Knights and Knaves, Lord and Ladies, Fairies and Fencers To Converge For Renaissance Fest

DADE CITY, FL — You don't need a time machine to experience the Middle Ages. The 16th century is being recreated in Dade City during the 44th annual Bay Area Renaissance Festival, running each weekend through April 3.

Join the villagers of Fittleworth as they celebrate the Renaissance with armored jousting, fencing duels, kings and queens, lords and ladies, knights and jesters, wizards, jugglers, troubadours, minstrels and mimes.

There are more than 100 artisans located throughout the village selling handcrafted pottery, jewelry, hand-blown glass, metal crafts, leather work and woodwork as well as Renaissance reproduction costumes and accessories.

The festival also offers food fit for a king including Scotch eggs, pierogies, unicorn cake, turkey legs with plenty of beer and wine to wash them down.

The festival runs Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The theme for this weekend, Feb. 26 and 27, is "Highland Fling," with Highland games and kilt contests.

"Pirates & Pups" will be the theme March 5 and 6 as pirate pups take over the festival grounds. Pup rescue groups will be on hand with adoptable dogs and pup-training demonstrations. And pet owners are invited to enter their pups in contests by clicking here.

There will be a "Barbarian Brew Fest" March 12 and 13 with contests like best beard and mustache.

March 19 and 20 will feature "Shamrocks & Shenanigans" with Irish dancing, music and more kilts.

Visitors are invited to dress in their best pirate garb and enter the Perfect Pirate Contest on "High Sea Adventure" weekend March 26 and 27.

And the festival will culminate April 2 and 3 with "Wonders of the World," featuring a world market, dance troupes and the Florida State Belly Dance Championships.

Other favorite festival events include the Hawk Walk, a Pub Crawl, King Henry’s Happy Hour, Royal High Tea, Pig & Swig, Royal Mask Ball, Rainbow Ball, and Kegs and Eggs.

All activities will take place at the festival grounds, 12838 Auton Road, Dade City, with parking provided free of charge.

All stage shows and other entertainment are included with admission. Games, rides, food and beverages are an additional charge.

Tickets are $19.95 for ages 13 and up, $15.95 for seniors age 65 and up and $11.95 for ages 5 to 12 with children under 5 admitted for free.

There are also passes available for multiple weekends, season passes and family four-packs.

Click here for tickets.