The best medieval festivals in Europe

Historically themed festivals are popular in Europe and can replace Christmas markets as a source for weekend fun, food and craft shopping for the rest of the year. They also offer more entertainment with real castles, knights on horseback and wandering Vikings. Channel your inner Ren Faire nerd and step it up a notch at a Mittelalter (Middle Ages) market or a Ritterfest (Knight’s fest) this year.

It’s not necessary to dress the part for these festivals, but it can be exciting and often brings a discount at entry. Check festival websites to plan costumes for the appropriate time period. Many European festivals are medieval themed while others are Renaissance based. While these are often grouped together at fairs in the U.S., in Europe the historical difference is recognized. Medieval fairs tend to generally reflect the high to late medieval period (1000-1500s) as a whole with markets, shows, crafts and food. Renaissance fairs will often be a celebration of a particular local battle won in the 1400s-1700s and tend to have more scheduled reenactments.

Most festivals have a camp where reenactment clubs purchase parcels year after year and people come to relive medieval camp life. It’s a family affair, and you’ll see folks from all walks of life spending their summer holidays dressed as peasants or blacksmiths and even paupers begging for coins. These areas are considered private property and will be roped off to give day-trippers a boundary line for their gawking.

In general, Europeans stick to the theming. You may see people dressed as Vikings or other cultural groups like Huns or Celts mingling if they are appropriate for the time period. However, you won’t tend to see fantasy elements like fairies or wizards unless you attend a medieval fantasy festival. For those, search for Phantasie or Elfia fests.

Niche festivals

Some festivals have very specific theming; they focus on a single people group or a unique historical event. At these, you can expect participants to really lean into the historical (or fantastical) accuracy. For example:

• The Hunnenfest is dedicated to showcasing Attila the Hun’s military might. August 26 & 27, 2023 at Schloss Asparn/Zaya, Austria.
• Lughnasad is a celebration of a traditional Celtic harvest holiday combined with this year’s theme reenacting the Dacian wars. July 28-30, 2023 in Nasavrky, Czechia.
• Elfia is a fantasy festival of fairies and magic that takes place in the fanciful Kingdom of Elfia. September 16 - 17, 2023 at Arcen Castle in The Netherlands.
• The Lofotr Viking Festival is one of the largest Viking events in the world at an archaeological museum. August 2-6, 2023 at the Lofotr Viking Museum, Norway.
• The Monteriggioni Medievale is a celebration of the Renaissance history of this Tuscan castle; 2023 is the 30th anniversary. Early July, Monteriggioni, Italy.
• The Ommegang procession is a pageant of Brussels’ history and the 1549 visit of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. June 28 and 30, 2023 in Brussels, Belgium.
• Jorvik Viking Festival is the largest Viking festival in the world and takes place over an entire week. February 11-19, 2023 in York, England.
• The Tewkesbury Medieval Festival features a reenactment of the 1471 Battle of Tewkesbury during the Wars of the Roses. July 8-9, 2023 in Tewkesbury, England.

Finding local festivals

Smaller, local festivals are very fun for day trips. Many castles and villages will have a single weekend fair in the summer. You can buy drinking horns, wooden swords, costumes and all things made of leather and bone at these quaint medieval markets. There is also the chance to drink some mead and get lunch at a food stall before finding a spot to watch a falconry or battle demonstration.

• Visit the Mittlealterkalendar (German) for an extensive list of festivals in Germany and many surrounding countries.

• Visit the Historic UK website list for a detailed look at historically themed festivals in the UK.

• For Viking-themed festivals, The Viking Dragon maintains a thorough listing.

Big medieval festivals

There are some massive world-renowned festivals as well. These multi-day events take more planning, and often tickets need to be purchased in advance. They offer numerous markets, performances on multiple stages and huge camps or medieval villages.

• The Medieval Fantasy Spectaculum is a fantasy medieval fair and folk music festival. There are eight locations and dates throughout Germany.
• Medieval Days in Tallinn, Estonia transforms the old town into an active medieval Hanseatic trading city.  July 6-9, 2023.
• Medieval Week in Gotland, Sweden offers the chance to experience a medieval Scandinavian town, and even offers historical courses and lectures. July 6-13, 2023.
• Medieval Festival at Vianden Castle in Luxembourg is known for its knights on horseback and battle reenactments. July 29 to August 6, 2023.
• Les Médiévales de Provins is a huge medieval festival that takes over this UNESCO listed fortified French town. June 10-11, 2023.
• The South Tirolian Knights Games in Schluderns/Sluderno, Italy transforms the area into a giant area where mounted knights face off. August 18-20, 2023.
• England’s Medieval Festival at Herstmonceux Castle in England has it all – jousts, archery, falconry, banquets and a huge market. August 26-28, 2023.

Whether you choose to dress up, shop the market or just sit back and enjoy the jousting, a visit to a medieval festival is a must-do European adventure.