5 Reasons why you need to get to the Bay Area Renaissance Festival going on now thru March 31st in Tampa!
1: Shamrocks & Shenanigans - March 16th & 17th
Weekends • February 16th – March 31st
Festival Friday, March 29th, 2019
10am – 6pm • Rain or Shine!
FREE Parking
Irish Heavy Games:A warm welcome and a cracking family-friendly day out! With traditional heavy athletic events like hammer throw and the caber toss are a spectacle like no other. It all takes place against a scenic Renaissance backdrop.
Bonnie Knees Competition:In any Highland Games celebration, one of the most popular events is the Bonnie Knees contest. In this competition, a trio of ladies are selected to be judges and a number of men sign up to be the contestants.
Leprechaun Costume Contest:Erin go braugh! Everybody will be looking for your pot of gold when you show up to the costume contest in your best Leprechaun Costume! Your lucky charms won’t be needed to grab first place in the costume contest only your creativity will!
St. Patty’s Day Party:Join us in Piper’s Valley for Tampa Bay’s largest St. Patrick’s Day party! Must be 21+ to attend. Music, contests, games and more! Hosted by the Bawdy Boys.
2: High Seas Adventures
Weekends • February 16th – March 31st
Festival Friday, March 29th, 2019
10am – 6pm • Rain or Shine!
FREE Parking
All of our tattooed friends are invited to showcase their ink in our Tattoo Contest. Also, while you’re wearing your favorite pirate garb, enter our Perfect Pirate Contest. There is something for pirates of all ages so be sure to take your own High Seas Adventure with us this season!
·Pirate Costume Contest
·Tattoo Contest
·Deaf Awareness Weekend
·Knight on Bikes: $5 off admission w/ ID @ gate
3: Amazing Selfies
Weekends • February 16th – March 31st
10am – 6pm • Rain or Shine!
FREE Parking
4: Festival Friday - March 29th
Weekends • February 16th – March 31st
Festival Friday, March 29th, 2019
10am – 6pm • Rain or Shine!
FREE Parking
The only weekday the Festival is open, Festival Friday brings unique educational, shopping and entertainment opportunities. School Day is a fantastic field trip destination for K-12 students, with lessons in music, costuming, combat and more! Ladies Shopping Day @ a discounted price of $20, your ticket will grant you admission to the festival, a glass & a swag bag full of great discounts from Festival Artisans!
·School Day
·Ladies Shopping Day
·Royal Masquerade Ball
5: Wonders of the World - March 30th & 31st
Weekends • February 16th – March 31st
Festival Friday, March 29th, 2019
10am – 6pm • Rain or Shine!
FREE Parking
Steampunk Invasion: Steampunk honors an alternative history where we did not lose our relationship with machines. Steampunk clings thus to the Victorian era when fashion and mannerisms integrated into an evolving new world of machines and world events.
Dr. Who Costume Contest: Calling all Dr. Who fanatics! Show up this weekend as your favorite character for a chance to win great prizes!
Steampunk Costume Contest:Take a turn on the catwalk and show off your best Steampunk gears and gadgets!
Time Travelers Cocktail Party:The Time Travelers’ Ball is a mixture of Steampunk, Doctor Who, Cyberpunk, other time travel, Dieselpunk, sci-fi, and costuming from any time period past, present, or future . . . with energetic entertainment from bands, dancers, and sideshow acts.
·Limited Two (2) Drinks
·Hors o d’oeuvres Served
·$35 w/ General Festival Admission
·$20 if you already have admission into the festival
Belly Dance Competition:Compete in the State Belly Dance Competition. The final entry date is March 27th, 2019.Visit https://www.bayarearenfest.com/events/belly-dance-competition/ for additional information.