Maine Renaissance Faire 2026: Visitor's Guide
The joust comes to southern Maine each July. The Maine Renaissance Faire is a 16th-century-themed outdoor festival in Acton, running three consecutive weekends in 2026: July 18-19, July 25-26, and August 1-2.
What the faire is
Each day features nine stages of performances, live jousting, armored combat, music, comedy, and live-history demonstrations, alongside an artisan marketplace of handmade wares. Revived after roughly a 15-year hiatus, it leans into family-friendly fantasy and historical fun, with the joust as its centerpiece.
Hours and tickets
Faire gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. (parking opens at 9 a.m.). Parking is free. Tickets are sold online through the faire's ticketing page; check the official site for current pricing and any multi-day options. Costumes are optional but encouraged.
Planning your visit
The faire is at 550 ME-109 in Acton, in York County near the New Hampshire border — about 45 minutes from Portsmouth and a bit over an hour from Portland. With three weekends to choose from, it pairs well with a southern-Maine or Lakes Region getaway.
Q: When is the Maine Renaissance Faire 2026?
It runs three weekends — July 18-19, July 25-26, and August 1-2, 2026 — in Acton, Maine. Gates open at 10 a.m. and the faire closes at 6 p.m., with parking opening at 9 a.m.
Q: Where is it, and is parking free?
The faire is at 550 ME-109 in Acton, ME. Parking is free and opens at 9 a.m. each faire day.
Q: What's there to see and do?
Nine stages of performances, live jousting, armored combat, music, comedy, live-history demonstrations, and an artisan marketplace. Costumes are optional but encouraged.
Related Reading
- New England Renaissance Faires 2026: A Complete Guide
- King Richard's Faire 2026: Visitor's Guide
- Connecticut Renaissance Faire 2026: Visitor's Guide
Last updated: June 2026
