King Richard’s Faire Celebrates Its 45th Anniversary

Posted by gaytravelinformation on September 3, 2026 · Leave a Comment

New England’s largest and longest-running Renaissance festival returns to Carver for eight themed weekends filled with jousting, live entertainment, fantasy, food, shopping and plenty of medieval merriment.

Hear ye, hear ye! King Richard’s Faire is celebrating a major milestone in 2026—and everyone is invited to join the royal festivities.

The beloved New England Renaissance festival returns for its 45th anniversary season, running weekends from September 5 through October 25, 2026, plus the Monday holidays on September 7 and October 12.

Located at the Edaville Entertainment Venue in Carver, Massachusetts, King Richard’s Faire offers a wonderfully immersive escape into the mythical village of Carvershire. For eight weekends, the wooded grounds come alive with knights, royalty, musicians, artisans, entertainers and colorful villagers determined to help guests leave the modern world behind.

Four and a Half Decades of Fantasy and Fun

Since its debut 45 years ago, King Richard’s Faire has grown into one of New England’s most anticipated fall traditions. Whether you arrive dressed in full Renaissance regalia, add a subtle touch of fantasy to your outfit or come exactly as you are, stepping through the gates feels like entering another world.

Hundreds of performers entertain throughout the day across eight stages, a massive tournament field and the village lanes. Visitors can expect comedy, live music, aerialists, acrobatic animals, giant puppets, interactive characters and, of course, the Faire’s legendary horseback jousting.

The 2026 anniversary storyline welcomes King Richard XI and Queen Anne III back to Carvershire during the harvest season. Their return soon becomes entangled in mysterious royal intrigue, magical mishaps and an anniversary celebration unlike any the kingdom has seen before.

Guests won’t simply watch the story unfold—they’ll become part of the adventure as they encounter members of the royal court and other characters throughout the village.

What’s New for the 45th Anniversary Season?

King Richard’s Faire continues to expand its home at Edaville Entertainment Venue, with several additions designed to make the experience even more enjoyable and immersive.

New and enhanced features for 2026 include:

An expanded village
New permanent shoppes
Additional shaded seating and gathering areas
New Joust Dais VIP seating
VIP parking
New trees, flowers and other plantings throughout the grounds

The expanded village gives visitors even more room to explore, shop, dine and enjoy the lively atmosphere of Carvershire.

Cheer on the Knights

No visit to King Richard’s Faire would be complete without experiencing the thunder of hooves and clash of armor at the tournament field.

Talented knights compete on horseback in thrilling jousting performances filled with pageantry, skill and spectacle. Choose your champion, cheer as loudly as you can and prepare to become completely caught up in the excitement.

Visitors looking to make the experience extra special can reserve the new Joust Dais VIP seating, offering an upgraded view of the action.

Feast Like Royalty

Exploring a medieval kingdom can work up quite an appetite, and King Richard’s Faire offers plenty of hearty food and festive drinks.

Guests can feast on giant turkey legs, savory stews, chowders and sweet treats. Adults can also raise a tankard filled with mead, wine, brew or one of the Faire’s signature cocktails.

The famous turkey legs are practically part of the King Richard’s Faire experience—messy, enormous and perfectly suited for a day of medieval adventure.

Shop the Artisan Marketplace

Throughout the village, artisans from across the country and around the world showcase their handmade creations and centuries-old skills.

The marketplace is an excellent place to browse for jewelry, leather goods, artwork, pottery, clothing, fantasy accessories and unique gifts that you aren’t likely to find anywhere else. Some artisans also demonstrate their crafts, giving visitors a closer look at the work behind each creation.

Between the shoppes, games, rides and wandering entertainers, surprises await around nearly every corner.

Eight Themed Weekends

Each weekend of the 2026 season features different programming, contests, fandom celebrations, charitable initiatives and special events—giving visitors plenty of reasons to return.

Appreciation Weekend

September 5–7

Opening weekend includes Carver Appreciation Day, Salute to Safety, Labor Day’s “No Work, All Play” celebration and Autism Welcome Weekend.

Babes & Beer/Pirate Invasion

September 12–13

Pirates invade the kingdom for a lively weekend featuring a Cleavage Contest benefiting breast cancer awareness and the Queen’s Beer Run benefiting colon cancer awareness.

HP Fandom in the Kingdom

September 19–20

Witches, wizards and magical folk can enjoy hat sorting, house meetups and the Spry Wizard Tournament.

Love & Companionship

September 26–27

Celebrate love in all its forms with vow renewals, the Market Days artisan promotion, Deaf Awareness Day and pet dog companions.

This weekend could be an especially charming choice for couples looking for a playful and unconventional fall date—or anyone who believes every love story deserves a little medieval magic.

Gamer’s Guild/D&D Fandom

October 3–4

Adventurers can take part in mini campaigns, a dungeons and gaming contest and the Battle of the Upside Down.

Highland Happenings

October 10–12

Kilts take center stage during a three-day weekend featuring the Highland Hunks Contest and the King Richard’s Faire Highland Games.

Kingdoms United

October 17–18

Fantasy worlds collide during a weekend featuring the “One Knight for Seven Kingdoms” jousting tournament, Game of Thrones fandom and visiting royalty, plus a Lord of the Rings relay race and ring toss.

Fest-Evil Finale

October 24–25

The final weekend brings Halloween to the kingdom with trick-or-treating, a children’s costume parade, an adult costume contest, a witch dance and the season’s final drum jam.

A Colorful Fall Escape for Every Kind of Royal

King Richard’s Faire brings together history buffs, fantasy lovers, theatre fans, foodies, gamers, families, couples and groups of friends for a delightfully theatrical fall experience.

The village encourages visitors to have fun, express themselves and become whoever they would like to be for the day—a noble royal, daring knight, mischievous fairy, powerful wizard, adventurous pirate or simply a curious traveler ready to enjoy the spectacle.

For LGBTQ+ visitors seeking a festive New England getaway with live entertainment, fabulous costumes, fantasy fandoms and an unmistakable sense of theatrical flair, a day in Carvershire makes a memorable addition to any fall travel itinerary.