For two years, the Arizona Renaissance Festival fairgrounds in Gold Canyon, about 40 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix, have been bereft of the magic that a 16th-century storybook village brings to the Southwest every year.
But on Saturday, Feb. 5, the village of Fairhaven will reopen with about 2,000 medieval storytellers, sword swallowers, folk dancers, artisans and other entertainers when the Arizona Renaissance Festival makes a triumphant return.
Many fan-favorite acts and, of course, roasted turkey legs will be back at the 50-acre fairgrounds. Here's what you should know about the 2022 fair, including how to get discounted tickets and which acts to look out for.
Phoenix's biggest 2022 events: Country Thunder, Phoenix Open, Ostrich Festival
What days is the Renaissance Festival open?
The fairgrounds open Feb. 5. The fair takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and Presidents Day, rain or shine, through April 3.
The Arizona Renaissance Festival is open on the following dates:
How much Renaissance Festival 2022 tickets cost
Tickets purchased at the gate are $30 for age 13 and older, $27 for age 60 and older with ID, $20 for ages 5-12 and free for age 4 and younger.
You can save $1 per ticket by buying online. Go to https://www.bigtickets.com to buy tickets in advance.
Season passes can be purchased at the box office and cost $95 to $230.
How to get Arizona Renaissance Festival discount tickets
There are several ways to save money on tickets:
Basha's and Food City: Discount tickets are $1 less — $29 for adults, $19 for kids — at Bashas’ and Food City stores across Arizona.
Military discount: Admission for active and former military members is $27 with ID at the box office.
Hall of Frames: This store is offering an online-only discount that can be redeemed by using the code HOFA at https://www.bigtickets.com/events/arizonarenfest/azrf-2022. It is good for one free adult ticket with the purchase of one full-price adult admission on Feb. 4, 6 and 21 only. Get one free child ticket with the purchase of one full-price adult ticket by using the code HOFC. This discount is valid Feb. 26-April 3.
Group discounts: With the purchase of at least 10 tickets, adult admission is $27 and child admission is $17. The organizer receives one free ticket. Tickets should be ordered by 4 p.m. on the Thursday prior to your visit. Go to https://arizona.renfestinfo.com to find the group-ticket order form. For more information, call 520-463-2600.
Must-see performances at the festival
The festival's daily schedule is packed with acrobats, feline performers, folk dancers and fire eaters.
Three jousting matches will take place each day: The princesses' joust is at noon and the princes trot on at 2:30 p.m. The "joust to the death" is at 5 p.m.
Catch the Barely Balanced comedic daredevils "diving through fire, hurling machetes and testing the limits of natural selection" at the Fairhaven Theatre at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. every day. Their fiery extravaganza begins at 4 p.m.
The Lynx Show, featuring sword swallowing, magic and comedy, takes place at the Carnevale Village at 11:45 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.
The Jamila Lotus Dance Carnivale will show off "feats of balance and daring" at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Dancing Pig Pub.
Acrobat Cirque du Sewer's trained rats and cats will perform their stunts at the Rialto Stage at 11:45 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m., with a fire cat finale.
You can find the full daily schedule at https://arizona.renfestinfo.com.
Arizona Renaissance Festival's themed weekends in 2022
Each weekend, the festival invites visitors to partake in a different theme. For those looking to dress up in costume, check https://arizona.renfestinfo.com to find out what each week's costume contest is.
Are masks required to be worn at the fair?
According to the festival's website, the ample outdoor space is conducive to social distancing, and mask use is "recommended of all festival visitors."
"Although the Festival is primarily open-air, it also includes enclosed locations such as shops and close seating performance areas. Shopkeepers may, at their discretion, have a mask requirement with entering their shop," the festival's FAQs reads.
"Regardless of vaccination status, properly worn masks are strongly recommended when indoors, in booths and strongly encouraged in the village lanes, audience seating areas, food lines, when approaching service counters, and any crowded areas where social distancing cannot occur."
Coronavirus spread is still considered "high" in every county in Arizona, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's data tracker.
Arizona Renaissance Festival 2022
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Feb. 5-April 3.
Where: 12601 U.S. 60, Gold Canyon.
Admission: $30, $27 for seniors with ID, $20 for ages 5-12, free for ages 4 and younger.
Details: 520-463-2600, https://arizona.renfestinfo.com.
Reach the reporter at kimi.robinson@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @kimirobin and Instagram @ReporterKiMi.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
Source: https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/events/2022/02/02/arizona-renaissance-festival-guide/9257445002/
No comments:
Post a Comment