The Carolina Renaissance Festival, one of the largest renaissance-themed events in the country, is back celebrating 25 years of cheers.
Open for eight weekends, Sept. 29 through Nov. 18, the festival features 14 stages offering continuous music, dance, comedy and circus entertainment.
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New in 2018: a living mermaid exhibit where fairies of the sea enchant, delight and swim about inside a 30,000 lb. aquarium. Festival goers can also watch Fireflicker the curious dragon roam about the village to award dragon gold to children with magic in their hearts.
Plenty of festival favorites return too, such as the unbalanced acrobats and the popular jousting tournament with armored knights mounted on horseback.
In addition to the entertainment, village purveyors offer an endless feast of bread bowl stews, meats on sticks, sweet treats and confections. Craft beer, wine, champagne, ale, honey mead, lemonade and Medieval Margaritas are also available for purchase.
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The Carolina Renaissance Festival is open Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 18, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The festival is located on Highway 73 at Poplar Tent Road, north of Charlotte between Concord and Huntersville.
Advance discount tickets are available at Harris Teeter for $24 (adults) and $14 (kids ages 5-12). Tickets purchased at the gate cost $1 more or print your own online at carolina.renfestinfo.com. Military and senior discounts are available.
Children under 5 are admitted free. Parking is free.
For more information, check out carolina.renfestinfo.com.
>> Find more events happening in the Carolinas
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