Michiana Renaissance Festival

The Michiana Renaissance Festival takes place annually at the St. Joseph County 4-H Fairgrounds in South Bend, Indiana. The 2025 event runs from August 22 to August 24, featuring a rich Renaissance theme that celebrates medieval culture and creativity. It is family-friendly and offers a variety of engaging activities, including four reenactment areas, live jousting, six stages with different shows, food and drink vendors, and artisan shopping. The festival honors Queen Eleanor and aims to blend fun with educational experiences.

The festival grounds are divided into four themed reenactment areas where visitors encounter different aspects of medieval life, crafts, and performances, creating an immersive atmosphere. With six stages, programming includes plays, musical acts, and demonstrations, providing entertainment throughout the day.

A typical schedule starts around 10:00 AM and runs until 6:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. The event includes ongoing jousts, multiple shows on varied stages, workshops, and artisan markets spread across the fairgrounds. This structure allows attendees to explore and participate freely, ensuring there is "something for everyone," whether interested in history, entertainment, food, or shopping.

The festival has been held for over a decade, marking the 13th annual event in 2025, organized by Entertaining History, Inc., a nonprofit committed to historical reenactment and education. The event is handicapped accessible and requires admission, with contact and ticket information available via their official website or phone.

In summary, the Michiana Renaissance Festival offers a vibrant blend of educational reenactments, lively performances, traditional food and drink, and artisan shopping, all within a historically themed environment that honors the Renaissance period’s cultural heritage. It is set in a friendly, festive atmosphere suitable for all ages.