Connecticut Renaissance Faire
- Dates
- Aug 29 to Oct 25, 2026
- Status
- Confirmed
- Venue
- Lebanon Country Fairgrounds, 122 Mack Road, Lebanon, CT 06249
- Price
- $18
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Oct 15, 2026
Connecticut Renaissance Faire returns to Lebanon, CT, Aug 29 to Oct 25, 2026, with Bards of Gungywamp, Bardy Pardy, Circus Stella, plus 7 more. Froligo tracks the confirmed lineup, current ticket prices, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
What's special
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
What people love
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
Last time around
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
Themed weekends
Open Saturdays and Sundays plus Holiday Mondays (Labor Day and Columbus Day), 10:30am to 6:00pm, across a limited fall run with eight themed weekends. Same-day re-entry is allowed and there are no food tickets
On the lanes & stages
Set in the Renaissance period. Event style: faire.
Lineup
Costumes & what to wear
Do I need a costume?
Costumes are welcome and add to the fun but are entirely optional; guests are told to come as they are or as they wish to be, and no costume is needed to enjoy the day
Costume rules
Everyone on site must wear shoes and a shirt, and costumes are encouraged for all ages across all genres (wizards, warriors and more) but are not required. Attire should be family-friendly. Costume weapons are allowed as long as they can be peace-tied closed
Weapons policy
Costume weapons are permitted provided they can be peace-tied closed
Joining in
A full-season faire set in a 16th-century village with full-contact jousting, armored steel combat, comedy, magic, acrobatics, aerial arts and live music across many stages, plus archery and other games of skill, an artisan marketplace, taverns and pubs, costume contests, and after-hours experiences including whiskey tastings and a pub crawl. Guests may bring outside food and non-alcoholic drinks, and same-day re-entry is allowed
Getting there
How do I get to Connecticut Renaissance Faire?
By car
Most people drive to Connecticut Renaissance Faire. Check current road and traffic conditions before you set off, and see parking below.
By train
No direct passenger rail to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
By bus & public transit
No scheduled intercity bus or public transit route to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
Taxi & rideshare
Taxis and rideshare such as Uber and Lyft can be limited near the venue, especially late at night or in rural areas. Agree a pickup point and time in advance and keep a backup plan.
🅿 Parking
On site parking available. Cost Premium on-site parking is $10 per car, date-specific and capped at 525 spaces per day. ADA parking (125 spaces) and motorcycle parking are free on site. Shuttle parking at three off-site locations in Lebanon is also free. Prepay via the faire's own online ticketing site (premium parking cannot be bought on site). GPS often misroutes drivers to Barker Road, which is closed to through traffic on faire weekends by police; the faire's own directions page warns visitors to avoid it. The free shuttle starts at 9:30am and runs continuously through the day, with the last pickup 30 minutes after closing
🚙 Car hire
Compare car hire
On site parking is available; if you are hiring a car it is worth checking the cost and how early it fills.
Search car hire →Car hire links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Where
Venue
Lebanon Country Fairgrounds, 122 Mack Road, Lebanon, CT 06249
Camping & Accommodation
Where can I stay near Connecticut Renaissance Faire?
No on site camping. Here is where to stay nearby.
Budget stays 1
In Norwich, about 5.2 miles from the fairgrounds, the closest hotel on the faire's own recommended list
Check rates →Mid-range hotels 3
Airbnb & private camping
Lebanon is rural, so nearby Norwich and Mansfield carry more short-term rental inventory
Search Airbnb →No on-site camping is offered at this daytime fairgrounds event; Hipcamp listings in New London County are the nearest private-land alternative
Search Hipcamp →Browse all hotels near Lebanon Country Fairgrounds, 122 Mack Road, Lebanon, CT 06249 →
Hotel links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Accessibility & comfort
What the organiser or venue publishes about getting around, and what they do not.
Confirm your specific needs with the organiser's access team before you travel.
Pricing
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