About the Des Moines Renaissance Faire
(Above is the map from 2009)
Experience the “Age of Enlightenment” at the Des Moines Renaissance Faire. Enter our gates and you will go back in time to an era when royalty ruled, knights jousted, and the arts came alive! The excitement begins Labor Day weekend and extends through the next two weekends in September.
Browse through more than 50 specialty shops. Attend the spectacle of the coronation at the Royal Court. Shout the battle cry of your favorite knight at the jousting arena. Partake in demonstrations by glass blowers, blacksmiths, potters, wood carvers, and painters. Bring a purse full of coin, for our merchants offer the finest in jewelry, weaponry, leather goods, candles, clothing, children’s items, chocolates, pottery and more.
Come Hungry! The irresistible aromas of the various vendors’ baked goods, smoked meats, stir fry, roasted nuts and caramel corn will delight even the pickiest eater.
In addition to the delicious Midwest fare and unique shopping, this festival offers 8 stages featuring comedians, musicians, minstrels, jugglers, pirates, belly dancers and more! You will also find games of skill and chance as well as period man-powered carnival rides.
The architecture of the village, with Marick Castle overlooking it, will transport you to the best-detailed and realistic simulation of Renaissance Europe that Iowa has ever seen. Visit the gorgeous 16-acre Festival Park, the first-ever permanent location for the Faire, and enjoy a wonderful and educational experience for all ages! So, come! Bring your family and friends and spend the day reliving the past. Feel free to dress in Renaissance attire if you so desire!
Don’t miss out!
The Des Moines Renaissance Faire runs for 3 weekends in September beginning Labor Day weekend.
2010 Dates, Hours and Themes:
- The first three weekends in September, starting Labor Day Weekend! 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine!
- September 4-5-6 - 'KNIGHTS, BARBARIANS & HEROES'
The opening weekend of the 8th annual Des Moines Renaissance Faire brings Canterbury-on-Sherwood to life with knights in shining armor, warriors from ages past and the classic legends from stories of European lore. All ages will appreciate the full immersion into our wide variety of shows, exhibits, demonstrations and hands-on experiences. Cross the bridged moat into a land of enchantment. - September 11-12 - 'SCOTS, BRITONS & IRISH'
From the Highland Champions and their heavy lifting games to the archers of Sherwood Forest, the land of faerie tales and pre-American history (Great Britain) brings us entertainment, food and merchants from afar. Be thee Scot, Welsh, Cornish, Irish, Briton, English, leprechaun, elfin, faery, Shakespearian or are simply intrigued by these lively cultures this weekend was created for lasting memories and the pleasure of all. - September 18-19 - 'PIRATES, PERSIANS & BUCCANEERS'
The Queen's Navy sails the high seas yet docks at the Canterbury River only to find freebooters of all sorts, both historical and fantasy. From Capt. Morgan to Capt. Hook and from sailing wenches to treehouse faeries this is the weekend for all things of sea legend. Landlubbers beware as our castle town gets invaded by delightful characters from lands as near as the Caribbean and as far as Persia - thanks to the Prince sending us his exotic dancers and bladesmen.
Produced By
The Des Moines Renaissance Faire is produced by Sleepy Hollow Sports Park and Festivals International.
More details will be posted as Labor Day Weekend grows nearer. (If you are looking for the Iowa Renaissance Festival in the Amana Colonies, previously held over Labor Day Weekend, that event has moved to new Spring dates so everyone can come visit the new Des Moines event.)
Event History
2010 marked the fifth year of the event in its permanent home at Festival Park, but did you know three "Des Moines Renaissance Faire" events were held before then, starting in 2004?
2004 - Pre-Sleepy Hollow Sports Park: After the Iowa Renaissance Festival moved from the state fairgrounds to the Amana Colonies in 1999, and Salisbury Faire held it's last year in 2002, and a new festival began in Des Moines.
- May 29-31 - Iowa State Fairgrounds. This event was intended to be held at Water Works Park, but severe flooding just days before opening caused it to move to a corner parking lot at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
- Oct 9-10 - Water Works Park. Determined to use the original park location, a second event was planned then held.
2005 - May 28-30 - Iowa State Fairgrounds. Held in the campgrounds location formerly used by the Iowa Renaissance Festival.
2006 - Festival Park opens at Sleepy Hollow Sports Park! The new permanent home for the Des Moines Renaissance Faire is finally ready. There was construction equipment still moving around the site mere minutes before the guests were let in! Severe raining proved that the new home had some drainage issues, but also proved that regatta boat races were possible in front of the royal food court area.
- Sep 2-4 - Pirates, Wenches & Scallywags
- Sep 9-10 - Kilts, Celts & Competitions
- Sep 16-17 - Romance, Rogues & Revelry
2007
Flushing toilets added north of the jousting arena. Huzzah!
- Sep 1-2-3 - Pirates, Wenches & Rogues
- Sep 8-9 - Vikings, Knights & Bravehearts
- Sep 15-16 - Romance, Wine & Revelry
2008
Four new shops added at south end. Faery treehouse added.
- Aug 30-Sep 1 - Pirates, Heroes & Daring Duels
- Sep 6-7 - Highlanders, Celts & Lucky Lasses
- Sep 20-21 - Romance, Wine & Royal Revelry (Due to intense rains, this weekend was moved one week later, conflicting with the Omaha area Midlands Pirate Festival. Some merchants and performers had to depart to attend that event.)
2009
Planters added. Guild Hall (village marketplace) receives a real roof. More shade canopies added over stage seating areas. Feasting hall receives concrete floor.
- Sep 5-7 - Highland Fling - Celts & Kilts
- Sep 12-13 - Royal Romance - Flavors & Favors
- Sep 19-20 - Buccaneer Pirates - Treasures & Pleasures
2010
- Sep 4-6 - Knights, Barbarians & Heroes
- Sep 11-12 - Scots, Britons & Irish
- Sep 18-19 - Pirates, Persians & Buccaneers
2011 ... what would YOU like to see???
