Bristol Renaissance Faire Announces 2023 Season! The Top Renaissance Faire in the Country Set to Open July 8th, 2023

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Family Friendly Day Trips 

All photos by Bonnie Kenaz-Mara unless otherwise noted. 

Join Us! Set on a summer day in 1574 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth visited the English city of Bristol, the Bristol Renaissance Faire is open for nine weekends 

The magic of Bristol Renaissance Faire (BRF) is something utterly unique and enduring. Every season when they "open wide the gates" it's a homecoming. BRF is friendships, fun, tradition, and new experiences. Whether you've been coming since the humble beginnings of King Richard's Faire, or you're checking it out for the first time, faire holds something amazing for everyone. It's the only place where worlds collide and cosplay "playtrons", history buffs, and every pop culture genre imaginable share space for a summer of magical weekends. Excellent stage shows, street improv, food and ale, small craftsmen's wares, and prime people watching opportunities are abundant. Over all, creativity is queen! We highly recommend checking it out. BRF has plenty of family friendly experiences and is an easy day trip about an hour north of Chicago.

Bristol Renaissance Faire has been a favorite of mine since I first moved to Chicago in 1990. When I had children in the early 2000's we brought them to faire multiple times a season. Is it any wonder they both grew up loving the experience and auditioned there once they were old enough? 

My daughter, Sage conquers the castle, 2008 (age 5)

Sage and Dugan (5 & 7) with The Swordsmen, 2008

 Dugan and Sage (18 & 16) their 2nd year working fair, 2019

This year marks my son's 6th stint as Fletcher Bodkin with the Bristol Buskin Frolic cast. My daughter also spent a summer with BBF and several seasons working for The Complete Fool juggling shop, teaching circus skills to kids and adults, wowing the day drinkers and bringing joy to thousands of patrons. She met her current boyfriend of 4 years, and fellow juggler there. They still juggle together and have advanced to juggling knives and fire! Check back with ChiILMama.com and ChiILLiveShows.com, and with our social media channels, for photo filled BRF features all summer long.

The iconic, summer-long Bristol Renaissance Faire will open the gates for the 2023 season after its epic return following the worldwide pandemic and subsequent closures. ‘Our team is thrilled to be back and doing what we do best: presenting world-class, immersive entertainment that will put a smile on your face. We continue to work closely with the local health department and the most current CDC recommendations to ensure the safety of our guests, vendors, volunteers, and staff,’ stated Linda McFeters, Owner and Producer.

Voted “Best Renaissance Faire” for the tenth consecutive year in 2021, the Bristol Renaissance Faire will open Saturday, July 8, for nine weekends closing on Labor Day Monday, September 4. The Faire offers an exciting, eclectic mix of fun and frivolity located on thirty-plus acres and just a short drive from either Chicago or Milwaukee.

Leave your burdens in the 21st century. Enter our gates and become a King, Queen, pirate, sorcerer, or anything you want to be for the day, and many other guests will play along! Or don’t come in costume at all. It’s your day. Enjoy it your way. Go on a stroll through the village with a gigantic turkey leg or steak-on-a-stake or one of the many scrumptious vegetarian delights like the perennially-popular Garlic Mushrooms or Chocolate-Covered Strawberries. For the thirsty, craft brews, ciders, cocktails, teas, sodas, and other refreshing beverages are readily available.

Sage, age 8, enjoying a cone on Steampunk Weekend 2011

Take home a memory from one of the nearly 200 artisan shops where you can find everything from handmade chain maille, Scottish kilts, and handcrafted leather masks to Steampunk adornments, soaps, jewelry, and beautiful floral wreaths for the hair. Interesting, educational demonstrations by potters, blacksmiths, and other working artisans are offered many times throughout the day.

Special Event Weekends

Timetraveler Sage from Steampunk Weekend 2011

Back by popular demand are four special event weekends including: ‘Steampunk Weekend’ on July 15 and 16 to infuse time-traveling shenanigans into your Faire day; ‘Marketplace’ on July 22 and 23 where our guests are rewarded for their shopping with complimentary tickets, ‘Pirate Weekend’ on August 5 and 6 where you can shiver your timbers with a whole crew of costumed swashbuckler and, lastly, ‘RennCon™’ on August 12 and 13 which is a celebration of cosplay in all its forms. 

All the fun details are found at RenFair.com/Bristol

Rides and Games

A wonderland of rides and games awaits you at the Faire! An Escape Room, ‘DaVinci’s Flying Machine’ and ‘Fight the Knight’ are but a few.

Join Us! Set on a summer day in 1574 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth visited the English city of Bristol, the Bristol Renaissance Faire is open for nine weekends and located just west of I-94’s Russell Road exit, near Kenosha, Wis. Open rain or shine, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., every Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day (Monday), July 8 through September 4. Tickets are $40 for adults; $15 for children, ages 5 to 12. 

Skip the box office lines and purchase discounted adult and children tickets at Menards. Show an I.D. to receive a discount for military or seniors aged 62 and better. Children aged 4 and under are admitted free. Season passes are also available. Please visit RenFair.com/Bristol for details. Follow the Faire on Facebook for real-time information regarding ticketing, entertainment, and safety protocols.

PHOTO RECAP: ChiIL Mama's Adventures at Bristol Renaissance Faire Saturday 7/8/17

Bristol Renaissance Faire 2017 Opening Day

We've been avid fans and frequent visitors to Bristol Renaissance Faire for decades, since the early 90's. The faire has grown and changed greatly over the years, with an increase in shows and family friendly fare, and basic comforts like more modern plumbing. We can't rave enough about how much fun the faire is!

Check out Sir Dugan's Full Set of Photos Here

 More favorites are embedded below. 

Photo credit for most: Dugan Kenaz-Mara (16)

Disclosure: Thanks to Bristol Renaissance Faire for providing my family with complimentary tickets for review purposes. As always, all opinions, experiences, and photos are our own. 

This year was a bit different for us. Our kids are now 14 & 16, and well in the throes of their teen years. Hence, for the first time ever, they chose not to dress up. I'm hoping they come back to a love of costumes when they grow up a bit more. But fashion is a choice and dress up is certainly not mandatory for anyone. Chose your battles. Plenty of visitors to merry olde England are far more comfortable in 21st century summer shorts, and the plethora of freaks and geeks who love to dress up still make the people watching prime. 

Flashback to Bristol Ren Faire 2008 when my costumed kids were 

knighted by the queen & met Greenman.

 

(For 2017 my daughter went fairly 21st century, but she did consult Pinterest for a fun hairstyle and concede to a pirate(ish) skull n crossbones necklace/bones t-shirt tho I wouldn't go so far as to say she went in costume.  My son did bring Renaissance looking pants and shirt and a pouch of juggling balls, but decided at the last minute that the pants were too hot, so he just did the shirt & pouch.) 

Ren Hair Don't Care

(Can't complain about the teens' new lack of enthusiasm for 16th century garb too much. My 14yo did a fabulous job dutch braiding my hair in a circular crown!)

Despite my teens, I have not outgrown playing dress up, and happily came in Renaissance(ish) garb (tho sadly I have temporarily outgrown my beloved blue corset from 7 years ago). I brought 2 parasols and loaned one to my MIL, and they were a HUGE hit. We were complimented all day on them and stayed cool and comfortable, out of the direct sun. 

We caught many old favorites among the shows like Barely Balanced, Adam Crack, 




and Mooney, 



as well as two new acts. Cirque du Sewer (the trained rat & cat show) and Duende, an energetic, multiculti accordion outfit with a red hair woman lead and ballads from around the world. Duende is a high-energy dance band that marries melodies from the Balkan Regions with Latin flavors & American vivacity. This accordion-heavy band led by Amanda Kitchens will take you on a journey of passion through the music of other cultures. Whether you are looking to free-style or dance a traditional lesnoto, Duende is the band for you. Both shows end at Bristol Ren Faire July 30th. Don't miss this!! 

  

Speaking of old favorites, I've been dreaming of a Mile High Chocolate Crepe all winter. Literally every time we get one, someone says "WOW! What is THAT and where can I get one?!" They also have a couple other versions I've never tried (because chocolate... duh) that feature fruit instead. I also tried a root beer float at another stand, which hit the spot on a hot weekend. They make a sarsaparilla version as well. 

Of course we saw our old friends, The Swordsmen, and got our annual Doug & Doug shot. I think we have at least one a year since my husband Doug (Dug) did the audio for The Swordsmen DVD in 2007. I bump into David Woolley at theatre openings in Chicago throughout the year while reviewing shows, but we only get Doug Mumaw sightings at Bristol Renaissance Faire. Doug's are a rare bunch, though reputed to be concentrated in the arts and particularly on the ren faire circuit!



Flashback to Bristol Ren Faire 2008

When both Dougs had long brown curls and my kids were much shorter! Somehow David Woolley remains the same.

Another big change this year is the teens were old enough to go venturing out in the world to make their fortunes... or was that the hobbits and 3 little pigs?! At any rate, they were over hanging with the adults, so we sent the teens off and got some quality adult shopping, noshing and show time in. It was lovely! After a bit, my 16 year old son, who has a great eye and artistic bent, asked to borrow my pro camera and media credentials. I happily handed them over and he took off to shoot some amazing photos. His Fairy Garden shots are epic, and he captured the creativity of the crowds well too. 

  

(Check out more photo favorites at the bottom of this feature).

As always, we had a terrific time and can't wait to return. Bristol Renaissance Fair is one of the best in the nation and wins awards annually. Highly recommended. 

Click HERE for full information on admission prices, hours, ticket purchasing, ticket discounts, special themed dates and more.

Bristol Renaissance Faire is open for nine weekends. Located just west of I-94’s Russell Road exit, near Kenosha, Wis. Open rain or shine, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., every Saturday and Sunday, July 8 through Sep. 3, and Labor Day Monday, Sep. 4.  Tickets are $25.95 for adults and $11.50 for children, ages 5 to 12. Advance ticket discounts are available at RENFAIR.COM, and participating Walgreens stores.

Disclosure: Once again, thanks to Bristol Renaissance Faire for providing my family with complimentary tickets for review purposes. As always, all opinions, experiences, and photos are our own. 

 More of Sir Dugan's Fabulous Photos: