The Wisconsin Bristol Renaissance Faire Is Back For Its 49th Year Of Fun & Festivities
By Ben Jones|Published July 30, 2021
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Ben Jones
Author
Ben Jones is at heart an adventurer who delights in inspiring others. A former reporter and photojournalist, he explored towns large and small as a Wisconsin correspondent for USA Today. He later became a lead photographer and senior copywriter for an award-winning destination marketing agency, before founding Boldland Creative, a company that produces photography, video, and other content for travel destinations. Jones has completed photography and content projects in more than 15 states and when he’s not looking through a camera or at his Macbook you’ll find him exploring the world’s lakes and forests.
Year after year, the far corner of southeast Wisconsin is happily stuck in the Elizabethan era. The Bristol Renaissance Faire was founded back in 1972 and it’s as wonderful as ever, with vibrant entertainment that takes you someplace special.
The award-winning festival is located right on the Illinois border in Kenosha County. It sprawls across 30 acres and has open-air stages featuring sword fighters, minstrels, and jesters. You may even spot a queen and her court!
The faire takes place every summer over nine weekends, starting in early July. The festival is held each Saturday and Sunday, as well as the Monday of Labor Day weekend.
People of all ages will have fun traveling back in time at the festival. Attendees enjoy lively 16th century games, rides, arts, crafts, food, music, and parades. All entertainment is included with the price of admission.
A fully armored joust is a crowd favorite. It’s pretty intense – be prepared to see jousts break and shields shatter! Other entertainers will make you laugh until you cry or have you marveling at their amazing musical talent.
The festival takes place from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. each day. Tickets are available online and military and senior discounts are available. The faire sometimes holds special theme weekend events like steampunk and pirate-themed weekends. Interested in more weird and wonderful festivals? Here are some of the strangest, wackiest, weirdest, and most fun reasons to get together and have a good time.
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