The 2026 Ohio Renaissance Festival:
Nine Themed Weekends of Food,
Fun, and Jousting.
By Jason White
The Ohio Renaissance Festival has been one of my favorite fall traditions for years: giant turkey legs, full-contact jousting, and a 16th-century village that feels a world away from Dayton traffic. This season runs September 5 through November 1, every weekend plus Labor Day Monday, from 10:30 am to 7 pm at Renaissance Park in Waynesville, an easy drive down I-71 right between Dayton and Cincinnati. The best part? Every single weekend has its own theme, so no two visits are ever the same. Here is your complete guide to all nine.
The 2026 Themed Weekends at a Glance
Each weekend has its own personality, so check the lineup below and pick your adventure. Theme weekends can sell out, so grab tickets in advance for whichever one speaks to you.
- Homecoming Weekend (September 5-7): The season opens with an extra day thanks to Labor Day Monday: Saturday, Sunday, and Monday of fun.
- Fantasy Weekend (September 12-13): Fairies, enchanters, and the Witches of Willy Nilly take over the village; ASL interpreters are available this weekend.
- Pirates Weekend (September 19-20): Celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day with sea shanties, a giant pirate ship, and Pirate Play Time for the little landlubbers.
- Highland Weekend (September 26-27): The pipes are calling! Highland Games in the Joust Field, bagpipes, haggis, Irish Wolfhounds, and family clans in Whimsy Woods.
- Viking Weekend (October 3-4): Channel your inner Northman for a weekend of Norse-style mayhem.
- Time Travelers Weekend (October 10-11): Dress as your favorite character inspired by movies, TV, comics, sci-fi, or fantasy, where comic books and corsets collide.
- Romance Weekend (October 17-18): Celebrate Sweetest Day with a free Mass Renewal of Vows at St. Peter's Chapel, proposals, and romantic ambiance around every corner.
- Myths & Monsters Weekend (October 24-25): Legends, ancient tales, and fantastical beasts roam the village, plus the hilarious Feast of Fools comedy and the legendary Pumpkin vs. Watermelon War.
- Heroes & Villains Weekend (October 31-November 1): Close the season on Halloween weekend! Kids ages 12 and under get in free, and military and first responders get a discount at the ticket booth.
What to Eat (and Drink)
You cannot leave without a giant turkey leg, it is the law of the land. Beyond that, award-winning BBQ awaits at Great Q and Frosty Brew, and if you are brave, haggis shows up for Highland Weekend. Save room, the market lanes are packed with treats.
The Shows You Can't Miss
The 17th-century village is alive with over 150 costumed characters and more than 100 daily shows. The centerpiece has got to be the joust at the Arena of Champions, where knights in full armor thunder past on horseback just as they did over 400 years ago. New this season: more rides and games, including the world's largest rocking horse, plus fresh musical acts making their debut.
Plan Your Visit
Weekends and Labor Day, September 5 through November 1, from 10:30 am to 7 pm. Grab tickets in advance at renfestival.com, bring the whole family, and if you can only pick one weekend, check the theme list above and choose your adventure. Whatever weekend you pick, you are guaranteed turkey legs, jousting, and a day that feels a world away. I will see you at the gates!
- Ohio Renaissance Festival September 5 through November 1 Weekends plus Labor Day Monday 10:30 am to 7 pm Renaissance Park, Waynesville, OH
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