The Carolina Renaissance Festival returns for its 33rd annual season with a fresh lineup of new entertainment joining all the beloved fan favorites!
Located just north of Charlotte in Huntersville, NC, the Carolina Renaissance Festival weaves together imagination, fantasy, and history within a 25-acre outdoor storybook village. With trumpets blaring and cannons blasting, the village gates will open on Saturday, October 3, with festivities continuing for eight consecutive weekends through November 22.
Within the village, a massive ensemble of artists creates a magical realm that transports guests away from the modern world. Visitors will step back in time to a European-style country fair filled with interactive theater, including circus merriments, ethereal fairies, friendly dragons, mermaids of the deep, majestic falconry presentations, music and dance, and gallant knights on horseback jousting three times daily in the Queen's Tournament Arena.
New Entertainment Joins Returning Festival Favorites
In addition to returning festival favorites, this year's season includes several exciting guest performers appearing for limited engagements.
Cirque Du Sewer! (All Season)
A wildly unexpected spectacle featuring world-record stunts performed by trained cats, trained rats, and semi-trained humans.
Blades & Bravery! (October 3–4 & October 10–11)
A high-energy stunt show combining knife throwing, daring feats, and the infamous death-defying Spinning Wheel of Destiny.
Gabs the Fool! (October 17–18 & October 24–25)
A silent, interactive jester blending physical comedy, circus arts, and audience participation into a playful, family-friendly visual experience.
Tiny Girl! Big Show! (October 31–November 1 & November 7–8)
Back by popular demand, Tiny Girl returns with astonishing acrobatics, contortion, magic, and her infectious bubbly personality that delights children and adults alike.
The Lynx Show! (November 14–15 & November 21–22)
Also returning by popular demand, this thrilling act features death-defying magic and incredible sword swallowing.
More Than Just Entertainment
These performances are just a glimpse of the many attractions that have made the Carolina Renaissance Festival a beloved fall tradition for more than three decades.
Beyond meeting colorful characters throughout the village, guests can explore a vibrant artisan marketplace where craftspeople demonstrate traditional skills including:
- Weaving
- Glass blowing
- Blacksmithing
- Jewelry making
- Pottery
- Candle making
- And much more!
Festival-goers can also enjoy unique people-powered games and rides, an endless variety of food, and beverages including coffee, wine, honey mead, craft beers and ales, and Pepsi products.
So bust out your sense of adventure, chomp on a giant turkey leg, raise a toast to your favorite knight, leave your everyday worries behind, and time travel to the greatest party since Camelot!
Plan Your Visit
📍 What
33rd Carolina Renaissance Festival & Artisan Marketplace
📍 Where
Located north of Charlotte between Concord and Huntersville on Highway 73 at Poplar Tent Road (between I-77 and I-85).
📅 When
Eight consecutive weekends
October 3 – November 22
Saturdays & Sundays
9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Rain or shine. Arrive early!
🎟️ Tickets
Tickets go on sale July 1 and can be purchased at https://www.carolina.renfestinfo.com/
- Adults: $36
- Children (Ages 5–12): $22
- Ages 4 & under: Free
Taxes and fees apply. Daily attendance is limited, and tickets are available while supplies last.
Parking is FREE courtesy of Harris Teeter.
Festival Sponsors
The Carolina Renaissance Festival is presented by Pepsi. Sponsors include Harris Teeter, Atrium Health, Sunbelt Rentals, Local Trend, Chick-fil-A, Domino's Pizza, Autobell Car Wash, Visit Lake Norman, Language Line Solutions, Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy, StorSquare, and Apex Technology.
