The fall season marks the beginning of some of the most anticipated annual festivals of the year. For those who love whimsy and fantasy, there’s no better event to attend than the Northern California Renaissance Festival. So grab your medieval clothing, lances and swords, sense of adventure, and come along to experience the magic!
Held in the town of Hollister on the grounds of Casa de Fruta, located along the Pacheco Pass Highway about an hour northeast of Monterey, the Northern California Renaissance Festival is one of the biggest festivals in the state.
Facebook The Northern California Renaissance Faire Facebook Page The festival runs for six weekends from September 17th through October 23rd, on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., rain or shine. The setting is the thriving, colorful Elizabethan village of Willingtown. Folks come from all over the state to enjoy everything Medieval including exciting shows, a one-of-a-kind artisan marketplace, outstanding culinary fare, non-stop entertainment, and so much more.
Dressing up in period costume is perhaps the most notable and fun aspect of the Renaissance Festival.
The Northern California Renaissance Faire Facebook Page And it’s not just the performers and artisans. Role-playing in costume almost has a Comic Con-esque fervor to it here. And if you don’t have your own medieval clothing to wear, you can choose from a wide array of rental costumes and accessories for all ages and all body sizes.
And of course, true to the Medieval era, there will be plenty of jousting with groups like the Swashbuckling Swordsmen.
The Northern California Renaissance Faire Facebook Page Fun activities for the entire family are plentiful as well. You’ll find a Ren Faire Petting Zoo, Dragonflylola Artistry Face & Body Art, Five Stranded Fairy Tails, Bawdy Braids (I mean, you’ve gotta have your hair done too!), and Maharani Mehendi Henna, just to name a few. And then there’s a host of games and rides as well. Sharpen your javelin or axe throwing skills, shoot a pistol bow, join in on some good shepherd games…the list is endless.
Dozens of exciting shows and other performances are scheduled throughout every day of the festival, each seemingly more entertaining than the last.
The Northern California Renaissance Faire Facebook Page Of course, Shakespeare is a major player during this time in history, so the festival presents one or more of his famous plays. There are magic shows, sword swallowers, fire eaters, comedy performances, and a host of strolling musicians that roam throughout the festival grounds too. And this is only the beginning!
Do you know the Merry Wives of Windsor?
The Northern California Renaissance Faire Facebook Page These spirited women are crowd favorites for their comedic and lyrical twists on songs about love, drinking, and life during Medieval times.
If you love to shop, you’re sure to find something that suits your medieval whimsy and fancy here, as wonderful eclectic artisan booths and crafts are dotted all over the village of Willingtown.
The Northern California Renaissance Faire Facebook Page Clothing options encompass dresses, bustiers and corsets, knickers, pirate shirts, and hats. Ceramics and sculpture pieces for your home or office are popular as well. You’ll also find plenty of fantasy-themed fine art, jewelry, and metal works. And yes, there will be PLENTY of great Medieval eats and drinks, including the Renaissance Festival all-time favorite humungous turkey legs!
The opening weekend of the Northern California Renaissance Festival is September 17-18. The following themed weekends are:
Facebook The Northern California Renaissance Faire Facebook Page
The festival runs for six weekends from September 17th through October 23rd, on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., rain or shine. The setting is the thriving, colorful Elizabethan village of Willingtown. Folks come from all over the state to enjoy everything Medieval including exciting shows, a one-of-a-kind artisan marketplace, outstanding culinary fare, non-stop entertainment, and so much more.
The Northern California Renaissance Faire Facebook Page
And it’s not just the performers and artisans. Role-playing in costume almost has a Comic Con-esque fervor to it here. And if you don’t have your own medieval clothing to wear, you can choose from a wide array of rental costumes and accessories for all ages and all body sizes.
Fun activities for the entire family are plentiful as well. You’ll find a Ren Faire Petting Zoo, Dragonflylola Artistry Face & Body Art, Five Stranded Fairy Tails, Bawdy Braids (I mean, you’ve gotta have your hair done too!), and Maharani Mehendi Henna, just to name a few. And then there’s a host of games and rides as well. Sharpen your javelin or axe throwing skills, shoot a pistol bow, join in on some good shepherd games…the list is endless.
Of course, Shakespeare is a major player during this time in history, so the festival presents one or more of his famous plays. There are magic shows, sword swallowers, fire eaters, comedy performances, and a host of strolling musicians that roam throughout the festival grounds too. And this is only the beginning!
These spirited women are crowd favorites for their comedic and lyrical twists on songs about love, drinking, and life during Medieval times.
Clothing options encompass dresses, bustiers and corsets, knickers, pirate shirts, and hats. Ceramics and sculpture pieces for your home or office are popular as well. You’ll also find plenty of fantasy-themed fine art, jewelry, and metal works. And yes, there will be PLENTY of great Medieval eats and drinks, including the Renaissance Festival all-time favorite humungous turkey legs!
- September 24- 25 – Pirate Invasion
- October 1-2 – Heroes and Villains
- October 8-9 – Oktoberfest
- October 15-16 – Carnevale – Masquerade
- October 22-23 – Halloween Fantasy
Have you been to the Northern California Renaissance Festival? If so, we’d love to see your photos and hear about your experience there. You can also learn more about the festival and any special events on their Facebook page.
Read on to learn more about the popular Casa de Fruta, the property on which the Festival is being held.
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Address: Hollister, CA 95023, USA
