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Sterling Renaissance Festival 2024 in New York State

One of Cayuga County's best summer attractions, held since 1976

Dates: July 6–August 18, 2024

Sterling Renaissance Festival is an annual medieval fair held in Sterling, New York, on the shore of Lake Ontario; for seven weekends in July and August, thousands of attendees can enjoy music, comedy, a vibrant marketplace with artisans and merchants, and interactive theatre performances. Mingle with gypsies, pirates, washer-wenches, bagpipers, illusionists, jugglers, sword-swallowers, fortune-tellers, and chivalrous knights!

Schedule

The Sterling Renaissance Festival is open on weekends, specifically Saturdays and Sundays. Festival hours are from 10 am until 7 pm, providing ample time for visitors to enjoy the Renaissance-themed entertainment and activities offered throughout the day.

Events & Activities

The festival takes place in the fictional village of Warwick, not far from London. Step back into 1585 and meet Queen Elizabeth and her court, as well as historical figures like Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Francis Drake. The main highlights of the festival include full-contact jousting, displays of archery, and Highland games. Visitors can also ride the knights' war-horses for a small fee. In addition, stage shows featuring the Wyldewood Players, acrobats, acting troupes, comedians, and sword-swallowers, who traditionally gather large crowds.

Guests can try their skills in archery, axe-throwing, and fun games like "Tomato Justice," when someone gets hit with ripe tomatoes, the Ladder of Truth, and the Pillow Fyte. Arts and crafts fair features vendors with costumes, leather goods, and period footwear, as well as jewelry woodworking, pottery jewelry, toys, and musical instruments. Food vendors offer delicious treats, from turkey legs to sandwiches, meat pies, and shish-kabobs.

Tickets

The Sterling Renaissance Festival, held in Sterling, New York, offers several admission options. For single-day visits, adults (ages 12+) pay $45.10, while children aged 4-11 pay $28.49. Season passes are available for adults at $255.43 and children (4-11 years old) at $144.73. Children three and under can enter for free. Parking is complimentary for all visitors. Please note that the admission price does not cover rides or games, which typically range from $3 to $5 per activity.

Practical info

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