Virginia Renaissance Faire

Virginia Renaissance Faire

The Virginia Renaissance Faire runs every weekend from May 9 through June 7 at Lake Anna Winery in Spotsylvania, and it's one of those outings that genuinely surprises you. We took the kids expecting a couple hours of walking around, and we ended up staying the entire day. The grounds are set up like a small Renaissance village with stages, shops, food stalls, and performers scattered everywhere. Our six-year-old was completely sold the moment a knight on horseback rode past us during the opening jousting show. The performers stay in character the whole time, which makes it feel immersive in a way that's hard to pull off.

The children's area is where we spent most of our time with younger kids. There are fairy tale characters doing interactive storytelling, face painting, a small petting area, and games like ring toss and archery adapted for little hands. The craft booths are fun to browse even if you don't buy anything. We watched a glassblower make a tiny dragon figurine and the kids were mesmerized. Food options lean into the theme with turkey legs, meat pies, and funnel cakes. There are also regular options like pizza and chicken tenders if your kids are picky eaters. Bring cash since some of the smaller vendors don't accept cards.

The jousting shows happen multiple times a day, so don't stress about catching the first one. The venue is about 80 minutes from DC, which is a bit of a drive, but the free parking and full day of entertainment make it worth the trip. We packed our own water bottles and snacks, which saved us from the food lines during peak hours. If you're thinking about costumes, even a simple cape or crown from the dollar store will make your kid feel like they belong. It runs weekends only through early June, so you have several chances to go.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Wear period costume (or don't, both are equally fun!): Dressing up in medieval/renaissance clothing is encouraged and adds to the magic, but plenty of families come in regular clothes. If you want to dress up, check online retailers for affordable kid costumes, or raid your closet for anything vaguely medieval.
• ✓Bring cash for food & vendors: While some vendors take cards, cash is king at the Ren Faire. Budget ~$30–50 per person for food, drinks, and maybe a souvenir or two.
• ✓Go on opening weekend (May 9–10) for best crowds: Early season has more manageable crowds than later June weekends when the weather heats up and vacation season begins.
• ✓Kids love the children's stage with interactive fairy tales: This is the most kid-focused area where performers directly engage children. Perfect for little ones ages 3–8 to feel included in the action.
• ✓Wear extremely comfortable walking shoes: This is an outdoor venue with lots of walking and uneven ground. Sturdy sneakers or walking boots are essential. Kids in strollers are fine, but expect to do serious walking yourself.
• ✓Bring sunscreen and hats: There's limited shade on the grounds. May weather can surprise you, apply sunscreen liberally, especially on kids' faces and ears. Hats are practical and add to the costume fun!
• ✓Plan 4–5 hours for a complete experience: Arrives when gates open (10am), catch jousting shows, explore all the entertainment, eat, watch performances. You'll easily fill a full day without rushing.