Jousting, feasting, and fantasy return to Lions Park September 27–28
FOLSOM—The clang of steel on steel, the thunder of hooves across the jousting field, the aroma of roasting meats wafting through the air, and the sound of lutes and drums echoing from a nearby stage. Enter the gates of Folsom City Lions Park next weekend and you will be transported to another world, as the 33rd Annual Folsom Renaissance Faire & Jousting Championships unfolds September 27–28.
For more than three decades, the beloved festival has transformed the park into an Elizabethan village, where nobles, jesters, artisans, and entertainers blur the line between history and fantasy. Presented by Renaissance Productions, the faire is one of the region’s longest-running cultural traditions, attracting both seasoned Renaissance enthusiasts and first-time families eager to experience its “Magic, Mayhem, and Merriment.”
Visitors are swept into a living pageant where Queen Elizabeth Tudor reigns over her court, foreign ambassadors and gallant knights stroll among the townsfolk, and mischievous rogues plot their antics in the streets. Shakespeare’s England comes alive through pageantry, color, and performance.
More than 800 costumed characters will fill the park over the weekend, creating an immersive environment where parades, storytelling, and impromptu skits seem to unfold at every corner. Children can craft crowns, join in games, watch puppet shows, and even seek an audience with Her Majesty herself, while adults are equally enchanted by illusionists, contortionists, bawdy comedy, and the sudden appearance of pirates or fairies who might just cross their path.
The joust remains the faire’s beating heart, a tradition that continues to thrill spectators year after year. As banners ripple in the breeze, knights in gleaming armor mount powerful steeds and lower their lances, charging across the arena to the roar of the crowd. The clash is fierce and spectacular, blending sport, theater, and danger in equal measure. Each contest is a show of bravery and skill, but also of pageantry—horses adorned with heraldic colors, knights saluting the Queen before their run, and the collective anticipation as thousands watch the moment of impact.
Beyond the joust, the bustling marketplace adds to the enchantment, offering treasures from more than 80 artisans. Visitors hear the ring of a blacksmith’s hammer as steel is shaped into blades, or the chatter of merchants calling out their wares beneath colorful tents. Fine jewelry, leather goods, Renaissance clothing, and glass-blown creations line the aisles. Every booth tells its own story, and even browsing feels like stepping into a medieval bazaar. It’s here that many leave with keepsakes—whether a handcrafted trinket, a flowing gown, or a steel-forged sword—that carry the faire home with them.
Feasting is as much a part of the experience as the shows and shopping. Giant turkey legs remain the most iconic treat, carried through the fairgrounds by guests of all ages. Hearty meat pies, smoky barbecue, and sweet indulgences like fudge, funnel cakes, and frozen drinks round out the fare. The food court is not just a place to refuel, but a gathering space where musicians wander between tables, laughter rings out, and mugs are raised in cheer. In many ways, dining at the faire feels less like fast food and more like a communal feast.
What makes the Folsom Renaissance Faire unique is how it invites the audience to become part of the show. Guests don’t just observe—they participate. Families arrive in flowing gowns, plumed hats, or fantasy attire drawn from distant realms. Cosplayers mingle with historical reenactors, and newcomers often find themselves inspired to dress up after seeing the variety around them. The result is a weekend where the lines between performer and guest dissolve, and every person in attendance helps create the atmosphere of the village.
This year’s edition also carries with it the legacy of 33 years in Folsom. Since its early days, the Renaissance Faire has become woven into the community’s cultural fabric, returning each fall to delight longtime residents and introduce new generations to the pageantry of the past. Many families have made it a tradition, returning year after year to see how the Queen’s court evolves, how the joust unfolds, and how the ever-changing roster of performers keeps the faire both timeless and fresh.
The 2025 faire runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 28, at Folsom City Lions Park. Tickets are available only in advance online at www.folsomfaire.com and will not be sold at the gate. Parking is $15, payable in exact cash, and attendants will require proof of ticket purchase for entry into the lots.
Whether it’s the thrill of jousting, the joy of feasting, the hunt for treasures, or simply the chance to slip into another time for a day, the Folsom Renaissance Faire continues to promise an experience that is both enchanting and unforgettable.
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