Arizona Renaissance Festival 2023: Tickets, dates, entertainment and how to get discounts

KiMi Robinson, Arizona Republic

February 20, 2023 at 12:19 PM·4 min read

The village of Fairhaven is once again welcoming visitors to partake in medieval revelry during the 2023 Arizona Renaissance Festival.

The 50-acre theme park in Gold Canyon, about 40 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix, will be open each weekend through the beginning of April. There, you'll find thousands of circus performers, jousting knights, acrobats, trained animals and death-defying stunt people entertaining the masses. And, of course, there are also the turkey legs.

Here's what to expect when going to the 2023 Arizona Renaissance Festival, including dates, ticket pricing, discount options and entertainers.

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What days is the 2023 Arizona Renaissance Festival open?

The fair takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and Presidents Day, rain or shine, through April 2.

Nina Evinger poses for a picture with her prize after the Princess contest at the Renaissance Festival in Gold Canyon on Feb. 18, 2023.

The Arizona Renaissance Festival is open on the following dates:

Feb. 18-20.
Feb. 25-26.
March 4-5.
March 11-12.
March 18-19.
March 25-26.
April 1-2.

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How much are Arizona Renaissance Festival 2023 tickets?

Cast members at the Renaissance Festival in Gold Canyon on Feb. 18, 2023.

Tickets purchased at the gate are $34 for age 13 and older, $32 for age 60 and older with ID, $22 for ages 5-12 and free for age 4 and younger.

Season passes can be purchased at the will call window and cost $120-$255.

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How to get Arizona Renaissance Festival 2023 discount tickets

There are several other ways to save money on tickets:

Buy in advance: You can save $1 per ticket by buying online. Go to https://arizonarenfest.bigtickets.com to buy tickets in advance.

Basha's and Food City: Discount tickets are $1 less — $33 for adults, $21 for kids — at Bashas’ and Food City stores across Arizona.

Military discount: Admission for active and former military members is $32 with ID at the box office, with a limit of one ticket per ID.

Group discounts: With the purchase of at least 15 tickets, adult admission is $32 and child admission is $20. The organizer receives one free ticket, and purchasing 30 tickets unlocks an additional free ticket. Orders should be placed by 4 p.m. on the Thursday prior to your visit. Go to https://arizona.renfestinfo.com/group-discount-tickets to find the group-ticket order form. For more information, call 520-463-2600.

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Must-see performances at the 2023 renaissance festival

The festival's daily schedule is packed with acrobats, jousters, feline performers, storytellers, folk dancers and fire eaters.

Three jousting matches will take place each day: The princesses' joust is at noon and the princes trot on at 2:30 p.m. The "joust to the death" is at 5 p.m.

Catch the Barely Balanced comedic daredevils "diving through fire, hurling machetes and testing the limits of natural selection" at the Fairhaven Theatre at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. every day. Their fiery extravaganza begins at 4 p.m.

Lynx's Comedy Sword Swallowing Show takes place at the Carnevale Village at 11:45 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.

The Jamila Lotus Dance Carnivale will show off "feats of balance and daring" at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Dancing Pig Pub.

Acrobat Cirque du Sewer's trained rats and cats will perform their stunts at the Rialto Stage at 11:45 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m., with a fire cat finale.

You can find the full daily schedule at https://arizona.renfestinfo.com.

Arizona Renaissance Festival's 2023 themed weekends

Each weekend, the festival invites visitors to partake in a different theme. For those looking to dress up in costume, check https://arizona.renfestinfo.com to find out what each week's costume contest is.

Feb. 18-20: Royalty weekend.
Feb. 25-26: Time Travelers weekend.
March 4-5: Pirates and BrewFest weekend.
March 11-12: Wizards and Wonder.
March 18-19: Artisan Appreciation and Celtic Celebration.
March 25-26: Celebrate Theatre.
April 1-2: Fool's Masquerade.