California Renaissance Festivals

According to many sources, the modern day Renaissance Faire began in Southern California in 1963. An L.A. school teacher, Phyllis Patterson, and her husband, Ron, hosted a small Renaissance fair as a class activity at their Laurel Canyon home in the Hollywood Hills. The couple then hosted their first public event, Renaissance Pleasure Faire, on May 11-12, as a  KPFK fundraiser.  8,000 people came to the event designed by the Living History Center.

Ron Patterson (Nov.2,1930-Jan.15, 2011) was an art director by training, and also served as Master of the Revels. His enthusiasm, artistic style and vision inspired a thriving nationwide industry of jousters and jesters.

March - April

HESPERIA: High Desert Pirate Festiva April 20-21, ​​27-28 & May 4-5, 2024​​
Hesperia Lake Park
7500 Arrowhead Lake Rd., Hesperia, CA 92345
$23-33 approx.
 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Hesperia Lake Park 7500 Arrowhead Lake Rd., Hesperia, CA 92345 $23-33, oldetymeproductions.com/ highdesertpiratefaire
 The Pirate Faire  celebrates the Golden Age of Pirates (period between the 1650s and the 1730s,) with  Revelry & Merry Making.  Face Painting, Games, Stage Acts, Battles between Pirates, Food from the four corners of the  World,  Ale, Wine & Mead and there may even be a trial of a Pirate.

IRWINDALE: The Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire Saturdays and Sundays April 6-May 19, 2024, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area
15501 E. Arrow Highway
Irwindale, CA
renfair.com
Saturdays & Sundays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area
Since its inception in 1963 in Agoura, near Malibu, more than 5 million people from around the world have visited Southern California's Renaissance Pleasure Faire, averaging approximately 20,000 each weekend. The Renaissance - to be reborn. It was a time when individuals celebrated the awakening of a new idea, when light was let into darkness. The Renaissance Pleasure Faire celebrates the spirit of this period of history, where people have the willingness to try anything and everything. The faire embraces a cornucopia of diversity and is unified in inviting  guests to escape from the stresses and demands of the modern day with cutting edge performances, artisans, flavors, and culinary delights from the past and the future. Propelling us  forward in our thinking, this historically based festival with a twist of modern fusion quotes Renaissance man William Shakespeare: "Let the world slip, we shall ne'er be younger."

VISALIA: Tulare County Renaissance Festival April 13-14 & April 20-21, 2024, 10 a.m. daily
Plaza Park
W Airport Dr & S Plaza St
Visalia, CA
$20 approx.,  tularecountyrenfair.com
Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Featuring The Knights of Mayhem full contact jousting, Martial Arts Sword Tournaments, Scottish Highland Games Demo, two stages of entertainment, and a wide variety of crafters and artisans selling their wares and some great food. Jugglers, magicians, and storytellers all day long on two stages, encampments with blacksmiths, swords and fire, common folk, knights, nobility, and gypsies. You can even meet the queen, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth! Grub: turkey legs, wood fired pizzas, cold beer, homemade mead in the beer garden and famous Weasel Inn Sasparilly! Brought to you each year by the Guild of St. Mortimer they offer entertainers on two stages, 30+ vendors, a food court, beer garden, hundreds of actors dressed in period garb, a battle pageant and a joust. Plaza Park also has a large playground for children and many shade trees.

ESCONDIDO: Spring Renaissance Faire with a Pirate Flair, April 20-21, ​​27-28 & May 4-5, 2024​​, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 
Felicita County Park
742 Clarence Lane, Escondido, CA
$, oldetymeproductions.com, Vendors, entertainers, guilds, fyne dining, and roving entertainment with minstrels and dance.Vendors, entertainers,  Jousting Tournament, Clothing, Weapon and Trinket Shoppes, Food/Drink, Turkey legs and  nourishments, Beer, ale, mead and of course, rum. Costume attire is encouraged, not required. Location: 742 Clarence Lane, Escondido, CA $23 general admission, oldetymeproductions.com |

May - June

ANDERSON: Shasta Renaissance and Fantasy Faire May 25-26, 2024, 10 a.m. daily (10a-6p Saturday & 10a-5p Sunday)
Shasta District Fairgrounds
1890 Briggs St.
Anderson, CA
$10 approx., goldengoblinproductions.com
under age 10 years free with paying adult subject to change
Enjoy Merrymakers, Musicians, Merchants, Mercenaries, Minstrels and Magicians, while witnessing the Maniacal Acts of Daring--and Mystery!

CORONA: Koroneburg Old World Festival  May 25-27, June 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 2024
10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays and Memorial Day
Crossroads Riverview Park
14600 Baron Rd, Corona, CA
$30, $60 season pass, $120 VIP, renfestcorona.com
The only permanently built Renaissance festival in SoCal! Featuring ye ol' German 1450-1600 historical games, feasts, and vendors.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE: Valhalla Renaissance Faire August 24-25, 2024
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday
Camp Richardson Resort
1900 Jameson Beach Road
South Lake Tahoe, CA
$16-up approx., valhallafaire.com
Four stages of continuous entertainment, Action packed shows, Music, Dancing, jesters, 900 costumed actors, Shakespearian vignettes, expertly staged battles, storytelling for children and adults, archery tournaments and much more. Shop over 100 merchants selling a wide array of arts and crafts, one of a kind jewelry items, woodcrafts artwork, ceramics, clothing, historic weapons and leather goods and hard hitting joust.

VALLEJO: Northern California Pirate Festival June claims to be returning in 2023 but no updates as of 4/1/23
Vallejo Waterfront
289 Mare Island Way, Vallejo, CA
$12 at gate approx., norcalpiratefestival.com | visitvallejo.com
Real cannon blasts!

July - August

SAN LUIS OBISPO: Central Coast Renaissance Festival The  annual festival will be held on July 20 & 21, 2024, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
 Laguna Lake Park
504 Madonna Rd.
San Luis Obispo, CA
ccrenfaire.com
Approx. Tickets $20 approx.
$ parking
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday

Hundreds of costumed participants turn beautiful Laguna Lake Park in San Luis Obispo into an English Renaissance village for this summer's ultimate fantasy entertainment. An English Renaissance village invites you to step into the year 1585 when Queen Elizabeth I was England's magnificent monarch. This is the age of legendary characters like William Shakespeare, Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Francis Drake and a host of famous Dukes, Earls, Lords, Ladies, rogues and scoundrels whom you'll see going about the village. Remember to remove your hat as Her Majesty parades though the streets with her stunning Royal Court, accompanied by her handsome foot soldiers and hand maidens. Attend the Royal Joust. Over 50 of the finest craftsmen sell the most unique crafts and goods you've ever seen. From hand thrown pottery to drinking vessels, there is something for every taste and budget. Gentlemen always enjoy shopping from the sword and leather merchants, while ladies can't resist the array of fine clothing and jewelry. You can even have your hair braided into the most beautiful designs and get a henna tattoo.

BIG BEAR CITY: Big Bear City Renaissance Faire watch for 2023 dates!
 Our Faire Is Your Fantasy
Pedersens Mill
39115 Rim of the World Dr.
Fawnskin, CA
$25-150,  bigbearrenfaire.org
Big Bear City Renaissance Faire -- The shire of The Enchanted Shire recreating Renaissance (circa 1558-1603). Located in the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains, an exciting atmosphere of a 16th Century Renaissance...read more>

SAN JOSE: San Jose Renaissance Faire no updates for 2023
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday
Discovery Meadow Park  San Jose, CA ​
Tickets Admission: $16-up, sanjosefaire.com
$ parking

 Travel back in time to a place where adventure awaits, mythical creatures fluoric and where arts, music, and festivities flourish at the San Jose Renaissance Faire and Fantasy Fest in Downtown San Jose

• Queen Elizabeth I stops on her tour of England and her court has prepared exotic performances, music, dance and revelry to entertain their beloved Monarch.
• Royals, maidens, knights or peasants, are part of the fun.
• Face painting, hair-braiding, comedy shows, fortune tellers, sword fights, fencing and delightful performances.
• Fearless Knights engage in a battles of skill in daily tournaments.
• World of Fantasy all inclusive costume play.
• Dragons, witches, fairies, pirates and mermaids entertain with folk tales, costume contests, battles between good and evil.
• Meet Belle, Rumpelstiltskin, Snow White, Pirates from NeverLand, and many many more characters from your favorite story
• Costume rental store has costumes representing different social statuses.
• Ale, cider, turkey legs and many food options. , Downtown San Jose, CA

September - October

FOLSOM: Folsom Renaissance Faire September 23 & 24, 2023 Renaissance Faire
Folsom City Lions Park
Stafford Street at Natoma Street
Folsom, CA
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday
$, folsomfaire.com
Includes jousting championship

IDYLLWILD: Idyllwild Ren Faire: The Sands of Time September 22-24, 2023
Join the faire in the beautiful mountain village of Idyllwild. Friday, Saturday & Sunday at Camp Emerson - Boseker ScoutReservation 53115 Idyllbrook Dr., Idyllwild, CA 92549  $, idyllwildrenfaire.com | Ren

HOLLISTER: Northern California Renaissance Faire TBA 2023
Casa De Fruita
10021 Pacheco Pass Highway, Hollister, CA
norcalrenfaire.com

HANFORD: Kings Fair October 7-8, 2023 likely dates
 Hanford Civic Park
400 N. Douty Street
Hanford, CA 93230
Free admission, free parking, cityofhanfordca.com
Comedy, music, costumed performers and lots of vendors. Free, fun family entertainment.

GRASS VALLEY: KVMR Celtic Festival September 30-October 1, 2023
Nevada County Fairgrounds
11228 McCourtney Rd.
Grass Valley, CA
kvmrcelticfestival.org

BLUE LAKE: Medieval Festival of Courage October 7-8, 2023, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Christie's Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze
2870 Glendale Drive
Blue Lake, CA
$, medievalfestivalofcourage.org
Recreating Renaissance (circa 800-1500s) since 2003., The 11th Annual Medieval Festival of Courage. Time: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Come Live Your Dream! A  Featuring The Knights of Mayhem Full Contact Tournament Jousting Sat. & Sun. 12:30 pm and 3:30 p.m. | Ren faires

SONORA: All Hallows Fantasy Faire October-November TBA 2023
Mother Lode Fairgrounds
Sonora, CA
allhallowsfaire.com
River Park
CA-246 & Sweeney Rd.
Lompoc, CA
oldetymeproductions.com
100s of costumed characters, full jousting tournament, King Richard's Tavern, 2 stages of live entertainment, kids treasure hunt, black powder demonstrations
2 stages
Kids Zone
Black Powder
Crafty Pirates

November - December

FRESNO: Kearney Park Renaissance Fair November 14-15, 2020
Kearney Park
Blvd.
Fresno, CA
$15, two fayreladies.com

SAN FRANCISCO: Great Dickens Christmas Fair November 18-December 17, 2023, weekends
Cow Palace Exhibition Halls
2600 Geneva Avenue, San Francisco, CA
dickensfair.com

Not scheduled or no info as of posting

FREMONT: Tartan Day usually in April, 
Ardenwood Historical Farm
34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont, CA
$, eastbayscots.org
Celebrating all things Scotland, this event usually includes: Scottish Heavy Athletics Nor-Cal Shinty Scrimmage Historical Re-Enactors Clan Tents, European Martial Arts, Scottish and Irish-themed shopping, Scottish Animals - Celtic Lurchers and Childrens Glen

FRESNO: Pirate Festival 
Roeding Park
N Motel Drive, Fresno, CA
$15 approx., facebook.com | twofayreladies.com
Entertainment includes De Gekkevlek, A Fool and His Family, Gallows Humor, Her Majesty's Minstrel Cycle, The Miracle Tea and Strumpets, W​orld Joust Knights, Tournament of Horse, plus dozens of Guilds, and vendors selling fantasy products galore.

CALIFORNIA CITY California City Renaissance Festival October Central Park 10460 Heather Avenue California City, CA
calcityrenfair.org

LOWER LAKE: Lake Renaissance Festival cancelled in previous year Tuscan Village/Terrill Cellars Winery
16175 Main St. Lower Lake, CA lakerenfest.weebly.com 16th century Italy where nobles and rogues, damsels and pirates interact amongst the grapevines and fruit trees of the beautiful Tuscan Village! | Ren faires

ROSEVILLE: Edge of Spring Fantasy Fair   The Grounds Roseville. Amazing Celtic and Fantasy themed bands to bring you the finest entertainment on stage!  Location: 451 Los Vegas Avenue Roseville, CA 95678 $20-25 approx.,   | Ren faires

BAKERSFIELD: Medieval California Festival Festival went up for sale in 2019, no info 
Kern County Museum Grounds
3801 Chester Ave.
Bakersfield California

 

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.