Alabama Renaissance Faire 2026

The Alabama Renaissance Faire 2026 will take place on Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Fountaine-on-the-Green (Wilson Park) in downtown Florence, Alabama. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the faire will bring together more than 80 artisans, live music, medieval combat demonstrations, historical encampments, games, contests, and family activities. Admission and street parking are free.

Recognized as Alabama’s official Renaissance faire, this volunteer-organized celebration focuses on European medieval and Renaissance history, particularly the period from 1330 to 1550. Its outdoor setting provides an opportunity to explore traditional crafts, meet costumed characters, and enjoy performances throughout the weekend.

⚔️ Medieval Combat and Living History

Historical combat demonstrations are part of the 2026 entertainment program, with participating groups presenting different fighting traditions and equipment.

Empire of Medieval Pursuits

Empire of Medieval Pursuits will present medieval combat demonstrations in the Devonshire area. Visitors can watch armored fighters and observe demonstrations inspired by historical martial traditions.

Egilsson Society

The Egilsson Society will establish a 17th-century living history encampment on Mercenary Greene. Its activities include steel combat demonstrations and presentations throughout both days.

SCA Shire of Glynn Rhe

The SCA Shire of Glynn Rhe will provide medieval combat demonstrations at Seminary Tor.

Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) demonstrations are also scheduled for Sunday at Stormy Hill.

🎶 Music, Theater, and Entertainment

Performances will take place at the North Windsor and South Devon stages, alongside roaming entertainment throughout Wilson Park.

The 2026 lineup includes:

• Barehead Bards: Traditional Irish and Scottish folk music.
• Andrew’s Legend: Irish tunes, original ballads, and Celtic folk songs.
• Land Loch’d: Live musical performances.
• Joyful Noise: Saturday musical entertainment.
• Retroactiv: Scheduled stage performances.
• Piccina Dreamer: Flute performances.
• Eric Faraskáld: Harp music.
• Bagpiper Jon Ray: Bagpipe performances and royal processions.
• Rainbow Dancers: Dance performances at the Conical Dwelling.
• The Full Moon Players: A theatrical presentation of “Sleepy Hollow.”

Other entertainers appearing throughout the grounds include Ahmarah the Mermaid, Bubble Fairy Heather, Lord Matthew the Dark Bard, L.U.T.E. The Living Statue, Mordecai Galand (Mort the Mage), Vellum the Book Troll, and Vespa the Bug Fae.

⚔️ Alabama Renaissance Faire 2026 Performance Schedule

Performances are scheduled at several locations throughout the grounds. Times and locations are subject to change.

Saturday, October 24, 2026

11:00 AM

• North Windsor: Barehead Bards.
• South Devon: Andrew’s Legend.
• Devonshire: Empire of Medieval Pursuits — medieval combat.

11:30 AM

• North Windsor: Joyful Noise.
• South Devon: Retroactiv.
• Devonshire: Empire of Medieval Pursuits — medieval combat.

12:00 PM

• North Windsor: Land Loch’d.
• South Devon: Piccina Dreamer, Flutist.
• Conical Dwelling: Rainbow Dancers.
• Seminary Tor: SCA Shire of Glynn Rhe — medieval combat.

12:30 PM

• Royal Pavilion at the Fountain: Opening Ceremony.

1:00 PM

• North Windsor: Barehead Bards.
• South Devon: The Full Moon Players present “Sleepy Hollow.”

1:30 PM

• North Windsor: Eric Faraskáld, Harpist.
• South Devon: Andrew’s Legend.
• Mercenary Greene: Egilsson Society — 17th-century living history and steel combat.
• Children’s Play Yard: Dragon Tales, the Story-Telling & Ice-Cream Selling Dragon.

2:00 PM

• North Windsor: Piccina Dreamer, Flutist.
• South Devon: Land Loch’d.
• Conical Dwelling: Rainbow Dancers.

2:30 PM

• North Windsor: Retroactiv.
• South Devon: Barehead Bards.
• Information Booth: Medieval/Renaissance dancing.
• Devonshire: Empire of Medieval Pursuits — medieval combat.

3:00 PM

• North Windsor: Andrew’s Legend.
• South Devon: Eric Faraskáld, Harpist.

3:30 PM

• Seminary Tor: SCA Shire of Glynn Rhe — medieval combat.

4:00 PM

• North Windsor: Land Loch’d.
• South Devon: Ceremonia di Nozze.
• Mercenary Greene: Egilsson Society — 17th-century living history and steel combat.

4:30 PM

• North Windsor: Eric Faraskáld, Harpist.
• South Devon: Piccina Dreamer, Flutist.
• Information Booth: Medieval/Renaissance dancing.
• Children’s Play Yard: Maypole Dance.

5:30 PM

• Royal Pavilion, east side of the fountain: Royal Performance.

Sunday, October 25, 2026

12:00 PM

• North Windsor: Land Loch’d.
• South Devon: Piccina Dreamer, Flutist.
• Conical Dwelling: Rainbow Dancers.
• Seminary Tor: SCA Shire of Glynn Rhe — medieval combat.

12:30 PM

• North Windsor: Barehead Bards.
• South Devon: Eric Faraskáld, Harpist.
• Seminary Tor: SCA Shire of Glynn Rhe — medieval combat.
• Information Booth: Medieval/Renaissance dancing.

1:00 PM

• North Windsor: Andrew’s Legend.
• South Devon: Retroactiv.
• Mercenary Greene: 17th-century living history and steel combat.

1:30 PM

• North Windsor: Piccina Dreamer, Flutist.
• South Devon: Land Loch’d.
• Children’s Play Yard: Dragon Tales, the Story-Telling & Ice-Cream Selling Dragon.

2:00 PM

• North Windsor: Eric Faraskáld, Harpist.
• South Devon: Barehead Bards.
• Conical Dwelling: Rainbow Dancers.
• Devonshire: Empire of Medieval Pursuits — medieval combat.
• Royal Pavilion, east side of the fountain: Art and Sonnet Contest Awards.

2:30 PM

• North Windsor: Retroactiv.
• South Devon: Andrew’s Legend.
• Royal Pavilion, east side of the fountain: Art and Sonnet Contest Awards.

3:00 PM

• Royal Pavilion, east side of the fountain: Coronation.

3:30 PM

• North Windsor: Land Loch’d.
• South Devon: Piccina Dreamer, Flutist.
• Seminary Tor: SCA Shire of Glynn Rhe — medieval combat.

4:00 PM

• North Windsor: Andrew’s Legend.
• Mercenary Greene: Egilsson Society — 17th-century living history and steel combat.

4:30 PM

• North Windsor: Barehead Bards.
• South Devon: Eric Faraskáld, Harpist.
• Devonshire: Empire of Medieval Pursuits — medieval combat.
• Information Booth: Medieval/Renaissance dancing.
• Children’s Play Yard: Maypole Dance.

5:30 PM

• Royal Pavilion, east side of the fountain: Royal Performance Closing.

Activities Available Throughout the Weekend

In addition to the timed performances, visitors can enjoy activities at various locations throughout the faire.

• Meet Ahmarah the Mermaid near the fountain.
• Try longbow and crossbow archery beside the Kennedy-Douglass Art Center.
• Listen to Bagpiper Jon Ray and roaming musicians.
• Visit the Egilsson Society’s living history encampment.
• See the children’s art exhibition at the Kennedy-Douglass Art Center.
• Participate in open chess play near the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library.
• Explore the Children’s Play Yard and its activities.
• Join the scavenger hunt beginning in the children’s area.
• Enjoy sailing a boat around the fountain with the Memorial Fleete.
• Meet roaming performers, fairies, and other costumed characters.

👑 Royal Ceremonies and Coronation

Royal processions and court activities are part of the Alabama Renaissance Faire tradition.

The Saturday program includes the Opening Ceremony at 12:30 PM and a Royal Performance at 5:30 PM.

On Sunday, the new monarch will be crowned at 3:00 PM at the Royal Pavilion, followed by a procession. The day’s closing Royal Performance is scheduled for 5:30 PM.

🛍️ Artisan Marketplace

More than 80 artisans will showcase their crafts at the 40th annual faire.

The marketplace brings together traditional and Renaissance-inspired handmade goods, giving visitors opportunities to meet creators and shop throughout the weekend.

The festival grounds include King’s Way, Queen’s Way, the Meadows, and other areas designated for vendors, performers, and activities.

🎨 Art, Sonnet, Photography, and Chess Contests

The Alabama Renaissance Faire offers several educational and creative activities as part of its Renaissance Month programming.

Competitions include:

• Children’s Art Contest: For students in grades K–6.
• Sonnet Contest: For students in grades 7–12.
• Chess Tournament: Registration and participation opportunities.
• Photography Contest: An opportunity to submit photographs taken during the faire.

Art and sonnet awards are scheduled for Sunday afternoon at the Royal Pavilion.

🍗 Food and Refreshments

Food vendors will operate throughout the festival grounds, including Bakers’ Lane, the designated food court.

Additional food vendors can be found along Wood Avenue.

The festival’s vendors do not serve alcoholic beverages. Downtown Florence has bars and restaurants within walking distance for visitors seeking other dining options.

🍽️ Alabama Renaissance Feast 2026

The Alabama Renaissance Feast is a separate ticketed event taking place one week before the outdoor faire.

The 2026 celebration marks the 30th annual feast, featuring a four-course dinner, three hours of medieval-inspired entertainment, dancing, a silent auction, and door prizes.

• Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026.
• Time: 7:00 PM–10:00 PM.
• Venue: Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum.
• Address: 702 Veterans Drive, Florence, AL 35630.
• Tickets go on sale: October 1, 2026.

A limited number of tickets will also be available at the Kennedy-Douglass Art Center on Tuscaloosa Street.

The feast includes the traditional “Choosing,” through which an eligible participant may be selected as the next monarch of the Alabama Renaissance Faire. Participants must be at least 18 years old.

Guests can also participate in a table-decorating contest. The feast hall will be open for ticket holders to decorate their tables on October 16 from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM and October 17 from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

The Queen’s Tea Party is a separate ticketed event scheduled for the afternoon of the feast.

🎟️ Admission and Parking

General admission to the Alabama Renaissance Faire 2026 is free. No admission ticket is required to enter Wilson Park during the faire.

Street parking is also free throughout the weekend.

Donations are welcome and help support the volunteer-run event and its educational activities.

🏰 About the Alabama Renaissance Faire

The Alabama Renaissance Faire was founded in 1987 as an educational celebration of medieval and Renaissance history.

In February 1988, the Alabama Legislature designated the annual Florence event as the state’s official Renaissance faire.

The faire’s historical scope extends approximately from 1100 to 1650, with particular emphasis on the years 1330–1550.

Its setting is downtown Florence, also known as the Renaissance City. Wilson Park provides a compact, accessible public space for the marketplace, performances, royal ceremonies, and family activities.

The 2026 event celebrates the faire’s 40th annual edition.

📍 Getting to the Alabama Renaissance Faire

Florence is located in northwestern Alabama, along the Tennessee River. Together with Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia, it forms part of the Shoals region.

Wilson Park is in downtown Florence, close to the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library and Kennedy-Douglass Art Center.

Visitors traveling from Huntsville can reach Florence using US-72. Those approaching from the Birmingham area can travel north via Interstate 65 and connect to regional highways leading toward the Shoals.

Approximate Road Distances

• Muscle Shoals, AL: 5 mi.
• Tuscumbia, AL: 7 mi.
• Decatur, AL: 45 mi.
• Huntsville, AL: 75 mi.
• Tupelo, MS: 75 mi.
• Birmingham, AL: 115 mi.

Distances are approximate and may vary depending on the route and starting point.

🅿️ Parking and Accessibility

Free metered street parking is available throughout downtown Florence on Saturdays and Sundays.

The parking deck at the corner of Tombigbee Street and Pine Street is also free on weekends.

Visitors should observe posted restrictions, avoid blocking driveways and mailboxes, and refrain from parking in the U.S. Post Office lot, where unauthorized vehicles may be towed.

Wilson Park is wheelchair accessible. The grounds occupy approximately one city block in downtown Florence.

Visitor Guidelines

Costumes are welcome but not required. Visitors are encouraged to wear family-appropriate attire.

Weapons must remain peace-tied, and pets must be kept on a leash.

The faire takes place in a public park and can become crowded, particularly around performances and popular vendor areas.

Explore More Renaissance Festivals

Visitors looking for additional events can explore other Renaissance and medieval festivals in Alabama.

The event is also part of the October 2026 Renaissance faire and medieval festival calendar. Additional celebrations can be found in the Renaissance Faires category.