Entertainment Magazine: Arizona: Renaissance

New shows at the AZ Renaissance Festival

The AZ Renaissance Festival has 14 stages of continuous, live entertainment, each packed with a unique mix of comedy, music and antics throughout the 30-acre village marketplace. There is also an Outdoor Circus, a Medieval Arts & Crafts Fair and a Jousting Tournament with three performances each day.

Be transported back to the 16th century as one of the largest and most picturesque Renaissance Festivals in the nation prepares for raucous revelry below the foothills of the Superstition Mountains. Get a map and directions to the festival grounds.

A cast of nearly 2,000 costumed characters roam the streets among more than 200 artisans, crafters and food vendors. Artisans are housed in the market lanes filled with storybook shops and medieval tents.

Stroll through the Renaissance grounds and relive history

Mythic heroes slaying dragons, steel clad warriors jousting atop mighty steeds and knights in shining armor saving damsels in distress…this can all be found at the Arizona Renaissance Festival.

There is definitely something for the children and the kid in all of us to be found at the faire; experience your best day out in history!

Arizona's annual festival is one of the largest in the nation, held on weekends in February and March in its fanciful European style village constructed on a 30-acre site just below the foothills of the Superstition Mountains, east of Phoenix.

This is where you’ll find theater, circus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament, people-powered rides, and a feast – all rolled into a nonstop, day long family adventure!

Merchants hawk their wares, selling everything from clothing to custom ceramics. Several offer interesting demonstrations displaying skills of blacksmithing, glassblowing and pottery throwing.

Two tons of horse, knight and armor gallop onto the field prepared to do battle with ten-foot lances for a lady's honor. And when the joust is done, you can visit the "The Royal Stables" and meet your champion from the era of chivalry. Jousting is held three times daily in the King's Tournament Arena. Continue reading about the history of jousting.

Eat, Drynk and Be Merry

A variety of food and drynk is available to satisfy your appetite; bread bowls, stews, steak-on-astake, and so much more. In the midst of this enormous feast you'll find the king of festival foods- the huge roasted turkey leg.

Tempt your diet plan with desserts from the Monk’s Bakery, the Cappuccino Inn, or the Chocolate Shoppe. Pubs serve beers, wine and soft drynks to quench your thirst.

A most special event within this giant event is The Pleasure Feast.

This is a 1 1/2 hour, 5-course medieval feast with live music and comedy entertainment, all you can eat and drink, plus festival gifts and souvenirs.

With limited seating twice daily, advance feast reservations are recommended. Call 520-463-2700 for more information on The Pleasure Feast.

KIDS OF ALL AGES ENJOY THE ROYAL FAIRE

And kids love this place! Dozens of activities bring out their smiles. A Festival favorite with children is Mother (and Father) Goose brought to life, with their costumed ducks and geese, Maggie, Mimi and Matilda. Kids will cheer for their favorite knight or try their hand at archery. See more about Student Days at the ARF.

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, Christopher Columbus’ “Voyage to the New World”, the Slider Joust, as well as, the Piccolo Pony, a rocking horse bigger than an elephant.

In addition to the people-powered rides, the Festival offers interactive games like the dragon climbing tower, the castle siege, Jacob’s Ladder, a maze and an archery range. Kids will surely be asking for a hat, wand, wooden sword, shield, or to have their face painted, or to make a sand dragon, along with other items available for purchase at the Festival. Those bolder of heart may feed the dragon or play king of the log.

Mythic heroes slaying dragons, steel clad warriors jousting atop mighty steeds and knights in shining armor saving damsels in distress…this can all be found at the AZ Renaissance Festival. There is definitely something for the children and the kid in all of us to be found at the faire; experience your best day out in history!

Arizona's annual Renaissance Festival is one of the largest in the nation. The ARF is held on weekends in February and March in its fanciful European style village constructed on a 30-acre site located just below the foothills of the Superstition Mountains, east of Phoenix, AZ. This is where you’ll find theater, circus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament, people-powered rides, and a feast – all rolled into a nonstop, day long family adventure. Find out more happening at this year's ARF.

Map and Directions Google Map from Phoenix or Tucson

The Pleasure Feast

Weddings performed at the ARF

The Story of Jousting Watch Video and learn the history

AZ Ren Festival FAQ Get more details about the Fest

Ticket and Contact Info

AZ Renaissance Festival Web Site

Purchase tickets to the Arizona Reniassance Festival online:

• General Admission Tickets & Season Passes

• Pleasure Feast Tickets