There are plenty of reasons to take a fall vacation to North Carolina. For a medieval festival near Charlotte, then the Carolina Renaissance Festival is worth the trip. It’s worth the trip! This annual festival transforms a 25-acre village into a world of knights, kings, and queens. Just a short drive from Charlotte, it’s a world of fantasy, jousting, falconry, and an artisan market. Bring your appetite to chomp down on a huge turkey leg, nibble corn on the cob, and more.
Rooms fill up fast during festival season. We always recommend booking your stay at Davidson Village Inn ahead of time. This guide covers one of the best Huntersville, NC events during the fall season, with everything you need from ticket prices to our favorite shows.
Costumes are optional, but we say go for it. Rent one at the gate, or bring your own medieval garb. The festival runs weekends from early October through late November, so you have plenty of time to plan your trip to Huntersville, NC.
Quick Answer: The Carolina Renaissance Festival runs weekends, October 3 through November 22, 2026, in Huntersville, NC. Online tickets cost $37.99 for adults (ages 13+) and $23.99 for children ages 5-12, including the service fee. Kids 4 and under are always free, and parking is free courtesy of Harris Teeter.
Things to Know
📅 Dates: Saturdays & Sundays, October 3 – November 22, 2026
⏰ Times: 9:30am – 5:30pm, rain or shine. Arrive early for the best experience.
📍 Location: 16445 Poplar Tent Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078. (704) 896-5555.
🚗 Parking: Free, courtesy of Harris Teeter. Arriving late may mean a longer walk from your car. Please don’t park in the surrounding neighborhoods.
🎟️ Renaissance Festival Tickets: Adults (13+) pay $37.99 online, which includes a $1.99 service fee. Children ages 5–12 pay $23.99, also with the fee included. Kids 4 and under always get in free.
🎫 Season Pass: Frequent visitors can grab a season pass for $226.99.
🚕 Rideshare: Designated pickup and drop-off spots make Uber, Lyft, and taxi rides easy.
👟 Footwear: Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll do a lot of walking over the festival’s 25 acres.
💵 Cash: Most of the 140 vendors inside are cash-only, so bring some along for food and games.
🎭 Costume Rentals: Available at the gate, running roughly $18–$65 for adults and $8–$25 for children.
What Can You Do at the Carolina Renaissance Festival?
The Carolina Renaissance Festival packs in jousting, food, games, and shopping across a 25-acre village. With so much going on, it helps to pick a few must-see shows ahead of time and build your day around them. This isn’t a quick stop, so plan to spend the whole day exploring.
Pick Your Event
Choose a couple of shows that interest you. We always point guests toward the morning jousting show, since it draws a smaller crowd than the afternoon rounds. Arrive about 20 minutes early to grab a good spot. If jousting isn’t your thing, 16 stages run shows every hour, including the Washing Well Wenches, the Art of Falconry, and the CRAIC show. Between scheduled events, wander the streets and see what catches your eye.
Stop to Eat
The food here matches the entertainment for variety. Turkey legs are the classic choice, but you’ll also find corn on the cob, gluten-free pizza, and a solid lineup of beer.
Enjoy the Rides and Games
Test your aim in the archery tournament, or sling tomatoes during Vegetable Justice. Costume or not, these games bring out everyone’s playful side.
Stroll Through the Artisan Market
Handmade jewelry, leatherwork, pottery, and blown glass fill the Artisan Market. While you’re there, get your fortune told, try a caricature portrait, or relax with a shoulder massage.
Special Weekend Events
Some weekends bring extra reasons to visit. Celtic Music Weekend, Pirates Christmas Weekend, and Time Traveler’s Weekend each add their own flavor to the season. These seasonal add-ons are some of the most popular Huntersville NC events all fall, and several include discounted tickets, so check the schedule before you go.
A Short Drive from Davidson Village Inn
Grab your sword and shield, and get ready to party like it’s 1499 at the Carolina Renaissance Festival. If you want a medieval festival near Charlotte to build a weekend around, this is it, and it’s an easy trip from downtown Davidson. Another October festival you may enjoy is the Carolina BalloonFest.
If you want lodging fit for royalty, book your stay at Davidson Village Inn, near Huntersville, NC. We’re about 15 minutes from the festival grounds, right in charming downtown Davidson. Our bed-and-breakfast-style property offers 18 cozy guest rooms and easy access to the best family activities near Lake Norman and Huntersville. A stay here also makes a thoughtful gift for a Davidson College family visiting for the weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Published by Mariano Doble | Updated 2026
Photo Credit: © BreizhAtao from BreizhAtao’s Images via canva.com, (2) © DreamArtist canva.com
