The Reddit Renaissance Festival FAQ

Ventured to the Ohio Ren Faire outside Cincinnati a few times this season. First time going to a Ren Faire and loved it!

Shout out to the great performers photographed here: Jousting by Combatants Keep Jousting, whipping by Jacque ze Whipper, and birds from Midwest Falconry.

Much to talk about my enjoyment, though I'll focus on one aspect that struck me. My third visit I made some extra effort to leave my phone and camera in the car and just experience the Faire. Chatting with other attendees in the crowds and fully experiences the performances. The focus of just being present throughout the visit was lovely and elevated my enjoyment. I felt much more engaged and a part of the experience. Highly recommend visiting more than once to get different experiences, not only in what you see but how you see it.

My friend and I (the light blonde) designed and made the shirts ourselves. We had a blast and a lot of people thought we actually had a booth and worked there lol!

I'm slowly getting my whole family into ren faire. I am spreading it like a disease. 😈 On Saturday we were an adventuring party! Two barbarians, a wizard, and a goblin lol.

I have posted my goblin outfit here before and a lot of people had suggestions on how to make it better! I followed some of that advice, so an update on the body paint situation:

I switched from Mehron Paradise (water based) to ProAiir (alcohol based). Because of the switch, I was able to ditch the arm socks and do a more custom paint color so everything matched better. I did not use an airbrush. A makeup brush was just fine. I kept the tights because the less paint the better and I didn't want to put my bare legs on benches and chairs at the faire anyway.

It held up EXTREMELY well even in the Texas heat + humidity. I didn't lose any paint. I was careful when touching anything at booths *just in case* and did as little touching as possible, but the paint was still basically untouched by the end of the day.

This subreddit was where I originally came looking for advice on body paint at the ren faire and a lot of older posts helped me out, so I hope this is helpful for future goblins and orcs too 💖 Trying to convince my family to let me paint them next time but everyone said no smh

Can’t wait to go back next year! 🏰♥️👑

I think I am finally toeing the line of trinkets that verge on being something someone would sell.

i had scrap 4oz leather i cut and dyed the leaves out of, the bead is from hobby lobby and the acorn bell from Etsy.

if You are going to Escondido on the 1st you’ll have a chance to get one from me if ya do trinket trading.

Texas just opened its 2026 season, and it was absolutely scorching. I really have to give massive props to the performers this year. Watching the guys in full steel combat taking broadsword hits in 90-degree heat was wild.

I caught some great traveling acts on the smaller stages, and I ended the day watching the full-contact joust as golden hour hit the arena.

I put together a quick video focused on the action, the performers, and the day's overall atmosphere. If you want to see some real armor-crushing hits and how the Texas faire does it, you can check out the footage here: https://youtu.be/gxpQ1NBjJMY?list=PLDqztRjj27zbK8JRgi6gvbJgIm50nPOz7

Check it out it’s finished. I’m not trying to be historically accurate here but it is a working progress. For this weekend the black mini Alice will do. I’m eventually want a green canvas bag. I’m proud I did this without cutting my self. I’m just happy I got it done in time for the ELY REN faire.

Ready for Halloween weekend Saturday! I also have dice, curse words and praise for the good girls. Look for the pirate all dressed in black with a belt full of trinkets.

We are all blown away by the visual and sound editing. I can't stop watching it! I figured others would enjoy too

I know there has been a lot of discussion about what should or should not be ALLOWED at ren faires, but has anyone here heard of a faire requiring you to participate via either period appropriate or themed costume?

Someone on another (unrelated) sub was claiming thats the norm or at least very common, but that is so far outside of my experience that I can't believe thats the case. My experience is that the themes are completely optional, and there isnt a single faire out there that is going to turn you away for wearing something that doesnt match the theme or isn't period appropriate (barring some very specific exclusions like full-faced masks and apparently fur-suits in some places).

So - am I wrong? Are there faires out there that ask you to only dress up if its period appropriate or matches their weekend theme?

And, just to foster the discussion a bit - is that something people would want? I'm not sure I would want to give money to a faire that was that exclusionary or strict. The word gate-keeper comes to mind...

My lady and I!

A friend of mine makes these. Fully hand crafted.

I'm trying to convince her to bring them to a vendor booth.

What do you think?

This was my outfit for this year! It was so funnn. So many awesome people! If anyone took pictures with me could you dm them to me I didn’t take enough pics of myself! +trinket haul

Cross post, but a very applicable group for my question.

This is my first ren fair fit. Invested a good bit in it. I don’t love my bracers already planning to get a better pair. Only Amazon items are the belt/pouch and pants (which feel low quality). The the cloak, black shirt, and leather jerkin are all “mythylon” from medieval collectibles. Going to NC ren faire in late November, so will probably get a larp sword and sword frog next! Thanks for any suggestions.

Kinda going not full ranger, but like ranger, traveler, warrior hybrid. Some armor would be cool but not sure how it would work with a cloak.

Join us for mead and merriment at The Knight Out!

Join Orian of The Queens Vanguard proud Legionnaire of The Ebon Legion And ChamrsDeluxe, for Knight Out at Star Dust Cellars this Friday, October 16, starting at 6:30 PM.

Don your finest garb and share a drink with us.

This month's gathering features a costume contest judged by Orian and Chamrs , with three categories:

Best Knight, Best Fantasy Costume, and Crowd Favorite

Each winner will receive a free Ebon Legion crafting class voucher for 2027, plus one of three Stardust prizes: a mead flight, a four-pack, or a spot in January's Mead Making and Historv Class with owner Nico!

Star Stardust Cellars

228 N Main St, Downtown Mooresville NC

Bring your adventuring party or come meet ours. Costumes are encouraged, and all are welcome at our table!

Didn't get to take a lot of pictures this weekend cause Hurricane weather but has some really cool people come visit the booth at ORF this weekend.

As much as I love the faire. I think they need to do better with serving people alcohol. There have been a few times people (mostly women in my case) want a picture. Cause when you dress up people like that.

But if they have had a few "adult coca colas" they tend to get handsy and cross some lines.

Before you ask. Yes I do try and notify security but either I can't find anyone or if I do the person is long gone.

I don't have an issue if they are sober.

And the problem people are visibly drunk.

Im not saying ban liquor. Just cut people off when they are visibly drunk.

….is getting to be on our wench type shii lol