Tips for Attending The Ohio Renaissance Festival ~ Ticket Giveaway

The Ohio Renaissance Festival is an annual event in the fall each year in southern Ohio, 45 minutes from Cincinnati. Guests step back in time as they explore the 30-acre recreated 16th Century English Village.

There are plenty of things to do while you’re there with 49 shows, 132 daily performances, 17 stages, 166 shoppes and 9 themed weekends. The hardest part is narrowing down all of your options.

I’m sharing more about what to expect at the Ohio Renaissance Fair and tips before you go.

Kamikaze Fireflies at the Ohio Renaissance Festival

Plan Your Day Around The Entertainment

There are so many great shows at the Ohio Renaissance Festival with 49 shows daily on 17 stages. The biggest challenge is deciding which show to see next.

Many of the shows have multiple time slots throughout the day and some of the show times may overlap. 

You can check out the entertainment ahead of time on interactive map online. There are also paper maps at the entrance when you arrive.

The stages are pretty spread out so you’ll want to allow for some travel time in the crowds between the shows.

fully armored joust at the Ohio Renaissance Festival

A few of the MUST SEE shows in my opinion are:

  • The Fully Armored Joust – real knights doing 3 jousting tournaments a day
  • The Kamikaze Fireflies – one of our favorite shows with comedy and creative stunts
  • Cincinnati Barbarians – pictured MMA with real armor- it gets intense but it’s fun to watch
  • Wheel of Death – death defying danger on the wheel
Pirate Ship Stunt Show at the Ohio Renaissance Festival

Younger kids will love cheering on their favorite knight during the joust and laughing at the Pirate Stunt show that takes place on a pirate ship stage.

performers dancing at the Ohio Renaissance Festival

The street magicians are also fun to see. The pickle vendor is hilarious if you happen to catch his one liners to the customers.

pub at the Ohio Renaissance Festival

There are also several musical acts that perform throughout the day. The couple with a bagpipe and drums are definitely worth checking out near the pub.

performers at the Ohio Renaissance Festival

Arrive Early for a Good Seat for the Popular Shows

The fully armored joust is definitely worth arriving early for a good seat for a better view. We arrived 30 minutes early for front row seats.

If you have smaller kids you may want to have one person hold seats while the other walks around before the joust starts.

The Mudde Show is also a show to arrive early for good seats. If you are too far back you will miss a lot of the context because your view is obstructed and it’s harder to hear.

Most of the performers work for tips so you might want to bring some extra cash to support some of your favorite performers throughout the day.

people at the Ohio Renaissance Festival

What Time Should You Get to the Ohio Renaissance Festival?

To make the most out of your experience I would try to get there early. Sundays tend to have lighter crowds than Saturdays.

The parking lot opens at 9:30 and the gate opens at 10:30. You can purchase your tickets online or at a ticket booth near the entrance.

It’s recommended to print or screenshot your tickets because cell phone reception can be weak at the festival.

Parking is free and there is a designated area for anyone with special needs.

Turkey leg at the Ohio Renaissance Festival

Try the Ohio Renaissance Festival Food

One of the best parts of the Ohio Renaissance Festival is always trying the food. A few of the popular festival foods are the giant turkey leg, bread bowls and Dole whip. There are plenty of heart food options to fill you up.

bread bowl at the Ohio Renaissance Festival

 The Turkey leg can feed 2-3 people and the bread bowls can also easily be shareable. 

pretzel at the Ohio Renaissance Festival

If you want a snack you can’t go wrong with a pretzel or a large pickle.

food line at the Ohio Renaissance Festival

If you want to avoid long food lines eat around noon before the first joust ends at 1pm.

You can see the full list of festival food and drink options here.

people walking at the Ohio Renaissance Festival

What Should You Wear to the Ohio Renaissance Festival?

You should wear whatever you are comfortable in. A lot of the festival attendees do dress up.

people walking around the Ohio Renaissance Festival

In fact, the people watching is spectacular. There are some really creative costumes.

If you don’t want to dress up that is totally fine too. There are also plenty of vendors if you want to purchase a few pieces while you are there. The elf ears are a very popular accessory.

If you arrive early you may want to dress in layers because it can get warm on a beautiful fall day. It can also get dusty so plan your footwear accordingly.

There are both permanent and portable bathrooms located throughout the festival. I would highly suggest a permanent one if you have a more elaborate costume.

tomatoe throwing game at the Ohio Renaissance Festival

Are There Things For Kids at the Ohio Renaissance Festival?

You’ll find many children-centric vendors along Urchin Alley between the Revelers Stage and the Mudde Show.

swing for kids at the Ohio Renaissance Festival
viking ship swing at the Ohio Renaissance Festival

There are also some really creative human-powered rides that kids will enjoy.

blacksmith at the Ohio Renaissance Festival

Take Home a Unique Souvenir

You can blow your own pumpkin or ornament with a glassblower or you’ll find plenty of unique swords and other one of a kind souvenirs from vendors located throughout the festival.

Entrance for the Ohio Renaissance Festival

When is the Ohio Renaissance Festival?

The Ohio Renaissance Festival is on weekends and Labor Day- September 3- October 30, 2022.

The Ohio Renaissance Festival

Where is the Ohio Renaissance Festival Located?

The Ohio Renaissance Festival is located at 10542 East State Route 73, Waynesville, OH 45068.

The Ohio Renaissance Festival

I’ve been given a Family Four Pack of Tickets to Giveaway!

Enter below for a chance to win 4 tickets to the Ohio Renaissance Festival to be used on Saturday, October 29 OR Sunday October 30th, 2022.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was given tickets for review and giveaway purposes. All opinions are my own. 

Tips for Attending the  Ohio RENAISSANCE Festival

32 thoughts on “Tips for Attending The Ohio Renaissance Festival ~ Ticket Giveaway”

  1. I’d love to win tickets. My kiddos are now grown and we haven’t been since they were little. I’d love to visit again with them. We love watching the shows and giant turkey legs 😉

  2. My husband and I have gone every year since college. We love the Mudd show, Robin Hood, and all the strolling musicians. We are still going strong after 16 years.

  3. We love the Ohio Renaissance Festival! I think my family has been, most of us anyway, for the last…10 years or more? Usually in costume, and now some of us are taking our kids.

    Our favorites are The Swordsmen! We love Dirk & Guido, they are always our first stop and sometimes our last too.

    Thanks for the chance!

  4. Cool! I love the Ren Fair here in Tampa! Of course you love it too! That’s why we’re blogger BFFs. Love the adventures and the site. You’ve already inspired me to try new things…and I thought I was already good at that!!! Keep up the good work.

  5. We haven’t been able to make it in a few years. Our youngest has never been and I would love to take her.

  6. My daughter has been begging to go to the Renaissance Festival. She’s a big fan of the show Merlin and wants to be a renaissance maiden for Halloween. Hoping we can get some good accessories there!

  7. A little birdie told me it’s great people watching. Plus jousting, and Kevin wants to eat a big turkey leg or whatever those are! Lol

Leave a Comment