Tennessee Renaissance Festival Returns for 40th Year

You don't have to wait until Halloween to enjoy a costume party, but this is so much more than that. Yes, the participants are decked out in period regalia, but this festival leans more closely to the "re-enactment" category, even if it doesn't exactly play out like the Civil War re-enactments with which you might be familiar.

Tennessee Renaissance Festival

Jousting, round tables, moats, suits of armor. Who's here for it? Well, more to the point, who's going to be there, in Arrington, Tennessee, for it this weekend? Beginning Saturday, May 2nd, we're going to find out. And if you're unable to get there this weekend, don't worry. The Tennessee Renaissance Festival is a multi-weekend event, every single weekend in May.

What You'll See at the Tennessee Renaissance Festival

The 2026 celebration marks the event's 40th anniversary, and if you can find a weekend in May and get to it, you'll enjoy a full day of themed events, from performances to jousting, artisanal crafts, food, and more. And I can't forget to spotlight special events like the Fairy Habitat & Hobbit House Competition, in which you make your own habitat or hobbit house and submit it for judging. Like a science fair, I guess.

Plus, every weekend will have its own theme like Nordic Invasion, Fae Frolic, Pirate Parley, Isle of Sky, and Echoes of Olympus.

If you want to get away from it all, and I mean from this century, pick a May weekend, head to Arrington, Tennessee, and head back in time.

Way back in time.