Celebrate the 58th Anniversary of the Renaissance Pleasure Faire (April 4 thru May 17)

‘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 58th anniversary season, beginning April 4th, and continuing each weekend through May 17th, 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, 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 $29 for adults and $14.50 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 $29 for adults and $14.50 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. 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 mask or 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 wine garden next to the Royal Oak 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. You must check in 30 minutes early for wristband. No refunds within 24 hours of scheduled Pub Crawl. 10 tickets will be available for day-of purchase, cash only, at the Crown & Anchor Pub on a first-come, first-served basis.

Special themed events are planned, including:

Weekend 1

April 4 & 5, 2020

Opening Weekend Celebration