Located about seven miles east of Apache Junction along Arizona’s Highway 60, there’s a magical attraction that will transform you entirely to another place and time. We’re talking about the Arizona Renaissance Festival, which is home to a medieval amusement park, 13-stage theater, 30-acre circus, arts and crafts fair, jousting tournament, and a delicious feast. This is a family-friendly tradition that’s 30 years strong, and you can be a part of it from February 8 to March 29, 2020.
The Arizona Renaissance Fair is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and President’s Day between February 10 and April 1, rain or shine from 10am to 6pm. It’s an incredibly fun opportunity to step outside your normal routine, dress up in costume, and adopt a new persona for the day.
At this year’s festival, you can watch jousting three times daily at the King’s Tournament Arena and see nine-time Guinness World Record holder Adam Crack perform his amazing whip-cracking routine. The jousting takes place in a 5,000-seat arena and is definitely a sight to see. You can also learn about the ancient art of falconry, watch acrobatic performances, and listen to traditional minstrel music and storytelling. Other entertainment highlights include Cale the Juggler, a musical act with rare bronze bells, the Ded Bob Show, the Fairhaven Morris Dancers, and the percussion show by Three Guys & a Bunch of Drums.
Foodies will love the Pleasure Feast, which includes five courses of delicious food, plenty of drinks, and 1.5 hours of raucous entertainment provided by boisterous tavern knaves and wenches. There are two feasts daily at noon and 2:30 pm, and these tickets cost $73.95 in advance. There are also over 2,000 costumed characters who roam around the festival to get you in the spirit of the Renaissance.
You won’t want to miss the over 200 unique artisan shops that you can browse at the festival, and you can even watch artisan demonstrations to learn about the skills required for their crafts. Special events are hosted on select weekends, such as Royal Carnivale, Pirate Invasion, and Time Travelers.
Pick up your advance discount tickets at Fry’s Food Stores for $24 for adults and $14 for kids ages 5-12. Kids under 5 are free, and all tickets bought at the box office are $2 more. Costumes are strongly encouraged, and you can have your hand stamped at the gate to leave the festival and return later the same day. Pets are not allowed.
Magical moments await both children and adults at this unique event, so don’t miss out on all the fun!
Arizona Renaissance Festival Information:
- Address: 12601 E. US Highway 60, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118
- Phone Number: 502-463-2600
- Website: http://arizona.renfestinfo.com/
