Guide to the Michigan Renaissance Festival
Huzzah! Get ready to take a time travel adventure into the 16th century at the annual Michigan Renaissance Festival! We've put together a handy little guide with everything you need to know before you go to this year's Fest! Learn about Theme Weekends, Discounts, and more!
10 am -7 pm
Saturdays & Sundays - Aug. 18 - Sept. 30
Labor Day (September 3)
Festival Friday (September 28)
THEMED WEEKENDS
Get excited for this year's Themed Weekends! With each weekend catered towards a specialized theme, there's something for everyone!
ROYAL PET & ALE FEST - AUGUST 18 & 19
11th Annual Pet Festival
Featuring the 11th annual Pet Festival, Royal Pet & Ale Fest weekend is the perfect chance to enjoy the Fest with your prized pup! Pet Vendors will be on-site all day. Just make sure you download the pet registration form and make sure your check your leashed dog in at the Pet Gate.
Weiner Dog Races
Aberdare Valley at 3:00 pm
There is no entry form for this competition. To enter the competition, show up at this time and location to present yourself to our judges to be entered.
Pet Costume Contest
Aberdare Valley at 4:00 pm
There is no entry form for this competition. To enter the competition, show up at this time and location to present yourself to our judges to be entered.
HIGHLAND FLING - AUGUST 25 & 26
Highland Heavy Games
Valley Aberdare - All Day
Brace yourself for the Highland Heavy Games, featuring the sheaf toss, hammer throw, stone put, and more! Amateur games Saturday, and Professional Games Sunday.
Flint Scottish Pipe Band
All Day
Catch the Flint Scottish Pipe Band (the oldest continuously running Pipe Band in Michigan each day throughout the festival.
Men in Kilts Competition
Igor's Roost Stage at 3:45 pm
Got Scottish pride and a competitive spirit? Show off those legs or cheer loud for your favorite contestant in the daily Kilt Competition. Enjoy Scottish dress as we search for the Best Kilt in the Realm!
HIGH SEAS ADVENTURE - SEPTEMBER 1 - 3
Beard Competition
Wlydewood Stage at 2:15 pm
Do you have a beard worth boasting about? Enter the daily Beard Competition (with prizes for Longest, Fullest, Most Unique, and Best Trimmed).
Tattoo Competition
Wlydewood Stage at 12 pm
Have a tremendous tattoo? Enter the daily Tattoo Competition (with prizes for Best Color, Best Black & Gray, and Best Overall).
Knights on Bikes
Biker Discount! Show your motorcycle license at the Festival Box Office and save $5 on one regularly priced adult admission!
WONDERS OF THE WORLD - SEPTEMBER 8 & 9
Belly Dance Championships
Wlydewood Stage at 1:45 pm
Participate in the Belly Dance Championships! Try your hand at a 2-minute belly dance each day. Download the belly dance competition form.
Steampunk Invasion
Igor's Roost Stage at 3 pm
Show off your gears and gadgets at the Festival and participate in the Steampunk Costume Contest!
Dr. Who Costume Contest
Igor's Roost Stage at 4:30 pm
Calling all Dr. Who fanatics! Show up this weekend as your favorite character for a chance to win great prizes!
SHAMROCKS & SHENANIGANS - SEPTEMBER 15 & 16
Irish Heavy Games
Valley Aberdare - All Day
Do you have the strength for the Irish Heavy Games? Amateur games take place on Saturday, and Professional Games are on Sunday, with such events as the sheaf toss, hammer throw, stone put, and more!
Flint Scottish Pipe Band
Catch the Flint Scottish Pipe Band (the oldest continuously running Pipe Band in Michigan each day throughout the festival.
Men in Kilts Competition
Igor's Roost Stage at 3:45 pm
Got Scottish pride and a competitive spirit? Show off those legs or cheer loud for your favorite contestant in the daily Kilt Competition. Enjoy Scottish dress as we search for the Best Kilt in the Realm!
Deaf Awareness Weekend
Available all weekend throughout festival at marked locations.
HARVEST HUZZAH - SEPTEMBER 22 & 23
BBQ Festival & Competition
Competition Sunday - Award Ceremony at 5pm.
Come out and indulge in delicious BBQ as local Pit Masters gear up for the Annual BBQ Competition!
Archery Competition - Front Parking Lot at 11:00 am
Test your precision and aim during the Annual Longbow Competition. Competition is $15 and includes your ticket to the Festival!
FESTIVAL FRIDAY - SEPTEMBER 28
School Day
Festival Friday has been an annual tradition at the Festival for over thirty years. The Festival is committed to making this day a valuable educational experience and an enjoyable time for learning! Students of all ages have a chance to do more than study history in a book; Festival Friday gives them a chance to live it!
- Students (Grades 1-6): $9.00 (Reg. $14.95)
- Students (Grades 7-12): $11.00 (Reg. $23.95)
- Adult Chaperones: $11.00 (Reg. $23.95)
Royal Masquerade Ball
Blackstone Castle from 6 pm to 10:30 pm
Join us for a fancy dress Masque Ball, Featuring a 6 course gourmet meal, champagne, music, dancing, door prizes and more! Enter your mask in the Masque Contest for a chance to win a romantic getaway for two! Ticket includes Festival Admission for the day. Event is 21 and up ONLY!
Ladies Shopping Day
Grab your friends and join us for a day of shopping and wine! Your discount ticket includes festival admission, glass of wine and a coupon book with amazing discounts from select Festival Artisans! Purchase your ticket before September 8th and receive a gift bag full of additional goodies when you arrive!
SWEET ENDINGS - SEPTEMBER 29 & 30
Chocolate Festival
Valley of Aberdare - All Weekend
Stop by The Valley of Aberdare for our fan favorite Chocolate Festival! FREE samples will be available from local chocolatiers, bakers and other sweet makers!
Wedding Wars
Wyldewood Stage - Sunday at 3 pm
Describe to us your love story and what it means to you to have your fairytale come true for your chance to participate in the Whirlwind Wedding Wars! Competition is open to Marriages and Vow Renewals.
Fencing Competition
Valley of Aberdare - All Weekend
En garde! Stop by the Valley of Aberdare & cheer on the competitors in our annual Fencing Competition!
DISCOUNTS
Season-Long Discounts
Active Military, Veterans & First Responders receive $5 off their gate admission with the proper ID.
THEMED WEEKEND DISCOUNTS
- High Seas Adventure - September 1 - 3: Biker discount! Show your motorcycle license at the Festival Box Office and save $5 on one regularly priced adult admission!
- Festival Friday - September 28: all Active Military, Veterans, & First Responders receive FREE admission!
