TrekUnity
When
September
Attendance
~300,000 (across the season)
Admission
Ticketed
Setting
Outdoor
One of the largest Renaissance faires in the country, the Maryland Renaissance Festival recreates a 16th-century English village on a wooded 27-acre site near Annapolis across nine autumn weekends, with full-armor jousting, hundreds of artisans, stage shows, and turkey legs aplenty.
Set in "Revel Grove," it draws costumed crowds from across the Mid-Atlantic each fall and pairs easily with a trip to historic Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay.
Want to go? Turn Maryland Renaissance Festival into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
Weekends, late August through late October
Admission
~$30 adults · discounted kids · season passes
Parking
Free on-site parking in large fields; arrive before opening on themed weekends to skip the entry line.
Nearest airport
Baltimore/Washington (BWI) — ~30 min
Typical weather
Pleasant Mid-Atlantic fall — 60s–70s °F; can be warm early in the season, crisp by late October.
Official website
Location
Crownsville, MD
Where to stay
Historic Inns of Annapolis
Colonial-era inns in downtown Annapolis.
Graduate Annapolis
Playful hotel near the historic district.
BWI-area hotels
Budget-friendlier and close to the festival.
Where to eat & drink
Festival fare (turkey legs, ale)
The on-site staple — eat and drink your way through the grove.
Boatyard Bar & Grill (Annapolis)
Chesapeake crab and casual seafood.
Chick & Ruth's Delly
Beloved Annapolis diner institution.
Nearby attractions
Historic Annapolis
Colonial capital and the U.S. Naval Academy.
Chesapeake Bay
Sailing, crab houses, and waterfront towns.
Sandy Point State Park
Bay beach with Bay Bridge views.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + Annapolis
- •Fly into BWI
- •Afternoon: historic Annapolis + Naval Academy
- •Dinner: Chesapeake crab
2Festival day
- •Morning: arrive at opening
- •Midday: jousting tournament
- •Afternoon: artisan market + shows
- •Evening: back to Annapolis
3Bay + depart
- •Morning: Sandy Point State Park
- •Lunch on the water
- •Head to BWI
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Buy tickets online to skip the gate line on themed weekends.
- Pair it with a day in historic Annapolis and Chesapeake crab.
- Go in costume — the crowd fully commits.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Maryland Renaissance Festival?
It runs on weekends from late August through late October, near Annapolis, Maryland.
Is it family-friendly?
Yes — jousting, shows, and hands-on artisans make it great for all ages, though some evening entertainment is aimed at adults.
What else is nearby?
Historic Annapolis, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the Chesapeake Bay are all a short drive away.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Maryland Renaissance Festival or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.