing ride, close to the festival gate, which our kids always love. Most all of the other rides are pay per ride, for a few dollars per rider. There are various swinging rides, a maze and slide, live camel rides, a children's jousting ride, and much more!

The food at Ren Fest is worth the festival visit!

No outside food is allowed on festival grounds, but there are tons of food options at the festival.

There are food options for everyone, including kids' favorites like chicken tenders and fries, as well as chicken on a stick. The bread bowls with either chili or soup are a fan favorite, as well as the amazing turkey legs! There is beer a-plenty, as well as smoothies, champagne, and mimosas. Water and soda are also available for purchase. Be prepared to wait in line at the food stations. Cards are accepted all throughout the festival- but cash is quicker! The food and drink prices are fairly reasonable. Expect to pay around $7.00 for a basket of chicken and fries. Beer runs about $5.00 - 6.00 per glass.

Want to go? Plan Your Visit!

History comes alive with non-stop, day-long entertainment, arts, and crafts, games and rides, Jousting Knights on horseback, feasting and so much more! Time travel to the greatest party since Camelot!

The Carolina Renaissance Festival

Saturdays and Sundays, Oct 5th - Nov 24th 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM, FREE Parking, Open Rain or Shine, No Pets Please.

DATE & TIME

October 5 - November 24

Location:

The Carolina Renaissance Festival

16445 Poplar Tent Road

Huntersville, NC 28078

Discount Adult Admission
(Ages 13 and up)

$25.00

Discount Child Admission
 (Ages 5-12 | Under 5 always free)

$15.00

Purchase tickets online.
Connect with Carolina Ren Fest on Facebook, Twitter, and IG.

Have you ever been to Carolina Ren Fest (or a Ren Fest in your neck of the woods)?

Drop me a comment, telling me why you love to go to Ren Fest, or why you'd love to go for the first time!

Hope you take the time to visit the festival! It is absolutely worth it- an incredible day of fun for the whole family! Huzzah!

Thanks to Carolina Renaissance Festival for providing me with tickets to help facilitate this post.