‘Tis a great and mighty wonder, this joyous feast day brings! Your trip may only take you ten minutes East of Pasadena, but you’ll end up 500 years and a continent away. Step through our gate, out of the modern, weary world, and into a land of unbridled imagination, celebration, and compassion. The Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire – the world’s oldest – presents its 57th anniversary season, beginning April 6th, and continuing each weekend through May 19th, at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale, CA.
Set in the royal shipyard city of Deptford during the reign of Elizabeth, fairgoers – many of whom dress in period costumes – are immersed in the music, language, merchant scene, and entertainment of the era. Thousands of performers roam the 23-acre lakeside shire, including Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, and Sir Francis Drake, as well as a bevy of knights, ladies, peasants, and more colorful characters than one could count! There are 13 stages of entertainment featuring more than 40 performance groups, such as magicians, dancers, jousters, witty comedians, musicians, storytellers, jugglers and improvisation troupes.
The town is abuzz with excitement as the grandest jousting knight in all of England has agreed to hold a Pas D’Armes for Her Majesty’s visit in the hope of becoming her champion. This is a jousting tournament where select and elite challengers test their mettle in spectacular feats of equestrian skill, and noble, bone-crunching jousts of honor. Will arrogance and might take the day? Can skill and speed, or grace and beauty, win Her Majesty’s favor? Or will deceit and anger overpower the best laid plans as the jousts become a fast-paced, deadly duel of cold steel and splintering lances.
The invigorating Entertainment lineup includes fun for everyone. New this year, the devilishly handsome and outrageously acrobatic Kevin Armour presents Up in Arms, passionately lyrical singer/songwriter Kris Colt showcases her ancestral Celtic music, toe-tapping world music band Wine & Alchemy bring original and traditional songs to get you off your hay bales and dance in the aisles, The Jackdaws feature driving melodies and aggressive lyrics to excite you and keep you coming back for more, Bob Barker Marionettes bring out the child in everyone, and The Lynx Show promises death- defying feats of magic, sword swallowing, and comedy with a strong positive message.
Revisit old friends such as The Washing Well Wenches, “Wet Dirty Women, Good Clean Fun!” Belly laugh at the antics and hijinks of the Clan Tynker Family Circus. MooNiE! The Magnif’Cent will tickle your funny bone with his whimsical companions. Join Broon for his zany vaudevillian smack down. Watch Sky Kings Falconry with their free-flying falconry and birds of prey, and witness Draiku’s aerial delights. Sing along with local favorites such as the Poxy Boggards, and The Merry Wives of Windsor. And for international dance and musical flare, don’t miss the world-renowned Seraphim Arabesque, who will share hypnotic movements and have you dancing in the aisles.
Elizabeth I, whose reign is noted as the start of the English Renaissance period, greets fairgoers throughout the day, and also holds audience at a royal tea. Tea with the Queen is at 4:00 p.m. Daily in the St. Cuthbert Guild Yard, where authentic English scones, tea sandwiches, tarts and tea are served. Reservations are required. Admission is $26 for adults and $13 for children and includes a commemorative teapot.
The Unrulie Foolie Tea: Join the Court of Misrule for tea and have a crazy MAD time! Be prepared for fun and zany antics as these fools stir a little sugar into the mix of your day. The daily Unrulie Foolie Tea is at 2:00 p.m. in the St. Cuthbert Guild Yard, where authentic English scones, tea sandwiches, tarts and tea are served. Reservations are required. Admission is $26 for adults and $13 for children and includes a commemorative teapot.
The wee ones and the young at heart will enjoy Kids’ Kingdom, where games, crafts, story- telling, songs, interactive shows, and magic are featured in the fairytale land. Join in the fun, where you can see shows like Foolish Fractured Fairy Tales, The Witches’ Apprentice, The Giant’s Treasure, Beauty and the Beast, Merlin's School Of Magic, and Gwendolyn’s Quest.
Knighting Ceremony: Be one of only 25 lucky children each day to be made a Knight or Dame of the Realm by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in person! Signups start at 2:00 p.m. for the 4:20 pm ceremony at Kids' Kingdom.
Gnome Hunt: Gnomes have invaded Port Deptford! Start at the Front Gate of Deptford or at the desk at Kids’ Kingdom to get your special gnome hunt map. Then seek out the many gnomes hidden about the village in the guild yards, markets, and shops. When you find them, get the shopkeepers and guild members to sign your map. Then return to Kids’ Kingdom to receive your Official Gnome Finder Certificate and credit towards this year’s Collectible Limited Edition Medallion.
Children's Militia: The Guild of St. Michael (near the joust) enlists kids of all ages in a fun and educational experience. A careful history and use of weapons is explained, and the kids get to learn how each weapon is used through hands-on interaction. Placed in groups, the new soldiers are then taught drilling and advancement techniques. Upon completion of the half hour course, the kids lead the march on the tournament field during the Royal Joust (with the Queen, no less!) Parents, get your cameras ready.
While costumes are not necessary for admittance, thousands of people each year enhance their experience by donning garb from the Elizabethan era, or participate in one of our special themed weekends by dressing up as their favorite pirate, time traveler, fairy, or fantasy character! Come dressed to the nines in your favorite costume or treat yourself to a brand-new look as you peruse a variety of clothing options available for rent or purchase in the Faire’s extensive Marketplace, which is focused on hand-made wares. The shops of more than 125 artisans dot the fairgrounds, offering not only a tempting selection of clothing, from authentic Renaissance looks to fantasy and contemporary choices, but so much more! Accessorize with eye-catching hats, bags, and exquisite jewelry. Make the look your own with a creative maskor indulge your inner warrior with the perfect set of hand-crafted armor and weaponry. Choose a tankard, goblet, or drinking horn to help you sample all the tantalizing tastes the Faire has to offer. And take the sights and delicious scents of the Faire home (or find the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy-for someone) with exotic spices and incense, fine soaps, or unique and beautifully wrought pieces of pottery, sculpture, blown glass, original artwork, and other décor for the home and garden.
With so many merchants in the village, plus an ever-changing array of guest artisans, you’re certain to find something you can’t live without. And if the sight of so much artistry gets your creative juices flowing, why not partake of one of our arts and crafts workshops, such as Celtic drawing, beadwork, or basket weaving, which are offered for all ages at Queen’s College for those who crave a DIY souvenir.
Healthy appetites will welcome a roasted turkey leg – the meaty icon of the Faire – as they quench their thirst on their favorite ale or port. Dozens of food vendors offer an array of foods, from fish and chips and sausages to salads and sorbets. Vegetarian entrees and desserts are available.
Pub Crawl (Every Faire Day)
Laugh, sing, and stumble your way through the faire in a guided tour of our finest pubs! The Pub Crawl visits 6 pubs, and you receive one drink at each location – anything on tap, including cider! There are two crawls daily: 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. Meet at the Crown & Anchor Pub to begin your crawl. The cost is $50 per person, in addition to a regular admission ticket. Each crawl is limited to 25 participants. 15 tickets are available for purchase online via ShowClix to ensure your spot. You must redeem your Pub Crawl tickets at the Crown & Anchor Pub. No refunds within 24 hours of scheduled Pub Crawl. 10 tickets will be available for day-of purchase at the Crown & Anchor Pub on a first-come, first-served basis.
Special themed events are planned, including:
Weekend 1, Opening Weekend Celebration - April 6 & 7, 2019 Join Sir Francis Drake and Lord Mayor Barnabus Blyss as they Open Wide the Gates to the 2018 Renaissance Pleasure Faire’s 57th anniversary season! Members of our e-newsletter receive special discounts for Opening Weekend!
Weekend 2: April 13 & 14 Time Traveler Weekend / Marketplace Bonus Ticket Weekend / Children (age 5 – 12) Admitted Free
Time Traveler Weekend – We invite all our guests to dress up in your finest time- traveling attire. No matter which century you portray, we’re looking forward to celebrating a leap back (or forward) in time! It is, after all, a big ball of wibbly wobbly timey wimey... stuff.
Out of Time Photo Hunt – The chronotons are out of alignment! Seek clues at the Guest Services booths and follow them to four locations throughout Deptford. There, find the Official Renaissance Pleasure Faire Photo Hunt sign and take a selfie with it! Once you’ve located all the signs and have taken photos with them, post those photos to Facebook or Instagram using our special hashtag, #RPFtimetravel. We’ll choose three lucky winners each day this weekend to win tickets to return to the show during the 2019 season!
Marketplace Weekend –Spend $250 or more with our merchants or artisans during Marketplace Weekend and receive 2 FREE tickets for every $250 spent to come back to the Faire in 2019. Offer does not apply to games, rides, food, beverage or the Renaissance Collection Stores. Paper receipts must be presented at the Guest Services Booth (located inside the Faire, near the front gate) by 7 p.m. to receive tickets.
Children Admitted Free – When accompanied by one adult ticket purchase, all children ages 12 and younger are admitted free. No coupon required. Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
Fools Guild Parade and Coronation – Join the fun with the Grande Fool’s Parade and Coronation of the 2019 King of Fools. There will be plenty of crazy antics and festivities throughout the city... and we’re not fooling around.
Weekend 3: April 20 & 21
Pirate Weekend
Yar! Hoist the mainsails, don your best dress, and polish your peg leg, ye scallywags, for pirates and sailors of all sorts are taking over Deptford this weekend! Whether you love to sing sea shanties, have perfected your pirate talk, or just love the beauty of sailing upon the open ocean – this is a weekend for all things nautical, piratical, and fun! Mark it on your calendars, because this is a weekend you don’t want to miss!
Photo Treasure Hunt – Seek treasure, do ye? Like puzzles and adventures? Then our photo hunt is for you! Seek out the clues at the Guest Services Gazebo near the front gate and follow them to four locations throughout Deptford. There, find the Official Renaissance Pleasure Faire Photo Hunt sign and take a selfie with it! Once you’ve located all four signs and taken photos with them, post those photos to Facebook or Instagram using our special hashtag #RPFpirate. We’ll choose three lucky winners each day this weekend to win tickets to return to the show during the 2019 season!
Beard Contest – Join us at 3 p.m. at the Felicity Cove Stage for Deptford’s first Beard Contest. Prizes will be awarded for the longest and the most decorated beard. Please sign up at the Guest Services Booth at the top of the food court before 2:30 p.m. to enter this contest. Winners will be awarded with tickets to return to the show during the 2019 season.
Pirate Puns for the Young Swashbuckler – Bring your favorite Pirate Pun to Kids’ Kingdom for a pun-off! The Pun FUN starts at 3:45 p.m. each day prior to the arrival of the Queen.
Easter Sunday (April 21 ONLY!) – Children Admitted Free – As a special holiday treat, all children 12 and younger will be admitted free on Sunday, April 21st. Must be accompanied by one adult ticket purchase. No coupon required. Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
Weekend 4: April 27 & 28
RennConTM/Craft Brew Celebration/ Marketplace Weekend
RennConTM – Trying to decide whether to hit the Faire or the con this weekend? Now you no longer need to choose! Join us on RennConTM, for our celebration of cosplay in all its forms. Attend a panel, take in the scenery, and enjoy some very special surprises! Whether you draw your inspiration from the sci-fi scene, anime, comics, television, fairy tales, or anywhere else... we invite you to mingle with our 16th-century townsfolk in the biggest costume party in L.A.
Costume Contest Weekend – Present your Cosplay Costume to our three judges at the stone ramada near the Royal Music Stage. Be prepared to explain how and why you created your garb for the day. Costume judging will begin at 11 a.m. and run through 3:30 p.m. The Costume Contest winners will be announced at 4:45 p.m. at the Felicity Cove Stage.
Craft Brew Celebration – Let your tastebuds experience a variety of craft brews while enjoying all that the Faire has to offer. This weekend will feature dozens of local and international craft brews throughout the shire. Come join us for a tour!
Bonus Tickets: Take 2! Back by popular demand! Spend $250 or more with our merchants or artisans during Marketplace Weekend and receive 2 FREE tickets for every $250 spent to come back to the Faire in 2019. Offer does not apply to games, rides, food, beverage or the Renaissance Collection Stores. Paper receipts must be presented at the Guest Services Booth (located OUTSIDE the Faire, near the front gate) by 7 p.m. to receive tickets.
Maids of Honour in Training – (for ages 6-10) Be one of 20 lucky little girls of the realm! Join the Maids of Honour in the Nobles Glade to learn how to tend to the Queen. The Maids of Honour in Training will learn to walk, reverence and address people like a true Maid of Honour. The new Maids might even perhaps have the opportunity to meet the Queen! Sign up at the Guest Services Gazebo inside the Front Gate.
Weekend 5: May 4 & 5 - Scouts Weekend / NEW! – Monsters & Magic
Girl/Boy/Spiral, etc. Scouts Weekend – Uniformed Scouts and Leaders (for ANY scout organization) receive a discount for their entire group at the Box Office only (not offered on-line).
Scouts Ages 5 – 12 = FREE (regularly $15.00)
Scouts Ages 13 – 17 = $10.00 (regularly $29.95)
Scouts/Leaders Ages 18 and up = $20.00 (regularly $29.95)
There will be a list of Scout-Related Badge and Journey work available INSIDE the Faire at the Guest Services Gazebo. (Click here for Example 2018 activities. Activities only available May 4 & 5, 2019.) All Scouts can complete a Faire Passport to earn a patch: $5 per patch; $3 per rocker patch per year.
NEW: Monsters & Magic – Whether you believe it’s “LeviOsa”, or “LevioSA”, we’re sure you’ll find our weekend dedicated to all things magical and monstrous an uplifting experience! Join us as we celebrate all things dark and spooky, as well as the magic that allows them to exist in our Monsters and Magic weekend! Tighten your neck bolts, comb your fur, and sharpen your fangs because this weekend is going to be wicked!
Monsters & Magic Trivia – Join us at 1 p.m. at the stone ramada near the Royal Music Stage for a 30-minute game of trivia. From Folklore to Harry Potter and everything in between, get ready to test your knowledge! Teams (up to 6 people each), may sign up at the Food Court Guest Services booth prior to 12:30 p.m. to participate.
Spooky Limerick Contest – Give us a fright by submitting your spooky and scary limericks to us. Limericks should feature either monsters or magical themes and should somehow feature Deptford – either by using our village as a locale, or by featuring some of our local characters in your work. The top four limericks will be featured on our Facebook page for a contest in which you – the adoring public – get to vote! The two winners with the most likes will win tickets to visit Deptford this season! Please submit your limerick to rpfsfriends@renfair.com before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23rd. Voting will take place on Facebook on Wednesday, April 24th! The Limerick Contest winners will be announced at 4:45 p.m. at the Felicity Cove Stage.
Weekend 6: May 11 & 12 - Heroes & Villains/ Military Appreciation
Military Appreciation Weekend – The Renaissance Pleasure Faire supports our Active and Veteran Military, Police, Fire Department, and EMT personnel with valid ID. Save $4 off adult tickets with ID this weekend! Join us this weekend for a beautiful, handmade favor for members of the US Military. Favors only available May 11 & 12. Look for parchment signs within the Faire to find this year’s favor locations.
Heroes & Villains – Wear your colors with pride, and help us celebrate this weekend with a brand new twist! Step out and join the Heroes – or the Villains – for a weekend filled with daring deeds and diabolical schemes. Expect fandom photo opportunities and larger than life personalities, and prepare to have a good, or wicked, or just a wicked good time!
Everyday Heroes Write-In Contest – Is there someone in your life who is a superhero or heroine? Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized for their everyday acts of kindness, selflessness, or heroism? We’d like to hear about it! Post on our Facebook Event Page and tell us in 50 words or less why your nominee should be selected as our hero or heroine. Entrees accepted until 5 p.m. on May 1st. We’ll pick our favorites and treat them to a day at the Faire, as well as invite them to a special ceremony where they can be recognized and knighted!
Maids of Honour in Training – (for ages 6-10) Be one of 20 lucky little girls of the realm! Join the Maids of Honour in the Nobles Glade to learn how to tend to the Queen. The Maids of Honour in Training will learn to walk, reverence and address people like a true Maid of Honour. The new Maids might even perhaps have the opportunity to meet the Queen! Sign up at the Guest Services Gazebo inside the Front Gate.
Final Weekend: May 18 & 19 - Closing Weekend & Fantasy Finale
Closing Day Parade – Join us as we celebrate the final day of our 57th season. Don’t miss the fun on Sunday, as we carry on the tradition of our Closing Day Parade!
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that profoundly affected European intellectual life in the early modern period. Beginning in Italy, and spreading to the rest of Europe by the 16th century, its influence affected literature, philosophy, art, politics, science, religion, and other aspects of intellectual inquiry. In England, the Elizabethan era (1558-1603) marked the beginning of the English Renaissance with the work of writers William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Edmund Spenser, Sir Thomas More, Francis Bacon, Sir Philip Sidney, and John Milton, as well as great artists, architects, and composers.
The Renaissance - to be “reborn” - A time when individuals celebrated the awakening of a new idea, when light was let into darkness. The Renaissance Pleasure Faire celebrates the spirit of this period of history, where people have the willingness to try anything and everything. We offer the public an opportunity to experience a true Renaissance of our Renaissance, one that was introduced 56 years ago. The faire embraces a cornucopia of diversity and is unified in inviting our guests to enjoy the environment we have created – an escape from the stresses and demands of the modern day. We offer cutting edge performances, artisans, flavors, and culinary delights from the past and the future. These are the things which propel us into advanced forward thinking.
As William Shakespeare wrote, “Let the world slip, we shall ne’er be younger.” We are historically based with a twist of modern fusion. We are 56 years strong and the adventure has just begun.
Tickets for The Renaissance Pleasure Faire are $29.95 for adults and $15 for children aged 5-12. Children 4 and under are always free. Adult season passes are $155 and a child’s season pass is $70. Tickets can be purchased at the box office, or online at renfair.com. The seven-week Faire is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10 in the morn, ‘til 7 eventide April 7 – May 20 at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, 15501 Arrow Highway, Irwindale, CA. A Vehicle Entry fee of $10 is charged by Los Angeles County. For more information, visit renfair.com.
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