Find medieval merriment at Carolina Renaissance Festival

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Calling all time travelers: The Carolina Renaissance Festival has returned for the 2021 season. The annual event will be held on Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 2 through Nov. 21.

ALSO READ: Ice skating returns to Whitewater Center

The festival, a combination of outdoor theater, circus, arts and crafts fair and jousting tournament, takes place on a 325-acre site at 16445 Poplar Tent Road in Huntersville.

Last year was the first time in the festival’s 25-plus-year history that the event was canceled for an entire season.

Tickets

Tickets cost $27 for adults (ages 13 and older) and $17 for children ages 5-12. Tickets purchased at the gate cost $1 more ($28 and $18). Senior and military discount tickets are available at the gate by showing a valid ID. Children age 4 and younger are admitted free.

Tickets can be purchased online, at the gate and at Harris-Teeter stores. Click here for more information or to purchase tickets.

Parking is free.

COVID-19 Protocols

Health and safety protocols include the requirement of face masks or coverings in indoor spaces such as festival shops and the mermaid grotto. Festival performers will be wearing face coverings when they’re unable to maintain a 20-foot distance from the audience. In addition, interactive performances have been modified to reduce physical contact. Face masks are also recommended in crowded spaces where social distancing is difficult.

For more information on the festival’s COVID-19 protocols, click here.

Special Events

Nov. 6-7: Pirates’ Christmas Weekend – Enjoy special pirate entertainment all weekend. There will also be a pirate costume contest for children and adults.

Nov. 13-14: Time Travelers’ Weekend – Dress as your favorite time traveling character inspired by movies, television, comic books, science fiction or fantasy for a chance to win free tickets for a return visit and other prizes in the Time Traveler’s costume contest.

Children ages 5-12 will be admitted free with a donation of school supplies at the Parent Teacher Magazine, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Classroom Central booths at the festival entrance.

Nov. 20-21: Final Huzzah! Children can receive free admission with a canned food donation at the festival gates.

Click here for more information on the festival’s special events.

For more information on the Carolina Renaissance Festival, go to carolina.renfestinfo.com

(WATCH: Checking out “Moonlight on Main” in Belmont)