Labor Day weekend will be your last chance to visit Bristol Renaissance Faire in Kenosha. And if you’ve never been before, it’s a medieval feast for the senses.
It’s one of our favorite summer festivals around Milwaukee!
The grounds are transformed into a 1500’s village, complete with knights, swordfighters, minstrels and jesters, open air stages, turkey legs, and 16th central games and rides.
There are also artisans on display throughout the grounds offering jewelry, hand-thrown pottery, tapestries, and more.
The faire is located in Kenosha, about a 35-minute drive from Milwaukee and is open Saturdays and Sunday from early July to Labor Day weekend.
Everyone who works there, as well as many faire-goers, are in elaborate costumes, dressed as knights, queens, fairies, and peasants.
(Not everyone who goes is in costume, so don’t feel you need to dress up.)
Our Calendar Editor, Bridget, recently visited with her family and offered the following tips and photos:
Once you arrive, grab a map and schedule (or look at the website in advance) for a detailed schedule of the entertainment. With over 15 stages and over 50 entertainers you are sure to want to catch a few shows.
Note: A few shows on the schedule are marked with being Rated R or PG-13. Also be aware that many of the shows not rated do make a few risqué jokes.
There are musicians, balancing acts, sword swallowing, a fire whip show and a joust, just to name a few.
Entertainment is included with admission, but tips after the shows are appreciated.
There are plenty of merchants around selling a unique array of jewelry, costumes, toys and much more.
There are also many options for food to buy including: big pickles, mac n’ cheese bites, corn on the cob, steak sandwiches, baked potatoes and of course turkey legs, to name a few.
Modern bathrooms are available in a few areas throughout the faire.
There are rides throughout the faire that are about $5/person.
More tips for your visit:
Backpacks are checked at the entrance.
You are allowed to bring in 1 bottled water per person.
Parking costs $5 & up.
Tickets can be purchased at Menards ahead of time for a discounted rate, or at the entrance.
Credit cards are accepted for ticket purchases and by most merchants, but cash is needed for parking, food, rides and tips.
The pathways are gravel, so strollers may not be ideal.
There are a few play areas around for kids to play and explore.
For more information, visit renfair.com.
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
