If spring had a “go big or go home” event in Williamson County, this would be it. This May, the Tennessee Renaissance Festival returns for its 40th season in Arrington, once again transforming the open countryside into the 16th-century village of Covington Glen.
Over five weekends, the grounds fill with music, costumed characters, artisan markets, and nonstop performances that make it easy to spend an entire day (or several) wandering, watching, and joining in.
Whether or not you dress up, there truly is something for everyone at the Tennessee Renaissance Festival, from the tiniest tots to trendy teens and young adults to seniors. There is so much to do that many guests return multiple times just to fit everything in.
This year brings a noticeable expansion in both entertainment and immersive experiences, with new stages, new story-driven programming, and several limited-capacity events that invite guests to be part of the action. The Renaissance Festival has always been about immersion, but this year takes that idea even further and invites guests not just to watch Covington Glen come alive but to step into its story in new and more personal ways.
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New Performers and Entertainment
The festival lineup adds several standout acts this season, each bringing a different energy to Covington Glen:
- Jacques ze Whipper (Weekend 1 only): A high-energy, circus-style performer who blends whip artistry with modern comedic timing and plenty of audience interaction.
- Dahm and Dove (Weekends 2–5): A powerful musical duo featuring Great Highland bagpipes and traditional percussion.
- Combatants Keep (all five weekends): One of the world’s premier jousting teams, delivering fast-paced armored competition rooted in historical tradition.
In addition to returning favorites, guests will also discover a new performance hub: the Arena of Valor. This space expands the festival’s live-action programming with a dedicated stage for armored martial arts demonstrations presented by The Shire of the Rising Stone.
New Immersive Experiences
Beyond the main stage performances, this year introduces several ticketed experiences designed to pull guests directly into the story of Covington Glen.
Courtier School
New nobles are “recruited” into the social life of the village through hands-on instruction in courtly behavior. Guests ages 8 and up are sorted into child, teen, and adult groups and guided through lessons in:
- Bowing, curtsying, and formal greetings
- Sword etiquette and noble salutes
- Fan language and nonverbal communication
- Speaking and presenting like a member of the court
- A final procession and knighthood or ladyship ribbon ceremony
Sessions take place daily at 11:30 a.m. in the Royal Garden Glen. Tickets are $20 and require separate festival admission.
Covington Glen’s Courtly Tea
If you are ready for a slower pace in the middle of your festival day, you can step into a hosted courtly gathering with Her Majesty and members of the Royal Court.
Held daily at 12:30 p.m. outside the Arena of Valor, this experience includes tea service paired with light bites (meats, cheeses, fruit, and sweets), along with storytelling and light entertainment from visiting performers. Tickets are $30 and must be purchased in advance.
D&D Spectacular (Third Weekend Only)
One of the most interactive additions this year, the D&D Spectacular from Dragonfly’s Realm turns fantasy roleplay into a full-day group experience.
Fifty participants, arranged in five teams of ten, take part in a live, Dungeons & Dragons–style one-shot campaign that moves across Covington Glen as a clue-based scavenger hunt. The day ends with a staged competition to determine which team earns the title of Royal Adventuring Guild.
It is part immersive theater, part game, and part live audience performance. It is truly built for guests who want to step directly into the story.
Planning Ahead
Between performances, interactive experiences, and artisan markets, Covington Glen feels like a fully realized festival village. Guests can expect a full schedule of live entertainment across stages and roaming acts throughout the day, along with food vendors, crafts, and themed shopping.
One thing you will definitely want to make time for is browsing the festival’s many vendor and artisan booths. Here, you will find decadent Renaissance gowns, corsets, and accessories; handcrafted leather costumes, footwear, and outerwear for women and men; handmade horns, elf ears, jewelry, wooden mugs, kilts, and candles.
If you love the Renaissance era, bring plenty of cash, as most vendors cannot accept cards because of the festival’s rural location. There are ATMs on site in case of a shopping emergency, but to avoid surcharges, it is best to bring some green. You will also want to budget for food and drinks, with plenty of options including barbecue, fried pies, ice cream, baked goods, and much more.
Ticket sales, full daily schedules, and additional information are available at tnrenfest.com.
