2025 MICHIGAN RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

The Michigan Renaissance Festival returns to its medieval Hollygrove Village fairgrounds in Metro Detroit's Oakland County (about an hour north of Detroit just off Interstate 75) for its 46th season this year. Step back in time by visiting a bustling 16th century realm where you can interact with nobles, knights, troubadours, jesters and maybe even cross paths with some fairy folk. Be on guard because Vikings and pirates are also known to raid the festivities from time to time.

Sebastian the Singing Pirate is one of the acts you may come across on one of the Michigan Renaissance Festival's 17 entertainment stages featuring live music, comedy, magic acts and more. This year's event runs on weekends August 16 through September 28. Huzzah!

Cheering on knights participating in the annual Mich Ren Fest jousting tournament is probably my favorite part of the festivities. Seeing the horses race around the pitch while their riders compete in both competitions of skill and battles with iron weapons is impressive. Though sometimes just sitting back with a cold ale and listening to some live music from days gone by can be delightful too. Do you have a favorite activity that takes place at a Renaissance Fair?

There are some new activities taking place in 2025 at the Michigan Renaissance Festival. There will be a Wicked Wand Workshop, Ninja Warrior Challenge, and Petting Zoo incorporated into the festivities within the medieval village of Hollygrove. Here's some exciting news too, although I step through the standing stones in 21st century garb to visit Hollygrove and only stay for a brief time each year, the honor of citizen has been bestowed upon me. As a subtle aside to my fellow travelers, while there was nothing nefarious about my receiving such a title, if you would like to obtain this privilege stopping by Traveling Leather while in Hollygrove and paying a modest tribute to the shopkeeper goes a long way in obtaining a badge of citizenship.

Hours for the Michigan Renaissance Festival are 9 AM to 7PM (Rain or Shine). Hollygrove Village is located at 12600 Dixie Highway, Holly, MI 48442. The event takes place on the following dates with these themed weekends:

August 16 - 17: Pirates & Pups

August 23 - 24: Highland Fling

August 30 - Sept 1: Viking Invasion

September 6 - 7: Wonders of the World

September 13 - 14: Shamrocks & Shenanigans

September 20 - 21: Harvest Hazzah

September 27-28: Sweet Endings

Admission is $27.95 for adults, $25.95 for seniors and $18.95 for kids (5-12) with children under 5 having FREE admission. Additionally, parking passes are $15 per vehicle per day. It is recommended you purchase online prior to your arrival.

For more information, head over the michrenfest.com

MICHIGAN RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL PREVIEW PARTY

Soon the grounds of the Michigan Renaissance Festival will be filled with the sounds of merriment and ruckus as its 2022 season commences. This year's Mich Ren Fest takes place on weekends from August 20 through October 2. I appreciate being invited to the medieval village of Hollygrove for a preview party of this year's festivities at its Blackstone Castle.

The Michigan Renaissance Festival is known for its demonstrations of sword play and jousting, musical performances and feasts. We were treated to samples of all of these at this year's preview party. It was an entertaining evening with delicious food to enjoy. I was even knighted to Hollygrove's Order of Chivalry! 

For information on how you can join in on this year's activities, visit MichRenFest.com. This annual Metro Detroit event is located at 12600 Dixie Highway near Holly in northern Oakland County. I always enjoy spending an afternoon cheering on the participants of the jousting tournament while snacking on turkey legs and pickles. An exciting way to escape from reality for a day by traveling back in time to another era. Huzzah!

REALITY COMPETITION SHOW HAS FANTASY ADVENTURE THEME

Eight teenagers are embarking on an adventure called THE QUEST that will be streaming on Disney Plus beginning May 11 that merges scripted elements of a tabletop role playing game experience with an unscripted reality tv competition. These Paladins will be engaging in real physical and mental challenges in a fantasy setting that is filled with medieval weapons, amazing magic and scary monsters. These heroes are immersed in a fantasy world come to life, complete with a castle, royals, mystical creatures and a sorceress intent on destruction and power. If you are a fan of Amazing Race, Dungeon and Dragons, Lord of the Rings, or Tough as Nails, THE QUEST is a show you will probably be geeked about as it merges the two genres of fantasy adventure and reality competition through Disney creative and special effects magic.

THE QUEST is being produced by the Academy Award®- and Emmy®-winning teams behind “The Lord of the Rings,” “The Amazing Race” and “Queer Eye". This Disney Plus show promises to combine the best elements of scripted and unscripted content to create an immersive competition series where fantasy and reality collide as the participating teens compete in challenges in a fully-realized setting. Each Paladin’s mind, body, and soul will be put to the test with new surprises around every corner of the unknown land, changing not only the fate of the Kingdom of Everealm where contestants are transported to, but also their own.

 

For thousands of years, Everealm has been a land of unrivaled beauty and powerful magic. Now, the realm is threatened by a powerful evil Sorceress. As a last hope, the noble Fates summon eight strangers known as Paladins from our world to work together to fulfill an ancient prophecy and vanquish the Sorceress. The Paladins must unlock the hero within through a series of challenges that push their limits to restore balance to Everealm. If they fail, all will be lost. Heroes will rise. Kingdoms will fall. 

THE QUEST is taking the immersive experience to a Renaissance Festival to a whole new level! Archery, mazes, puzzles and other obstacles should be entertaining to view. What other types of challenges do you think the Paladins will encounter? If the props and special effects are as good as they appear in the trailer this show should be fantastic! 

MICHIGAN RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL 2019

A GEEK DADDY RECEIVED COMPLIMENTARY ADMISSION TO THE RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

It is that time of year again when the Michigan Renaissance Festival rides into town for its annual appearance. Adventure awaits during weekends filled with jousts, sword fights, and mythical creatures. On Saturdays and Sundays from August 17 through September 27, the festival grounds in Holly, Michigan are transformed into a realm filled with royal courts and knightly heroes, bandits and pirates, as well as bards, jesters and Shakespearean actors.  Join in the merriment and festivities of the 2019 Michigan Renaissance Festival.

Your adventure begins with a walk through a wooded path leading from the parking lot to the gates of the Renaissance era village of Hollygrove. As you begin your trek to the Renaissance Fest it starts off as a leisurely nature hike with no sign of modern life around you and the sound of birds and the wind whistling through tree leaves drifting in the air. Eventually the woods begins to fill with the sounds of festivities taking place as you emerge from the forest and come upon the gates to a realm of entertainment and excitement. Let your adventure begin!



Take in shows that include sword battles with comedic flair, dancing and musical performances and acrobatic feats. They even have a Birds of Prey presentation that provides audiences close up views of these raptors as trainers have them fly through the crowd. Stages with a variety of activities taking place throughout the day are spread out across the Renaissance village so there is always something going on as you wander around.

Discover mythical creatures with Pegasus, Mermaids, and Unicorns calling the Renaissance Festival home. We even came across some trolls that seemed friendly despite the menacing spiked teeth in their grins as they sang  ballads along side a path. Transform into a magical being yourself by having some wax ears affixed to your head turning you into an elf or fairy. If feeling a bit naughty you can choose to have horns placed on your forehead to show others that you are a little devil.

The Renaissance Fest is a family-friendly experience with activities dedicated specifically to keeping young lords and ladies amused. There are pony rides and carnival games just for the kids. Plus medieval thrill rides like the Flying Dragon!

My favorite part of the Michigan Renaissance Festival though are the live armored jousts. Knights in shiny suits of metal compete on horseback in games and jousting battles to be honored as the Queen's champion. The jousting tournaments are held three times per day at 1pm, 3pm and 5pm. Get into the spirit of the day by shouting out Huzzah! to rally the knight representing your seating section to victory.

They didn't have the sweets and treats of modern civilization during medieval times, so being that the Renaissance Fest is meant to transport you back in history this dad blogger snacked on some delicious pickles during the jousting tournament that vendors were selling. They were really good! I highly recommend you stop by one of the carts selling these on your way to the jousts.

Stick around after the jousting concludes because the knights will approach the crowd for pictures and to allow their horses to be petted. The cast of knights is great at staying in character and their boisterous attitudes are invigorating at getting people into a festive attitude. Interacting with the festival's cast of characters allows visitors whether or not they dress in cos-play to really immerse themselves within the Renaissance Festival experience.

Get into the action yourself trying out the weapons of the time. Give archery a shot! Show off your inner Robin Hood with a bow and arrow on the Michigan Renaissance Festival archery range.

Other options include throwing axes and spears at targets. While they weren't used in Europe during Renaissance times, you can also toss Ninja throwing stars there too. Be a weekend warrior shooting bows and arrows and throwing weapons at the Renaissance Festival.

Or you can Pester a Jester! Throw tomatoes at some obnoxious jesters while they hurl insults back at you. If you are easily offended you either need to walk away or have great aim because they jesters are really mean though their intent is to provide fun and amusement through rude repertoire.

Please note that there is limited use of credit cards at the festival, primarily accessible for select food vendors. Cash is king at the Renaissance Festival! So come prepared to have some spending money for activities and vendors as well as to provide tips to performers.

Oh yes! An adventure does await you at the Michigan Renaissance Festival. Huzzah! For more information, go to MichRenFest.com.

2015 Michigan Renaissance Festival

** This is a U.S. Family Guide Sponsored Post for an event that I have been provided free tickets to attend for a future blog review. I have not received any financial compensation for this post **

Take a time-travel adventure into the 16th century at the 37th annual Michigan Renaissance Festival! Join the the Fest's Queen Elizabeth in a jubilee! Inside the Festival's turreted gates, visitors enjoy the sights and sounds of a 17-acre village, complete with building reproductions of Renaissance shops, taverns and a magnificent castle. Continuous entertainment takes place on the streets and on 17 themed stages; featuring full-contact armored jousting, comedy and theater shows, music, games, people-powered rides and so much more! Fabulous food and more than 300 artisans displaying their gallery-quality works complete the experience! The 2015 Michigan Renaissance Festival takes place on weekends and Labor day August 22nd thru October 4th! Plus Festival Friday on October 2nd.

A Geek Daddy's blog readers save $3 Off Gate Admission! With this Coupon, receive $3 off an Adult Admission or a FREE child ticket with the purchase of an Adult Ticket. Not Valid with any other offers. CLICK HERE to print out your special U.S. Family Guide coupon.

Our family is excited to attend the Michigan Renaissance Festival and hope you'll join us in going to #MichRenFest this year.  There are a variety of fun themed weekends that include Highland Fling, High Seas Adventure, Wonders of the World, Harvest Huzzah, and Sweet Endings.  Which of these sounds like it would be your favorite to venture to? The 37th annual Michigan Renaissance Festival takes place at 12600 Dixie Highway in Holly Michigan from August 22nd thru October 4th, 10am - 7pm, Rain or Shine! Click here for ticket prices and don't forget to use your coupon from A Geek Daddy blog.  Oh and did I mention FREE PARKING at the event.  I hate paying extra for parking so that is always something I appreciate. Huzzah!