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Festival Program

The realm comes alive August 29th! Experience six weekends of jousts, live performances, artisan markets, and themed adventures, running every Saturday, Sunday, and Labor Day through October 4th.

Festival Program Contents

Dragonstone Springs

THE 3RD ANNUAL ARKANSAS RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

Step into the 16th century and let the modern world fade away at Dragonstone Springs, home of the Arkansas Renaissance Festival. Each weekend, delight in live jousting, enchanting stage performances, and a royal feast worthy of kings and queens.

Challenge a knight to a duel, sing along with merry musicians, trade stories with legendary heroes, or get swept up in a spontaneous parade. Try your hand at archery like Robin Hood, be knighted like Sir Lancelot, or attend royal court like Henry II himself.

Whether you're a history buff, a fantasy fan, orjust looking for a one of a kind day out, the Arkansas Renaissance Festival promises an unforgettable escape for all ages. So grab a turkey leg, don yourfinest garb, and join our vibrant community on a journey through time!

Themed Weekends

AUG 29–30: HIGH FANTASY WEEKEND

  • Specialty Contest 1: “Spell”ing Bee-Showcase your knowledge of fantasy spelling in Arkansas Renaissance Festival’s First Annual “Spell”ing Bee
  • Costume Contest Special Category: Best Fairy Specialty
  • Contest 2: Who Said This in the Realm?-Join us for a Fantasy based improv game show using prompts from your favorite fantasy adventures!
  • Joust Field Event: Fantasy Joust-You’ve seen the joust, now come and try your hand with our fantastic stick pony mounts! (Register at Info Booth)

SEP 5-7: PIRATE WEEKEND

  • Specialty Contest 1: ARRRRRRF’s Pirate of the Year-Show that you have what it takes to be crowned ARRF’s Pirate of the Year!
  • Costume Contest Special Category: Best Pirate
  • Specialty Contest 2: Chest Holding Contest-Do you have the strength to hold a chest full of booty the longest?
  • Joust Field Event: Tug of War-Heave Ho me boys! Time to weigh anchor and prove your crew is the strongest!

SEP 12-13: DRAGON’S MASQUERADE

  • Specialty Contest 1: Ye Old Rizz-Come and showcase that you are truly the most romantic in the realm!
  • Costume Contest Special Category: Best Mask
  • Specialty Contest 2: Longest Twirl Contest-Ballgowns are built to twirl, it’s time to see who has the mastery of moves!
  • Joust Field Event: Wife Carry-It’s time for the dance, and that means you need a partner ready to carry you through the night!
  • Don’t forget to check out our Masquerade Ball in the Everheart Feast Hall!

SEP 19-20: CELTIC HIGHLANDS WEEKEND

  • Specialty Contest 1: Bonnie Knees-A fashion show all can participate in! Hike up that kilt and show us those knees!
  • Costume Contest Special Category: Best Scotsman
  • Specialty Contest 2: Best Shillelagh-Whether your ancestral walking and fighting stick, or the cool stick you found today, our competition’s two categories have a place for you!
  • Joust Field Event: Kid’s Highland Games: Kids of all ages are encouraged to try their hand at our Sheep Toss, Mini Caber Toss, Rock Toss, and other such “Highland Games” (Register at Info Booth)

SEP 26-27: VIKING WEEKEND

  • Specialty Contest 1: Horn Holding-Do you have the strength fit to feast in Valhalla? Come and showcase it!
  • Costume Contest Special Category: Best Viking
  • Specialty Contest 2: Beard and Braid competition-Whether the hair on your face or head, come show us what you can do with it!
  • Joust Event: Tug of War-In the honor of Rope, the Thrice-Broken, we once again host the Viking Tug of War!

OCT 3-4: DUSK OF DREAMS

  • Specialty Contest 1: King and Queen of the Goths-Love may be dead, but this competition for the Royals of Goth Prom is alive and well!
  • Costume Contest Special Category: Best Monster
  • Specialty Contest 2: Hot Dog Eating Contest-A fall festival favorite, it’s time to chow down at Dragonstone Springs
  • Joust Event: Pumpkin Chunkin-What better way to plant next year’s pumpkins than by hurling them across the joust field! (Register at Info Booth)

FAQs of the Festival

  • How do I upgrade to a Season Pass?

    Visit the Guild Hall by the front gate to purchase an upgrade and come the rest of season!

  • Is there a Lost & Found?

    YES! It is located at the Guild Hall near the

    front gate, or email info@arrenfest.com if

    you’ve already returned home!

  • Are there Smoking/Vaping Areas?

    Please choose a spot that is 25 ft from a booth or stage, or use the designated spots shown on the map.

  • Can I bring a Pet?

    Petsarewelcomewith a 5£ petticket,aslong as they’releashed,well-behaved,and cleaned up after.

  • Do you have flushable restrooms?

    Yes! They are located under the stands of the Joust Arena.

  • Do you offer on-site camping?

    No, we don’t offer camping for patrons,

    but have several campsite and RV parks on

    our website.

  • Is re-entry allowed if I leave?

    Re-entry is allowed with a hand stamp

    from the ticket taker at the front gate.

  • Are there Water Stations?

    A water and electrolyte station is available

    in each area for refilling your mug, horn,

    bottle, or other personal drink container.

Dragonstone Springs Currency

Exchange your paper bills $1 for 1£ at the Dragonstone Bank for our official festival coinage and enjoy a fully immersive shopping experience across the realm. Anything left over can be exchanged back before you leave or kept as a souvenir!

Spend 100+£ at any single vendor and show your receipt at the Guild Hall for a FREE TICKET back to the Festival!

Archery Tournament

Think you have what it takes to rival RobinHood? Be sure to compete in our qualifying rounds during the season with your traditional bow. Score the highest and earn the honor of being crowned Champion Archer of Dragonstone Springs for the season!

To Join the Tournament...

Entry is just 5£ per archer per time qualifying.

1. Bring your wooden longbow or recurve and your finest garb! Don’t have a bow? Worry not, rentals are available on-site.

2. Head to the qualifying lane near the Joust Arena and take your shots. Qualifiers close at 1.

3. Once qualified, join us on the Joust Field to battle for the title! Winners receive medallion and ticket to return for the final weekend, where you’ll compete for the Grand Prize!

Photo Contest

Our community at Dragonstone Springs humbly invites thee to test thy skill in capturing the most wondrous image: be it an instant portrait or, in thy realm, a “picture.”

HOW TO ENTER?

  • Send up to 10 photos to Photos@arrenfest.com
  • Share with #ARRENFEST on social media

PRIZES:

  • 1st Place: One Season Pass for the upcoming year!
  • Additional prizes: Tickets to future events, merchandise, and more!

Tea with the Queen

Her Majesty, Queen Marrianna, graciously invites thee to a most enchanting gathering, tea in her royal company. Savor fine blends while minstrels weave their melodies, and enjoy personal conversation with the Queen herself.

Seats are limited! Reserve yours before they disappear! 15£ per guest, or 50£ for a private table of four. Secure your place online or at the Tea House

Champion's Feast

My Lords and Ladies,

Her Majesty invites thee to the Champion's Feast, an exclusive dining experience in our new air-conditioned Everheart Feast Hall by the Royal Stage, shaded from the sun and fit for nobility. Enjoy top performers, a rotating weekend menu, and claim the coveted Dragonstone Springs tankard, found nowhere else.

Seats are limited by royal decree. Visit the Guild Hall for details or to secure your place at the table for only 70£.

Stages

A- Royal Stage

B- Storybook Stage

C- Pirate Stage

D- Traveler Stage

E- Fairy Stage

F- Viking Stage

Food & Drinks

G- Sweet Wench

H- Missio Spei

I- Court of Food

J- Royal Tea House

K- Jerusalem Cafe

L- Pizza de Resistance

M- Smoke House

N- Cantina

O- Las Delicias

P- German Food

Q- Salty Shield

Vendors

  1. StoneCastle Wands
  2. Gifford Rope Walk
  3. Leah Cat's Face Painting
  4. Pottery by Joanne
  5. Mystic Moon Apothecary / Pixie Dust / Living History
  6. First Aid / Lost Archives / Guest Vendors
  7. Dice Knight Adventures / Changeling Station / Guest Vendors
  8. Ye Old Knife Shop
  9. Cawcrafts
  10. Todd Henderson Ubergeek
  11. Treemendous Prism Designs
  12. The Raven and The Rabbit
  13. Twining Vine Designs
  14. Built by Bittle
  15. Rococos
  16. Dragon's Sweet Tooth
  17. Enchanted!
  18. Guest Vendors
  19. Leaky Pond
  20. Artistic Faces
  21. Wicked Art Resin
  22. Be Ye Clothed
  23. Dragon's Breath Glassworks
  24. Scout D's Spice Barrel
  25. Weapon Masters
  26. Chris Julian Bladeworks
  27. Rusalka Dig Site
  28. Palace Plummage
  29. McKellar's Treasures
  30. Belladonna and Broomstick
  31. Nixi the Pixi
  32. Mistress Collie's Creature Treats
  33. Thrifty Wench
  34. Smoke Art Henna
  35. Diwali-Hi Medicine Village
  36. Raven's Nest
  37. Tutus and Tabards
  38. Freedom's Ridge
  39. Indigo Turtle Art

Free Fun in the Realm

COURTYARD

  • RESCU Booth
  • Lost Archives
  • Living History Activities
  • Game Station and Giant Chess

TRAVELLER'S CAMP

  • Stick Pony Races
  • Instrument Circles
  • Dance Lessons
  • Parachute Games

ROYAL GARDENS

  • Kid's Kingdom Playground
  • Shepherd's Petting Zoo
  • Juggling School
  • Instrument Petting Zoo

FAIRY GROVE

  • Flight School
  • Fairy Photo Booths
  • Mermaid Splashes
  • Troll Story Time

PIRATE'S CAMP

  • Liar's Dice
  • Spoons
  • Swab the Deck
  • Arm Wrestling

VIKING VILLAGE

  • Viking Games
  • Ring of Steel Armor Lessons
  • Garden of Gods Fire Pit
  • GLIMA Fighting

WEEKLY CRAFTS

Join us in Traveller’s Camp each week for a brand new craft, perfect for young adventurers of all ages!

  • Week 1 (Aug 29-30): Ribbon Wands
  • Week 2 (Sep 5-7): Pirate Flags
  • Week 3 (Sep 12-13): Masks
  • Week 4 (Sep 19-20): Sheep Decorations
  • Week 5 (Sep 26-27): Plate Shields
  • Week 6 (Oct 3-4): Paper Lanterns

Living History

Located in the Town Center, our Living History area features skilled artisans giving a glimpse of what life was really like in a 16th century English village, with live demonstrations on how the necessities of day-to-day life were crafted.

See, learn, and even try such activities as weaving, soap making, leather work and more! The area will have rotating crafts each week for people to try out or learn about.

  • Wool and Fiber Processing
  • Herb Grinding
  • Soap Making
  • Dyeing Fabric
  • Weaving
  • Skjoldehamn Braiding
  • Waulking Demonstration
  • Drop Spindle Spinning
  • Tudor Rose Cross Stitch
  • Garment Construction and Trim

Discover the festival's most memorable experiences, from royal tea and grand feasts to unforgettable educational adventures.

Purchase Your Tickets Today!

Experience the magic, wonder, and adventure of the Arkansas Renaissance Festival.