posted Jun 08, 2026

Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire Itinerary

Experience the excitement of jousting knights, royal delights, and colorful costumed villagers and merrymakers. Here's what to do when you're visiting.

Step into the world of fantasy at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. Here's how you'll spend your day at the faire. We have accommodations sorted for you, including hotels, bed & breakfasts, and other options in Manheim and neighboring towns.

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Event Information

Dates

Saturdays & Sundays | August 15 - October 25, 2026

Hours

Gates Open at 11AM | Faire closes at 8PM
Merchants, food and beverages begin closing at 7PM.

Location

Mount Hope Estate | 2775 Lebanon Rd. Manheim, PA 17545

FESTIVAL INFORMATION

2026 Scenario

The year is 1567 and Queen Elizabeth is becoming ever more beloved by her people as each year passes. Having heard her father, Henry VIII, spin many tales about Mount Hope with all its joys and perils, she wishes to experience it for herself and has decided to make a visit to the Shire. With her, she brings along her favored Ladies, Sir Walter Raleigh, and her most favorite courtier, the dashing Robert Dudley.

Mount Hope is wild with excitement to welcome Elizabeth and her Court and feeling that since the Shire is the place that ranked foremost in royal hearts for generations, who better to relieve the Queen of a burden that surely weighs on her heart and mind, namely, who shall be her consort? As a woman, of course she must marry, and word on the Shire is that Dudley is vying for her hand, but not everyone is keen on that idea.

As far as Mount Hope is concerned, there could be no finer choice than for her to marry a good stout Englishman from the best Shire in the land. And so, in true Mount Hope fashion, candidates are put forward, choices are made, sides are taken, conflicts, resolutions, and hijinks ensue.

What you need to do at the PA Renaissance Faire

See Cast Shows

The Shire is bustling with many shows to keep you busy all weekend long!

Get Ready to be Entertained

Get ready to witness the jousting of knights, the indulgence of royals and their comforts, and converse with the colorfully costumed villagers. By doing so you will make your visit an unforgettable experience. Musical, stunt, and theatrical performances are just a few of the many daily shows that will be taking place at the Faire!

Weekly Photo Contest

Take part in the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire weekly photo contest where you can show off the amazing outfit you wore at the Faire!

Meet the Characters

The cast of characters at the Faire makes your experience even more memorable! Explore all the characters here. These characters are professional actors, signers, and dancers so please keep that in mind during your visit.

Fireworks above Renaissance style building with actors dancing in front.

FAIRE DAY SPECIAL EVENTS

Pub Crawl
Laugh, sing and journey through the Shire on a guided tour to three stops to enjoy a sample of Swashbuckler Brewing Company Beer or Lancaster County Cider with a final stop at O'Malley's to enjoy one last sample paired with saucy entertainment and a salty pretzel.

Bard's Breakfast
Enter the front gate and journey to the Anchor & Mermaid Tavern in Swashbuckler Grove to sip a Bloody Mary, Maria or Cider Mimosa from a souvenir tumbler while enjoying the scandalous and licentious poetry of Sir Arthur Greenleaf Holmes. Leaving the Tavern, make your way to the Argyle Café atop Food Row to redeem a voucher for a hearty Scotch Egg.

Escape Room A: Return to Narnia
Enter a dusty, forgotten attic in wartime England where the ordinary world feels heavy and gray. Yet, something ancient stirs behind the old wardrobe in the corner. A chill in the air. A distant roar. The faint promise of snow and magic…

Escape Room B: The Haunted Boudoir
Enter a mysterious, eerie boudoir where dark secrets and restless spirits lurk. In this spine-chilling escape room, you and your team must uncover the unsettling history of the room and its former occupant before the restless spirits claim you as their next victim. Every corner of the boudoir holds clues, but beware — some secrets are better left hidden.

Glassblowing Experience: One-on-One Guided Sessions
Unleash your creativity with our hands-on glassblowing experiences! Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to try something new, our one-on-one sessions are designed for everyone. No prior experience is required — simply show up, pick your favorite colors, and create a beautiful glass piece under the guidance of a skilled instructor.

THEMED WEEKENDS

Each weekend throughout the Faire season will showcase an exciting and unique theme that offers a different experience every time.

Fairies & Fantasy
August 15 & 16, 2026
The gates of the shire swing open wide welcoming all to Mount Hope! Find yourself amongst your fellow travelers as well as travelers from the Fey realm—Pixies, Brownies, Fairies, Dungeon Masters and other Seelie folk. Join us and experience the fantasy!

Legends of the Sea
August 22 & 23, 2026
The sea holds many mysteries, and we welcome them all! Let Merfolk and Landfolk, Pyrates and Sailors, Krakens and Clams assemble for a tsunami of fun!

Heroes & Villains
August 29 & 30, 2026
In a world where the forces of light and dark battle, join the Shire of Mount Hope in saluting all the Heroes of the Realm!

Viking Weekend
September 5 & 6, 2026
The thrumming of drums can be heard off the coast as a longboat comes into view. By Odin's ravens, Vikings have arrived in Mount Hope, and after consulting with the Town Council, it has been declared that all are welcome! Or else…

Wizarding Weekend
September 12 & 13, 2026
Mount Hope has gotten even more magical! Have you graduated from a prestigious wizarding institution? Are you visiting from the forgotten realms or maybe just need to refresh your stock of alchemical supplies? The gates of the shire are open to you!

Shamrocks & Shenanigans
September 19 & 20, 2026
Wrap on your kilt, grab your shillelagh, and hold on to your potatoes & dash; the Celtic nations have come to revel in Mount Hope! Enjoy a good stout, a scotch egg, and show off your calves all weekend long. (Note: This is NOT the Celtic Fling & Highland Games event that occurs in June.)

Oktoberfest
September 26 & 27, 2026
Raise a Stein, tie on your dirndl, and buckle your lederhosen as the Shire of Mount Hope celebrates Oktoberfest! Swashbuckler Beers are the star of this weekend, as well as traditional Oktoberfest games, dancing, and music for all to enjoy.

Time Travelers
October 3 & 4, 2026
One weekend every year the laws of space and time get much more wibbily wobbily. Rebels and Red Shirts, Doctors and Wyld Stallions converge on the Shire of Mount Hope, and everything goes up to 1.21 Giggawats!

Halloween Days & Spooky Knights I: The Conjuring of Scratchy
October 10 & 11, 2026
The veil between this world and the world beyond grows thin as creatures of all sorts converge on the Shire of Mount Hope in search of treats and trickery. A new Halloween scenario awaits all who visit during these three weekends! What manner of creature will pay visit to Mount Hope this year?

Halloween Days & Spooky Knights II: The Silence of Mount Hope
October 17 & 18, 2026
Mischief and Myth abound on the shire. Ghosts, goblins, fairies, and cryptids are waiting to play. Bring your brave face and join in the revelry!

Halloween Days & Spooky Knights III: 28 Days Thither
October 24 & 25, 2026
The final weekend of the Festival Season of Mount Hope Shire. Trick or Treat, show off your costumes, relish in the festive spookiness with the people of Mount Hope one final time!

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Rest Your Head

Stay overnight in Manheim at Comfort Inn & Suites Manheim – Lebanon, Speedwell Forge Bed and Breakfast, REO Suites at REO Manheim Marketplace, or Warehouse Hotel, to be in close proximity to all the fun! Find out what all Manheim has to offer here!

Explore The Area

We expect you to spend most of your day at the Faire but if you do decide to take a break from the fantasy world and explore the surrounding area, especially if you're not a local. Consider Horst Arts where you can unleash your creativity or Prussian Street Arcade where you can find unique curated items from various vendors. Right down the street, you can find Glasshouse Wineworks, where you can explore your wine palate. If you make your trip a long weekend you can visit Roots Country Market & Auction where you can find a plethora of treasures and experiences.