Win Tickets to the 2026 Carolina Renaissance Festival
Step back in time at the Carolina Renaissance Festival, a full day of entertainment and pageantry where history comes alive with hundreds of costumed characters recreating a 16th century European marketplace. Set on 25 acres of outdoor forest and meadow just north of Charlotte, the Festival’s fictional village of Fairhaven is filled with castles, cottages, kitchens, and pubs, all packed with things to see and do.
Throughout the day, guests will find live music, comedy, and theater, food and drink, fine handmade arts and crafts, artisan demonstrations, games, and rides. Add in jousting knights on horseback, the art of falconry, and 16 stages of nonstop entertainment, and it’s easy to see why the Carolina Renaissance Festival has been a Triad and Charlotte-area fall tradition since 1994.
For anyone looking for a day of fun and a chance to be transported back in time, the Carolina Renaissance Festival delivers.
Enter to Win Tickets
One lucky family will win a ticket package to this year’s Festival:
Prize: 2 Adult Tickets (Ages 13 & up) and 2 Child Tickets (Ages 5-12). Children 4 and under are always free and don’t require a ticket.
Prize Value: $116
Website | Instagram | Facebook
2026 Carolina Renaissance Festival: Event Details at a Glance
Dates: Saturdays & Sundays, October 3 – November 22, 2026
Hours: Gates open at 9:30 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m. (a pre-opening show kicks things off at 9:05 a.m.)
Location: 16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville, NC 28078
Parking: Free, courtesy of Harris Teeter
Ticket Prices
Adults (ages 13+): $37.99 + tax
Children (ages 5-12): $23.99 + tax
Children 4 and under: Always free
Tickets are date-specific, non-refundable, and non-exchangeable once purchased, so visitors should choose their date carefully at checkout.
Free Child Admission Weekends
- Wizards & Revels: October 17-18
- Halloween Daze: October 31-November 1
- Time Travelers’ Weekend: November 14-15
- The Final Huzzah: November 21-22 (children 12 and under free with a canned food donation)
What to Expect at the Festival
With 16 stages running shows throughout the day, there’s always something happening around the next corner. Highlights include:
- Jousting knights on horseback, with tournaments held multiple times daily
- The Art of Falconry, live birds of prey demonstrations
- The Washing Well Wenches and other comedic stage shows
- Live swimming mermaids
- Artisan marketplace featuring handmade crafts, jewelry, and goods from local makers
- Classic festival food, including the famous turkey legs, plus options like corn on the cob and gluten-free pizza
Since there’s so much ground to cover, it helps to pick a few must-see shows ahead of time and build the rest of the day around them. This isn’t a quick stop, visitors should plan to spend the whole day exploring Fairhaven.
FAQ: Carolina Renaissance Festival 2026
When is the Carolina Renaissance Festival?
The Festival runs every Saturday and Sunday from October 3 through November 22, 2026.
Where is the Carolina Renaissance Festival held?
16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville, NC 28078, just north of Charlotte.
What time does the Festival open and close?
Gates open at 9:30 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m., rain or shine, with a pre-opening show starting at 9:05 a.m.
How much are Carolina Renaissance Festival tickets?
Adult tickets (13+) are $37.99 plus tax, and children’s tickets (ages 5-12) are $23.99 plus tax. Children 4 and under are always free.
Are there any discount days at the Festival?
Yes. Several themed weekends offer free child admission, including Wizards & Revels, Halloween Daze, Time Travelers’ Weekend, and The Final Huzzah.
Is parking free at the Carolina Renaissance Festival?
Yes, parking is free courtesy of Harris Teeter.
What happens if it rains?
The Festival is open rain or shine, though performances may be modified for safety in extreme weather conditions.
Want to see more blogs like this and also get notifications on local events and happenings? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter.