Prepare Thyself for Merriment!
Here's our exciting Entertainment lineup for our 40th Anniversary season!
Entertainment for 2025!
Special Guests
The John Mohr Mackintosh Pipe and Drum Band
More Special Guests to be Announced!
Barely Balanced Acrobatic Daredevils
They're back, diving through fire, hurling machetes, and testing the limits of natural selection! Don't miss seeing your favorite acrobats endanger their lives in this hilarious, award winning show. The day starts with their "Sharp Knives and Stupid Humans Extravaganza" and ends with the incredible "Fire Finale." Come laugh, cheer, and become a part of the action!
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
Halfwit Harbor
Shows at 2:30pm, 4:00pm, 5:30pm and their Fire Finale at 8:00pm
Old Soul Silk Road
These three world travelers stop by Newcastle to regale you with tunes from foreign lands, full of mystery, intrigue and fun!
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
Brewer's Pub
Check stage sign for schedule
Birds of Prey
In addition to a presenting a majestic Falconry exhibition, this complete bird show includes hawks, eagles, owls and vultures. You'll be astounded as these spectacular birds exhibit their free-flight skills directly over the heads of the audience! Presented by Earthquest™. See them in their new spot - Marrakech Mews Stage - wide open for excellent bird viewing!
The greatest free-flying bird show in America. - Jim Fowler, Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom and NBC's The Today Show
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
Marrakech Mews Stage
Check stage sign for show times
New! Doc Dixon
Doc Dixon has presented his magic and comedy in venues across the globe - even two shows at The White House, The Late Late Show with James Corden, and FOOLING magic legends Penn & Teller on Penn & Teller: Fool Us — Doc brings a special mix of amazement and hilarity.
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
Fool's Knoll Stage
Check stage sign for schedule
The Barehead Bards
The Barehead Bards perform pub song staples along with classic fiddle tunes. These bards always have fun and put on an entertaining show.
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
Drunk Monk Pub & Brewer's Pub
Check stage signs for schedule
Free Juggling School
Are you convinced you can never learn to juggle? Sir William Drops will prove you wrong! Sir Will is a master juggler and has been teaching juggling for over 30 years, and really enjoys a challenge. Learn to juggle and receive an official certificate to prove it. And it's free...!
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
Old Towne Area
Lessons every hour on the hour
The Shipwreckers
This duo of bawdy balladeers have washed ashore at the Georgia Renaissance Festival, and you know what that means: naughty tunes, drinking songs, and mayhaps even a heart-felt ballad or two!
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
Brewer's Pub, Middleton Stage, and Drunk Monk Pub
Check stage signs for schedule
Shenanigans!
Shenanigans are known for just that - mischievous music and melodies! A trio of wand'ring Irish bards, they will steal your heart and anything else they can get ahold of!
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
Brewer's Pub
Check stage sign for schedule
Iggy the Gargoyle
We're celebrating a Decade of Iggy! Join Festival fan-favorite Ignias Rockford III (Gargoyle From the Left on the Cathedral Wall) as his stone face brings a smile to yours.
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
In the lanes
All day
The Peachtree Handspinners Guild
Throughout the day, the spinners of Newcastle tell tales and spin yarns sharing the history of textiles. Watch the hand spinners create beautiful yarns out of colorful wool, straight out of the dye pot! Learn about traditional women's work and what it took to clothe the world. Located just inside the Front Gate.
DEMONSTRATING ALL SEASON!
Old Towne Area
Spinning all day!
Rota Temporis
THEY ARE BACK! Rota Temporis is a five person, high-energy Celtic band from Italy. The focus on medieval music but with a decidedly heavy metal approach! The driving sound of their pipes and drums might just knock you off your bench! DON'T MISS the end-of-day Front Gate Jam!
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
King's Hall Stage
Shows at 12:15pm, 1:45pm, 3:30pm and their Front Gate Jam at 6:00pm
Cast in Bronze Carillon
4 tons of bronze bells fill the Festival with their majestic sound! You'll be enchanted by the melodies and energy produced by the 35 bells of the Carillon and Carillonneur Charlie St. Cyr-Paul.
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
Tavern on the Hill
Performances at 11:00am, 12:15pm, 1:30pm, and 4:00pm
New! Hanlon-Lees Action Theater
The King has called forth the best knights throughout the kingdom to perform their skills for his loyal subjects on this Festival day. Costumed steeds, authentic weaponry, and noble knights in shining armor highlight the action and romance of the period!
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
Joust Arena
Tournaments at 11:30 am, 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm
Pub Crawl Special Event
Join our Crew for a Pub Crawl!
Every Festival Day at 12:30pm, 1:15pm, and 3:00pm, our resident cut-purses and scallywags host a rowdy and bawdy voyage to each of Newcastle's drinking establishments. You'll meet at the Brewer's Pub where you'll get a souvenir tankard to hold yer grog, enjoy some fine beer-drinking entertainment, make your way to the Drunk Monk Pub (and our secret stage just for you), and finally make port at the Tavern on the Hill. Along the way you'll be served a beer at each pub, be forced to listen to bad jokes, puns and/or riddles, hear some great music, and play a few bawdy drinking games while maintaining your sea legs! Huzzah!
This is an additional ticket and does not include admission into the Festival. Pub Crawls are rated R.
Tickets are just $45 available online - get yours when you plan your trip!
Only 30 spots available for each Pub Crawl, so don't wait!
Tavern on the Hill, Drunk Monk Pub & Brewer's Pub
Each Festival day at 12:30 pm, 1:15 pm, and 3:00pm
New! Zoltan the Adequate
Brilliant? Amazing? No, just adequate! Come see feats of bizarre geek magic and stunts of sheer stupidity! Watch and cringe as Zoltan plays with fire, swallows a four-foot balloon, and more. Zoltan will fool you, delude you about how you were fooled, deceive you about that delusion, and then bamboozle you about the deception. Surely a curiosity to be reckoned with.
PERFORMING APRIL 12 THRU MAY 11 ONLY!
Crown Stage
Check stage sign for schedule
New! Tuey - Comic Juggler!
Tuey has been providing laughter and awe for over 40 years with his clean quality entertainment. He will have you laughing, gasping and applauding as you watch a display of skill that is awe inspiring and a perfect blend of family friendly comedy, jaw dropping skills, and danger.
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
Middleton Stage
Check stage for show times
Washing Well Wenches
The Washing Well Wenches are the funniest pair of "ladies" you'll ever meet! Part vaudeville, part sketch comedy, full-on entertaining, the Washing Well Wenches make interactive theater fun for everyone! See their new show in their new location on the Garden Cottage Stage!
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
Garden Cottage Stage
11:30am, 1:00pm, 3:15pm and 5:00pm
Boom Boom Shake
With middle eastern roots and a modern vibe, Boom Boom Shake blends rock, world, surf and jam genres together to create a signature sound. BBS will dazzle with world. Bring your dancing shoes, because you won't be able to resist the groove!
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
Fool's Knoll
Check stage for show times
Audience with Queen Amina of Zazzou
Meet Queen Amina, visiting African royalty!
Crown Stage
Audience begins at 12:00pm
Judas & Magnolia
This husband and wife team will amaze and astound you with their fearless escapes and illusions!
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
King's Hall Stage
Check stage for show times
Charry Garcia - One Man Band
Charry Garcia is a magician when it comes to creating beautiful music on a various array of instruments - all by himself! You'll be amazed at the melodies he conjures forth!
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
Middleton Stage
Check stage for show times
Friar Finnias Finnegan
A proud member of the Bawdy Bodacious Bothersome Brown Bohemian Brethren, this fun-loving Friar will delight you with songs of drinking and merriment!
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
Drunk Monk Pub
Check stage for show times
The Reelin' Rogues
From the hills and the seas come The Reelin' Rogues, a bardic band of rebels committed to upholding the monuments of the Celts through song.
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
Marrakech Mews Stage
Shows at 12:15 pm, 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm, and 5:00 pm
The Lady Victoria
The Lady Victoria specializes in Celtic and Early music on the Hammered Dulcimer. She mixes education and entertainment in a high energy show. Great for kids and music lovers of all ages.
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
Playing in the lanes, and on the Middleton Stage
Check stage for show times
New! Celtic Mayhem
Performing "rockin' Irish music" at Renaissance, Celtic, Pirate, and Medieval faires throughout the United States, these talented musicians create a rocking, raucous good time wherever they perform!
PERFORMING MAY 31 & JUNE 1 ONLY!
Crown Stage
Check stage signs for schedule
The Children's Courtier's Academy
Join King Henry and the Royal Court and learn proper manners and customs of the Court. You might received a special commendation from the King himself!
ALL SEASON!
Middleton Stage
Check stage for show times
The Puppies of Penzance
This brisk, energetic act takes audiences on a jolly trip on a pirate ship manned by pups. Always a favorite, audiences will be blown away by this merry band of mutts and will watch with baited breath to see if Poochie will really walk the plank!
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
Halfwit Harbor Stage
Shows at 11:45am, 1:45pm and 3:45pm
Landloch'd!
From the highlands of Scotland, and the Moor-infested lands of Spain, these two men met upon the high seas and decided to share their love of Celtic and pirate music with the masses.
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
Photo credit: SoulCatching Photography
Brewer's Pub Stage and Drunk Monk Pub Stage
Check stage for show times
Queen Amina and her Court
Aminatu the warrior Queen has traveled from her homeland of the Hausa tribe in western Africa to Newcastle to learn about new cultures and to share her own. Watch and listen as she challenges her nation's status quo of male dominance and female submission. As queen, she seeks to honor and represent her people; as a woman, she hopes to be an inspiration to women everywhere to find and harness their power.
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
Throughout the Village
All day
The Hounds of Fairhaven
The Hounds of East Fairhaven are a group of volunteers and sighthound owners who enjoy bringing Renaissance history to life. They educate patrons about the role our beloved sighthound breeds played in history. Currently, members of HoEF have Greyhounds, Italian Greyhounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Whippets, Borzoi, Afghan Hounds, Scottish Deerhounds, Ibizan hounds, Salukis, and Bloodhounds. They also love to share their hounds and promote sighthound adoption and responsible dog ownership.
In the lanes
On display all day!