Black Hills Renaissance Festival 2026

Black Hills Renaissance Festival 2026 will take place on June 27–28, 2026, at Kickstands Campground in Sturgis, South Dakota, bringing a weekend of Renaissance entertainment, costumed characters, artisan vendors, combat demonstrations, food, drink, and family-friendly activities to the Black Hills region.

This 16th-century-inspired festival invites visitors to step into a world of music, legend, games, theatrical performances, sword fighting, jousting-style shows, themed contests, and a lively village marketplace filled with handmade goods and craft items. Guests are encouraged to attend in costume and become part of an immersive celebration that blends history, fantasy, and entertainment for all ages.

For visitors following the wider fair season, this event is part of the broader calendar of Renaissance Faires in June 2026 and fits naturally among the many Renaissance Faire Events held across the United States.

🏰 A Renaissance Weekend in the Black Hills

Black Hills Renaissance Festival offers a magical tour through time and legend, presented in a Renaissance and medieval-inspired setting. Across the weekend, guests can enjoy live music, themed entertainment, games, theatrical acts, costumed characters, and interactive activities designed for visitors of all ages.

The village shoppes will feature exquisite items and handmade goods, while artisan demonstrations will give guests a closer look at traditional skills and craftsmanship. The festival will also include food and drink fit for royalty, with mead tastings available for those looking for a more distinctive festival experience.

The 2026 edition returns with new activities, performers, merchants, and attractions, creating a different kind of weekend escape in the Black Hills region.

⚔️ Entertainment and Activities

Visitors can expect a full Renaissance-style atmosphere with:

• Combat demonstrations
• Sword fighting
• Jousting-style shows
• Theatrical performances
• Live music
• Renaissance themed entertainment and games
• Themed contests
• Artisan demonstrations
• Marketplace vendors with crafts and handmade goods
• Food, drinks, and mead tastings
• Costumed characters and family-friendly activities

Costumes are welcome, allowing guests to take part in the atmosphere and become part of the festival experience.

🕒 Hours of the Festival

• Saturday, June 27, 2026: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Sunday, June 28, 2026: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

🎟 Admission

Day Ticket

• Adults: $20
• Younglings 12 and under: $15
• Children 5 and under: Free

Weekend Passes

• Adults: $35
• Youths 12 and under: $25
• Children 5 and under: Free

📍 Kickstands Campground

Kickstands Campground is the festival venue, located just outside Sturgis near Interstate 90 at Exit 37. The site is known as a full-service campground, bar and grill, and music venue, making it a suitable setting for a weekend event with food, live entertainment, vendors, and outdoor activities.

Its location near I-90 makes it convenient for visitors arriving by road from Rapid City, Spearfish, Deadwood, and other destinations in the Black Hills region.

🛣 About Sturgis and How to Get There

Sturgis is a city in Meade County, South Dakota, with an estimated population of around 6,900 residents. The city is best known for its strong event culture and its location in the northern Black Hills, a region closely associated with outdoor travel, scenic drives, and western South Dakota history.

The city was named after Samuel D. Sturgis, a Union general during the American Civil War, and serves as the county seat of Meade County. Its position along Interstate 90 makes it easy to reach by car from Rapid City and other South Dakota cities.

By road, visitors can reach Kickstands Campground via I-90 Exit 37, just outside Sturgis. Travelers coming by train should note that South Dakota does not have active Amtrak stations, so rail passengers generally need to arrive through stations in neighboring states and continue by road.

📏 Approximate Driving Distances to Sturgis