Sterling Renaissance Festival
Drive your RV to the Sterling Renaissance Festival to be thoroughly entertained, feast like a king, and enjoy a whole lot of merriment.
Event information
The Sterling Renaissance Festival transforms 35 wooded acres into the medieval village of Warwick, England, each summer, celebrating its 49th year in 2025. This seven-weekend event features 12 stages, over 100 performers, full-contact jousting, and themed weekends from July 5 through August 17. Running weekends only (10 AM-7 PM), the festival draws visitors from across the Northeast to experience authentic Renaissance entertainment. For RV travelers, the festival's location near Lake Ontario and lack of onsite camping make nearby state parks and campgrounds essential for planning. Whether you're seeking a weekend adventure or an extended Finger Lakes exploration, an RV rental puts you within easy reach of both the festival grounds and New York's stunning lake country.
What is the Sterling Renaissance Festival?
The Sterling Renaissance Festival is a themed fair that recreates an Elizabethan town at festival time, set in the fictional village of Warwick, England, in the year 1585. Founded in 1976 by Dennis Ouellette Sr., the festival has grown into one of New York's premier Renaissance celebrations, featuring permanent structures rambling across wooded hillsides.
The festival serves as a 12-stage performance venue, environmental theatre, arts and crafts fair, jousting tournament, and food festival all rolled into one family adventure. Local actors portray Queen Elizabeth and members of her court, including historical figures like Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Francis Drake, performing shows such as the human chess match and Tea with the Queen while interacting with patrons throughout the grounds.
Multiple themed weekends add variety for repeat visitors, including Romance Weekend, Pirates Weekend, Highland Fling, and the Grand Finale celebration. Over 100 stage and street performers provide continuous entertainment, from Renaissance musicians and bagpipers to jugglers, sword-swallowers, and comedy acts.
For those planning to explore the festival with an RV, discover Syracuse, New York RV rentals perfect for your festival adventure, or consider our selection of Rochester, New York RV rentals just 45 minutes from the festival grounds.
When and Where is the Sterling Renaissance Festival Held?
- Dates: July 5-August 17, 2025 (weekends only)
- Schedule: Saturdays & Sundays 10 AM-7 PM, rain or shine
- Location: Sterling, NY (specific address available on festival website)
- Season: 49th anniversary season in 2025
Tickets
How Much Does the Sterling Renaissance Festival Cost?
Adult tickets (12 and up) cost $39.95, children (ages 4-11) are $21.95, and children 3 and under enter free. Two-day passes are available for $69.95 (only available at the gate), while season passes cost $229.95 for adults and $119.95 for children.
Discount tickets are available August 15 through May 31, 2025, with regular pricing beginning June 1, 2025. Tickets can be purchased online or at the festival upon arrival. The festival has gone cashless for all food and beverage locations, accepting only credit/debit cards and mobile payments like Apple Pay.
Check out the Sterling Renaissance Festival website for updated information on tickets and special events.
How Do I Rent an RV Near Sterling for the Festival?
Sterling's location in the Finger Lakes region provides excellent access to RV rentals from both Syracuse and Rochester, the two nearest major cities. Both cities offer diverse RV options from compact camper vans perfect for couples to spacious travel trailers ideal for families attending multiple weekends.
Syracuse RV rental locations are approximately 45 minutes from Sterling, while Rochester options are about 50 minutes away, both with convenient highway access via Route 104 and local roads. Many owners offer delivery services to area campgrounds, perfect for first-time RVers who want a "show up and stay" experience.
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Book your RV rental well in advance, especially for July and August dates, as the festival season coincides with peak summer travel in the Finger Lakes region.
Explore Sterling Renaissance Festival RV Rentals
Transportation
Driving
The festival takes place in Sterling, NY, accessible via Route 104 and local roads from Syracuse or Rochester. The venue sits on wooded hillsides with ample parking areas, though these fill quickly during popular themed weekends like Pirates or Highland Fling.
Parking areas
Free parking is available at the festival grounds, but spaces fill up fast during peak attendance days. No overnight parking or camping is permitted on festival grounds, making advance reservations at nearby campgrounds essential for RV travelers.
Public Transportation
Public transportation options are limited in this rural area of upstate New York. Having your own RV provides the most convenient access to the festival while allowing you to explore the broader Finger Lakes region.
Where to stay
Onsite
Camping is not available on the Sterling Renaissance Festival grounds, and overnight parking is not permitted.
Nearby
Sterling's location near Lake Ontario offers exceptional RV camping options within a 10-mile radius of the festival grounds. Since camping is not available at the festival and overnight parking is prohibited, advance reservations at nearby campgrounds are essential.
Top RV Parks Near the Festival:
Fair Haven Beach State Park provides the premier camping experience, less than five miles from the festival venue. This exceptional state park offers three camping areas: Bluff Electric (46 sites with hookups), Drumlin Non-Electric, and Lakeview Non-Electric, all accommodating RVs up to 35 feet. Located right on Lake Ontario, the park features swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking trails.
Cherry Grove Campground offers a family-friendly Lake Ontario experience with over 100 campsites, a swimming pool, mini-golf course, playground, and an on-site store with groceries and RV supplies. This pet-friendly campground provides excellent amenities for festival-goers wanting recreational activities between festival days.
The Landing Campground sits on the banks of Fish Creek between Syracuse and Utica, offering full hookups, WiFi, cable access, beach swimming, boat rentals, and a children's playground. The waterfront location provides a tranquil base for your festival adventure.
Waterloo Harbor Campground in Seneca County offers campsite options with full hookups or water/electric service, shower facilities, laundry room, and direct access to the Cayuga-Seneca Cycle Trail for active campers.
For those seeking delivery services, many Syracuse and Rochester RV owners offer setup at Fair Haven Beach State Park and other area campgrounds.
Getting around
The venue covers over 35 acres, and the terrain is mostly natural, so you’re likely to be doing a lot of walking. Strollers are recommended for young children, but they may not be allowed in some sections of the venue. Patrons with disabilities will be allowed to use manual or motorized wheelchairs. Some of the grass-covered areas can be challenging to navigate if it rains.
What to pack
Clothing
Embrace the festival spirit by dressing as a historical character or in Renaissance-inspired costume. Costume rentals are available near the entrance if you decide to join the fun after arriving in regular clothes. Prop weapons like daggers and swords are permitted but must be sheathed and peace-tied at all times—festival staff can assist with proper securing upon entry.
Gear
Essential items include a valid ID, festival tickets, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, and a portable charger. The festival operates rain or shine, so pack layers and rain gear. Since the venue is cashless for food and beverages, ensure you have credit/debit cards or mobile payment options ready.
Health & Safety
Sterling's location near Lake Ontario generally provides cooler summer temperatures than other New York regions, but sun protection remains important. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for navigating the wooded, hilly terrain throughout the 35-acre festival grounds.
Where to eat
Cooking
Most area campgrounds allow portable grills and outdoor cooking. Fair Haven Beach State Park and other nearby campgrounds provide fire pits and picnic tables, perfect for preparing meals between festival visits. Local grocery stores in Sterling and nearby communities offer supply restocking options.
Restaurants
Sterling offers local diners and cafes, while the nearby city of Oswego (20 minutes away) provides more extensive dining options. Lake Ontario's shoreline features several restaurants with scenic water views for memorable meals.
Vendors
The festival features Renaissance-inspired food vendors offering everything from traditional turkey legs and meat pies to modern festival fare. With the shift to cashless payments, all food and beverage purchases require credit/debit cards or mobile payments. Special events like the Royal Tea provide unique dining experiences with the Queen and her court.
Safety
Security
Security personnel patrol the grounds throughout festival hours, conducting bag checks at entrances. The festival maintains a family-friendly atmosphere with staff trained to handle any issues that arise during the busy event days.
Weather
The festival operates rain or shine, though some outdoor performances may be modified during severe weather. Sterling's Lake Ontario location typically provides pleasant summer temperatures with cool evenings, perfect for campground activities after festival days..
Medical
First aid stations are available on festival grounds with trained medical professionals. Emergency services can be reached if needed, and area hospitals in Syracuse and Rochester provide comprehensive medical care within an hour's drive.
