Each year, a portion of Apache Junction, Arizona, is transformed into a 16th-century European Country Fair when the Arizona Renaissance Festival opens to the public during the months of February and March.
The Arizona Renaissance Festival is a wonderful combination of amusement park, shows, comedy, music, feats of daring street performers, shopping, and fun. The Festival spans over 30 acres, and it’s easy to spend an entire day there.
For more information, visit the Arizona Renaissance Festival online or call 520-463-2700 for information.
Dates and Hours
The Arizona Renaissance Festival will be open every Saturday and Sunday from February 9 to March 31, 2019. It will also be open on President’s Day, Monday, February 18. Hours are 10 am to 6 pm The Renaissance Festival is open rain or shine.
Student days are Tuesday, March 5 (elementary schools) and Thursday, March 7 (middle and high schools) from 9 am to 2:30 pm. These days are specially reserved for educators to highlight the historical aspects of the Arizona Renaissance Festival.
Location
The Arizona Renaissance Festival is located seven miles east of Apache Junction on US Highway 60. That’s in the southeastern section of the Phoenix metropolitan area. You will see signs directing you to the Festival when you approach the Gold Canyon area. For some people, this location may be far from driving; You will not find public transportation to this attraction. Here is a table with some approximate driving times and distances to Apache Junction. Parking is free.
ticket information
Tickets purchased at the door are $ 26 for adults, $ 23 for seniors (60+) and military, $ 16 for children ages 5-12, $ 13 for dependent children of active and / or retired adult military personnel and / or their spouses. Children must provide a dependent military ID. Children under 5 years old are free.
Buy advance tickets online and save $ 1 on adult and child tickets.
The ticket price includes parking and all entertainment shows, including the jousting tournament and the Birds of Prey show. It does not include the purchase of handicraft items, food or drinks, or games and games.
You can also purchase a season pass valid for any day of the festival, except student days: $ 155 for an adult pass, $ 70 for a child pass (5 to 12 years old), $ 180 for adults with VIP parking . Some restrictions apply.
Discount ticket information
Discount tickets can be found at Fry’s, Fry’s Marketplace, Wendy’s, Hall of Frames, Cobblestone Auto Spa, and Phoenix Flower Shops. If you have a coupon, bring it to the box office (you cannot buy tickets online with a coupon).
Stay close
The closest community is in Apache Junction. It’s called Gold Canyon. The Gold Canyon Golf Resort and the Best Western are the recommended hotels. Read reviews and check availability on TripAdvisor.
Entertainment
When you first arrive at the Arizona Renaissance Festival, it’s best to choose an Events Calendar and make some plans. There may be some scheduled programs that are more important to you, such as the Jousting Tournament, and you will want to plan your day around those events.
Throughout the day, shows are held at the various entertainment stages at the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Most shows last between 30 and 45 minutes, but you can come and go as you please. The focus for the shows at the Arizona Renaissance Festival is music, merriment, and merriment. Most of the shows are suitable for all ages. However, there are some shows that are marked on the calendar with a bold “LC” next to them. That denotes “Loose Barrel.” That means you can expect raunchy and raunchy content, so if you don’t appreciate that kind of humor, or don’t want to subject your kids to it, wander the other way.
- Zilch, the Torysteller: our first loose cannon. He “steals” the “Tories” and you “write” “bisten” carefully. It’s pretty quick, and the comedy can be very subtle (even a lot of adults don’t understand jokes), so most kids won’t get it anyway.
- Ded Bob: Another loose cannon that’s not as subtle as Zilch, and Ded Bob’s humor is sure to involve body parts.
- The Tortuga Twins: three more loose cannons
- Street performers – Elaborately disguised entertainers and entertainers roam the city streets portraying historical and fantasy characters, interacting with all visitors. King Henry and his royal court, duelists and ladies, musicians, and even the Knights’ porters wear authentic Renaissance garb.
- Jousting: A day at the Renaissance Festival wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the King’s Tournament Area to watch the brave knights compete for royal recognition. The jousts are held three times a day at the King’s Tournament Arena.
- Music and stories: the Jamila Lotus Bellydance Carnivale performs near the jousting arena. Melangell sings old songs and tells stories from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England. Sarah Mullen will entertain you by playing her harp, NeidFyre will serenade you on the violin, and the high-energy band Tartanic will entertain you with an edgy Celtic performance.
- Games and Attractions : There are contests and attractions for people of all ages, most of which require additional fees. Prices are clearly posted and cash is accepted, so there are no additional queues at the entrances. Some rides for the little ones are free. There are some animal rides and a petting zoo. Test your ability to throw axes or throw a tomato at an insulting peasant in Vegetable Justice. If you’re with a friend you’d like to embarrass, you can get the job done at Village Pillory – torture at a reasonable price.
- Demonstrations: A variety of artisans, artisans, and food vendors are available at the Arizona Renaissance Festival to add to your cheer. There are demonstrations of weaving, armor and other typical activities of the time. More than 200 vendors will be there to display and sell their products. This is a great place to get unusual gifts, like goblets or swords.
Food
When you’re ready to eat like the King, you’ll find a fare fit for royalty at the Arizona Renaissance Festival. The King’s Giant Roast Turkey Leg is always a popular choice. Many foods can be eaten with one hand so you can take pictures with the other hand, such as sausage on a stick and the chocolate covered banana on a stick.
Pleasure party
The Pleasure Feast is a 1-1 / 2 hour meal and show, where you will be spoiled for a five-course meal, lively (and often raunchy) entertainment, and you will go home with a souvenir of the event. Every day of the Festival there are two Pleasure Parties, one at noon and the other at 2:30 pm. Tickets are extra, and while beer and wine are included, bring cash for tips. Children do not usually attend.
Reservations are recommended as seats are limited. The seats are assigned, they do not have arms or backs, and sometimes you will have to use a table leg. Space is limited. Let them know in advance of any dietary needs.
Advice
- Wear comfortable shoes. You will be wandering around 30 acres of unpaved terrain.
- Don’t try to do and see everything in one day. You cannot do it and you will feel frustrated. Pick a few events or shows that are important to you, plan around them, and take the rest of the day as it comes.
- No food or drink allowed outdoors.
- No pets allowed.
- Strollers and wheelchairs are available to rent, on a first-come, first-served basis.
- You can come dressed in a costume. Many people do. Costumes are also available for rent. Costume swords and daggers are allowed as long as they are properly sheathed.
- Bring cash for food, games, and attractions. Cash tips are appropriate at the Pleasure Party. The tips are also appreciated by many of the artists. There are ATMs at the Festival.
- Stop shopping until the end of your day, so you don’t have to lug around your goodies. If you want to deposit your treasures in your car and return, your hand will be stamped at the main entrance.
- You can enter or exit programs at any time, even when they are in progress. Nobody cares except Ded Bob.
- Over the years, the Arizona Renaissance Festival has grown significantly. The few stages, with hay bale seats, have been replaced by many stages, with benches. There are still some bales left.
- Bring your camera.
- Remember that an outdoor location like this can get quite hot on a sunny day. There are several shady areas in the gardens, and all stages have a shade cover, but don’t forget to wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
- Don’t you know what a toilet is? This is what gentlemen and damsels refer to as a bath.
- The Arizona Renaissance Festival has a separate area for those of you who want to have a unique wedding.
- Looking for a job at the Arizona Renaissance Festival? Call 520-463-2600.
