Renaissance Fair Pennsylvania

The Renaissance Fair Pennsylvania 2011 will usher you back into time—into a magical world filled with royalty, knights, and others straight from the sixteenth century. An invitation has been sent by Queen Elizabeth I; her majesty requests the honor of your presence at the fairgrounds that look much like a Tudor English village.

Once you arrive, you'll find a full range of fun, complete with costumes, live music, puppet shows, and magic acts. A dozen stages spread throughout the village hosts more than 90 daily live shows, and 23 royal kitchens cook up feasts fit for a king.

Pennsylvania Renaissance Festival History and Facts

The history of the Renaissance Fair Pennsylvania is closely tied to the story of a historic house—the Mount Hope Estate & Winery. Throughout the year, the elegant home hosts events and is open for tours and winery tastings. On weekends between the middle of August and Halloween, the estate's grounds transform into an English village for the renaissance fair.

The first festival happened in 1980 with a jousting contest. When that proved popular, Pennsylvania's Renaissance festival was born. Over the years, the event grew into a full-fledged festival, unfolding over 90 acres. Since 2006, the fair's organizers and volunteers have worked to make the festival green, making concerted efforts to keep the environment in mind and reduce the carbon footprint of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Festival.

Tickets to the Renaissance Fair Pennsylvania

Several options are available for tickets, including a single-day pass, which is discounted significantly for children age 5 to 11. Anyone younger can enter the festival grounds for free. Season passes also cost less for children. All visitors of any age full access to every weekend of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Festival 2011 as well as a packet of coupons and tickets to a meet-the-cast picnic.

Another ticket option, the Royal Pass, builds on the season ticket package with additional perks, including VIP parking and tickets for the next year's festival, one of the best attended of all Pennsylvania events.

Directions to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Festival

The Mount Hope Mansion and the fairgrounds are just fifteen miles to the north of Lancaster and thirteen miles east of Hershey. Nestled in northern Lancaster County's Manheim, Mount Hope Estate is located just minutes from exit 266 along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The toll road runs east to west across the state, more than 350 miles from the Ohio border to New Jersey.

Lodging near the Renaissance Fair Pennsylvania

If you're looking for Pennsylvania hotels close to the fairgrounds, you'll have many choices. Just ten minutes away, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites can be found at 101 Crosswinds Drive in Lititz. Also close to Amish country and great shopping, the inn features spacious guestrooms, some with king-size beds, and all with large TVs and movie channels. Beyond the rooms, you'll find an indoor spool and a whirlpool. All guests are welcome to visit the hot breakfast bar in the morning.

Another one of the hotels close to the Renaissance Fair Pennsylvania, the Country Inn & Suites Manheim is located at 1475 Lancaster Road. Each spacious and cozy guestroom features wireless Internet access and in-room coffee service. You'll also find an outdoor pool, exercise equipment, and a breakfast nook, where a complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning.