The Michigan Renaissance Festival returns to Holly this weekend, opening August 22 for its 47th season and continuing through October 4. The 2026 event will feature seven themed weekends, live jousting, entertainment, artisan shopping, food, contests and several new attractions. The festival will also operate on Labor Day, September 7, and Festival Friday, October 2.
Located at 12600 Dixie Highway in Holly, the outdoor event will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on operating days. Organizers plan to hold the festival rain or shine, giving visitors a full schedule of opportunities to experience the themed village throughout late summer and early fall.
Michigan Renaissance Festival 2026 Dates
The 2026 season begins Saturday, August 22, and runs across seven themed weekends.
The confirmed calendar is:
- August 22–23: Pirates & Pups
- August 29–30: Highland Fling
- September 5–7: Viking Invasion
- September 12–13: Wonders of the World
- September 19–20: Shamrocks & Shenanigans
- September 26–27: Harvest Huzzah
- October 2: Festival Friday
- October 3–4: Sweet Endings
September 7 is an additional festival day because of Labor Day. October 2 is another special operating date before the final weekend.
The opening weekend is especially significant for visitors who want to experience the first major programming of the season. The event’s official daily schedule is released shortly before each themed weekend, so individual performances and contests can change from one weekend to another.
Where Is the Festival Held?
The festival takes place at 12600 Dixie Hwy., Holly, MI 48442.
The Holly location becomes a large themed village during the season. Visitors can move between performance areas, shops, food locations and activity spaces throughout the grounds.
Parking is separate from admission. Visitors should plan for the parking fee when calculating the total cost of a day at the festival.
The parking area opens before the festival gates, allowing guests to arrive early and prepare for the day.
2026 Festival Hours
The listed festival hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The event operates outdoors and continues regardless of ordinary weather conditions. That makes preparation important, especially because visitors can spend several hours walking between different areas of the grounds.
Arriving early can also make it easier to find parking and see more of the day’s scheduled entertainment.
Because individual programs are released shortly before each weekend, visitors should check the schedule before traveling. The festival says its daily program normally appears on the Wednesday before a themed weekend and no later than Friday.
What Is New in 2026?
The 2026 season introduces several new features that give returning visitors additional reasons to explore the grounds.
One of the biggest additions is Heiðrún’s Hall, a new Viking-inspired space that replaces the former Crystal Palace. The hall draws its name from Heidrun, the mythical goat associated with Valhalla.
The new setting focuses on mead tasting and gives visitors another themed location to explore during their visit.
A Wizard Wand Workshop is another new experience. Visitors can participate in a hands-on activity centered on creating and customizing a magical wand.
The festival is also adding Race for the Crown, which includes both a 5K and a one-mile Medieval Mile. The running event takes place before the main festival gates open, creating a separate athletic component for participants.
Another addition for 2026 is a collection of celebration ribbons. Guests can pick up ribbons at the Information Booth for occasions such as birthdays, first visits and happily-ever-after celebrations.
These additions complement the festival’s established entertainment rather than replacing its traditional attractions.
Opening Weekend Focuses on Pirates and Pups
The first themed weekend takes place August 22 and 23.
Its theme, Pirates & Pups, gives opening weekend a distinctive identity while visitors also have access to the festival’s regular entertainment, shopping and food.
The first weekend is an opportunity for newcomers to see the grounds before the season progresses through its later themes.
Visitors who want to attend opening weekend should remember that the festival’s complete daily program is published close to the event date. That means specific showtimes and activities should be checked immediately before attending.
Highland Fling Brings Scottish-Themed Activities
The second weekend takes place August 29 and 30 under the Highland Fling theme.
This weekend includes Highland Games activities at the Valley of Aberdare Games Field.
The programming brings Scottish-inspired competition into the larger festival setting. Visitors can also encounter themed contests and other activities during the weekend.
For people planning multiple visits, Highland Fling provides a noticeably different experience from opening weekend.
Viking Invasion Runs Through Labor Day
The Viking Invasion weekend takes place September 5, 6 and 7.
The three-day schedule makes this one of the longest regular festival periods of the season. Monday, September 7, is Labor Day, giving visitors an additional opportunity to attend.
The Viking theme also connects directly with one of the year’s most prominent additions, Heiðrún’s Hall.
Guests interested in Viking-themed programming can therefore combine the special weekend theme with the new Viking-inspired venue.
Wonders of the World Arrives in September
The festival continues September 12 and 13 with Wonders of the World.
This weekend expands the variety of costumes, contests and entertainment found throughout the grounds.
The festival also maintains several creative competitions during the season. Its contest programming gives visitors opportunities to participate rather than simply watch performances.
Among the broader contest offerings are activities involving fairy houses, murals, gardens and other forms of creative expression.
Shamrocks & Shenanigans Continues the Season
The September 19–20 weekend is themed Shamrocks & Shenanigans.
Irish-inspired activities and contests become part of the weekend’s programming.
The themed weekends are designed to change the atmosphere from one visit to another while preserving the festival’s core attractions. Someone attending several weekends can therefore see different competitions, performances and special activities throughout the season.
Harvest Huzzah Brings the Season Into Fall
The Harvest Huzzah weekend takes place September 26 and 27.
The late-September timing puts the festival closer to the beginning of fall, while the harvest theme adds another seasonal element.
This weekend is also part of the final stretch of the 2026 season. Visitors who prefer cooler weather may find the later September dates particularly appealing, although conditions can vary.
Sweet Endings Closes the 2026 Season
The final themed weekend, Sweet Endings, is scheduled for October 3 and 4.
It provides the closing celebration for the 2026 season after weeks of themed programming.
The final weekend can be an attractive option for visitors who want to experience the event later in the season or return for one last visit.
Festival Friday on October 2 precedes the closing weekend and provides another opportunity to visit.
Jousting Remains a Central Attraction
Full-armored jousting remains one of the defining entertainment features.
The spectacle places armored competitors in front of spectators as they take part in a traditional tournament-style performance.
Jousting is included with general admission. Visitors do not need to buy a separate standard ticket simply to watch the regular jousting performances.
The festival also offers special experiences connected to the jousting program. Guests interested in premium activities can explore the separate Royal Events offered during the season.
Live Entertainment Throughout the Grounds
The experience extends well beyond the jousting arena.
Performers, musicians, comedians, magicians and other entertainers contribute to the atmosphere throughout the festival grounds.
The event is designed as an immersive experience, with visitors moving through a themed village instead of simply watching one central show.
That setup gives guests the freedom to build their own schedule. Someone may spend part of the day watching a performance, then move to the marketplace before stopping for food or a special activity.
Because programming changes by weekend, visitors should review the official daily schedule before arriving.
Artisans and Shopping
Shopping is another major component of the event.
The marketplace features handcrafted merchandise from artisans. Visitors can find items connected to fantasy, historical styles, costumes, leatherwork, jewelry, artwork and other crafts.
The shopping experience is integrated into the village rather than separated into a conventional retail area.
That makes browsing part of the overall festival experience.
Guests interested in costumes can also find merchandise suitable for creating or completing a Renaissance-inspired outfit.
Food and Drinks
Food remains a major part of a full day at the festival.
Visitors can choose from a broad selection of festival food and drinks while exploring the grounds.
The event also offers more structured dining through its Feast of Fantasy experience. The special meal features multiple courses and live entertainment, with menus changing to match different weekends.
Because the Feast of Fantasy operates separately from regular admission, visitors interested in the experience should check its availability and ticket requirements before arriving.
Royal Events Provide Additional Experiences
Guests looking for activities beyond standard admission can choose from several Royal Events.
The festival promotes experiences that can include special jousting access, pub crawls, cocktail-focused activities, falconry experiences, tastings and other interactive events.
Some Royal Events have age restrictions or require separate tickets.
The Hawk Walk, for example, centers on birds of prey and introduces guests to falconry through an up-close experience.
These events can add another layer to a visit, particularly for people who have already explored the standard festival attractions.
Family Activities and Creative Contests
Families have several ways to participate in the event.
The festival offers contests that encourage visitors to create, decorate and compete.
The Fairy House Competition is one example. Participants build fairy houses that become part of the Fairy Forest. Public voting determines the winners during the designated opening weekends.
Other contests include mural and garden-related competitions.
These activities contribute to the festival’s broader emphasis on creativity and participation.
School and Educational Visits
The event also accommodates organized educational trips.
Schools can arrange field trips on festival days. Students can encounter period characters, learn about daily life associated with the Renaissance, watch armored jousting and explore crafts and artwork.
The program also includes music, comedy and magic performances.
A free chaperone is available for every 10 students under the listed field-trip program.
That makes the festival an option for school groups seeking an educational outing with historical and performance elements.
Dogs Can Attend With Registration
Dog owners can bring their pets under the festival’s established rules.
Dogs must remain on leashes no longer than four feet. Regular pet admission requires registration, vaccination documentation and the applicable fee.
The festival limits regular pet access to dogs.
Service animals follow separate requirements under federal disability-access rules and are not subject to the standard pet registration process.
Visitors bringing dogs should review the current rules before arriving because compliance requirements are specific.
Planning a 2026 Visit
A little preparation can make a major difference during a full festival day.
Visitors should consider these points before leaving home:
- Check the daily program for the selected weekend.
- Confirm admission and parking costs.
- Purchase separately ticketed Royal Events in advance when necessary.
- Wear comfortable shoes suitable for extended walking.
- Prepare for changing outdoor weather.
- Arrive early if parking and a full day of activities are priorities.
- Review pet requirements before bringing a dog.
- Check special dining availability before planning a meal around it.
The most important point is to check the schedule close to the visit. The festival does not publish each weekend’s complete daily program far in advance.
The 2026 Season Is Ready to Begin
The 2026 season arrives with a combination of familiar traditions and new experiences.
Visitors can watch full-armored jousting, explore artisan shops, sample festival food, participate in contests and see live performances. New features such as Heiðrún’s Hall, the Wizard Wand Workshop, Race for the Crown and celebration ribbons give this season additional attractions.
With the opening scheduled for August 22, the festival is now preparing to welcome visitors for its seven themed weekends, Labor Day and Festival Friday.
For first-time guests, the event offers an immersive introduction to Renaissance-inspired entertainment. For returning visitors, the changing weekend themes and new attractions provide fresh reasons to make another trip to Holly.
Planning to visit this season? Share your favorite weekend, attraction or festival tradition in the comments and stay informed as new 2026 updates arrive.