FAQs

What is a Renaissance Faire?

Our Faire is 30 acres of pure fun! 20 stages offer variety entertainment all day long. In addition, we dazzle you with a fully armored joust, the Queen and her glittering Court, amazing arts and crafts, delicious food, fine spirits, music, dance, parades, rides and games, and entertainers in the streets all day long. Join us for a day of play!

What are the dates and hours?
We are open Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day Monday, July 7 through September 3, 2012 from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm.

How much are the tickets for admission? What does the admission price include?
Ticket prices are $19.95 for Adults. $9.75 for Children. Children 4 and under are always free. For more information on ticket prices, click here.

Admission includes all entertainment, the Jousts, parades, the on-going spectacle of hundreds of performers in street and stage performances, making music and holding a dance. There are interactive living history exhibits, craft demonstrations, a battle pageant, and activities for children are available at Kids Kingdom.

How much is parking?

Bristol offers both a preferred parking lot near the front gate for $5 (cash only) and a free parking lot to the far south side of the faire (entrance off the frontage road only). Both lots are mowed grass fields.

Is there a place to secure bicycles?

While Bristol does not currently have a bicycle rack, there is a roped off area used for motorcycle parking near the front gate. You may secure your bicycle to the posts there. There is no charge to secure a bicycle.

I have allergies/dietary restrictions. Can I have a special exception regarding outside food?

You must obtain permission from the Bristol office to bring in food for yourself. This exception will apply only to the person with the dietary restriction and will NOT give you permission to bring in food for your entire party. Please call the office at 847-395-7773 or contact bristolfriends@renfair.com to obtain permission.

Are there vegetarian/vegan options available on site?

A complete menu can be found here:

http://www.renfair.com/bristol/thefaire/food.asp

Vegetarian/Vegan offerings are marked

What other amenities are available?

For your convenience, we have the following on the faire grounds:

ATMs

Restrooms

Handicapped Restrooms

Wheelchairs (Manual-only. No electric chairs.)

Water Fountains

First Aid & Infant Feeding Room

Lost & Found

Baby Changing Facilities

Do I have to come in costume?
No, comfortable clothes are recommended. We do offer costume rentals through several of our merchants. Many of our guests come in costume and we feel that the whole experience is heightened and more fun when you come dressed to play.

Rates for renting costumes from Wizard's Wardrobe range between $15 and $50 for the day, depending on the complexity of the costume. Renters must pay a $10 refundable cash deposit (per costume rented), while the actual rental fee itself may be paid by cash or credit card. Renters must be 18 years or older to sign a costume rental agreement. All Wizard's Wardrobe costumes are laundered between rentals. Costuming is available for adults of all ages and children as young as four years old.

If I wear a costume do I get in for free?

No.

Is a kilt appropriate?

We receive this question quite a bit. On one hand, were kilts worn in 1574? Yes. Are most modern kilt patterns period appropriate? No. But even though Bristol recreates an English village, our guests should feel free to come however you are most comfortable. In years past we've had guests arrive in everything from Roman legionaire garb through WWII fatigues... and Lord of the Rings through Star Trek. We welcome anyone who is willing to get into the spirit of things and play for a day.

May I bring my instrument?

No. Due to an unfortunate number of people who have brought instruments and attempted to busk in our streets, you may not bring in any instrument except for a drum for our drum jam.

May I bring a concealed firearm?

No. The Bristol Renaissance Faire is a "special event" by Wisconsin law. We do not permit any person to bring any type of concealed weapon or firearm on our property. Below is the relevant passage:

It is unlawful for any person to enter or remain at a special event if the organizers of the special event have notified the actor not to remain at the special event while carrying a firearm or with that type of firearm. The provision does not apply if the firearm is in a vehicle driven or parked in the parking facility, to any part of the special event grounds or building that is used as a parking facility. The law defines ―special event‖ as an event that is open to the public, is for a duration of not more than three weeks, and either has designated entrances to and from the event that are locked when the event is closed or requires an admission. Wis. Stat. § 943.13(1m)(c)3.

What is your photo policy? What is your privacy policy?

All our policies can be found here.