Since its first weekend in 1979 on a small Clarkston farm, the Michigan Renaissance Festival has grown into one of the nation’s premier Renaissance fairs, entertaining an average of 240,000 guests each season. In 1985 it moved to its current 30‑acre Hollygrove site in Holly, Michigan, transforming rolling woodlands into a vividly detailed 16th‑century English village. Today, permanent stone‑wall gateways, themed taverns, and 17 stages await visitors who arrive in costume, royalty, rogues, and villagers alike, to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, and flavors of the Elizabethan era.
Eight Themed Weekends of Adventure
The 2025 season opens August 16–17 with Pirates and Pups, featuring swashbuckling sword fights and canine costume contests, before sailing into Highland Fling (Aug 23–24) where caber‑tossing and bagpipe bands fill the air. Labor Day weekend hosts the boisterous Viking Invasion (Aug 30–Sept 1), complete with horn‑toasting contests and axe‑throwing demonstrations. Subsequent weekends spotlight Wonders of the World, Shamrocks and Shenanigans, and Harvest Huzzah, leading up to a special Festival Friday on September 26 with exclusive performances and smaller crowds. Each day’s gates swing open at 9 AM and stay alive with activity until 7 PM, ensuring every moment is packed with interactive fun.
Marketplace, Merriment & Mayhem
Stroll through the bustling marketplace where over 150 artisans peddle handcrafted leather goods, blown glass, chainmail, and period jewelry. Street performers, fire‑breathers, stilt walkers, and jugglers, interact with passersby, while 17 open‑air stages host juggling shows, live animal demonstrations, comedy duels, and nonstop musical performances on lutes, fiddles, and drums. The centerpiece is the Royal Arena, where three full‑contact jousts occur daily, each a muddy, thunderous spectacle that commands the attention of cheering crowds. Children delight in fairy scavenger hunts, puppet shows, and knight training, and families reunite for boisterous tavern games and guided pub crawls through themed drinking halls.
Plan Your Festival Quest
Parking is free on site, but lots fill fast, especially on themed weekends, so consider the complimentary Holly shuttle from downtown or arrive before 8 AM to snag a spot. Festival tickets are best purchased online in advance for discounted Early‑Buy rates. Costumes are highly encouraged (rental shops are on site), but casual dress is fine; just be prepared for dusty or muddy paths after rain. Download the official festival app for interactive maps, real‑time show schedules, and surprise “pop‑up” performances.
Answer the Call of Adventure
Whether your heart belongs to knights in shining armor, mischievous rogues, or crafty artisans, the Michigan Renaissance Festival offers a fully committed escape into fantasy and history. Pick your favorite theme weekend, gather your companions, costumed or otherwise, and prepare for eight weekends of unforgettable revelry. Ready your tankard and sharpen your wit; the gates of Hollygrove await.
