Families looking for a unique way to celebrate Easter weekend can step back in time when Scarborough Renaissance Festival opens its 45th season April 4 and 5, 2026, with festive holiday traditions, immersive entertainment and a full day of family-friendly adventure.
Easter weekend visitors can enjoy an Easter Egg Stroll for children, a Renaissance-style Easter service on Sunday and the festive return of Scarborough’s beloved characters as the Village gates open for the milestone season.
Set within a 35-acre recreation of an English village celebrating the 1545 visit of King Henry VIII and Queen Katheryn Parr, the festival blends history, pageantry and playful fantasy with strolling performers, artisan shoppes, human-powered rides and dozens of live performances.
Opening Weekend Easter Activities
With Easter falling on Opening Weekend this year, the festival offers families a unique way to celebrate the holiday with a blend of festive traditions and Renaissance charm. Children can participate in the Easter Egg Stroll, a playful twist on a classic holiday activity held Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Maypole. Designed for children ages 12 and under, the lighthearted event invites young guests to join village characters for a whimsical egg-on-the-spoon stroll around the Maypole. No registration is required.
On Sunday, April 5, at noon, guests of all ages are invited to attend the Renaissance Easter Service at the Crown Meadow Stage. The abbreviated Anglican-style gathering celebrates the renewal of the season through prayer, music and a message of hope, offering families a meaningful moment of reflection within the festival’s lively village setting.
Families can also take advantage of Kids’ Free Weekend, when children ages 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult, with up to three children admitted free per adult. Children age 4 and under are always admitted free, making Opening Weekend an especially inviting opportunity for families to celebrate spring and begin the festival season together.
Family-Friendly Experiences
Recently voted the No. 1 Renaissance Festival in the Southeast Region at the 21st Annual Renaissance Festival Awards and ranked No. 2 in the nation for family-friendly programming, Scarborough Renaissance Festival offers a wide range of experiences designed especially for children and families.
One of the most memorable traditions for young visitors is the Knighting Ceremony, where children are presented before the Royal Court and recognized for acts of courage and kindness. Each participant receives a commemorative seal naming them a Knight of the Realm or Lady of the Court, creating a lasting keepsake of their visit.
The Mermaid Lagoon invites guests to meet live mermaids in an enchanting tropical setting and interact with these mythical sea creatures during scheduled appearances throughout the day.
Animal lovers will enjoy the Birds of Prey Show, presented by Last Chance Forever Birds of Prey Conservancy. During the interactive presentation, hawks, falcons and other majestic raptors soar overhead while audiences learn about wildlife conservation and the important role these birds play in the natural world.
Young guests are often delighted by Opal the Fairy, a whimsical fae character who spreads joy through bubbles, playful gestures and sparkly surprises that leave children wide-eyed with wonder.
Across the Village stages, families can experience dozens of performances filled with comedy, adventure and daring stunts. The Nature of Mercy Pirates brings swashbuckling sword fighting comedy to the stage with a lively storyline that invites children to become heroes of the adventure. Harmless Danger Juggling combines outrageous humor with impressive juggling stunts and audience participation.
Guests can also enjoy the wildly entertaining Cirque du Sewer, which features trained rescue cats and rats navigating obstacle courses while performing acrobatic feats that have earned national television appearances. The high-energy Kamikaze Fireflies deliver a fast-paced spectacle of fire tricks, acrobatics and rare circus skills, including the giant German Wheel.
Animals, Attractions and Village Adventures
The Royal Menagerie gives children the opportunity to interact with animals such as goats, sheep, pigs and several exotic species. The Mythical Monster Museum offers a walk-through adventure filled with fantastical creatures from dragons to trolls, providing an imaginative experience for guests of all ages.
Each afternoon, villagers, nobles, artisans and performers gather for the Grande Parade, which winds through the Village in a colorful procession before concluding with royal proclamations.
Visitors can test their skills at Renaissance-style games such as archery and crossbow, enjoy treasure mining and explore a variety of human-powered rides including the Dragon Swings, Crow’s Nest and Carousello, preserving the festival’s old-world authenticity.
New Attractions for the 45th Season
New experiences and returning favorites make the 45th season one of the most exciting in the festival’s history.
Guests will witness thrilling armored combat in the new Joust Arena, where knights in shining armor charge on horseback in dramatic tournament battles inspired by historical competitions of the late medieval and Renaissance periods.
Visitors seeking adventure can explore The King’s Dungeon, a new immersive walk-through attraction that reveals the harsh realities of Renaissance-era justice through interactive displays and storytelling.
Also reopening this season is Scarborough Castle: Hauntings of Yore, a self-guided attraction that invites brave guests to wander the castle halls while discovering the eerie legends and ghostly tales said to linger within its ancient walls.
The festival also features a special engagement by viral performer Jacques Ze Whipper, a second-generation Renaissance and circus entertainer who has attracted millions of followers online with his daring whip artistry and charismatic performances.
Artisan Marketplace and Entertainment
Throughout the Village, more than 200 artisan shoppes offer handcrafted jewelry, leather goods, pottery, fine art, clothing and unique Renaissance treasures. Dozens of stages and street performers fill the lanes with music, comedy, swordplay and acrobatics, ensuring there is always something new to discover around every corner.
Tickets and Visitor Information
Tickets are available at SRFestival.com. Admission is $34 for Adults (ages 13+) and $15 for Kids (ages 5–12) plus taxes and fees. Children 4 and under are always admitted free. Some activities, games and rides require an additional fee. Parking is free.
Friends of Faire memberships, Season Passes and Weekend Passes are also available for guests who want to return again and again. Advance discounts will be available at North Texas Tom Thumb and Albertsons beginning March 28. Military and Senior discounts are available at the gate with valid ID.