Family adventures: 5 tips for a family-friendly Renaissance Festival

With a little upfront knowledge and planning you can make your family’s first trip to a Renaissance Festival very enjoyable for the entire family.

1. You will be asked for tips: the gate admission gets you in, but throughout the day you will be asked by just about every performer to tip them for their performance. Of course tipping is totally voluntary but the performers aren’t shy about letting you know they make a living off their performances and tips are an important part of that income. Go prepared with some dollars for tipping.

2. Dress up and it’s more fun, you might save money too. Some Renaissance Festivals provide a discount on admission to customers who go dressed in period costumes. This doesn’t mean you have to go out and purchase or rent a  Renaissance costume. With a little Internet research and your imagination you can probably come up with an acceptable costume. Remember, there were lots of beggars and serfs in the Renaissance Era and that is a pretty easy costume to come up with.

3. Expect bawdy humor. Many of the entertainers perform period entertainment such as singing, playing of medieval instruments, juggling, magic, etc. that is family friendly.  Some will tell jokes or carry on a dialog laced with sexual innuendos. Fortunately most of them will fly over a child’s head like a pumpkin launched by a catapult (also a festival favorite). There is never swearing, but you may be called upon to explain some double ententes.

4. You are out among the elements. Most festivals are set in open meadows and forests. If it has rained recently expect some standing water or mud. The toilets will probably be primitive. There will be no running water. If you don‘t mind carrying a water bottle all day bring one. Usually backpacks are allowed just don’t try to bring a four-course picnic lunch in with you. Check the forecast, if it looks like rain bring an umbrella, put on sun screen. 

5. There are lots of ways to spend money. Again, part of the festival atmosphere is the many artisans, craftsmen and food merchants. All wares are within the medieval motif. Most are very kind and willing to share background information about their wares. Alcohol is served, but the atmosphere remains family friendly.  

In Minnesota there are two festivals, the Olde World Renaissance Faire in Twig, MN over the second weekend in June and the Minnesota Renaissance Festival near Shakopee, MN August 22nd through October 4th.