Village of Fairhaven
The Village of Fairhaven is a 25 acre Renaissance festival theme park set within 325 acres of woodland just north of Charlotte, at the Huntersville and Concord line. The Carolina Renaissance Festival has run here since 1994, with jousting, falconry four times daily, a mermaid exhibit and a petting farm all included in admission. Parking is always free courtesy of Harris Teeter, though tickets are date specific and can sell out.
Before you go
- Capacity
- 25 acre festival grounds within 325 acres of woodland
- Official site
- carolina.renfestinfo.com
- Next festival here
- Carolina Renaissance Festival, Oct 3 to Nov 22, 2026
Worth knowing before you go
- Tickets are date specific and limited; if a date sells out, no exceptions are made, even later in the day.
- GPS apps aren't reliable getting here, so follow the festival's own printed directions.
- Don't drive into the neighboring subdivisions; it's not a shortcut and residents live there.
- A Hops Pub Crawl adds 4 pub stops with craft ale samples, a pewter pin and shaded VIP joust seats.
Festivals here
Venue basics: Free parking courtesy of Harris Teeter · 25 acres within 325 acres of woodland · Jousting and falconry included in admission.
Is it for you
Choose it if
- You want a big Renaissance theme park with jousting, falconry and a petting farm included.
- You like free parking and are happy to buy tickets ahead for a specific date.
- You're interested in a craft-ale pub crawl with VIP joust seating.
Think twice if
- You're hoping to buy tickets at the gate on a sold-out date: no exceptions are made.
- You plan to use GPS for directions: it isn't reliable here.
Getting there and parking
Parking is always free, courtesy of Harris Teeter.
The festival is just north of Charlotte at the Huntersville and Concord border, with easy access from both I-77 and I-85. GPS apps are not reliable for driving there, so use the festival's own printed directions, and do not drive into neighboring subdivisions.
Tickets are date specific and limited each day; if a date sells out, only ticket holders are admitted and no exceptions are made, even later in the day.
Accessibility
We don't yet have confirmed information about accessibility at Village of Fairhaven. The venue's own pages are the place to check: carolina.renfestinfo.com.
Camping
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at Village of Fairhaven. The venue's own pages are the place to check: carolina.renfestinfo.com.
Food, water and what you can bring
A Hops Pub Crawl tour visits 4 festival pubs with craft ale samples at each stop, plus a souvenir pewter pin, shaded VIP joust seats and a toast by the Queen; it is date specific and limited.
Recently at Village of Fairhaven
Carolina Renaissance Festival
Quick answers
Is parking free at Carolina Renaissance Festival?
Yes, always free, courtesy of Harris Teeter.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance?
It's recommended. Tickets are date specific and limited, and can sell out with no exceptions made.
How do I get to the festival?
It's just north of Charlotte at the Huntersville and Concord border; don't rely on GPS apps, use the festival's own printed directions.
How big is the festival?
25 acres of theme park set within 325 acres of woodland.
What's included with admission?
Tournament Jousting, Falconry Presentations four times daily, a swimming mermaids exhibit and a petting farm.
Is there a beer or ale experience?
Yes, the Hops Pub Crawl visits 4 festival pubs with craft ale samples and VIP joust seats.
When did the festival start?
It was introduced in 1994 with six acres of exhibits and has grown into one of the largest Renaissance fairs in the country.
A little history
The Carolina Renaissance Festival was introduced in 1994 with six acres of exhibits, attractions and entertainment, and has grown into one of the largest Renaissance fairs in the country.