Travel Back in Time at the Michigan Renaissance Festival
Huzzah! The Michigan Renaissance Festival is back for its 46th season of mayhem, magic, and mud in Hollygrove. This year’s fest runs weekends from August 16 through September 28, including Labor Day (Sept 1) and the always-popular Festival Friday (Sept 26).
🎟️ Ticket Prices for Michigan Renaissance Festival 2025
You can snag tickets online or at the gate. Pricing is as follows:
Parking Info for the Renaissance Festival Holly
– Parking is $15 per vehicle.
– Purchase online before Friday night or scan a QR code at the gate.
– Tip: Have your license plate number ready—it’s linked to your pass.
🛡️ Jousts, Jugglers & Jesters: What You’ll Find Inside
Think less “village charm” and more “playground set in the 1500s with enough theatrical chaos to make reality feel dull.”
- Over 17 dynamic stages scattered throughout the village lanes, showcasing everything from high-stepping jugglers to sword-swallower illusions—and even sledging human chess matches if tradition holds.
- Three full-contact joust shows daily—real knights, real armor, real dirt flying.
- Street-level improvisers—peasants, pirates, wenches, gypsies, nobles, and royalty who interact with your family one-on-one, so expect spontaneous “Huzzah!” sessions.
- Artisan markets loaded with glass-blowing demos, leathercrafts, jewelry, Renaissance garb, and artisan food stalls (think turkey legs that vulgarly outsize your hand, Scotch eggs, meat pies, and soup in a bread bowl).
- Human-powered rides and games of skill (archery, axe throwing, etc.) plus a children’s realm featuring castle playscapes and free little-kid fun.
- Spontaneous parades or tavern-style sing-alongs might pop up—depending on the actors’ mood and your willingness to join.
Bottom line: It’s immersive theater meets family festival. You’re not watching—it’s like being one of the characters (albeit the one who expects nap time).
🎭 Michigan Renaissance Festival 2025:
Themed Weekends & Royal Events
- Pirates & Pups (Aug 16–17)
Swashbuckling shenanigans with leash-in-hand. Dress your pup up, enter themed contests, or just luxuriate in pirate personas and dog chaos. - Highland Fling (Aug 23–24)
Think heavy-lifting athletes and men in kilts (yes, “Men in Kilts” contest included), bagpipes everywhere, plus scotch-esque energy and maybe a caber toss if you’re game. - Viking Invasion (Aug 30–Sept 1)
Beards, axes, hearty feasting, and “Knights and Bikes”—where medieval meets horsepower (in a weird but awesome way). - Wonders of the World (Sept 6–7)
Global performance mash-up: belly dance competitions, ethnic dance troupes, maybe some steampunk flair. Essentially, “Renaissance meets cultural road trip”. - Shamrocks & Shenanigans (Sept 13–14)
Celtic chaos: music, Highland games spun Irish-style, plenty of dancing, and enough craic to make your luck longing for more. - Harvest Huzzah (Sept 20–21)
Smoke-filled BBQ in Aberdare Valley, archery, fairies and enchanted mushrooms, plus a shout-out to Deaf Awareness Week with interpreters stationed on main stages—a rare blend of magical and meaningful. - Sweet Endings (Sept 26–28)
A bittersweet, sugary send-off with costumes, treats, and a last splash of festival glitter before the gates close—like that final sip of cold brew before fall hits.
🧠 Smart Tips Before You Go
* Bring cash—some booths are old-school and don’t take cards.
* Costumes aren’t required but make the day magical, especially for kids.
* Sunscreen and walking shoes are a must at the Renaissance Festival Holly.
* Bring a power bank if you’ll need your phone for scanning parking or photos.
* Dogs are allowed with registration—costumed pups are encouraged.
* Check out more Summer Fairs and Festivals
🏰 Special Experiences at the Michigan Renaissance Festival
Feast of Fantasy
This isn’t just a meal—it’s a full-blown medieval variety show with food as over-the-top as the costumes. Guests enjoy a six-course gourmet meal (yes, six), served with beer, wine, and nonstop entertainment from court jesters, singers, and surprise characters. Great for adults who want to feel like nobility for an afternoon… without the responsibility of ruling a kingdom.
Pro tip: Tickets sell out fast. Think “Thanksgiving dinner meets dinner theater with a corset.”
Royal Joust Brunch
If bottomless mimosas and clanging swords are your vibe, this is the perfect mix. Enjoy a hearty brunch buffet in the royal viewing tent with front-row seats to the morning joust. The knights are dramatic, the food is plentiful, and yes—you’ll probably end up cheering like it’s Game of Thrones for kids.
Kid-friendly, adult-approved. It’s one of the few brunches where eating with your hands feels classy.
Pub Crawl (21+)
Grab your tankard and prepare to stumble… strategically. The Pub Crawl takes you to several taverns around Hollygrove with exclusive drink specials, raunchy entertainment, and bawdy humor that’s strictly for grown-ups. Includes three drinks, a souvenir mug, and guided mischief with performers who really commit to the bit.
Note: Costumes aren’t required, but you’ll feel underdressed if you’re not in pirate boots or a kilt.
Queen’s Tea Party (for kids)
Finally, something for the little royals who aren’t into jousts or swordplay. This adorable, G-rated sit-down with the Queen includes tea, snacks, storytelling, and photo ops with royalty and fairytale friends. Designed for younger kids who love dressing up and feeling fancy.
Think: princess birthday energy, without the gift bags or cleanup. Costumes highly encouraged.
📅 Make the Most of the Michigan Renaissance Festival 2025
Whether you’re going for the turkey legs, the jousts, or just to hear someone yell “huzzah!” with genuine commitment, this festival delivers. The 2025 season promises a royally fun time for kids and adults alike. Costumes encouraged, phones charged, dogs leashed—see you in Hollygrove.
🤔 FAQ: Michigan Renaissance Festival 2025
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When is the 2025 Michigan Renaissance Festival?
The festival runs every weekend from August 16 until September 28, 2025, including Labor Day (Sept 1) and Festival Friday (Sept 26). Gates are open from 9 AM until 7 PM, rain or shine.
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Where is the Michigan Renaissance Festival located?
The festival takes place at 12600 Dixie Hwy, Holly, MI 48442, just off I-75. It’s about an hour from downtown Detroit.
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How much are tickets for 2025?
General admission tickets are:
Adults (13+): $27.95
Children (5–12): $18.95
Seniors (65+): $25.95
Kids under 5 are free
You can buy tickets online or at the gate. -
Is parking included with admission?
No, parking is $15 per vehicle. You can buy a parking pass online (recommended) or scan a QR code at the entrance on the day of your visit. Your license plate number is required for entry.
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Can I bring my dog to the festival?
Yes! Dogs are welcome during any festival day, as long as they are registered in advance. You’ll need proof of vaccinations and a signed waiver. Costumes for pups are encouraged during themed weekends.
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Do I need to wear a costume to attend?
No costume is required, but many guests dress up for the fun—especially kids. Costumes enhance the experience, especially on themed weekends like Pirates & Pups or Highland Fling.
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What’s included in special events like the Feast of Fantasy or Pub Crawl?
These are ticketed experiences within the festival:
Feast of Fantasy includes a six-course meal, drinks, and live entertainment.
Pub Crawl includes 3 drinks, exclusive shows, and a souvenir mug.
Royal Joust Brunch offers front-row joust seats and a buffet.
Queen’s Tea Party is designed for kids and includes snacks, stories, and royal characters.
Advance tickets are highly recommended for all special events. -
What happens if it rains?
The festival runs rain or shine. Some areas have shelter, but be prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear. Mud adds to the medieval authenticity—embrace it.
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Is the festival family-friendly?
Yes! There are children’s games, a fairy forest, castle-themed playgrounds, and family-geared shows. That said, some performances (especially during the Pub Crawl) are adults-only.
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Can I leave and re-enter the festival on the same day?
Yes, re-entry is allowed with a hand stamp received upon exit.
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Bernadette Manaay is a proud mom of two wonderful kids, Ianna and Bernard. She has been married to her husband, Ian, for almost 11 years. Bernadette is a Physical Therapist by profession in Metro Detroit. Her family loves to travel and go camping every summer and early fall. Her desire and passion to document her family’s everyday life lead her to become a self-taught photographer. It is very fulfilling to a mom to capture and freeze as many moments as we can because time just flies so fast. See the special memories of her family on her Instagram account: @adetteskyph.