New Castle-Henry County Renaissance Festival

The New Castle-Henry County Renaissance Festival is a free annual event held in downtown New Castle, Indiana, scheduled for July 26, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (some sources extend to 6:00 PM). It takes place at 1400 Plaza and the Arts Park (218 S. 15th St., New Castle, IN 47362) and is fully handicapped accessible.

The festival’s atmosphere is whimsical and family-friendly, themed for 2025 as "Heroes and Villains," inviting attendees to enjoy a mix of medieval and fantasy-themed entertainment. The vibe is festive with a focus on historical and fantasy renaissance culture, encouraging costumes and interactive fun.

Activities and performances featured at the festival include:

• Aerial acrobatics
• Falconry shows with live birds of prey demonstrations
• Shakespeare troupe performances presenting skits and plays
• Maypole dancing
• Archery demonstrations
• Live music with medieval and folk influences, including lute performances
• A unicorn character and fairies, adding to the fantasy element
• Puppetry acts
• LARPing (Live Action Role Playing)
• Dueling knights on stage
• Petting zoo with various animals
• Food trucks offering medieval-inspired fare and contemporary festival food
• Art vendors selling crafts and Renaissance-themed goods

The event includes a local tavern setup where visitors can enjoy mead, ales, and traditional beverages in a recreated medieval alehouse atmosphere.

The rough schedule during the festival spans the full day:

• Opening at 10:00 AM with music and vendor booths opening
• Aerial and falconry shows scheduled intermittently throughout the day
• Shakespeare troupe performing skits around midday and afternoon
• Maypole dances and archery demonstrations in the early afternoon
• Dueling knights and LARP events likely scheduled for mid to late afternoon
• Puppetry, unicorn/mermaid appearances, and fairies available throughout for interaction
• The event closes around 4:00 to 6:00 PM with final performances and festivities winding down

The New Castle-Henry County Renaissance Festival was founded in 2021 by a volunteer board working to provide a free, accessible, family-friendly Renaissance-themed cultural event for Henry County. It is organized in partnership with the Art Association of Henry County and the City of New Castle, sustained through community sponsorships and donations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Overall, the festival offers an immersive experience blending historical reenactment, fantasy elements, and community arts in a welcoming downtown setting, aimed at providing entertainment, education, and enjoyment for all ages.