Events

Great Plains Renaissance & Scottish Festival

Knights. Jousts. Bagpipes. Fairies. Fire breathers. Your weekend just took a hard left into the Middle Ages.

The Great Plains Renaissance & Scottish Festival is a two-day outdoor festival that transforms Wichita’s Sedgwick County Park into a medieval village filled with costumed characters, live entertainment, jousting, artisan demonstrations, Scottish traditions and plenty of reasons to temporarily forget what century it is.

Know Before You Go

Dates: Sept. 26-27
Location: Sedgwick County Park in northwest Wichita
Admission: Ticket required
What to expect: Jousting, medieval combat, live entertainment, costumed characters, artisan vendors, food and family activities
Don’t miss: The Scottish Highland Games Championships featuring athletes competing in traditional strength events
Dress code: Costumes aren’t required, but this is one place where showing up in a cape isn't going to raise any questions

A man shouts dressed in costume at the Great Plains Renaissance Festival

Pick a Century. This One’s Overrated.

Cross the festival gates and suddenly your weekend involves knights charging toward each other on horseback, the sound of bagpipes in the distance and someone casually breathing fire nearby.

Wander through the medieval village and meet kings, queens, fairies and other characters while performers bring centuries-old traditions to life. Knights face off in jousting matches and heavy weaponry combat while artisans demonstrate trades like chain mail and armor making. Vendors throughout the grounds offer handcrafted goods when you're ready to take a little piece of the Middle Ages home with you.

Then there are the Scottish Highland Games Championships, where professional athletes put strength and technique to the test in traditional competitions. Think heavy objects being thrown impressive distances — preferably while you stand well out of the way.

Come hungry, too. Festival fare includes turkey legs, mead, grog and other eats and drinks fit for a day of wandering the kingdom. Younger time travelers can meet the king and queen, play games, get their faces painted and join in activities throughout the festival.

The Great Plains Renaissance Festival takes over Wichita twice a year, with festivals in both spring and fall. No time machine required.

Knight Jousting at the Great Plains Renaissance Fair in Wichita

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What exactly is the Great Plains Renaissance & Scottish Festival?

It's an outdoor Renaissance festival that combines medieval entertainment with Scottish traditions. Expect costumed performers, jousting and combat, artisan demonstrations, vendors, food, live entertainment and the Scottish Highland Games.

Do I need to wear a costume?

No. Regular 21st-century clothing is perfectly acceptable. But if you've been waiting for an excuse to wear chain mail, fairy wings, a kilt or a suspiciously dramatic cloak in public, you've found it.

Is the festival family-friendly?

Yes. There are plenty of experiences geared toward families, including costumed characters, games, face painting, demonstrations and opportunities for kids to interact with the festival's king and queen.

What are the Scottish Highland Games?

The Highland Games are traditional Scottish athletic competitions that test strength and skill. The festival's championships bring professional athletes to Wichita to compete in events involving some seriously heavy lifting and throwing.

Events

Great Plains Renaissance & Scottish Festival

Know Before You Go

Pick a Century. This One’s Overrated.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Wichita Highlights