Virginia Renaissance Faire: Weekends of Tudor enchantment

Step back in time at Virginia’s 23rd Renaissance Faire! Discover jousting, artisan crafts, and living history at Lake Anna Winery weekends May 10-June 8.

“We are such stuff as dreams are made on…” Shakespeare‘s timeless words perfectly capture the enchanting atmosphere awaiting visitors at the Virginia Renaissance Festival, returning this spring for its 23rd season of merriment and revelry.

An abandoned Tudor-style building used for the Virginia Renaissance Faire. (Jack Parrott/Flickr)

Visit Staffordshire Village

Located at Lake Anna Winery in Spotsylvania, Virginia, the Virginia Renaissance Faire transforms the venue into the village of Staffordshire for five weekends. Having begun on May 10th, the faire continues through June 8th, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of a Renaissance-era village.

This year’s faire runs every Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. The remaining 2025 season dates are:

• May 24-25
• May 31-June 1
• June 7-8

Adventures await around every corner

What makes the Virginia Renaissance Faire such a beloved tradition? The website highlights an incredible variety of entertainment and activities that bring history to life.

Visitors can enjoy music, stage performances, and jousting tournaments. The faire also features hound coursing and numerous living history demonstrations showcasing crafts and skills from the Renaissance period. Throughout the village of Staffordshire, these activities create an immersive historical experience.

A marketplace of wonders

According to the faire’s website, the marketplace features a wide array of handcrafted items from artisan merchants. Visitors can browse jewelry, clothing, decorations, and unique handmade artwork while experiencing the craftsmanship of vendors who participate in the event.

Renaissance faire re-enactors grouped on stage. (pixabay.com/Picryl)

Become part of the magic

The Virginia Renaissance Faire offers opportunities for community involvement. The event’s website mentions that it thrives thanks to its volunteer cast, who bring the village of Staffordshire to life.

Those interested in joining the cast had opportunities to audition in March at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library in Fredericksburg. While those dates have passed for this season, the website indicates that there are still ways to get involved as a volunteer crew member.

Planning your visit

As noted on the faire’s website, tickets are sold online only, and sales opened in mid-March. Visitors should purchase their tickets before arriving at the grounds, as they are no longer sold at the faire itself.

Whether you’re a longtime Renaissance enthusiast or a first-time visitor curious about experiencing history in a uniquely immersive way, the Virginia Renaissance Faire offers an unforgettable escape from the ordinary. As you wander the grounds of Lake Anna Winery transformed into a 16th-century village, you’ll discover why thousands of visitors return year after year to this cherished Virginia tradition.

With four more weekends remaining in this year’s schedule, there’s still plenty of time to experience the Virginia Renaissance Faire. Whether you’re interested in history, entertainment, or unique shopping opportunities, the event offers activities for various interests.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit varf.org.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Related: Renaissance fairs coming to Virginia in 2025