About the Des Moines Renaissance Faire
Experience the “Age of Enlightenment” at the Des Moines Renaissance Faire. Enter our gates and you will go back in time to an era when royalty ruled, knights jousted, and the arts came alive! The excitement begins Labor Day weekend and extends through the next two weekends in September.
Browse
through more than 50 specialty shops. Attend the spectacle of the coronation
at the Royal Court. Shout the battle cry of your favorite knight at the
jousting arena. Partake in demonstrations by glass blowers, blacksmiths,
potters, wood carvers, and painters. Bring a purse full of coin, for our
merchants offer the finest in jewelry, weaponry, leather goods, candles,
clothing, children’s items, chocolates, pottery and more.
Come Hungry! The irresistible aromas of the various vendors’ baked goods, smoked meats, stir fry, roasted nuts and caramel corn will delight even the pickiest eater.
In addition to the delicious Midwest fare and unique shopping, this festival offers 8 stages featuring comedians, musicians, minstrels, jugglers, pirates, belly dancers and more! You will also find games of skill and chance as well as period man-powered carnival rides.
The architecture of the village, with Marick Castle overlooking it, will transport you to the best-detailed and realistic simulation of Renaissance Europe that Iowa has ever seen. Visit the gorgeous 16-acre Festival Park, the first-ever permanent location for the Faire, and enjoy a wonderful and educational experience for all ages! So, come! Bring your family and friends and spend the day reliving the past. Feel free to dress in Renaissance attire if you so desire!
Don’t miss out!
The Des Moines Renaissance Faire runs for 3 weekends in September beginning Labor Day weekend.
- Opening Gate Show: 10:00 AM
- Faire Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Daily
- August 30, 31 & September 1 (Labor Day) - Pirates,
Heroes & Daring Duels (1st Weekend)
The good folke of the Des Moines Renaissance Faire invite you to walk the plank August 30 and 31st as well as September 1st! Rub shoulders with the scurviest dogs you’ve ever met this side of the high seas. Or toss back a tankard with the prettiest and liveliest wenches in all of Christendom. Aaargh, mateys! - September 6 & 7 - Highlanders, Celts & Lucky
Lasses (2nd Weekend)
Honor is not dead at the Des Moines Renaissance Faire! Partake in the pageantry of noble knights vying for fair damsels. Compete in games of skill and chance and show off your prowess. Collect tokens of esteem and be dubbed "the most chivalrous man or woman" by Queen Catherine. Proudly sport your clan’s tartan colors and proclaim your heritage September 6th and 7th! All hail the Queen! - September 13 & 14 - Romance, Wine & Royal Revelry (3rd Weekend) September 13th and 14th can be also called the "weekend of wine, women, and song"—for these are the days to celebrate the best in grape-stomping, romantic-nuzzling, and nuptial ceremonies. Come, join in the authentic English court dances, savor fine wines and ales, and steal kisses from the one you love! Yonder comes my lover!
Produced By
The Des Moines Renaissance Faire is produced by Sleepy Hollow Sports Park and Fest LLC.
More details will be posted as Labor Day Weekend grows nearer. (If you are looking for the Iowa Renaissance Festival in the Amana Colonies, previously held over Labor Day Weekend, that event has moved to new Spring dates so everyone can come visit the new Des Moines event.)
