How to get Maryland Renaissance Festival tickets this year

Hear ye, hear ye: Tickets for the Maryland Renaissance Festival will go on sale next Monday.

The festival, which is in its 50th season, is one of Maryland’s most popular annual events, with some ticket options selling out within hours. The Revel Grove grounds in Crownsville will open on Aug. 29, and the festival will run every weekend through Oct. 25.

Tickets will go on sale around 10 a.m. on July 27.

This year, the festival has a new ticket vendor that organizers say will make the process “stress free and transparent.” The change comes after frustrations with the ticketing process as the event has become more popular. Last year, some people waited for hours to purchase tickets, stuck in an online queue showing thousands of customers. The vendor, named Big Tickets, will also provide a new ticketing delivery, distribution and resale program.

Here’s what to know.

What is this year’s storyline?

The year is 1540. King Henry VIII is recently married to Anne of Cleves, and the royal couple are visiting the village for the 50th Harvest Festival.

How much do tickets cost?

Here’s a breakdown of the one-day ticket prices.

• Ages 16 to 61: $31
• Seniors ages 62 and older: $27
• Children ages 7-15: $17
• Children 6 and under: Free, but a ticket is required

Tickets are sold online only, and there’s an additional amusement tax of 10% and a fee from the vendor, Big Tickets. For example, if you buy a single adult ticket, the final total will be $36.14.

Each customer can get up to 10 tickets per order.

The festival has a new Villager of Revel Grove membership program, an invite-only $124 ticket that includes four days of a member’s choosing. The final total for the ticket is $141.51 after fees.

Invitations to the Villager of Revel Grove membership program went out to select customers who participated in multiday ticket plans in the past, according to the festival website. People who are interested but didn’t get an invitation can join the waitlist.

How do I get the tickets?

Tickets will be sent to the email used for the purchase the day before the date you selected. A ticket gives you access to all of the festival grounds, including 10 stages, jousting, street entertainment and performances.

You can’t buy tickets at the festival gate.

What happens if tickets are sold out?

If tickets for the date you want to attend are sold out, you can sign up for the waitlist. The festival will offer a limited number of last-minute tickets prior to each upcoming weekend. Offers will expire after 12 hours.

The festival website is the only place that sells tickets.

Do I need to bring cash?

Yes, you will need cash for beverages and games. While food booths accept credit and debit cards, cash is highly recommended for crafts. There are ATMs on the festival grounds.

What is the best time to arrive?

It’s best to either arrive at the festival before it opens at 10 a.m. or go later in the afternoon. Peak attendance hours, when you can expect longer lines and limited seating, are usually between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The festival is open until 7 p.m.

If going with a group, you can either transfer tickets to a friend or family member or use the will call window to hold tickets for them.

What are the dates for the festival?

The festival is open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on each day it operates this year. The 2026 dates are Aug. 29, 30; Sept. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27; and Oct. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25.