Theme Weekends

September 16th & 17th – Opening Weekend!

It’s the Opening Weekend of Faire! Join us in the pageantry and revelry of our colorful, bustling Elizabethan village, complete with a championship joust, delicious fare and ales, multiple stages of non-stop entertainment, and a one of a kind artisan marketplace full of unique handcrafted wares and endless activities. Kids 12 & Under FREE every weekend!

September 23rd & 24th – Pirate Invasion

Beware of pirates as they invade the Village of Willingtown. The Queen’s Royal Guardsmen are on the look out for pillaging Privateers and ne’er do well seafarers. Enter the wee pirate costume contest for kids 7 and under. Contest will be held on both Saturday and Sunday at The Royal Court of Gloriana at 3:30 p.m.

September 30th & October 1st – Heroes & Villains

Join the fun and dress as your favorite hero or villain from comic culture, history, literature, entertainment or your own imagination. Enter the costume contest! Register at The Royal Court of Gloriana at 3:15PM and the contest will begin there at 3:30PM. Contest will be held on both Saturday & Sunday.

October 7th & 8th – Oktoberfest!

Join the German Mercenaries and their camp followers as they ring in the harvest season with some cold Willingtown ale.

October 14th & 15th – Carnevale & Masquerade

Come experience the mystery and adventure of Venetian Carnevale & Masquerade!

October 21st & 22nd – Halloween Fantasy!

The village of Willingtown gets haunted by an evil spell. Come join our townsfolk and celebrate everyone’s favorite spooky holiday. Special trick or treating for the kids sponsored by Arteaga’s Food Center. Enter the costume contest! Register at The Royal Court of Gloriana at 3:15PM and the contest will begin there at 3:30PM. Contest will be held on both Saturday & Sunday. Prizes for the best adult and child’s costume.

Shows:

NEW! Rules of the Duel

Join the swashbuckling swordsmen of the Albion School of Defense as they show off their sharp blades and not so sharp wit for your amusement and pleasure. Witness their exploits of derring-do. When words just aren’t enough and honor must be satisfied, you’ll need the Rules of the Duel! For Honor, Glory and applause, of course.

Two times daily on the Main Royal Garden Stage.

The Queen’s Royal Reception

The Villagers are beside themselves preparing for a visit from their beloved Sovereign. The revels are prepared and Willingtown’s first family is ready and eager to greet Her Most Royal Majesty. What they were not prepared for is the danger and intrigue that is traveling beside Her.  

2:00PM on the Main Royal Garden Stage.

The Merry Wives of Windsor

The Merry Wives of Windsor return to Willingtown to serve up saucy songs of drinking, love, and what happens when the two combine. With a blend of original tunes and traditional melodies with their own lyrical twist, the Wives have delighted audiences for over 20 years all across the country.

Two weekends only, Sept 16/17 and Sept 30th/Oct 1

Appearing at the Dockside Ally on the Salty Siren Stage, three times daily. 21 and Over.

NEW! Tea & Strumpets

Tea & Strumpets…a comedic, musical stage show with a little something extra. Imagine yourself enjoying a nice “cup of tea” with these Strumpets. Join Lipton, Chai, Ginger, Rosella, Magnolia, Sakura and of course Mr. Earl Grey for the rowdiest stage show of the year. The “Strumpets” love to sing and dance and entertain with their colorful array of musical, comedic, content.  Their clever quips and naughty lyrics will keep you clapping along and wondering…”Did they really just say that?”  

Four weekends, Sept 23/24, Oct 7/8, 14/15 and 21/22

Appearing three times a day on the Salty Siren Stage. 21 and Over.

Cy the Sword Swallower

A man of skill, a man of danger and some would say…a complete lunatic. Cy is a master of the blade. Witness him swallow a whole armory of swords of different shapes and sizes ranging from the smallsword to the curved scimitar. No two shows are the same. With variety, wit and audience participation, Cy will thrill you and leave you wanting more.

Four times daily on the Romany Camp Stage.

The Sea Dogs

What do you do with a drunken sailor? These legendary masters of maritime music answer that age old question in song. Ever dreamed of learning a sea shanty? This is your chance! The Sea Dogs practically invented them.

Twice daily on The Main Royal Garden Stage and also on The Coughing Sheep Stage.

Dirty Laundry

Wet dirty women and good clean fun is what this show is all about. These hilarious wenches will teach the unsuspecting a thing or two about cleaning up their acts and how to dish dirt with the best of them.

Three times daily on the Amethyst Arbor Stage.

The Willy Nilly Show

Willy Nilly turns Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies into wild, silly fun for the whole family with non-stop comedy and interactive hilarity. Willy Nilly brings you in on the action with whips, tricks, quips, sock puppets, and sword fights.

Four Times Daily on the Amethyst Arbor stage.

Minstrels of Misrule

This lusty band of worldly London notables and their hapless hangers-on from the countryside will have you entranced and in stitches with their roaring, bawdy musical tales and witty ruminations on the meaning of life, itself: they play, they drink, they play again, and one never knows what might happen next!

Appearing in various locations within the village, both on the Salty Siren, 21 and over stage and on the Coughing Sheep Stage, daily.

BRooN

With a wit drier than a desert, Broon will have you giggling all day. He’s a comedian with a juggling problem. He doesn’t really eat fire to impress the crowds, he just likes the taste of kerosene.

Four times daily on the Romany Camp Stage

Blame the Whiskey

Hide the liquor and lock up the beer: Blame the Whiskey is here! Singing songs of the rebellious Erin’s Isle, these Irish rogues will capture your hearts. Let the driving melodies and intricate harmonies of these loveable outlaws move you.

Performing four times daily on the Salty Siren Stage at The Dockside Alley and alongside the wenches of the Mermaid Tavern.

A Fairy’s Tale  

Sit with Willingtown’s resident storyteller, as she spins tales of fairies, witches, trolls and more. Nathalie’s stories are full of magic and wonder and are perfect for young children, children at heart and everyone in between.

Three times daily on the Storybook Stage

RETURNING! Shrewed & Knavishe – Shakespeare was a Pirate!

Returning after a five year hiatus, this lively duo will keep you entertained while they shatter all the myths about the Bard.  Shakespeare, a pirate? Who knew? Fun for all ages.

Three times daily on The Coughing Sheep Stage

Shelly the Fiddler

Enjoy lively country dance tunes from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Fun for the whole family! Dance around the hay bales, request a jig, get inspired to join the music, fall in love with the lilt, toast to the merriment! Let your heart be light with the music of the times.

Twice daily on the Storybook Stage and once on the Coughing Sheep Stage.

NEW! The Merry Larks

The Merry Larks will delight you with their toe-tapping tunes of country life and festive falderal! Join these musical merrymakers as they share songs of birds, belles, and beer.

Three times daily on the Coughing Sheep Stage.

Pye Powder Court

Seeking justice? The court is in session! Come watch the local riff raff exasperate the judge with their petty squabbles and chaotic antics in the hilarious and bawdy faire classic, Pye Powder Court.

Once a day on the Salty Siren Stage. 21 and Over.

How to Audition for Shakespeare

Ever wanted to be a part of the works of Shakespeare? Here’s your chance to work with Ned Alleyn, Shakespeare’s most prominent actor in this unscripted, interactive opportunity to discuss the Bard’s plays or step on stage and perform. Script scenes can be provided or prepared monologues are welcome as well. Ned will help guide aspiring performers to prepare for the stage. All ages welcome!

On the Storybook Stage Daily.

NEW! Jared Rock

Hear the sweetest of melodies dancing through the air! Jared Rock plucks and strums his lute, performing some of the earliest music printed in England.  

Three times daily on the Storybook Stage.

Equine Show

The Royal Equine Guild presents their rare collection of exquisite Gypsy horses and other magnificent breeds from across the land to Her Majesty the Queen.

Just prior to each joust, at 12:30, 2:30, and 4:30.

The Queen’s Royal Joust

Armed with lances, swords and shields, the Queen’s Royal Joust presents sword fighting, and games of skill for Her Majesty’s pleasure. The Joust features an experienced and professional team of Knights that collectively have been entertaining the masses for decades. Crossing lances is only the beginning of the fun and excitement this group delivers.

Enjoy the Queen’s Tournament of Games at 1:00, 3:00, 5:00 and watch the Knights compete for the title of Champion.

Last Call

Come set a spell with the residents of Willingtown as they ring out the day in song. The Sea Dogs, The Naughty Minstrels and friends share laughter, ale and songs of revelry.

Games & Activities:

There are lots of fun activities to do in our village.

GAMES & RIDES

Archery
Axe Throw
Giant Swing
Giant Strike
Good Shepherd Games
Javelins
Knife Throw
Maypole Carousel
Pistol Bows
Small Strike
Starz
Vertigo

FUN ACTIVITIES

Bawdy Braids
Blue Moon Readings
Dogberry’s School of Fencing
Dragonflylola Artistry Face & Body Art, Website
Five Stranded Fairy Tails
Fools Maze
Hospitallers of St. John Massage
Maharani Mehendi Henna
Past-Times Garden, Website
Ren Faire Petting Zoo
Sea Gypsy Tarot

PETTING ZOO

Ren Faire Petting Zoo

READERS

Blue Moon Readings
Sea Gypsy Tarot

Dates: September 16 - October 22, 2023

Hours:  Gates open 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Saturdays and Sundays during Fair dates.

Location: Casa de Fruta - 10021 Pacheco Pass Highway Hollister, CA 95023

Admission:

Adult Single Day is $35, Kids Single Day 12 & under are FREE every weekend.? Admission price includes all entertainment.

Click Here for more information.