Renaissance faires and medieval attractions in Ontario

What is a Renaissance faire

A Renaissance faire, or colloquially known as a Ren fair, Ren fest or Ren faire, is an interactive, outdoor event that recreates a medieval or renaissance era village, celebration or setting.  

Strolling around a Ren faire is like being transported to a lively 11^th to 17^th century village celebration. Fairgrounds may feature live music, dancing and costumed actors re-enacting historical scenes and outdoor pursuits from the time period, such as jousting, swordplay or archery. Performers will stay in character to keep the experience authentic.

And of course, food vendors, including Ren faire traditional turkey legs, arts, crafts and other experiences also add to the revelry.

Renaissance faire outfits and costumes

Ren faire attendees wear myriad outfits inspired by the history and mythology from the Middle Ages or the Renaissance period. You may find people dressed in robes of King Arthur’s court at Camelot, Nordic Viking attire, Shakespearean couture, pirate slops or even fairy garbs.

You’re not required to wear Ren faire outfits to attend, however most loyal followers enjoy wearing costumes to the faire as it adds immeasurably to the immersive experience.

Ren faires also include marketplaces where artisans and vendors sell their wares. You may even find Renaissance or Medieval outfits to buy or the perfect items to accessorize your faire costume.

Renaissance faires in Ontario

Here is a selection of family-friendly Ren faires and medieval events in Ontario.

Niagara Renaissance Faire

Save your appetite for smoked turkey legs and magical drinks that change colour at Niagara Renaissance Faire. In addition to the food market, visit the vendors selling their wares. Put new skills to the test after watching the archery and axe-throwing demonstrations. Entertainment includes ground combat showdowns, live performances and jousting that will keep you on your feet.

Tickets available online

Date:  May 17–18, 2025
Location: Fireman’s Park, 2275 Dorchester Road Niagara Falls

Wentworth Medieval Faire

Join the world of chivalrous knights, beautiful princesses and lords and ladies of the royal courts.

Sing along with the shanties and traditional Irish tunes performed by Cap’n Finn & the Salty Sea Dogs and enjoy the variety of entertainment from belly dancing and comedy to axe-throwing and jousting.

Tickets are available online or at the gate.

Date: May 23 and 25, 2025
Location: Ancaster Fairgrounds, 630 Trinity Road South, Jerseyville

Glengarry Renaissance Festival

Maxville Fairgrounds transforms into an era that features fully armoured knights in thrilling jousting matches, stunning aerial performances, graceful mermaids, interactive storytellers and much more for a weekend packed with fun and excitement.

Tickets are available online or at the gate.

Date: May 30–June 1, 2025
Location: 35 Fair Street, Maxville

Robin in the Hood Medieval Festival

For two full days in early June, Gibson Park in Elmira becomes the 12^th century village of Nottingham, England, made famous by the legendary outlaw, Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men.

Enjoy medieval-themed activities and attractions and learn about house heraldry and support your favourite house, including the Robin Hood from Locksley house.

Peruse vendor stalls in the market for unique and novelty retail items, artisan crafts and products and refreshing food and drinks. Tickets will be sold in person at the gate.

Tickets will be sold at the gate.

Date: June 6–7, 2025
Location: 17 First Street West, Elmira

Maidens of the Mist Renaissance Faire

Head to the West Niagara Fairgrounds in West Lincoln Township to enjoy the Maidens of the Mist Renaissance Faire. This new renaissance faire is another exciting attraction presented by Faires.ca & Knights of Valour Jousting.

Tickets are available online or at the gate.

Date: June 6–7, 2025
Location: 2402 Mud Street West, Grassie

Essa North Renaissance Faire

Essa North Renaissance Faire will take place at Essa Agriplex, home of the Barrie Fair.  Enjoy a weekend of merriment with mermaids, musicians, lords and ladies and so much more.

Tickets are available online or at the gate.

Date: June 20–22, 2025
Location: 7505 10th Line, Thornton

Great Lakes Medieval Tournament and Faire

A new faire will debut in July 2025.  The Great Lakes Medieval Tournament and Faire will take place at the Everton Scout Camp in Guelph. This immersive experience includes falconry, wandering performers, merchants, pub night on opening night and lots more.

Tickets available online

Date: July 11–12, 2025
Location: 140 Evert Street, Guelph

The Fergus Medieval Faire

Enjoy a free one-day medieval celebration in the historic downtown of the village of Fergus.

The event features a variety of exciting all-age entertainment. Live actors will recreate medieval experiences like archery, axe-throwing and Viking battles. Enjoy strolling musicians, live birds of prey demonstrations by a falconer and arms and armour displays.

Be prepared to encounter knights, wraiths, peddlers, iron welders and a town crier. And be sure to book tickets for the Grand Medieval. 

Date: July 26, 2025
Location: Downtown Fergus

Ontario Pirate Festival

Bring the whole family for a full day of pirate fun this August long weekend. Visit the merchant booths for all kinds of hand-crafted treasures, plus food (including smoked turkey legs) and drinks (fully-licensed). Enjoy hours of all-ages entertainment, including sword-fighting, fire-eating and acrobats. Admission is free for kids under five. Don’t miss the live music, food and drink at the adults-only Saturday evening event.

Admission prices are available online and tickets can be purchased in person at the gate.

Date: August 2–4, 2025
Location:  Marden Park, 7376 Wellington County Road 30, Guelph

Hastings Medieval Festival

Located near the historic Trent-Severn Waterway, this three-day family-friendly festival celebrates various types of swordplay. Sword fighting groups include LARP, Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), Olympic fencing, Historical European Martial Arts, Viking, Buhurt and Mace. Blacksmiths, loom weavers and other medieval vendors will be selling their wares. Guests are invited to try axe throwing, archery, spear throwing and making chainmail. There will also be medieval musicians, dancers and falconers.

Details: This festival takes place on the grounds of Blade of Glory’s Medieval theme park.

Limited tickets are available per day.

Date: August 30–September 1, 2025
Location: 122 Dunlay Road, Hastings

Royal Medieval Faire

Enjoy a day filled with family fun and interactive intrigue during one of Canada’s longest running medieval festivals.

Witness valiant knights in battle in the Kingdom of Mearth. Greet the friendly dragons, enjoy festive music and dancing, engaging storytelling, dramatic swordplay and meet the royal couple, King Bertram and Queen Charlotte for a chance to be knighted.

Food and beverages will also be available for purchase.

Cash only admission at the gate.

Date: September 20, 2025
Location: Waterloo Park West, 100 Father David Bauer Drive, Waterloo

Oxford Renaissance Festival

Located outside of London, Ontario’s largest Ren Fest delivers historical excitement and entertainment for all.

Learn about siege weapons used to storm castles, such as the trebuchet and cannons and get tips on archery from archers. Sample renaissance-inspired fare and witness awesome birds of prey demonstrations. Be part of the thunderous crowd cheering armoured knights charging on horseback in the jousting competition.

Tickets are available online or at the gate.

Date:  September 26–28, 2025
Location: Thorndale Fairgrounds, 21737 Fairview Road, Thorndale

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

Although not a Ren Faire, Medieval Times is downtown Toronto's long-running medieval-themed dinner theatre attraction.

You’ll be transported into a dramatic 11th-century combat, defeat and triumph journey. Knights will compete in a mighty tournament showcasing horse, sword and falcon handling skills as you enjoy a four-course meal. Various ticket options and packages are available.

Date: Year-round show
Location: 10 Dufferin Street, Toronto

Tips for attending a Ren faire

Here are a few useful and fun tips to keep in mind before you travel back in time:

Learn the lingo!

In addition to costumes, enjoy using Ren fair vocabulary. Some key phrases are:

Greetings = Good morrow

Goodbye = Fare thee well

See you later = See you anon

Please = Prithee

Thank you = Grammercy

Hurray! = Huzzah!

Dress for the weather and stay hydrated

Costumed or not, you’ll be outdoors and walking most of the day, so make sure to prepare for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.

In addition to credit or debit card, bring cash

In case there are no ATMs at events or merchant vendors, have some cash handy.