Carolina Renaissance Festival

The Carolina Renaissance Festival returns to Huntersville every Saturday and Sunday from October 3 through November 22, 2026, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, rain or shine.

Families can cheer on three full-contact jousts a day, watch falconry and the sea-fairy mermaids, and wander between 16 stages of music, comedy and circus acts while more than a thousand costumed villagers roam the wooded Village of Fairhaven. Kids can try olde-world games and rides, and there are over 140 artisan shops with glassblowing, blacksmithing and other craft demonstrations.

Several weekends have special themes (for example, weekends with free child admission). Check the festival’s Special Event Weekends page before you go. Parking is free; pets are not allowed.