Go back in time and experience the thrills of medieval fairs. From jousting to sipping on ale, these festivals offer activities sure to brighten up any day! Below you can find the best medieval fairs in the world.
Obidos’ charming walled village will come to life for 11 days as music, taverns, and period costumes transform it into an experience like no other! Tournaments, food, theatre, and poetry fill its streets for one truly magical weekend of revelry.
Monteriggioni di Torri si Corona
Monteriggioni di Torri si Corona, Italy’s popular medieval fair and one of the best medieval fairs in the world, takes place across two weekends in July. This extraordinary festival brings back to life the atmosphere of 14th-century villages with jousts, medieval tournaments, and ancient craft techniques that have been revived from within its walls – in addition to providing entertainment such as shows for kids and adults, music, dancing, and much more!
Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy contains a verse that praises “a wall round crowned by towers.” These 10-meter-high fortified walls were designed to protect Florentines from attacking from outside and prevent them from seeing Florence from afar. This festival honors this history-rich Tuscan town while providing a respite from modern life’s hectic pace.
Alongside historical reenactments, this festival offers many other attractions. Street artists and costumed figures fill the streets, while there are performances of medieval music and dance. Furthermore, visitors can experience medieval life through exhibits.
Medieval Festivals in Italy are an absolute must. Witnessing reenactments of jousts and tournaments is absolutely captivating, while costumed participants and beautiful architecture make the entire event feel like a step back in time.
Monteriggioni di Torri Si Corona festival boasts another attraction: its medieval tavern. Serving traditional dishes and beverages, its cozy setting provides the ideal spot to unwind after exploring the Siena city center.
The castle also houses the Museum of the Order of Medieval Knights, offering visitors an unprecedented insight into medieval knighthood. Exhibits are well-organized and informative and staff can answer any queries that arise. Open daily from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm with free admission charges applied, it welcomes both tourists and residents.
Abbey Medieval Festival
The Abbey Medieval Festival is an educational, family-oriented celebration of medieval history in Australia’s Middle Ages – with knights and maidens, famous dragon slayers, jousting tournaments, and castle building all taking part. Held during winter school holidays and packed with reenactments, displays, entertainment, and displays; it truly offers something for everyone at this Australian landmark festival! It truly offers something to intrigue all senses.
At this fair, visitors will witness world-class re-enactors bring history alive for them with passion! Jousting, fighting displays, archery, and medieval animals come to life as visitors can witness them up close – as do workshops and presentations about sieges at castles via firing trebuchet and cannon! Additionally, there is plenty of food on offer, plus live entertainment from jugglers, jesters, and musicians!
Abbey Medieval Festival’s unique and engaging Mock Chess Match provides another highlight, simulating move-by-move a battle between noblemen who were competing to win over beautiful ladies as partners in courtship chess matches. Perfect for kids of all ages.
Chess was not just limited to rich men and knights during medieval times; it was a popular pastime among common folk as well. At Abbey Medieval Festival every hour on the hour during weekend days they will host mock chess tournaments, offering children an introduction to its history and playing style.
Due to its medieval theme, visitors are encouraged to dress up as part of the festival experience. While many do so and it can be very amusing seeing how creative some can get with their costumes; dressing up isn’t mandatory and many visitors will come wearing modern attire too.
Reminding ourselves that medieval and Renaissance periods differ greatly can help make festivals truly immersive experiences, reflecting this difference through reenactments from high and late Middle Ages reenactments at medieval festivals while Renaissance fairs usually focus on 14th-16th centuries reenactments – this distinction should not be forgotten when attending these fairs since these fairs offer much more than costumes and entertainment; they provide genuine insight into past lives.
Colorado Medieval Festival
The Colorado Medieval Festival is an enjoyable summer event for the whole family and one of the best medieval fairs. Held over three days, this festival offers various on-site performances including magicians, belly dancers, sword fighters, and live bands; in addition to food vendors.
Tickets to this event can be purchased either online, or at the Savage Woods just west of Loveland on event day. Discounted tickets may be available to children, seniors and military members; please be mindful that summer weather can become quite warm during this event! Costumed guests may make it seem even hotter.
Attendees will be transported back to medieval times when they step foot in the park. Visitors will see knights in full armor jousting and witness a human chess duel – an interactive recreation of medieval combat between two armies represented by humans in costume – take place live. Furthermore, there will also be over 200 artisans creating unique works at this festival marketplace!
Renaissance festivals resemble carnivals with medieval themes, featuring entertainment-focused events. Parades may take place as well. One of the major draws at such festivals is jousting tournaments, held in large arenas featuring heavily armored knights riding war horses adorned with heavy armor. Members of the Society for Creative Anachronism usually participate in these tournaments which focus on historical reenactments.
In addition to jousting, the Colorado Medieval Festival also includes knight and dragon battles, a jousting academy for children, stage shows with live music performances, and themed souvenir sales at this year’s festival. Visitors can purchase artwork or themed souvenirs here as well.
Caboolture Medieval Festival
When the planets align in just the right way, Abbey Place in Caboolture becomes a time portal that transports travelers back hundreds of years to medieval Europe. Swords clang and hooves thunder across the landscape; crowds cheer as knights engage in an honorable joust for glory and honor.
This family-friendly event offers something for every sense and soul imaginable, with jousting, archery, workshops, and merchant stalls taking visitors back through history. Held during Queensland School Holidays to bring medieval times back to life. Standout performances include The Kings Own Jousters on their magnificent horses; SA Horse Archery who specialize in archery on foot or horseback; Vikings who loot and pillage their way around; strongman showing his strength demonstrations; the revival of ancient trades by blacksmiths and an arena designed specifically to put on display all this year!
At the fair, visitors will also enjoy entertainment from roving troupes of dancers, musicians, and performers. Additionally, you can experience medieval fare with food stalls offering medieval-themed dishes like smoked meats, cheeses, and wine; alternatively, you can book the castle dining room to create your own banquet (bookings required). There will also be medieval games to try such as standard jousting as well as tournaments and scurry tournaments for children.
At this fair, an array of medieval costumes from peasantry through princesses and queens in finely woven silks to monks and nuns dressed for religious practice, monks wearing religious habits, and Turkish people from the Crusades time can all be found on display. Re-enactments wear these attires to bring history alive for festival-goers.
The Abbey Medieval Festival is Australia’s largest medieval re-enactment event. Hosted annually at the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology over two days in July, thousands of people travel back in time to medieval Europe and the Middle East and experience life during that period. Additionally, visitors can explore several medieval encampments representing diverse cultures from around the globe.
