Renaissance Festival season has come to Colorado and will spread around the country over the next few months! Whatever the name—Renaissance Fair/Faire/Festival/RenFair/RenFest—these are fun events full of great entertainment, food, and art.
In my fifteen or so years of attending the Renaissance Festival, I’ve picked up a lot of tricks to make the most of each visit. Whether you’re a seasoned attendee or considering a visit for the first time, here are some tips to beat the heat, take the pressure off your wallet, and find an epic costume.
What to Wear
Style of Clothing
You can, of course, wear your regular street clothes, and many people do. But it’s much more fun to attend in costume! While technically the Renaissance took place over the span of only a few centuries, at the Renaissance Fair, anything from 1700’s pirates back to the beginning of time is welcome. And if that’s too limiting, you can also choose a fantasy theme, such as fairy, steampunk, or Jedi (after all, they did live a long time ago in that galaxy far away).
With such variety, it’s easy to put together an outfit that’s both fun and affordable. To get you started in a general direction, ladies can often form an ensemble around a long skirt, nice blouse, and layering on scarves or belts. Try putting a camisole over a regular sleeved shirt to get that bodice or corset look. Gentlemen can often get by with a vest over a long sleeved shirt and some slacks. But where do you find these items?
Finding an Affordable Costume
Buying or renting a costume at the Fair can be very expensive, even hundreds of dollars! But you don’t need to break the bank to look great and have fun.
The first place to look? Your closet. Since fashion trends cycle over time, you might already have a nice peasant blouse or pair of boots that will work as a basis for your outfit. Scarves are a very versatile article of clothing. Use them to add sashes, sleeves, and hoods to your outfit.
My costume repertoire comes almost entirely from thrift stores. You never know what gently used treasures you’ll find at a low price, and most thrift stores will even take an additional 50% off on weekends. The best season to shop is the beginning of October, when the stores bring out their costumes and vintage clothing for Halloween. If you have sewing skills, you can also find fabric swatches in the home linens section to augment your costume, or you can buy fabric remnants on the cheap at most craft stores.
Speaking of craft stores, if you have sewing or jewelry making skills, you can often make your own costume accessories for much less than their finished selling price. Even if crafting isn’t your strong suit, you can get affordable ready-made jewelry. For example, Hobby Lobby puts everything in the store on sale approximately every six weeks or so.
You can also borrow from relatives or friends. Moms and grandmas often have a spectacular selection of jewelry, scarves, belts, and purses to can add that special touch—for no cost!
One last tip: shop clearance sales. Even regular stores at the mall can have the perfect piece for your costume at up to 75% off, particularly if you look when the seasons are changing, such as from winter to spring or spring to summer.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to buy your whole costume in a package. Oftentimes, you can piece together multiple ordinary items with one special component that can make the whole outfit shine. Whether that’s a corset or the hat you’ve always wanted, if you’re able to get the majority of your ensemble on the cheap, you might have some funds left over allocate toward something that makes more of a statement.
The key to success? Plan ahead. When you’re trying to put together an outfit last minute, you’re at the mercy of the costume stores and online retailers. Make sure you build in time to hunt for your treasure at the thrift stores and clearance sales.
Keeping it Cool
Visiting the Fair in the middle of summer brings on the potential for a lot of heat and sun. To keep heatstroke or sunburns from ruining your day, make sure you bring sunscreen and drink lots of water. I know those are obvious, so here are some tips you might not have thought of:
- Bring an umbrella or parasol for shade. They also make a big difference blocking heat!
- Wear sandals or open shoes. The body can release a lot of heat through the feet (just make sure you sunscreen your toes!)
- Bring a scarf or bandanna that you can wet with water throughout the day and wear around your head or neck. You can buy ones specially designed to retain water without dripping, but regular fabrics can also do this.
- I’m going to talk specifically to the ladies here (because I am one, that’s what I know best): pick your outfit strategically. Wear loose clothing, such as a skirt instead of pants, to maximize airflow. If you’re prone to sunburns like I am, use a scarf to drape over your head or arms to block the sun but not trap heat around the body.
What Not to Wear
Some cautions about components that look epic but might ruin your day:
- Items you can’t afford to lose or damage: don’t wear your grandmother’s irreplaceable heirloom jewelry. A lot of things can get lost throughout all the movements of the day. Choose items you can part with or replace. For jewelry, you can reduce the chance of loss by hooking safety pins around the clasps of necklaces or bracelets. Add a safety pin to provide some extra security to brooches, too.
- Cloaks: they’re often bulky and hot, and once you take them off, you have to carry them around all day. If they’re floor length, people will step on them (and they’ll pick up a ton of dirt and wood chips on the hem). If they don’t fit well on your shoulders, they will strangle your neck. Yes, they can protect from the sun and look epic, but be very careful to pick a lightweight, well-fitting cloak if you’re going to wear one.
- High heels or uncomfortable shoes: At least in Colorado, the Fair is mostly unpaved. Wear suitable shoes for walking on dirt, grass, and uneven terrain. The Fairgrounds are pretty extensive, so you’ll want to be able to walk a lot to see everything.
- Lace/Netting: Again, in Colorado, a lot of the benches and tables are made of wood that sits out year round, which increases the chances for them to have splinters and splits that can tear delicate fabrics. I recommend wearing lace or delicate fabrics above waist level or just decide that you’ll accept any damage that occurs.
- Giant Props/Weapons or Too Many of Them: Your longbow or Final Fantasy sword may look amazing, but keep in mind you will have to carry it around all day while juggling food and drink and your wallet—and also maneuvering inside small shops and through thick crowds. Consider doing a photo shoot at home or in the parking field with large or heavy items and leaving them behind. Also don’t overfill backpacks or purses with unnecessary objects—the extra weight and bulk can really hamper your endurance throughout the day.
Most importantly, know your personal triggers. If you’re prone to headaches, don’t wear large headdresses or hats that might cause one. If you’re sensitive to heat, maybe don’t wear that black leather armor. For me, my shoulders tend to get tense if I have a backpack or shoulder bag, so I wear my purse on a belt around my waist instead. Looking great is fun, but feeling great is more important!
Cutting Costs
So you’re all dressed and ready to go—but the entry fee alone can be quite costly even before you get through the gate. And like most enclosed areas such as airports and coliseums, the food and drink inside often comes at an inflated price. Here are a few ways you can cut down on costs and make the most of your day.
Find Discounts and Reduce Expenses
- Look for coupons for the entry fee. In Colorado, these are often available on the opening weekends of the Fair. If you’re coming later on, you can usually get discounted tickets throughout the whole season by purchasing in advance at grocery stores. Check out where you can get Colorado Renaissance Festival discounts here.
- Carpool with friends. If you’re coming from a distance, splitting the gas bill can be a big help!
- Bring your own water bottle and refill it at the Fair water fountain. That way you don’t have to buy as many drinks.
- Leave snacks and water in a cooler in your car. When leaving the Fair, you can refuel your body while sitting in traffic or avoid having to buy dinner out on the way home.
Budgeting
Trimming costs can help, but the Fair offers countless shiny objects that you never knew you wanted but just have to have. If maintaining your willpower is more of a challenge, here’s what you can do:
Carry only cash—and only as much as you want to spend. Make sure you account for enough money to buy food and drink, and know how much free money is left over for fun purchases. Leave a credit card hidden in a safe place in your car for emergencies like purchasing gas on the way home.
Think before you buy. If you’re not sure you’ll use or enjoy the item anywhere but at the Fair, walk away and come back later. Take pictures of items you might be able to make at home or find at a lower price elsewhere. You can also take business cards from the vendors so that if you still want the item after doing your research, you can get it later.
Save up for that one perfect item. Hold on to some of your birthday or Christmas or bonus money ahead of time so that you can afford to get something special to remember the experience.
Let’s Go!
Now you know where to shop, what to bring, and how to save money. Let’s go enjoy the Fair!
What tips and tricks have you most helpful for attending the Renaissance Fair?
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Some great ideas and Suggestions thanks for sharing
Thanks for reading! I hope they are helpful for you!