The Kansas City Renaissance Festival

The Entrance to the KC Renaissance Festival Celebrating 45 Years — The entrance to the KC Renaissance Festival

I have been going to the KC Renaissance Festival since I was about 5. I was lucky my parents like to go, and we would dress up. Once I really got into it in high school, we would get season passes. I met my husband there, and I have been part of a musical comedy show, The Medieval Medicine Show for over 7 years. You probably get the picture that I enjoy the Renaissance Festival. Adults getting together and playing make-believe with costumes, food, shopping, entertainment, and the outdoors. I look forward to it every year and spend about 14 days there each fall. Read more to learn how you can make this your next glorious adventure.

Dates and Hours

7 Weekends Starting Labor Day, 10am-7pm. Special event tickets are limited, so buy them in advance. There are always deals going on for discounted entry tickets, and they are cheaper online, so check out the website (link at the bottom). If you think you’ll make multiple visits, go ahead and get a season pass.

Experience

Spend a few hours or days exploring the village of Canterbury during the Renaissance. Escape from the modern world and enjoy all the fun parts of Renaissance England. For the best experience, I encourage you to dress up (even just one costume item starts the fun, and there are plenty of places selling costumes there). Each weekend has a theme you may want to consider when planning your trip and outfit. While there are benefits to going on your own (getting to see what you want when you want), the festival really shines when shared with friends and family. If you really get into it, there are many ways to join the festival.

Knightwings: Birds of Prey is one of many shows you can watch

Shows

There are stages set throughout the festival with a constant rotation of 30-minute shows. You’ll find comedy, music, magic, combat, dance, and more. Check out the Children’s Realm for entertainment for children and the pub crawl or happy hour (special tickets needed) for 21 and over bawdy humor. A few shows that you’ll typically find from year to year include: the Jolly Rogers, Dr. Dumpe, Bob the Incredible Juggler, Robin Hood Swill Pond Show, Clearly Guilty, Misti Bernard, Gaelic Brass, Knightwings: Birds of Prey, Maxwell the Magnificent, Bonny Way, and Bawdily Harm just to mention a few. There are always new acts showing up and acts visiting from other festivals. Get a program at the gate to find out when and where to find the different acts. There’s a daily human combat chess match, and check out the Pub Sing at 5:45pm to see highlights from different music groups. There is usually a scenario featuring the Royal Court that starts at the opening gate, runs throughout the day, and ends at the closing gate. You’ll find costumed characters throughout the lanes that would love to interact with you. Ask them about their day and their life.

Special Events

Make sure to check out the Special Events listing for things like the joust, costume contests, tasting events (special tickets needed), Queen’s Tea, and daily parade. Many ticketed special events sell out during the later part of the season, so buy tickets online in advance (see link below).

Shopping

There is no shortage of things to buy from jewelry to mugs, swords to leather, toys to costumes, scented oil to candles, pottery, and more. While many larger booths do accept credit cards, it’s a good idea to bring cash. It also helps the vendors avoid credit card processing fees. Many booths will hold your purchase for you until the end of the day (don’t forget to go back for it!) or you can run it out to your car. Just make sure to get a hand stamp to get back in.

Food and Drink

A knight reaches for a cold drink from horseback — A knight reaches for a cold flagon during a joust from horseback

Eat, drink, and be merry! Don’t miss a turkey leg (big enough to share) and all the expected fried foods and foods on a stick. From kettle corn and crepes to chicken and chips or a Scotch Egg, you’ll find all your favorite festival foods. There are plenty of spots to buy adult beverages as well from beers and wine to mead, cider, seltzer, and cocktails. All of the ticketed Royal Events include food or drink (and can sell out).

Games and Rides

You’ll find swings and games of skill like axe throwing and archery throughout the festival as well as camel rides. These all have an additional cost requiring cash.

Lindsay and her mom during Lindsay’s first visit to the KC Renfest

Kids

The festival is a magical place for children. Make sure to see the King and Queen and explore the Children’s Realm and Enchanted Forest. Also, make note of the restrooms and food and give plenty of time to get through lines at the busier, later part of the season. Stay hydrated.

Weddings and Special Events

Consider this fun venue for a theme wedding, anniversary, family reunion, or corporate event.

Lindsay and her mom in front of a metal dragon — So many great photo spots

Tips

Bring cash for actual tips. It’s customary to tip a few dollars for each show you watch. Many of the food booths also only accept cash. Bring more than you think you’ll need and avoid long ATM lines and ATM fees.

Come earlier in the season before it gets crowded. You will wait in many more lines the last 2 weekends compared to the first 5. The trade-off is hotter weather.

Dress for the weather. The festival is rain or shine. Be prepared for sun, mud, bugs, and even cold weather depending on the day.

The terrain is rough (no paved sidewalks yet in the Renaissance), so prepare for quite a bit of walking.

You can register and bring your dog, but make sure he/she can handle the extreme stimulation (costumes, kids, animals, food) and novelty and all the little pieces of turkey leg on the ground you may not want them eating. Also, prepare your pet for the weather and provide water and a chance to get away from the crowds. There is a “cannon” at the start and end of the day your pet may prefer to avoid.

Location

633 N 130th Street, Bonner Springs, KS 66012

Parking

Free parking at both the King’s Gate at the front and the Queen’s Gate at the rear. Don’t be surprised if you are parking on grass or gravel. GPS may take you to the Queen’s gate at the rear of the festival. Make note of where you parked.

The parking is shared with Sandstone Amphitheater (by whatever name it is going by from year to year).