As the royal court strolls through the streets, the smell of roasting turkey legs larger than villagers’ forearms fills the air. 

Maybe it’s the sight of a pirate drinking from a tankard or a blacksmith forging metal by hand, but all clues point to one revelation: You’re no longer in the 21st century. 

Beyond the gates of the Colorado Renaissance Festival, visitors trade traffic and smartphones for a bustling English village filled with kings, craftsmen and enough medieval performers to make history feel alive.  

This summer, modern-day Colorado will disappear as thousands of visitors spend their weekends from June 13 to Aug. 2 stepping into a world of fantasy, history and live entertainment. 

Returning to 650 Perry Park Ave. for its 49th season, the Larkspur festival will operate from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with tickets ranging from $29 to $32 for adults and $15 or less for children.

“We’re an immersive 15th-century theme park,” the festival’s entertainment director, Kristy Ekiss, said. “You walk through the gates and you’re in a 15th-century replica English village with all of your artists, butchers, bakers, candlestick makers and live entertainment throughout the village.” 

So before visitors tighten their corset or strap on their chain mail, here are four things every festivalgoer should know before attending the medieval adventure.  

There’s entertainment around every corner 

One moment, you’re passing the king of England in the village streets. The next, a fairy is posing for photos just a few steps away. At the Colorado Renaissance Festival, the cast doesn’t stay on stage; they’re part of the village itself.

Yet even with witch trials and fire breathers drawing crowds throughout the day, “the joust is the quintessential renaissance festival show,” Ekiss said.

Creating one of the festival’s most iconic experiences, armored knights will charge across an arena on horseback while spectators cheer from the stands three times daily. 

Other performers for this year include The CRAIC Show, Jacques ze Whipper, The Tortuga Twins, Ded Bob, The Washing Well Wenches and more. New to the festival, the pirate-themed pop boy band The Spice Boys will be in attendance for the first three weekends, stealing attendees’ gold and hearts. 

Even the youngest villagers can feel a part of the kingdom with a free children’s petting zoo, butterfly ride, a daily knighting ceremony at 3:30 p.m. and a tea party at 4 p.m. 

Enter a different realm every weekend 

While the village itself stays largely the same throughout the summer, each weekend comes with its own extra dose of themed fun.

“Theme weekends are just kind of like the cherry on top,” Ekiss said. “The vast majority of the show is consistent from weekend to weekend, but themed weekends just have a little extra something special. Maybe we have an extra bagpipe band for Celtic weekend or a wine tasting for wine weekend.”

The season kicks off with Magical Fantasy Weekend (this Saturday and Sunday), followed by Pirates Invasion Weekend (June 20-21), which Ekiss said is typically the festival’s busiest time.

Other themed celebrations include Celtic Weekend (June 27-28), Children’s Weekend (July 4-5), Wine and Revelry Weekend (July 11-12), Love and Romance Weekend (July 18-19), Time Travelers Weekend (July 25-26) and A Final Huzzah (Aug. 1-2).

The themes also give festivalgoers another excuse to dress up. On any given day, visitors might spot pirates, Vikings, princesses, fairies and even the occasional stormtrooper wearing a kilt, Ekiss said.

Festivalgoers can also submit their favorite photos through email, where finalists are selected by staff before being put to a public vote. The grand prize: tickets for the entire following festival season.

Feast like royalty 

Let’s be honest: what would a renaissance festival be without a turkey leg and pint of beer available at every corner?

Whether you’re craving steak on a stake, a giant pretzel or fried pickles, the festival has built a reputation for food that’s nearly as famous as the joust itself.

“It’s a pretty large variety of food, so every kitchen has almost a completely different set of offerings,” Ekiss said. “We have four kitchens. We have vegetarian stuff, we have vegan stuff, and all the meats on a stick you can possibly imagine.”

The ready-to-serve eateries include Canterbury Kitchen, King’s Pantry, Knight’s Kitchen, Queen’s Pantry, Royal Delights, Royal Nuts, Friar Tuck’s Bakery and the International Food Court. 

The kingdom’s greatest treasure? Its shops

If you’re looking to leave with something other than a full belly, a myriad of handcrafted reminders of your day at the festival can be found at the village marketplace. 

Visitors can watch artisans create their work in real time, from blacksmiths and leatherworkers to jewelers, potters and glass artists.

Among this year’s featured vendors are Fantastist Stained Glass, The Jesters Courtyard, The King of Cups, The Armoured Faerie, Sabersmith and Mask Parade, among others. 

Guests can even have their hair braided, get fitted for toe rings and anklets or pause their journey for a medieval massage, with a range of prices available throughout the village.

“We’ve got everything,” Ekiss said. “If you think it belongs in a 15th-century village, we probably have it.”

IF YOU GO
WHAT: Colorado Renaissance Festival

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 13-Aug. 2

WHERE: 650 Perry Park Ave., Larkspur

PRICE: $29-$32 for adults and $15 or less for children, coloradorenaissance.com