Your Guide to Michigan’s Renaissance Festival
Story by Katherine Stozicki
Travel back to a simpler time, full of whimsy and wonder, and enjoy the era of the Renaissance fully with this guide! No matter if you’re a longtime Renaissance Festival goer, or if it’s your first time attending this guide will give you all the tips, tricks, and best-kept secrets to make sure your time at the Michigan Renaissance Festival is a blast!
A Brief History
The Michigan Renaissance festival first began in 1979 in Clarkston before festival organizers moved it ten years later in 1989 to where it is currently held each year—a 312-acre festival site boarding Holly Township and Groveland Township (creating a fictional Renaissance town known as Hollygrove—unique to the Michigan Ren Fest—to honor both townships). The site is accessible to festival goers from Dixie Highway. The Michigan Renaissance Festival is a unique festival that brings thousands of people each year from across the country together to enjoy on-contact jousting, unique shows, family friendly activities, and much more!
All You Need to Know
Themed Weekends
Costumes, though not required, are so much fun to wear at the Renaissance Festival! If you’re looking for some inspiration as to what you should dress up as, there are a few themed weekends that may inspire you. Unique theme weekends range from Pirates and Pups to Viking Invasion. There isn’t one best weekend to attend, it’s all up to you and your preferences! To help you decide what weekend you should attend, we’ve broken it down for you below:
Aug. 19-20 Pirates and Pups
Dress as a pirate and bring your furry friend for a fun-filled weekend.
Aug 26-27 Highland Fling
Put on your best kilt and get ready for a weekend of shows, competitions, and more!
Sept. 2-4 Vikings Invasion
Got tattoos or impressive facial hair? Showcase it off at one of the weekend’s many competitions!
Sep 9-10 Wonders of the World
Discover and enjoy a diverse world market while dressed in your best steampunk attire.
Sept. 16-17 Shamrocks and Shenanigans
Visit the many local Irish vendors and break out your kilts again!
Sept. 23-24 Harvest Huzzah
This weekend will feature tasty BBQ in the Valley of Aberdare and is also Deaf Awareness weekend and will feature many talented interpreters!
Sept. 29 Festival Friday
A day of shopping and fun featuring School Day activities! A perfect start to the last weekend of Ren Fest.
Sept. 30-Oct. 1 Sweet Endings
The last weekend of Ren Fest will feature a variety of delectable dishes and much more!
What to Eat?
No need to stop for lunch (or dinner) before heading to the Ren Fest! There are so many wonderful options at the festival for you to choose from.
Turkey Legs
The Ren Fest turkey legs are perhaps the most famous Ren Fest meal of all time. They can be found at almost every vending spot within the festival and are a must have—especially if this is your first time attending the festival!
Other Options
Of course, there are many over meal options at the Ren Fest, including gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options. Some other food available includes corn on the cob, sausage rolls, hummus and veggies, spinach & feta pastry, mac & cheese bites, pizza, soup, ravioli, deep-fried green beans, and much more!
Where to Shop
The Renaissance Festival offers many different vendors and opportunities to support local craftspeople! From custom costume items to daggers & swords you are sure to find something unique to bring home. Some vendors include Renaissance Clothing Co., The Blond Swan, Shop Troll, Dragon’s Lairr Glass, the Mosaic Shop, Crystal Dragon Fairy Dust, and so many other unique and authentic creations!
The Events
The Michigan Ren Fest is home to several beloved activities and events, including its famous jousting! There are also several stages that include shows free of charge with your general admission. Shows will include renaissance-themed performers, magic, and more! Weekend schedules are released each Wednesday, so you’ll be able to see what is planned for your weekend in advance of attending. Additionally, there are activities such as knife and axe throwing that you can partake in for a small free (typically, cash only).
Ren Fest also offers competitions that you can partake in! Beards and tattoos are only a few. Keep an eye out for what contests may be held the weekend you’re attending by checking out the schedule prior to your arrival!
Additionally, there are several add ons you can purchase in addition to your ticket(s) for a date night out or more family friendly fun! Some of these events include a Hawk Walk, a pub crawl, The Quest, whiskey tastings, and Brunch at the Joust.
Ticketing, Parking, and All You Need to Know to Arrive
Now ye educated Ren Fest attendees, since we’ve told you all there is to know about the history of the Ren Fest, here is all you need to know about getting there!
Ticketing
Tickets can be purchased at the gates of the Michigan Renaissance Festival or online at MichRenFest.com. Single day tickets online start at $22.95 for adults and $12.95 for children ages 5-12. Single day tickets at the gate start at $25.95 for adults, $15.95 for children ages 5-12, and senior admission $23.95.
Additionally, festival goers interested in attending multiple days can purchase multi day passes. The Adult Royal Pass goes for $150 and includes a medallion, a T-Shirt, a pottery mug, and 5 complimentary day passes for friends and family. The Child Royal Pass (ages 5-12) includes the same as the adult and goes for $100.
However, if you are not looking for extra goodies, but want access the whole festival season, adult season passes cost $99.95 and include a medallion while children’s passes (ages 5-12) cost $59.95 and also includes a medallion.
You can also bring your furry friend! Starting at just $10, you can bring your dog in for the day with season passes costing $50.
Additionally, check out retailers such as Costco, Kroger, Menards, and Chili Pepper’s Tanning for coupons or discounted tickets! You can also visit the Ren Fest during its first four weekends and donating four non-perishable food items to get a Buy One Get One free voucher (buy one adult general admission ticket and get one free). Also, during the first four weekends will be a blood drive. Those who donate will be provided a complimentary day pass into the festival.
Not able to make it to one of those weekends? Not to worry, there are a few more ways to save! If you’re an A and B student (elementary to college!) you may present a report card for a free day pass to the festival. Additionally, motorcyclists also get five dollars off adult admission when they present their motorcycle ID to the box office on Sep. 16-17. Active military and veterans receive $5 off with a valid ID and receive free admission on Sept. 29th (1st responders included!).
Parking
A parking pass is now required to enter the festival. The pass can be purchased ahead of time at michrenfest.com/parking and cost $10 for a single day. This included for season pass and royal pass holders.
Other Helpful Tips and Tricks
Parking is available starting at 8am with most patrons arriving between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. according to the Michigan Ren Fest website, so it is recommended you arrive early.
The show will go on rain or shine, and many booths are cash only, however, there are ATMs located in the festival.
So, now that you have heard ye olde stories of the timeless Michigan Renaissance Festival, you are ready to go and experience it for yourself! Go out, be merry, and keep an eye out for those pesky fae!
