Photo by Frank Tirrell
Maryland Renaissance Festival
Each year the Maryland Renaissance Festival’s Village of Revel Grove comes to life in the forests and glen of Crownsville. The countryside is transformed with more than 200 entertainers making merry amongst the 16th century shops, emporiums, and eateries of King Henry VIII’s magical kingdom.
Read on for details...
The Basics
Date: Saturdays and Sundays through October 22nd
Time: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Location: Crownsville road, in Anne Arundel County in Crownsville, just outside of Annapolis.
Website: Rennfest.com
The Details
What can guests expect?
A playground of fun, frivolity, and wondrous performances thrill more than 300,000 visitors each year. The almost continuous entertainment on all 10 stages features many returning favorite performers! Music fills the village, from sea chanties to Celtic drums, you’ll move to the rhythm of more than 100 musical performers. All the world’s a stage and for nine weekends, the festival ings the Village of Revel Grove to life for the enjoyment and merriment of all those who enter its castle gates.
Food and drinks?
The festival offers a flavorful feast of foods throughout its six villages in the Village of Revel Grove: Valley Meade, White Stag, King’s Field, Kenwood Lane, Meadow Lane, and Mary’s Dale Way. Enjoy selections anywhere from steak on a stake and crab cakes to smokes turkey legs and a variety of desserts. The possibilities are endless. For a full list of foods offered at the faire, click here. There will also be drinks and ales filling 17 stands and give taverns.
What about parking?
Parking at the festival is free for all guest and is extremely convenient. There will be both local law enforcement and in-house parking staff to help direct you on the festival grounds. The staff is trained to have you off the main road, parked, and walking towards the front gate within minutes of arriving! To avoid traffic and waiting to park, it is recommended to arrive early. Peak traffic hours are from 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Are tickets still available?
Yes! Admission is $25 for adults ages 16–61, $17 for seniors ages 62+, and $8 for children ages 7–15. Children six and under are free and do not require a ticket. Click here to purchase. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate. Ticket windows open at 9:30 a.m.
The dress code?
While it’s not required to dress up, it’s definitely a way to get into the Renaissance spirit! If you don’t have a costume, the festival offers Renaissance Rentals at their costume rental book. The costumes are first come first serve basis. Costumes range anywhere from The Wench and Fair Maiden to the Knight and The Rogue. If you prefer to enjoy the festival without a costume, it is recommended to wear something comfortable, including shoes since you’ll be doing a lot of walking through the forest.
