Jousting, Jesting Just for YOU!

Longing for childhood days of make believe? Mythic heroes slaying dragons, sea maidens appearing  from the sea, steel clad warriors jousting atop mighty steeds and damsels in distress, this can all be found  at the Arizona Renaissance Festival. There is something for the children and the child in all of us to be  found at the Faire. 

Arizona's annual festival is one of the largest in the nation, held on Saturdays and Sundays in February  and March in its fanciful European style village constructed on a 50-acre site just below the foothills of the Superstition Mountains, east of Phoenix and northwest of Tucson. This is where you’ll find theater, circus,  an arts and crafts fair, acrobatics, a jousting tournament, people-powered rides, and feasting – all rolled  into a non-stop, day long adventure!  

Merchants hawk their wares, selling everything from clothing to custom ceramics. Observe in awe at the demonstrations displaying skills of blacksmithing, jewelry making, glassblowing, leather work and pottery throwing. Over 200 artisans are housed in the market lanes filled with whimsical storybook shops. 

There are sixteen open-air stages where you can listen to raucous music and roaring comedy. Catch the swordplay and wordplay of festival favorites Don Juan and Miguel. It’s hard to miss the wild antics of The Tortuga Twins (three unrelated men in tights), and more than amusing to decipher Zilch the Tory Steller  (the misspelling, like his miss-speaking is intentional). On or off the stage you are bound to meet delightful characters. Don’t miss Adam Crack-30-time whip cracking Guinness World Record holder!

A variety of food and drink is available to satisfy your appetite; bread bowls, stews, steak-on-a-stake,  roasted chicken and so much more. In the midst of this enormous feast, you'll find the King of festival  foods - the delicious roasted turkey leg. Tempt your diet plan with desserts from the Bakery, the  Cappuccino Inn, or the Chocolate Shoppe. Pubs serve beers, wine, and soft drinks to quench your thirst. 

And kids love this place! Dozens of activities bring out their smiles. Guests young and old will revel in the  magic and mystery upon seeing the varied attractions at the Faire; Living Mermaids, witness the wonder  of these lovely, elusive and charming sea fairies. A Festival favorite with children is Mother (and Father) 

Goose brought to life, with costumed ducks and geese, Maggie, Mimi and Matilda. Kids will cheer for their favorite knight at the 5,000-seat jousting arena or try their hand at archery. Children delight in the return of  a falcon, the King of sports, at the Falconer’s Heath. Kids also love riding the people powered Da Vinci’s  Flying Machine, the Swan Swing,’ the Voyage to the New World, the Slider Joust, as well as, the Dragon  Tail Slide, and Piccolo Pony; a rocking horse bigger than an elephant. In addition to the people-powered  rides, the festival offers interactive games like the Castle Walls climbing tower, the castle siege, Jacobs’ Ladder, a maze and an archery range. Kids will surely be asking for a hat, wand, garland, wooden sword,  shield, or to have their face painted, or to make a sand dragon, or perhaps purchase a pet gorgi or drabbit along with other unique and interesting items available for purchase at the festival. Those bolder of heart  may feed the dragon or play King of the log.  

HUZZAH! 

Are you ready to escape to the amusements of a much simpler time?