Connecticut Renaissance Faire

The Connecticut Renaissance Faire is a long-running fall faire at the Lebanon Country Fairgrounds in eastern Connecticut, styled 'New England's Old England.' A 16th-century village comes alive across a limited late-August-to-October run of eight themed weekends, with full-contact jousting, armored steel combat, dozens of daily shows across many stages, an artisan marketplace, taverns and pubs, and after-hours whiskey tastings and pub crawls. It leans affordable and family-friendly: general admission is $18, youth $10, and children six and under are free, all shows are included with admission, guests may bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks, and same-day re-entry is allowed. Attendees often frame it as the friendlier, cheaper, more manageable New England alternative to the pricier King Richard's Faire.

Fans repeatedly call it their favorite New England faire and praise its value, vibe, and size: cheap admission, no annoying food-ticket system, dog-friendly, and easy to enjoy in a day. People love the local vendors and acts, the jousting, and the enthusiasm of performers and attendees alike, with many returning year after year. The most common gripes are practical: parking and shuttle logistics can mean a long walk or wait if you arrive late, food and drink lines grow long at busy times, and many vendors are cash-only, so bringing bills is advised.

Recent attendees describe being blown away on first visits and coming back for years, praising the affordable tickets, strong acts and jousting, and welcoming atmosphere; the recurring frustrations were long food-and-drink lines and parking that meant a walk or shuttle wait when arriving later in the day.