By Sarah Richardson
West Virginia Renaissance Festival returns this June, inviting visitors of all ages to step through the gates of the 16th-century village of Essex for four magical weekends packed with jousting, music, comedy, artisan markets, mythical creatures, and immersive fantasy adventure.
Presented by Hanlon-Lees Action Theater and Hollow Hills Farm, the festival will be held June 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, and 27-28, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 23439 Midland Trail East in Lewisburg.
Festivalgoers will be welcomed by the stirring sound of bagpipes as King Edward and Queen Eleanor arrive in the village for a royal celebration featuring full-contact jousting, daring equestrian exhibitions, comedy acts, musicians, magicians, whip crackers, jugglers, and roaming performers. Guests can wander the enchanted forest of Broceliande, encounter mischievous faeries, visit dragons and unicorns, and enjoy hands-on games and activities for the entire family.
More than just a festival, the West Virginia Renaissance Festival creates an immersive world where fantasy and history collide. Visitors are encouraged to come in costume — whether noble knight, woodland fairy, pirate captain, wizard, or curious traveler — and become part of the story.
The 2026 entertainment lineup includes musical favorites such as sämäs, Rambling Sailors, Boom Boom Shake, Magnus & Maggie, Paddy Kerry, Sybling Ryvalrie, Cast in Bronze, and many more performers appearing across multiple themed stages throughout the grounds. Guests can also enjoy fire shows, sword-fighting comedy, belly dance performances, pirate antics, magical comedy, and interactive experiences all day long.
Hungry adventurers will discover a feast fit for royalty. Food offerings include giant turkey legs, Scotch eggs, gyros, schnitzel sandwiches, wood-fired pizza, Cajun specialties, crepes, funnel cakes, bratwurst, churros, street corn, loaded fries, and locally crafted West Virginia brews.
The festival is located just eight miles west of Lewisburg with easy access from I-64 Exit 161.
Admission
Adults: $25
Seniors/Students: $18
Children ages 6-12: $12
Children under 6: Free
Pet Pass: $8
Important Festival Information
Leashed pets are welcome with written proof of current vaccinations.
Firearms are prohibited on festival grounds.
All prop weapons must be peace-tied.
For tickets, schedules, entertainment lineups, and additional information, visit wvrenfest.com or follow the festival on Facebook.
Themed Weekends:
June 6-7- Celtic Crossing
Enjoy a wide variety of interpretations of Celtic music from bands on all stages. Bagpipes and dancing. Wear your kilt for the best knees costume competition! Visit the Celtic Encampment, compete in the Highland Games, brave the Celtic Battle Line Experience!
FREE admission for veterans, active military and first responders on opening.
June 13-14- Pirates Landing
Ahoy, there be pirates ashore! Wear your best (or worst) pirate costume for the 4 p.m. Costume Contest
Family package special: admission for a family of four is $52
June 20-21- Vikings Valhalla
It’s a Viking invasion! Wear your best helmet and mail for West Virginia craft beer tastings and a Viking costume contest.
June 27-28- Bacchanalia
It’s a Toga Party! Celebrate the joys and fruits of summer for the closing weekend with tastings of West Virginia wines and meads in the pergola by the lagoon.
Ticketed Add-Ons:
Pub Crawl– Friar Tuck and Little John will lead you on a (R-rated) tour of the high and low spots of the village, stopping at four pubs along the way for refreshments served in your souvenir pint glass. The jokes only get better as you go along! Limited availability, reserve your place now. $60 ticket, does not include admission.
Randal’s Grand Adventure- A unique experience with one hour+ of fully improvised tabletop adventure. Complimentary snacks & beverages! A Loot Bag that includes exclusive merchandise from Randal’s Grand Adventure, Randal Piper, & Tenacious DnD. $65 per ticket, does not include admission.
Essex Quest- Test your wits against our puzzles and riddles in Essex Quest! Oh dear! Something is amiss and the kingdom is relying on YOU to set things right! Travel through the festival deducing riddles, finding clues and solving a puzzle to save the realm from unspeakable horror. Your quest begins when you find the Non Playable Character (NPC) at TableTop Rock. Return to the NPC with a winning scroll to claim your epic loot and be entered into the daily hero drawing. Play independently, in teams of two, or hordes of three or more. Faire Admission is not included in your Quest ticket purchase, and must be purchased separately. Now the only question remains… Are you the hero that we’re searching for?” $9 ticket, does not include admission.
Acts:
Ludwic and Lulu: A marionette show accompanied by organ grinder and concertina music.
Jousting Knights and Steeds: America’s longest running theatrical jousting show! Shows thrice daily: 12 noon, Act I: Joust a Plaisance; 3 p.m., Act II: Joust of Combat; 5:30 p.m., Act III: Joust to the Death.
Aerial Alanna: Aerial Alanna has been performing stunning aerial acts since 2010. Come watch Alanna perform on Aerial Hoop, Sling and Moon! She spins and flies above the ground, performing acts of flexibility and strength with grace and daring energy.
Nissa the Gnome: *Last two weekends only* An all-ages gnome variety act offering unscripted improvisational stories, ring toss fun, kazipes performance, enchanting christmas gnome experiences, and more! https://www.nissathegnome.com
The Dangerously Stupid Show: Limited Engagement! June 6 and 7 only, on the Falconry Stage. Ripped from the pages of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, multiple Guinness World Record holder Dash Rippington invites all Friends and Enemies to gather ’round as he subjects himself to discomfort—and considerable amounts of pain—all for your entertainment. Known as the “King of Animal Traps” and the originator of the SnotRocket Blockhead, Dash brings over 25 years of sideshow experience to every performance. Please note: This is a Danger Show. It is not designed for children, though we recognize that audiences of all ages often enjoy this kind of spectacle. So… who wants to watch Dash do something Dangerously Stupid?
Knightwings: Shows on June 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28 Knightwings is a traveling presentation of birds of prey, presented by master falconer Ash Cary.
Fakespeare: Fakespeare performs the Bard’s work like you’ve never seen it before! This award winning vaudevillian comedian condenses some of Shakespeare’s best loved tragedies, energetically illustrating all the key points, characters, and iconic dramatic moments in 30 minutes or less. This show is for Shakespeare fans and total illiterates alike. There’s something for everyone to enjoy with “Fakespeare”, and if you’re not careful, you just might learn something!”
Digger Plotz: When he’s not digging graves or walking about, you can join Digger at Faire Harbor as he breaks out his shovel guitar and sings a few humorously dark tunes about Life/Death and all the creepy things in between.
Adamo Ignis: *Only here for the last two weekends* Adamo Ignis means ‘to love flame,’ exactly what you’ll do when you see the hot stunts in this show! Throughout time, human beings have been drawn to fire. Adamo Ignis continues our oldest tradition of gathering to the flame, but with elements of danger and dance. Join her for fire eating, fire breathing, fire dancing, and more and she’ll have you leaping out of your seat as she leaps into your heart!
Mort the Mage: Mordecai Galand, aka Mort the Mage, will be dispensing Wizardly Wisdom throughout the Shire.
Statue Comedius de Marbleous: There are many Living Statues, but there is only one Lively Statue and his name is Comedius de Marbleous. Keep an eye out for this Living Marble Marvel. He has an aversion to pigeons, but he’s not camera shy at all. He’s all about photo ops with young, old, and those as ancient as he.
Pyppin Oakshire: Pyppin Oakshire is a curious fairy who is very excited to visit the land of the real. They love to set up their wishing tree to encourage everyone to make wishes and believe in magic.
Onias the Mage: Onias the Mage is a festival entertainer for all ages! The laughs are a mile a minute when Onias graces the stage.
The Poop Show: Join Franklin of Fertilizer, third generation Dung Farmer and Excrement Expert Extraordinaire for 30 minutes of renaissance fair entertainment and hilarity around everyone’s favorite taboo: POOP! The Poop Show combines elements of education, storytelling, and gameshow fun, showing audiences that science, history, art, and even the muse of creativity itself can come from literally anywhere.
The Green Man: A giant walking tree with a face. What else do you need to know?
Hey Nunnie Nunnie!: From the minds of Shannon O’Brien and Dana McCain come the madcap antics of Hey, Nunnie Nunnie! Since 1994, the silly sisters of sin and song have captivated and charmed audiences across the United States with their unique style of reverent and irreverent comedy. Peals of laughter ring like convent bells as the unconventional Mother Redempta and the mischievous ukele-wielding Sister Philomena Claire take the stage in a dazzling display of improvisational and comedic escapades. Cracking jokes, singing songs, and “counseling” audience members, these two larger than life characters create an environment of hilarity that is sure to please. Shannon and Dana have entertained Renaissance festival audiences around the country for over 20 years. They have starred in the popular Hack and Slash Christmas Carol, and can be seen in Blind Dog Entertainment’s award-winning films, “The Tale of El Gusano,” “The Lost Princess,” and “I Sense Danger,” the latter of which they co-wrote.
The Washing Well Wenches: The Washing Well Wenches are the funniest pair of “ladies” you’ll ever meet! Part vaudeville, part sketch comedy, full-on entertaining, the Washing Well Wenches make interactive theater fun for everyone!
The Duelists: A dazzling display of comedy and sword fighting brilliance!
Gravity Check: Everything from balls, clubs, Chinese yo-yos and fire! You won’t see juggling like this every day. Between their hilarious banter and comedy, two of the best at what they do come together to make something unique. If you’ve seen them before, then you’re definitely going to want to see them again.
The Knotty Nauticals: Join this dashing duo, Pirate Shantyman and Bonnie Lass, in a non-stop fun and crowd interactive comedy show! Filled with amazing stunts featuring fire eating, rope walking, juggling, fire spinning and manipulation, comedy and even music, their show delights all ages! Travis and Alicia have been delighting audiences for 15+ years together. They have a true ability for making people laugh, and make friends and fans where ever they go.
Theatre of Fools: Theatre of Fools returns to the West Virginia Renaissance Festival 2023 with their Wacky Chicken Show. Cluck’n hilarious!!!
The Nature of Mercy: The Nature of Mercy is a highly energetic and interactive sword fighting comedy show that teaches children the power of honor and compassion.
Food:
There will also be plenty of food options across the grounds, including:
Feast Kitchen: Turkey Legs, Scotch Eggs, Cottage Pie, Sausage Rolls, Steak on a Stake, Italian Sausage with Peppers, Cheese Steak Sandwich, Baked Potatoes, Gyros Sandwich, Greek Salad, Aloo Gobi, Chicken Tikka Masala, Mediterranean Pasta, Fruit and Cheese Plate, Charcuterie Plate, Mediterranean Plate, Quesadillas, Street Corn, Lemonade, Soda, Water, Dessert Specials
Friar Tuck’s Pantry: Beer Battered Fried Cheese Curds, Chicken Strips, Fries, Poutine, Chicken Parmesan Sandwich, Corn Dogs, Ice Cream Novelties, Soda, Beer, Water
Swift Level Fine Meats: Thai Spiced Grilled Pork Belly, Skewered Meats
Lakeside Cajun: Bourbon Chicken, Cajun Sausage, Fish & Chips, Shrimp & Chips, Don Quixote Bowl, Mac n Cheese, Limeade, Sweet Tea, Bread Pudding, Churros
German Kaffe: Schnitzel Sandwich, Bratwurst, Polish Sausage, Pierogis, German Potato Salad, Loaded Jester Fries, Strudel, Pretzels
Tudor Tower: Savory and Dessert Crepes, Chocolate Dipped Frozen Bananas & Cheesecake, Ice Cream Sundaes, Root Beer Floats, Soda, Water
Blasted Tree: Grilled Cheese, Hot Dogs, Watermelon
Sixpence Wood Fired Pizza: Wood Fired Pizza
Sir Mater’s Taters: Onion Blossoms, Loaded Nachos, Chicken Wings, Funnel Cake, Fried Oreos, Smoothies
