Maryland Renaissance Festival 2019: Dates, Tickets, Entertainers

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Nine weekends of jousting, singers, courtiers and food kick off Aug. 24 at the Maryland Renaissance Festival 2019, held at Revel Grove outside Annapolis. The 43rd season of the country's second-largest renaissance festival is held at 1821 Crownsville Road, complete with jousting, minstrels, magicians, crafts and a re-creation of King Henry VIII and his court. The event runs Saturdays and Sundays, plus Labor Day Monday, through Oct. 20.

More than 200 professional performers take part on stage, in authentic combat armored jousting on steeds and streets filled with village characters. Join His Most Royal Highness King Henry VIII and his court in the forests and glades with over 140 artisans exhibiting crafts in their own renaissance shops, five taverns featuring cool libations, and 42 food and beverage emporiums providing an array of treats.

Returning favorite performers among the ten stages include Shakespeare’s Skum in its 35th year performing the Bard’s most popular plays in 20 minutes; A Fool Named “O”; the Wheel of Death, Sirena, Topsy Turvy, Piper Jones, CuDubh and Dario "El” Gaucho.

The jousting troupe Debracey Productions returns with a field full of horses, men in armor, chariots, trick riding and thrills. Other acts include: gravedigger Digger Plotts with killer comedy; Hey Nunnie Nunnie’s song and patter; Hilby, the Skinny German Juggle Boy; the Danger Committee thrills with knife throwing and whip snappery; London Broil cooks up rare juggling; and the comedy sword fighting of Puke and Snot.

Parking is free; all beverages, foods, and games require cash only. Some crafts stands have the ability to accept credit/debit cards, but not all.

The first three weekends, from Aug. 24 through Sept. 8, the Festival reduces pricing for all without coupons or special purchasing required to offer family friendly entertainment pricing. Tickets beginning Sept. 14 through Oct. 20 are for peak season. Prices, special event info and full schedules are available at www.marylandrenaissancefestival.com.

Rain or shine, the festival will remain open and continue with its normal operation.

While costumes are not required, they are encouraged. So come decked out as your favorite warrior or queen, rake or rogue; costumes can be rented at the festival.

Ticket/Admissions

The festival is open Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 20, plus Labor Day, Sept. 2. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Ticket prices Aug. 24 through Sept. 8:

• Senior (Ages 62+) $18
• Adults (Ages 16-61) $20
• Children (Ages 7- 15) $9
• 2 Day Pass $41
• **Children 7 and under free and do not require a ticket**

Ticket prices Sept. 14 through Oct. 20:

• Senior (Ages 62+) $23
• Adults (Ages 16-61) $27
• Children (Ages 7- 15) $12
• 2 Day Pass $41
• **Children 7 and under free and do not require a ticket**

Directions/Parking

The Maryland Renaissance Festival is located at: 1821 Crownsville Rd. Annapolis, MD 21401. You can find more information about how to get to the festival by visiting its website. Driving directions from Washington D.C., Baltimore, Eastern Shore/Annapolis, Southern Maryland (St Mary's and Waldorf areas), Dahlgren, VA, Frederick/Western MD, and from New York/New Jersey/Harford County (MD) are all posted online.

To avoid traffic and waiting to park, organizers suggesting arriving early in the morning. Peak traffic hours coming in are from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and leaving between 6:30 p.m. and closing.

Gate Restrictions On Weapons, Toys

No weapons (blades, firearms, explosives) are allowed on festival grounds. While artisans at the festival sell real weaponry, those items may not be brandished on the grounds, the event website says. Any weapons purchased within the festival grounds must remain within the original packaging when purchased.

Obvious toy weapons are limited based on the discretion of the festival security staff. If the prop weapon looks realistic to their real weaponry counterparts, it must be returned to your vehicle. Toy weapons permitted are the wooden swords sold at the festival (with the exception of Hollow Earth weaponry, those are classified as a training weapons), foam weapons, and Nerf toys.

Pets, Food And More

• Attendees may bring in one sealed water bottle per person through the main gate. All other beverages are not allowed. The festival offers a wide selection of both beverages (Nonalcoholic and Alcoholic) and foods.
• Pets are not allowed on the grounds, with the exception of trained and legally identified service working animals.
• Smoking is allowed only in five designated areas.

What are the bathroom facilities at the festival?

The festival bathroom facilities are located in six locations, utilizing individual port-a-johns in each location. Five locations are equipped with a baby changing/nursing station, hand sanitizer, paper towels, and currently one hand washing station located in the center privies location (more to come in other locations). Locations can be found on the map within the brochure when you visit the festival.