Guide to the Maryland Renaissance Festival 2023
Time travel to the myth and legend of the Renaissance this summer and fall! Once again, the Maryland Renaissance Festival will fulfill all your dreams for a family-friendly adventure through the days of knights, ladies and royalty.
If you’re ready for this unforgettable experience, read on for tips on all things Maryland Renn Fest 2023!
When and Where is The Maryland Renaissance Festival 2023?
The Maryland Renaissance Festival will run from August 26 through October 22 on weekends and Labor Day Monday, from 10 am to 7 pm.
Discounted single-day tickets are available the first three weekends of the Festival (August 26 to September 10):
- Adults 16-61: $24
- Seniors 62+: $21
- Children 7-15: $12
- Children under 7: Do not need a ticket
- Group of 20 or more adults: $21 per person
- Group of 20 or more children: $11 per person
Regular single-day ticket pricing begins September 16:
- Adults 16-61: $30
- Seniors 62+: $26
- Children 7-15: $15
- Children under 7: Do not need a ticket
- Group of 20 or more adults: $26 per person
- Group of 20 or more children: $14 per person
Multi-day tickets prices:
- Weekend pass (after September 16): $50
- 6-Day pass, good for any 6 days of the festival: $108
- 9-Day pass, good for any 9 days of the festival: $144
- Pass for all 19 days of the festival: $228
Location and Directions
The Maryland Renn Fest is located at 1821 Crownsville Road, Annapolis, MD, just half an hour from the Hotel Arundel Preserve.
From the hotel, get on MD 100-E in Severn, then take I-97-S toward Annapolis to exit 5. Take MD 178-S toward Crownsville. Continue on MD 178-S and turn right on Crownsville Road.
Highlights of The Maryland Renaissance Festival 2023
There’s so much to do at the Maryland Renaissance Festival! Here are just a few things you won’t want to miss:
- The Ballet Theater of Maryland will open their season with a special performance on Labor Day Weekend
- A (PG-rated) pub singalong every festival day at 6 pm
- Pirate Weekend September 16 & 17
- Myth & Magic Weekend September 23 & 24
- Archery demonstrations
- Very silly Shakespearean performances
- Jugglers
- Wandering bards
- Birds of prey flight demonstrations
- One-woman stunt shows
- And so much more!
Maryland Renaissance Festival Vendors
Feeling hungry? Inspired to buy souvenirs? Curious about what the tarot has to say about your future? These vendors are here for all your Rennaisance Festival needs.
Food
The Maryland Renaissance Festival features food and drink locations all over. Some vendors take credit cards, but we strongly recommend bringing cash. ATMs are available throughout the festival.
- On Valley Meade, you’ll find an eclectic mix of dining options, from crab rangoon and berry muffins to steak on a stake and rice bowls.
- White Stag features many family-friendly faves like milkshakes, meatball wraps, corn on the cob and mac & cheese on a stick.
- King’s Field has a limited selection of kid-friendly foods, including chicken nuggets and corn dogs.
- Kenwood Lane is a meat-lovers paradise with smoked turkey legs, chicken empanadas, pulled chicken sandwiches and more.
- Meadow Lane sells only turkey legs and root beer floats.
- Mary’s Dale Way has vendors featuring sandwiches, potatoes and cold and hot sweets.
Shopping
Want to take a piece of the Festival home with you? There are hundreds of artisans ready to sell you their wares! The Maryland Renaissance vendors include artisanal crafts like:
- Jewelry
- Metal sculptures
- Leather crafts
- Masks
- Swords and armor
- Hammocks
- Wood carvings and furniture
- Costumes
- Books
- Pottery
- Fantasy art
- Kilts
- And so much more!
As you stroll around the Festival, you’ll also find:
- Hair braiders
- Massage therapists
- Henna tattoos
- Tarot readers
- Costume rentals (in case you forgot yours)
- Face painting
- A Museum of (Un)Natural History
- And many other fun activities for the whole family.
Tips for Attending The Maryland Renaissance Festival
The Maryland Renaissance Festival is sure to be a wonderful experience. We have some tips on getting the most out of your time there, whether you’re going alone, with a group of friends or with your family.
A map and schedule of events will help you navigate the festival and enjoy the many shows and performances. Your ticket includes access to all the entertainment the festival has to offer, so take advantage while you’re there!
Every year, the festival features a new storyline. For 2023, the storyline takes place in Revel Grove, Oxfordshire, England. The year is 1536 and King Henry VIII – he of the six wives – is enjoying a harvest festival with his third wife, Jane Seymour and some courtiers. However, not everyone in the kingdom is happy with the state of affairs and patrons of the festival may encounter some royal intrigue during their visit to Revel Grove!
Tickets
Ticket sales begin in early August. Single-day tickets are available online only, must be purchased in advance and are non-refundable. The festival will go on, rain or shine.
Parking
Parking is free for the festival. We recommend arriving early to avoid long lines into the parking lot. Once you arrive, festival staff will guide you through the parking lot.
Accessibility
Handicapped parking is available. Wheelchairs and scooters will not be available for rental. Please note that while the festival makes accessibility accommodations for guests at all performance stages, the ground is uneven and unpaved, with many small hills and inclines.
Costumes & Clothing
Even though the Maryland Renaissance Festival is not an official LARP event, they welcome patrons in costume! Costumes must be family-friendly and non-offensive. Real or realistic weapons of any kind are not allowed. Weapons that are obviously toys will be allowed inside at the discretion of festival security. Patrons are not allowed to entertain guests for money, as this is the job of official festival performers. No musical instruments are permitted.
Everyone not in costume must be dressed appropriately. Remember that this is a family event! We recommend dressing for the weather, as you’ll be outside all day, and wearing comfortable shoes for walking on rough terrain.
Bathrooms
There are port-o-potties available in various locations around the festival. If you aren’t a fan of these, you can avoid having to use them for a bit by stopping at nearby gas station on the way. Typically, the port-o-potties aren’t a bad experience, though! Just remember to bring some hand sanitizer.
Food and Drinks
Patrons may not bring their own food or drinks to the festival, with the exception of one factory-sealed water bottle.
Accommodations Near The Maryland Renaissance Festival
Complete your festival experience by staying at the nearby Hotel at Arundel Preserve. We’re conveniently located just a short drive from the festival. Start your day with breakfast at our Grillfire Restaurant before heading to the festival. And when you’re done with the day’s entertainment, food and shopping, our oversized guest rooms provide the perfect place to relax.
Stay at the Hotel at Arundel Preserve
Whether going for a day, a weekend, or several weekends, The Hotel at Arundel Preserve is the place to stay! We’re a short, easy drive from the festival and offer the area’s most luxurious accommodations and amenities for the whole family. Book your room now for your magical Maryland Renaissance Festival weekend!
