Festival at the Friars' Gate
- Dates
- May 22 to 23, 2027
- Status
- Confirmed
- Venue
- Moore Park, Irmo, SC 29063 (staged as the village of 'Ravenmoore')
- Price
- Free
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Sep 1, 2026
Festival at the Friars' Gate returns to Irmo, SC, May 22 to 23, 2027, with Banjax the Genie, Bright Eyes Belly Dance, Desert Aurora Dance, plus 5 more. Froligo tracks the confirmed lineup, free-entry details, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
What's special
The Festival at the Friars' Gate is a new, free, fairy-tale-themed Renaissance faire in Irmo, South Carolina, that transforms Moore Park into the village of Ravenmoore for one weekend each spring. Its inaugural 2026 edition drew nearly 20,000 people over two days, and a second edition is announced for May 22-23, 2027. Admission is free (a virtual ticket must be registered in advance because daily attendance is capped), with three-plus stages of live entertainment, combat arenas, roaming performers, artisan craft demonstrations, themed food and drink including mead, and a strong all-ages, storybook atmosphere. It is a pet-free event held in a leafy town park, so shade is welcome against the South Carolina heat.
What people love
First-year attendees describe having a blast, with far more vendors and people than expected, great performers, good food and mead, plenty of shade, and a friendly, welcoming crowd; many were impressed by how well organized it was for a debut event and plan to return. The dominant complaint is the mid-May heat, which led several to wish for an earlier spring or a fall/winter date, and the free-shuttle parking could mean a long wait at peak times.
Last time around
The inaugural 2026 festival was widely praised as a fun, well-run debut: a bigger-than-expected turnout, good vendors, strong performers (including jugglers on 'dragon hoverboards'), tasty food and mead, and plenty of shade. Attendees' main gripe was the heat, and some found the free-shuttle parking slow at busy times.
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 but entirely optional; the festival states that modern clothing is perfectly acceptable, so first-timers will not feel out of place, and garb can be bought from vendors on-site
Costume rules
Costumes are encouraged but not required; many attendees dress in period-appropriate or fantasy attire, while modern clothing is perfectly acceptable, and vendors on-site sell garb and accessories. Peace-tied (secured) costume weapons are allowed, all weapons, even wood or foam, must be tied with a ribbon or zip tie so they cannot be drawn, and firearms are not permitted in any capacity
Weapons policy
Peace-tied costume weapons only; all weapons, including wood or foam, must be tied with a ribbon or zip tie to prevent drawing. Firearms are prohibited
Joining in
A fairy-tale-themed Renaissance faire with three-plus stages of live entertainment plus combat arenas and stationed and roaming performers, interactive games and contests, and live artisan craft demonstrations. Planned entertainment includes jousting tournaments, live music, theatrical performances, comedy, storytelling and sword-fighting demonstrations, with themed food (turkey legs, meat pies, roasted nuts, ale) and mead, beer and wine served in designated areas
Getting there
No travel details for Festival at the Friars' Gate yet.
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Where
Exact location not mapped yet.
Venue
Moore Park, Irmo, SC 29063 (staged as the village of 'Ravenmoore')
Camping & Accommodation
No camping or lodging details for Festival at the Friars' Gate yet.
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Pricing
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