Kansas City Renaissance Festival 2026 is entering the final stretch of its 50th-season celebration, with the Bonner Springs attraction continuing through October 18 and three festival weekends remaining on the calendar.
The October 3-4 weekend brings the Once Upon a Time theme to the festival grounds. Visitors can expect fantasy-inspired activities, live entertainment, contests, jousting, food, shopping and family programming during the two-day event.
The festival is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Another special three-day weekend follows October 10-12, before the season closes with Haunted Huzzah on October 17-18.
October Brings the Festival Into Its Final Phase
The 2026 season began September 5 and has featured a series of themed weekends throughout the fall.
October now marks the final chapter of the season. The remaining schedule gives visitors three opportunities to attend before the festival closes for the year.
The final dates are:
- October 3-4: Once Upon a Time
- October 10-12: Barktoberfest
- October 17-18: Haunted Huzzah
The October 12 date is a special Monday opening. Festival hours that day are scheduled for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For the rest of the final weekends, regular Saturday and Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Once Upon a Time Takes Center Stage
The October 3-4 theme places fantasy and storytelling at the heart of the weekend.
The programming includes activities connected with fairies, mystical creatures, heroes and fantasy characters. Visitors can also take part in interactive activities throughout the village.
A character bingo activity gives guests another way to explore the grounds. Participants can collect character signatures while moving through the festival before returning their completed cards for a reward.
Younger visitors can also participate in a wand-making activity in the Children’s Realm.
The Merry Mayhem Stage has scheduled programming that includes Feed the Kraken, the Gnome Dome Challenge and a Fantasy Mask Contest.
These activities add a participatory element to the weekend rather than limiting visitors to watching performances.
Jousting Remains a Daily Highlight
Jousting continues to be one of the festival’s defining attractions.
Regular tournament jousts are scheduled at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. during festival days.
The performances are part of the general festival experience, allowing guests to attend without purchasing a separate admission ticket for the tournament.
Visitors who want to see a particular joust should plan their arrival and movement around the grounds accordingly. The festival includes numerous entertainment areas, and schedules can change.
What Admission Costs in 2026
Current gate admission prices for the festival are:
| Admission | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | $27.95 |
| Children ages 5-12 | $18.95 |
| Seniors age 65 and older | $25.25 |
| Children age 4 and younger | Free |
Taxes and fees may apply.
Season passes are also available for visitors who want multiple admissions during the season. The standard adult season pass is priced at $106.95, while the children’s season pass is $65.95.
Additional premium season-pass options provide extra benefits and experiences.
The festival also maintains special discounts and promotional programs during individual weekends. Eligibility requirements vary, so visitors should have the required identification or documentation when seeking a discount.
Bonner Springs Remains the Festival’s Home
The festival takes place at 633 N. 130th Street in Bonner Springs, Kansas.
Its location places the event within the Kansas City metropolitan area while giving the festival enough space for its large outdoor village, performance areas, merchant booths and food locations.
Free parking is available for festival visitors.
The grounds cover an outdoor setting with hills and uneven surfaces. Comfortable footwear can be particularly useful for guests planning to spend several hours walking between stages, shops and attractions.
Food, Shopping and Festival Entertainment
A full day at the festival can involve considerably more than the headline performances.
Food vendors offer festival favorites and a broad selection of meals, snacks and desserts. Turkey legs, fried foods and sweet treats remain popular choices among visitors.
Alcoholic beverages are available in designated areas for guests who are at least 21 years old and have appropriate identification.
Shopping is another major part of the experience. Artisan merchants offer handmade goods, clothing, jewelry, artwork, fantasy merchandise and other specialty products.
Entertainment is distributed across the village. That setup encourages guests to move between different areas rather than remaining in one location throughout the day.
The festival also organizes contests tied to individual themes. Visitors can participate in certain contests without advance registration by arriving at the appropriate stage shortly before the scheduled activity.
Family Activities Continue Through October
Families have several ways to experience the festival together.
The Children’s Realm provides activities designed for younger guests, while fantasy-themed areas add interactive elements to the outdoor environment.
The October 3-4 weekend includes the Magic Bean Shakers craft activity and the Wicked Wand Workshop.
Fairy-themed programming also forms part of the broader festival experience.
Children do not need to wear costumes to participate. Costumes are encouraged, but everyday clothing is also permitted.
Parents should remember that some specialty experiences require separate tickets even though general festival entertainment is included with admission.
Dogs and Festival Rules
The festival welcomes dogs under its established pet policies.
Owners must meet the festival’s requirements, including providing vaccination documentation and completing the applicable registration process.
Guests bringing pets should review the current rules before arriving because not every animal is permitted on the grounds.
The festival also has rules covering costumes and costume weapons.
Firearms are prohibited. Certain swords and daggers may be permitted only when they are properly secured and meet festival requirements.
Backpacks, strollers and wagons can be brought into the event, although visitors may be subject to bag checks at the entrances.
Barktoberfest Comes Next
After Once Upon a Time, the festival moves into Barktoberfest from October 10-12.
The weekend places dogs at the center of the programming.
Scheduled activities include corgi races, a dog obstacle course, a dog costume contest and a peanut butter licking contest.
The October 12 Monday session also gives visitors an additional opportunity to attend before the final weekend.
Special pricing and promotional offers may apply during the Barktoberfest period.
Haunted Huzzah Will Close the 2026 Season
The final weekend arrives October 17-18 with Haunted Huzzah.
The closing event shifts the atmosphere toward Halloween, combining seasonal activities with the festival’s traditional entertainment.
Guests can expect Halloween-themed costumes and activities, including trick-or-treating.
The final weekend will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.
Once the October 18 schedule concludes, the 2026 season will officially come to an end.
A Milestone Year for the Festival
The current season carries additional significance because it marks the festival’s 50th season.
The event dates to 1977, when it began as a benefit for the Kansas City Art Institute. Over the decades, it became a major recurring attraction for the Kansas City region.
The festival now reports annual attendance of about 200,000 people.
Its 2026 program combines long-running traditions such as jousting and artisan shopping with rotating themes and newer interactive experiences.
That mix has allowed the festival to maintain its distinctive medieval-inspired setting while continually changing the activities available from one weekend to another.
Planning a Visit in October
Anyone attending during the remaining 2026 dates should check the schedule for the specific weekend they plan to visit.
The festival is an outdoor event and operates rain or shine. Weather conditions can affect the walking experience, particularly on the festival’s uneven terrain.
Visitors should also distinguish between general admission and separately ticketed royal experiences.
With only three weekends remaining, the October calendar is now the final opportunity for people who have not yet visited during the 2026 season.
Kansas City Renaissance Festival 2026 is closing its milestone 50th season with three October weekends packed with fantasy activities, family entertainment, themed contests, live performances and traditional festival attractions.