The Carolina Renaissance Festival transforms 320 wooded acres in Huntersville into the enchanting Village of Fairhaven each fall, celebrating its 30th year in 2025. Running Saturdays and Sundays from October 4-November 23, 2025 (9:30 am-5:30 pm), this 16th-century European-style festival features over 200 performers, three daily jousting tournaments, 100+ artisan vendors, and attractions like mermaids, falconry, and full-contact combat. Located just 30 minutes from Charlotte at 16445 Poplar Tent Road, the festival draws over 200,000 visitors annually to its medieval marketplace. For RV travelers, the Charlotte metro area offers exceptional camping infrastructure and convenient access to both the festival grounds and North Carolina's stunning natural attractions, making it the ideal base for combining Renaissance revelry with outdoor adventure.
The Carolina Renaissance Festival, held annually in the Village of Fairhaven, is one of the largest and most immersive Renaissance fairs in the Southeast. This 16th-century European-style celebration transforms 320 wooded acres between Huntersville and Concord into a living medieval village complete with costumed performers, authentic artisan demonstrations, and non-stop entertainment.
The festival features over 200 professional performers bringing history to life through jousting tournaments, falconry exhibitions, comedy shows, and musical performances across 16 outdoor stages. Visitors can witness full-contact armored combat, marvel at acrobatic displays, and interact with hundreds of costumed characters roaming the village lanes. The authentic medieval marketplace showcases over 100 skilled artisans selling everything from hand-forged armor and jewelry to Renaissance clothing and home goods.
One of the festival's most unique attractions is the Living Mermaid Lagoon, where professional performers dressed as mermaids swim in a massive tank, creating an enchanting spectacle for visitors of all ages. The festival also features themed weekends throughout the season, including Highland Fling, Oktoberfest, and the popular Celtic Christmas celebration.
For RV travelers planning to attend, explore our Charlotte RV rentals for convenient access to the festival, or discover our selection of Huntersville RV rentals just minutes from the festival grounds.
The festival grounds are easily accessible from major highways, located at the midway point between Huntersville and Concord. From Charlotte, take I-85 North to Exit 52 West (Poplar Tent Road) and follow for about 5 miles to the festival entrance on the left.
The festival grounds are located on Poplar Tent Road (NC-73), easily accessible from major interstates. From I-85, take Exit 52 West and follow Poplar Tent Road for approximately 5 miles. The festival entrance will be on your left, just before the intersection with Highway 73.
From I-77, take Exit 25 East toward Davidson/Concord and follow NC-73 East for about 8 miles to reach the festival grounds.
Free parking is available on-site with over 2,000 spaces across multiple lots. Arrive early for the best parking spots closest to the entrance gates. Accessible parking is available near the main entrances on a first-come, first-served basis.
RVs cannot park overnight or camp on festival grounds. However, the area's excellent RV park infrastructure means you're never more than 15 minutes from comfortable accommodations with full hookups.
If you’re not driving, the best way to get to the fairgrounds is by taking a taxi or using a ride-hailing service. There are designated drop off and pick up points for patrons taking taxis and other small vehicle private transportation. Another option may be to gather with other guests staying at your campsite and carpool to the fair.
You will not be able to park overnight or camp in your RV or motorhome on the Carolina Renfest grounds. Only festival participants will be able to camp on site. Fortunately, there are several other great RV parks in the area.
Charlotte Motor Speedway Campground offers the ultimate convenience for festival-goers who want to experience NASCAR country. Located just 15 minutes from the festival grounds in Concord, this legendary venue provides full hookups, modern amenities, and easy highway access.
Camping World Racing Resort features over 380 full-hookup sites with 30/50 amp service, positioned perfectly between the festival and Charlotte's attractions. The resort offers an on-site store, game room, and pet-friendly policies.
Cross Country Campground sits near beautiful Lake Norman, providing a peaceful retreat with full amenities just 20 minutes from the festival. The park features swimming, fishing access, and spacious pull-through sites.
For those seeking a more natural setting, Lake Norman State Park offers RV camping with electric hookups amid 1,942 acres of pristine wilderness, complete with hiking trails and lake access for post-festival relaxation.
Ticket pricing varies by date and purchase method, with advance online purchases offering the best value. General admission typically ranges from $25-$30 for adults, with discounts available for children, seniors, and military personnel. Multi-day passes and season passes provide additional savings for frequent visitors.
The Royal Package offers premium perks, including reserved seating at jousting tournaments, complimentary beverages, and exclusive access to the Royal Pavilion. Parking is free for all festival guests, with accessible parking available near the main entrances.
Check the Carolina Renaissance Festival website for current pricing and special promotions.
The Charlotte metro area serves as an excellent hub for RV rentals, offering everything from compact camper vans perfect for easy navigation to spacious travel trailers ideal for families attending the festival.
Most rental locations are strategically positioned within 20-30 minutes of the festival grounds, with convenient access via I-85 and I-77. Concord RV rentals offer particularly close proximity to the festival site, while Charlotte rentals provide access to the region's largest selection of RV types and amenities.
For festival-goers flying into Charlotte Douglas International Airport, many hosts offer delivery and setup services directly to nearby campgrounds, allowing you to arrive and find your home-away-from-home ready for your Renaissance adventure.
Wagons, wheelchairs, and strollers are welcome, and these can also be rented at the entrance. The Carolina Renaissance Festival takes place in a wooded, outdoor setting. While there are plenty of pathways connecting different parts of the site, much of the terrain is natural. However, the ground is firmly packed, so it’s usually navigable by wheelchair.
Festival attendees are encouraged to get into the spirit of the event by coming dressed in period costumes. Both child and adult costumes are available for rent at the entrance as well. Prop weapons that are a part of your outfit are allowed as long as they are properly sheathed, blunted, and peace-tied according to Carolina Renaissance Festival regulations.
Make sure your motorhome is loaded with travel essentials like flashlights, blankets, and snacks. On the day of the fair, consider carrying a small bag packed with necessary items like sunscreen and bug spray. One factory-sealed water bottle is allowed per guest. Musical instruments and firearms are not permitted on the grounds.
The festival takes place outdoors in a forested setting. So when you’re walking around enjoying the food and entertainment, be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen, sunglasses, heavy-duty bug spray, and a hat. Check the first aid kit in your RV to see if it is up to date before starting on your trip.
Relaxing around the fire with a hot meal is the perfect way to end to a day of fun activities at the Carolina Renaissance Festival. Stock your refrigerator with sandwich fillings, milk, fruits, and snacks before heading to your campsite. This way you won’t need to depend on a small camp store or go looking for one after you have set up your rig.
Although Huntersville is small in size, it has a thriving culinary scene. There are a couple of restaurants that are worth checking out when you're in the area. So head to one of these for a nice dinner or night out together. There are some excellent breakfast and brunch spots, as well.
The variety of food on offer is one of the highlights of the Carolina Renfest. Guests can take their pick from a wide range of fair eats like cinnamon rolls, caramel apples, crepes, turkey legs, and sweet potato fries. Alcoholic drinks will be available for sale at the pubs and beer carts.
Safety Services Personnel will be present at the front entrance and will also be making rounds. They will be conducting bag and belonging checks. Any prop weapons must be handed over to them for inspection at the gate and cleared before they are allowed into the Carolina Renaissance Festival. Firearms of any kind are strictly prohibited.
Guests are often greeted with sunny skies and warm weather. It can get quite cold at night, so carry blankets and warm clothing. A little rain is not likely to affect the proceedings. If the weather turns unexpectedly severe, the fair may be closed for the day. On such rare occasions, refunds may be issued according to fair guidelines.
In the case of a medical emergency, patrons can contact the closest staff member. They will direct you to the first aid station or get in touch with medical personnel. Alternatively, head to the nearest food concession booth and ask them to radio for help. Portable restrooms, including ADA-compliant ones, can be found throughout the grounds. Medical care and drug store services are as close as Interstate 77 to the west of the festival.
