Summer might be the bane of a goth’s existence, but there’s one silver lining to all those bright, sunny skies: the Renaissance Festival is back! If you’ve never experienced the Festival, now is the perfect time to travel back in time to a land of ladies and lords, peasants and plague doctors. Learn all about what this year’s Festival has to offer with this guide to the food, drinks, attractions, and vendors.
Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival Entertainment & Activities
The Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival is filled with activities that will delight visitors of a goth persuasion, from performances of medieval music to delightfully dark comedy shows that recall the bawdy verses of Shakespeare. You can see blacksmiths and other artisans practicing their crafts, or get your fortune told by a tarot card reader or astrologer. (However, even finding a spot in the shade and watching the crowds go by with a frosty glass of ale is a fantastic way to spend a day.)
Demonstrations
The Boar’s Head Forge blacksmith shop also makes authentic medieval weaponry you can take home with you, with live demonstrations throughout the day. You can also see handmade copper goods at the Redsmith Rose coppersmith booth, and many other handicrafts.
Shows
A multitude of performances are put on throughout each day of the Festival. Here you can see comedy shows, bawdy songs & singalongs, magic shows, a predatory bird exhibit, juggling and feats of agility, and don’t forget jousting. Here are a few fan favorites and the weekends they’ll be performing:
Comedy Shows
There are so many side-splitting comedy shows at the Renaissance Festival, it’s hard to see them all in one day. Even the magic and juggling performances are full of jokes and banter, and the performers make it easy to embrace the spirit of the Festival with their waggish wit.
The Washing Well Wenches
If you like your humor irreverent, silly, and downright filthy, this comedy duo is not to be missed (and definitely not for kids). Gather around the washing well with these ladies–and hilarity will follow. You can see these two in all their glory throughout the entire Festival.
The Witch Trial
This show turns horrible history into hilarious comedy as the witch trial script gets flipped on its head. Watch famed tragedian Ned Alleyan as he turns the tale of the witch trials into a laugh-out-loud experience. See the Witch Trial for the first five weekends of the Festival.
Chaste Treasure
Combining delightful songs and lowbrow humor, this is one singalong you won’t want to miss. The three ladies of Chaste Treasure are salacious, daring, and riotously funny, and they’re performing at the Festival through the whole season, so you’re sure to catch their merry measures at the Pirate’s Pub whenever you decide to visit.
The Duelists
This fan favorite comedy & fighting duo features sharp swords and sharper banter. Come for the exciting duels, stay for the crash course in medieval weaponry. See the Duelists for the duration of the Festival.
Music
Nothing captures the spirit of an age quite like music, and there are so many performers at the Festival ready to carry you back in time. You’re sure to hear transporting melodies drifting on the air as you make your way through the fairground, but you can also attend numerous musical performances that go on all across the Festival.
The Renaissance Festival has several wandering musicians playing instruments throughout the day (tips are appreciated).
The musical group the Reelin Rogues play traditional and folk music with a Celtic twist. They have a huge repertoire of songs–and are known for their captivating storytelling–and you can catch them at the Renaissance Festival for the full season.
You can also hear the CRAIC Show, a group of lads who specialize in medieval rock and roll. They’re around for most of the Festival, delighting crowds of all ages with their music for the first five weekends of the season. For even more rocking Celtic-themed Renaissance music, check out the Tartan Terrors, the final weekend only.
Medieval & Renaissance Music
You can see an enchanting demonstration of harp playing from Sarah Mullen. She plays in the lanes throughout the day, and can be seen on the Rose Stage at 2:30 and 4:15 throughout the Festival.
Juggling & Magic
Dragonfire
This death-defying performer is as adept at comedy as fire breathing. Watch them juggle fire and witty banter throughout the entire Festival duration. A fan favorite year after year.
Lady Aymella the Hypnotist
Lady Aymella’s all-ages show is fantastical and spellbinding, sure to be one of the highlights of your visit. Watch as she uses the power of suggestion to create all sorts of funny and surprising twists. She appears on the final weekend only, so plan accordingly!
The Great Rondini
This stupefying escape artist can free himself from chains and straight jackets with just a few simple gestures. Watch his great escapes on the final three weekends of the Festival.
Jousting
Jousting is one of the most popular events at the Renaissance Festival–and if you attend you’ll see why. It’s thrilling, transporting, and it draws you into the story. Professional jousting company the Knights of Noble Cause are highly trained in stage combat, and they always put on an immersive show. They also do demonstrations of their knightly skills on horseback throughout the day.
This is the event that always draws the biggest crowd, so be sure to get there a little early to get a good spot. There are typically three jousting shows per day.
These are just some of the stellar entertainers at the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival. You can check out the upcoming performances online to plan your visit, or see where the wind takes you once you arrive.
Shows are free with the cost of admission, although many performers accept tips via cash or Venmo.
Goth-friendly Activities & Shops
Apart from strutting out in your best black finery, there are a lot of things to love about the Renaissance Festival for those of a gothic persuasion. For example, you can get mystical with a tarot card reading or astrological consultation.
Check out Lady Oddball’s Fine Art for original fantasy illustrations, and get original charcoal and conte drawings from the Wandering Muse for artwork that would work beautifully with a dark aesthetic. Anise Designs creates nature-inspired art that would make excellent dark academia home decor.
Other gothic goods include handcrafted pewter jewelry in the shape of skulls, flowers, Celtic knots, and more.
Other Activities
Face painting, caricatures, body henna, and hair feathers are available at booths throughout the Festival. Guests also enjoy a variety of games that rotate and change from season to season such as arrow shooting and axe throwing.
Food & Drinks
Smoked turkey legs are classic Renaissance Festival treats. This can be a meal all by itself–wash it down with some refreshing beer or a fountain drink. Medieval Europeans might not have had turkeys and potatoes, but don’t let that stop you from grabbing a turkey leg and fries!
Other food options include: smoked bratwurst, smashed potatoes, chicken fingers, steak on a stake, soups and sandwiches, nachos, pickles on a stick, crab cakes, pulled pork, pizza, baked potatoes, roasted nuts, scotch eggs, pretzels, cookies, fried mac and cheese, apple dumplings, Italian ice, ice cream, and kettle corn. Visit the website for the full menu.
Non-alcoholic beverages available are: fountain sodas, iced tea, and bottled water, as well as flavored coffees.
Four drink stations and pubs throughout the fairground serve Coors beverages, Blue Moon, Sam Adams, Truly Hard Seltzer, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, and Pina Coladas & Margaritas. Beers cost about $6-7.
All eateries and pubs are cash only, so be sure to bring enough to keep you fed throughout the day. There are a few ATMs near the entrance, but they charge a slight fee to withdraw cash.
Vendors & Souvenirs
There are multiple craft vendors at the Festival, selling handcrafted wares like leather clothing, kilts, parasols, copper jewelry, puzzle rings, flower crowns, candles, pirate gear, chainmail, hats, toys, puppets, cloaks & capes, corsets, authentic historical clothing, incense & fragrance oils, soaps, teas & herbs, and more.
Some vendors at the Festival accept credit cards, but some are cash only, so be sure to bring some cash or take some out at an ATM on your way into the fairground.
Kid-friendly Events & Activities
Children’s Weekend
Kids under 12 get in free on this special weekend, where the Festival becomes a storybook land of enchantment from August 31-September 2. There’s a Prince, Princess & Pirate costume contest for young lads and lasses, as well as a Royal Quest and knighting ceremony. Kids can also get pictures with the King and Queen.
Topolino Sisters
Hear fun, interactive stories for children with these two spirited sisters on the Gingerbread Stage every day at 10:30, 12:00, and 5:00. You can catch storytime with them throughout the entire Festival.
Nature’s Educators
See birds of prey up close with wildlife educators and learn about their care, habitats, and conservation.
Games & Toys
The festival offers booths with games, as well as medieval rides. Several artisans sell toys like wooden swords and shields, bird whistles, and handcrafted puppets so you can bring home a keepsake to remember your special day at the Festival.
Tickets & Dates
Entry costs $25 at the gate or $23.50 with a ticket purchased online. Tickets for children 12 and under are $12 ($11 if using an online ticket). Kids under 5 get in free.
The Renaissance Festival runs for six weekends (and Labor Day) from August 24-September 29.
Fairground Information & Accessibility
The Festival is located on a large outdoor site with plenty of shade trees as well as open grassy areas. Vendor booths, food stalls, pubs, and performance stages are located throughout the fairground. Paths are not paved, so they can get pretty muddy on rainy days. Because of this and a few steep slopes leading to the upper portion of the Festival grounds, wheelchair accessibility is somewhat limited.
Parking
Free parking is provided in a grass lot next to the Festival.
FAQs
How much will it cost to attend the Renaissance Festival?
Apart from the ticket cost, you will probably spend around $20 per person on food & beverages assuming you get one meal and a snack (not including alcohol). Beers cost about $7 each.
Crafts for sale include inexpensive keepsakes as well as handcrafted wares. If you plan on taking something home with you, you might spend some extra cash.
Some services and activities might cost a bit extra, such as face painting and fortune telling, as well as rides and games, which are around $3-5 per person. Many performers also accept tips via cash or Venmo.
Does the Renaissance Festival have a dress code?
The Festival is a family-friendly event, so attendees must wear appropriate attire. Shoes and shirts must be worn. Full masks are not permitted. Costume swords and daggers are okay, as long as they are sheathed and peace-tied.
What if it rains?
The Renaissance Festival is open rain or shine, so a little bad weather won’t spoil things. However, heavy rain could delay some performances since the jousting field and many of the stages do not have roofs.
Do I need cash at the Renaissance Festival?
Yes, food and drinks are cash only. However, some artisans take credit cards.
Can I buy a ticket for the Renaissance Festival at the gate?
Yes, tickets can be purchased at the box office or online. However, online tickets are cheaper.
Are pets allowed?
No, pets are not permitted at the Renaissance Festival.
Can I get a refund?
All tickets are non-refundable.
This guide to the 2024 Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival should help you plan an unforgettable day out. Whether you’re planning a summertime family outing or just want to take in the atmosphere of a bygone age, the Festival has what you’re looking for. Magic, mystery, and courtly romance await–along with plenty of foods on a stick. Huzzah!