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2025 THEMED WEEKENDS:
From Pets to Pirates

Every Weekend is a
New Adventure!

a man and woman holding beer
a group of people posing for a photo

April 12 & 13 – Opening Weekend
Viking & Barbarian Weekend!

Invaders from the North will descend upon Newcastle and terrible...FUN will occur!

Odin has decreed this weekend be one of fun and frivolity, and so we feel obligated to oblige!

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Costume Contest
1:00pm at the Joust Arena

Contest for all ages!

Best Beard Contest  
2:00pm at the Brewer's Pub

Think your beard is manly enough to win "Best Barbarian Beard"? We'll be the judge of that!

Der Flingen of der Fishin Competition
3:30pm in the Joust Arena

Who can fling a fish the furthest? Open to all ages.
a woman holding a dog

April 19 & 20
Pet Friendly Weekend!

Bring your fur baby to the Festival this weekend!

Dogs and cats on leashes are welcome - please read and fill out the Registration Form here before you arrive - and check in at our Registration Tent outside the Front Gate.

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Pet Costume Contest
1:00pm - Joust Arena

Dress your pet in their best garb and compete to win great prizes! Sign in at the Joust Arena to participate.

Dog Eating Contest - HOT Dog, that is!
3:30pm - Joust Arena

Think you can eat with the big dogs? Join us for what could be the most howl-arious eating competition ever! Contestants vie to see who can eat the most hot dogs in three minutes. Sign up at the Joust Arena prior to the contest.
a person holding a bass drum and a turkey leg

April 26 & 27
Highland Fling Weekend!

The Village of Newcastle welcomes the Scottish and Irish (and everyone else, of course!)

Bagpipes, drums and kilted characters abound, plus special contests! Bring your whole clan!

Don't miss the John Mohr Mackintosh Pipe & Drum Band parading through the Village.

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The John Mohr Mackintosh 
Pipe and Drum Band

Join us as our special guests this weekend! Marching and performing daily in the village lanes.

Bonnie Knees Contest
2:00pm at the Brewer's Pub Stage

Think you have the best knees in the village? Put 'em on display for all to see and maybe you'll win a prize!

Mashed Potato Eating Competition
3:30pm in the Joust Arena

The Irish have a thing for potatoes - do you? Enter the Mashed Potato Eating Competition! Who can clean their bowl first without using any utensils - or hands!
a man and woman dressed up in clothing

May 3 & 4
Time Traveler/Cosplay Weekend!

Cosplayers from all universes, time periods, genres, and multiverses will be converging in Newcastle this weekend!

Don your best cosplay and enter the costume contest!

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Cosplay Costume Contest
1:00pm at the Joust Arena

Show off your best cosplay for a chance to win a prize!
a man and woman holding a rose

May 10 & 11
Romance Weekend

Chivalry and courtship reign this weekend in the Village of Newcastle.

Treat that special someone and sample delicious food, drink and fun!

Plus, free flowers to the first 100 moms who enter on Mother's Day - Sunday, May 11!

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Costume Contest
1:00pm at the Joust Arena

Show off your best garb for a chance to win a prize! Couples welcome!

Vow Renewal Ceremony
4:30pm at the Celebration Garden

Pledge your love to each other again - whether it's been 6 years or 60!
a wizard in a garment

May 17 & 18
Wizarding Weekend!

Didn't get an owl from that famous wizarding school?

Don't worry - we'll be celebrating all things magical this weekend with wizard-themed costume contests and magical events. Travel by flue powder or your Nimbus 2000, but be here for all the spell-binding adventures!

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Get Sorted! 
11:00am at the Crown Stage

Spin the wheel to see what house fate puts you into!

Costume Contest
1:00pm at the Joust Arena

Wizard costume contest - All ages welcome!

Magical Broom Race
3:30 at the Joust Arena

Race from one end of the Joust Arena to the other - but don't spill your potion! Open to kids 12 and under.

Quidditch Match!
12:15 and 4:15 at the Joust Arena

Watch and even have the opportunity to play in a real match!
a man and woman wearing clothing

May 24 thru 26
Pirate Invasion Weekend!

It's a 3-Day Pirate Invasion! 


AARRRR, MATEYS! Drop anchor in the Village of Newcastle and discover delicious food and drink, artisan-made treasures, and rollicking good entertainment! It's three days full of fun piratical hijinks! Plus on Memorial Day Monday all veterans and active military get in free at the gate! See details.

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Pirate Costume Contests 
12:15pm at the Pirate's Treasure Ship

Pirate Costume Contests - For Adults & Children
. Sign up at the Pirate's Treasure Ship. Competition will be judged and prizes provided by the crew of the Pirate's Treasure!

Pirate Sea Leg Races
3:30pm at the Joust Arena

Open to kids 12 and under! Try to be the first over the finish line in this crazy race.
a girl fairy wearing a colorful dress

May 31 & June 1 – Closing Weekend
Flights of Fantasy

As the Festival comes to a close, residents of the fairy realm will make the trek to Newcastle to share their magic with us!

Be on the lookout for magical creatures of all sorts!

It's our last weekend - Come out and get one last turkey legge, grab that special treasure you've had your eye on, and see your favorite show! After this weekend, we're history!

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Fantastic Creatures Costume Contest
1:00pm in the Joust Arena

Join in with assorted fairies, goblins, wizards, pixies, and other magical creatures to put a spell on the Festival and possibly win a prize!