Bristol Renaissance Faire: fantasy, fun, and imagination

Only a 45-minute drive from Milwaukee, the Bristol Renaissance Faire in Kenosha, Wisconsin is a vibrant celebration of adventure, fantasy, and imagination come to life.

The RenFaire is a cultural ode to the Elizabethan era and what I now consider a must-do summertime activity. There’s a little something for everyone, whether it’s entertainment, food, costumes, or the lore of a time long gone.

Our recent trip to the Bristol Renaissance Faire was incredibly fun, as we stormed the seven seas for pirate weekend.

Here’s how our time at the Bristol Renaissance Faire went, and what to expect for your own trip to an era of yore.

A brief history

Established in 1973 as King Richard’s Faire, the Bristol Renaissance Faire is considered a premier Renaissance fair in the United States. The Faire recreates a fictional English port village named Bristol, providing an authentic glimpse into the life and times of Queen Elizabeth I.

Each summer, the Faire breathes life to history, as knights and jesters, artisans and minstrels, faeries and pirates, gather at the recreated Renaissance village.

Location

The Bristol Renaissance Faire is located just off Interstate 94 at the Illinois-Wisconsin border. The Fairegrounds span over 30 acres of wooded areas, open fields, and quaint village settings. The faire is enchanting and expansive, with so much ground to cover.

The Renn Faire grounds include picturesque landscape and intricate details of an Elizabethan village. The result is an immersive experience, made even more so by guests and workers dressed in costumes.

Quick details

Offered: The Bristol Renaissance Faire runs every weekend from early July through Labor Day weekend.
Price: $40 adults, 15 children ages 5-12, free for kids under 5
Parking: $10-25, cash only
Website: renfair.com/bristol/
Address: 12550 120th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53142

Note: cash is required for many vendors. There are a couple ATMs located at the Faire.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate, with options for single-day admission, season passes, and group rates.

Pets are not allowed, bags are searched, and only costume weapons are permitted.

At the Bristol Renaissance Faire

The Renaissance faire was *an experience.* As a first-timer, I didn’t quite know what to expect. However, Chad and I were eager to try something new with a new group of friends. Kelli (of Cooking with Kelli fame) was a helpful guide!

Picture this: a bustling square of old fashioned buildings and shops for eating and drinking, many stages with performers, whimsical music, displays, lively chatter, cheers and applause, the scent of spices and warm food, and a crazy array of characters everywhere you look. The shops had everything from boots to books, jewelry to art, weapons to pottery. There are close to probably 200 merchants, and a dedicated space for food to peruse.

It was incredible, overwhelming, stimulating, and so much fun. The Bristol Renaissance Faire was a sensory overload. It’s an inclusive space where everyone is invited to come and celebrate.

Upon entry, there are maps available with the weekend’s schedule of performances and events. We saw just a couple: Adam Crack (a whip cracker), the Barely Balanced acrobats, minstrels, a Mud Show, and an aerial dancing fairy. The Faire is known for their jousting tournaments, comedy shows, sword swallowing, and beyond. There are also spots where you can pay to play games or participate in activities, like knife throwing, balloon jousting, a climbing wall, dart throwing, a zip line, and more.

The Faire also has interactive demonstrations such as falconry, blacksmithing, and glassblowing featuring Renaissance crafts and traditions. We stopped by a few shops and tents, including a Build-Your-Own-Absinthe vendor, family crest index, book shop, and an apothecary.

We also stumbled upon a pond that had turtles, lily pads, and lotus flowers (it was beautiful!), plus a petting zoo and several medieval-style rides. It’s definitely kid-friendly, with areas to play.

Costumes

One of the most fun aspects of the Bristol Renaissance Faire is the guest participation—costumes! People come in hoards to the Faire in their medieval best, showing UP in elaborate outfits.

There are theme weekends too, including steampunk, cottage core, cosplay, and pirate. We happened to go during pirate weekend, which was such a great choice.

In regard to my own outfit, I had fun thrifting, shopping my closet, and getting a few accessories. Here are some links:

Food and drink

There are so many culinary options at the Bristol Renaissance Faire. I was blown away by all of the creative options! So far, this was my favorite food experience at a fair, because of the diverse options.

Drink-wise, I enjoyed a cranberry drink made with apple whiskey (it was so refreshing), followed by a blended and boozy strawberry daiquiri, then a delicious sassafras. Every food option was delicious, too: I ate a giant turkey leg, pineapple sorbet, and an order of beignets. Additionally, Chad had a delicious spinach calzone.

Come all ‘ye

Overall, the Bristol Renaissance Faire was a total blast. It was what you might expect: lots of corsets, swords, fairy ears, and a nerdy energy of fun and fantasy.

So don your best Renaissance attire, gather ‘ye friends and family, and step into the enchanting world of Bristol, where history and fantasy merge in cheer and jest.

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