Don't be a fool. Show up to the Ohio Renaissance Festival like a seasoned pro 🏰

Haadiza Ogwude and Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer
·3 min read

Calling all lords, ladies, peasants and jesters. The 34th annual Ohio Renaissance Festival starts this weekend.

The festival grounds in Harveysburg, Ohio, will once again be transformed into a 16th-century village, complete with over 100 shows, giant turkey legs, jousting, games and artisan shops.

Planning your trip back in time to the Ohio Renaissance Festival? Here's what you need to know.

When is the Ohio Renaissance Festival?

The Ohio Renaissance Festival takes place on weekends and on Labor Day. It starts Sept. 2-4 and goes until Oct. 29. Festival grounds are open from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Here are the festival's weekend themes:

The Ohio Renaissance Festival takes place in the shire of Harveysburg and runs from Sept. 2-Oct. 29, 2023. The event features entertainment, food and drink, artisans and special events.
The Ohio Renaissance Festival takes place in the shire of Harveysburg and runs from Sept. 2-Oct. 29, 2023. The event features entertainment, food and drink, artisans and special events.

  • Sept. 2-4: Opening Weekend. Renaissance Festival is open one extra day.

  • Sept. 9-10: Fantasy Weekend. This weekend features Fair Play Time and all things fantastical.

  • Sept. 16-17: Pirates Weekend. Celebrate International Talk like a Pirate Day with sea shanties, a pirate ship, Pirate Playtime and more.

  • Sept. 23-24: Highland Weekend. Experience Highland culture with themed competitions, bagpipe performances, Highland Games and more.

  • Sept. 30- Oct. 1: Time Travelers Weekend. Dress up as your favorite movie, TV show, comic book, science fiction or fantasy character and get ready for a costume contest.

  • Oct. 7-8: Viking Weekend. Norsemen are encouraged to raid the village.

  • Oct. 14-15: Romance Weekend. Just in time for Sweetest Day, attend the mass marriage vow renewal ceremony at St. Peter's Chapel.

  • Oct. 21-22: Feast of Fools. The festival will host the Watermelon vs. Pumpkin wars, plus the village will be filled with fools.

  • Oct. 28-29: Tricks or Treats. For its last weekend, kids 12 and under can get into the festival for free and go trick-or-treating at participating booths.

Where is the Ohio Renaissance Festival?

Festival grounds are located at Renaissance Park, 10542 Ohio 73, Harveysburg.

How much are tickets?

General admission tickets for adults, age 13 and older, are $28 per person until Sept. 1. Tickets for kids 5 to 12 years old range from $10-$12, and children under 5 get in for free.

General admission ticket prices for adults, age 13 and older, will range from $30 to $32 per person from Sept. 2 through Oct. 1, and $32-$34 per person from Oct. 2-29.

Tickets are $27 for seniors and for military, police, firefighter and emergency responder personnel. You can also buy a season pass for $80-$85.

Purchase tickets at the ticket booth or online at renfestival.com/tickets.

What is there to do at the Ohio Renaissance Festival?

Eat & Drink: With 44 food vendors, you'll find giant turkey legs, barbecue, pub fare, burgers, pizza, sweets, brats and more, plus vegetarian and gluten-free options. Domestic beers, cider, wine and Pepsi products will also be available.

With 44 food vendors, you'll find giant turkey legs, barbecue, pub fare, burgers, pizza, sweets, brats and more, plus vegetarian and gluten-free options.
With 44 food vendors, you'll find giant turkey legs, barbecue, pub fare, burgers, pizza, sweets, brats and more, plus vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Shop: This year's festival will include over 150 shops where you can find homemade crafts and unique goods.

Watch: The festival is home to over 100 action, music, comedy and acrobatic shows each day. A full schedule of events and performers can be found online at renfestival.com/schedule.

Never been to the Ohio Renaissance Festival? Organizers say the Full Armored Joust, Cincinnati Barbarians, Theatre in the Ground and Kamikaze Fireflies are must-see events. Check out some first-timer tips and tricks at renfestival.com/faq.

What should I wear?

Visitors are encouraged to dress up along with the weekend's theme or however else you'd like. You can bring a weapon as part of your costume, such as a sword. However, it must be peace-tied into its sheath with a zip tie. Festival staff can tie your weapon for you at the entrance gate.

No firearms are allowed.

It's easy to find friends and costumes at Ohio Renaissance Festival.
It's easy to find friends and costumes at Ohio Renaissance Festival.

Where can I park?

Parking at the festival grounds opens around 9:30 a.m. and is free this year.

Are dogs allowed?

No pets are allowed into the Ohio Renaissance Festival, except for service animals.

Do I need to bring cash?

Many of the vendors accept cards, but festival organizers recommend bringing cash just in case.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio Renaissance Festival 2023 hours, tickets, dates, themes, more