Ohio Renaissance Festival

Beware ye, haters of crowds!

I'm not a die hard renaissance festival goer but I feel like it's every Ohio child's right of passage to experience the faire at least once and my daughter had expressed interest in pirates weekend. So with our best efforts we donned some seaworthy garb and headed up on an 80 degree Saturday.

It was insanely hot and incredibly crowded but it made it all worth it to see how much my daughter enjoyed this new experience. The shops and shows and the general participation of the characters and faire goers alike is so much fun and guaranteed to give you the best RenFest experience!

Are you a fan of medieval time? Have an interest in renaissance artwork and pagentry? Or do you just like dressing up in like a knight, lord, lady, or fantasy character? Then the Ohio Renaissance Festival is a perfect event for you. It's always a great time loaded with fantastic shows, tasty food, brilliant libations, and tons of awesome goods to buy.
I've gone a few times before and so has my lady, and every time, we've had a great time. There's just so much to do, see, eat, drink, and experience. It's great for people of all ages and backgrounds. Wanna take in a show? There are shows going on all day, many for free, and some you pay a little extra for, such as the Whiskey Witches whiskey tasting ($30 person, great show with a whiskey tasting) and the Naughty Bawdy show ($30, adults only, price includes two adult libations and a drawing ticket for prizes). And yes, we did both if those shows, and yes, both were absolutely worth the price. We also enjoyed everything else, including just people watching everyone in their lavish costumes. So many people wear elaborate costumes to this event that you can't help but compliment them on their gear. I know I was complimenting people MANY times. Every person I complimented smiled and thanked me, so you know pretty much everyone here is friendly. It's just great fun!
It's hard NOT to have a great time at the Renaissance Festival, whether you come in costume or not. Of course, we dressed the part, and we felt like we fit right in. But even if you don't, you're guaranteed to have a wonderful time. Cometh, eat, drink, and be merry!

The husband and I have been attending the ORF (Ohio Renaissance Festival) for the last 4-years. It is our Happy Place! Food, music, performers, shops and magical garb (historical to scifi) and themed weekends! .. all are welcome! Prior to opening you are welcomed with a skit from high on the castle and then the Queen welcomes everyone and calls for the cannon to be fired, marking the opening of the gates! Pub crawls, whiskey tasting, wench collecting, games, face painting and rides for kids (hand powered by the strong citizens of the Willy Nilly or maybe they're Vikings ) ... It's all so much fun! This year they added a 5-acre area called Whimsy Woods and it is delightful. For 4 Friday/Saturdays (from the end of November to just before Christmas) the land of the Willy Nilly by the Wash is transformed into Yuletide. The castle is lit with Christmas lights, it is so beautiful and so magical , the perfect end to the year. Yuletide is where you come to enjoy warm foods and drinks (adult and kid friendly), ride a train, visit the petting zoo, learn about birds of prey and hold one or two! There are shops and don't forget to visit Santa and Krampus . We already have our passes for 2024 (Yuletide passes are usually sold after the Renaissance Festival had ended. Get your tickets early!

I have not been to the Renaissance Festival in six years. I will have to say that it is grown substantially. They had at least 100 new vendors and many of the old ones the food prices were not necessarily cheap, but a good value for what you get the worst thing that I seen were lines for the bathrooms, but they moved rather quickly. Parking was a little rough this morning but that's to be understood Viking weekend. Tends to draw a huge crowd. I think I may even come back next weekend just to look around more. I used to come every year but I have not been here in several years due to my children being old enough to come on their own. With that said, I will be back, and I highly recommend you come if you've never been here. The Ohio Renaissance festival is one of the top five largest festivals in the United States I know Texas is the largest Arizona I believe is second largest, I think one or two may be larger than Ohio, but I'm not 100% sure. If you've never been here, definitely worth it, just know you will have absolutely no cell service on the premises, so plan accordingly, if you're planning on separating from friends and family.

They outdid themselves this year with a great expansion with more food/beverage/shows and restrooms to reduce the lines significantly! Shows are fantastic and the arts and crafts are amazing as well. Such a great time every year!!

First time in 20 years or so for me, and first time for Baby K. It was huge, and packed with things to do and see. Lots of shops, plenty of food places, plenty of stages and things going on. Worth a whole day, and season passes make sense if you are really into it.

Half the crowd dresses up, and since this was Fairy Weekend K got to see loads of fairies- and dressed as one. Many very impressive costumes. We saw several performances, and they were all good. The place is laid out well, and there are maps. Very kid-friendly.

Parking was well organized, there are real restrooms by the ticket counters, and plenty of portapotties there and inside. I recommend getting tickets in advance- lines were long.

One drawback: sketchy cell service. Oh, and food lines, at least early in the day. By the time we left at 5, things weren't bad. Next time we will eat on the way here, and get a snack later.

Had a really fun time. Some of the acts were very entertaining and some weren't but it was worth coming. The people watching alone was worth the trip. Weather was perfect. Food was expensive but we got some snacks.
The mud show and the fireflies were our favorite act and when the knight got in free for all fight.

Had high hopes from years past but today's visit was a disappointment. Money grab from the get. $30 Ticket for admission and then once inside EVERYTHING costs money. What's admission paying for? From the food to the artisan wares that were made in China- everything has gone downhill. The fireflies and the mud performers were highlights of the afternoon. We are a one and done family and won't be back again.

Having been to MANY RenFests, this is the BEST! And they have a huge season, and they have a Christmas version, and they have a haunted woods, and the have a spring event: Yuletide, Brimstone Haunt, and Celtic Fest respectively.

Extra star is for the "Mud Show" which always make me smile.

SO overcrowded this year, to the point of nearly being unable to move. Lines for food, drinks, and bathrooms were average 30 people deep. For me, nothing really special here once you have experienced it before. Lots of stalls selling marked-up cheap junk. Turkey legs were tough like leather and really gross. I have enjoyed it in years past, but not this year.