Barbarians, Beards, and Bagpipes: RenFest’s First 4 Weekends Bring the Mayhem

It’s that time again—when flower crowns meet tankards, and jousting knights battle it out just past I-85. The Georgia Renaissance Festival is back starting April 13, and the first themed weekends for 2025 promise a glorious mix of chaos, costumes, and contests you didn’t know you needed in your life (hello, Bonnie Knees and dog eating competitions).

Here’s a rundown of the first four weekends you might want to start planning for:

APRIL 12–13: Vikings & Barbarians

The invaders are coming—and they’re bringing tankards. This opening weekend is dedicated to fur, horns, and an unapologetic love of shouting things like “Skål!” at strangers.
Expect Odin-level energy with:

• Costume Contest at 1pm (Joust Arena)
• Best Barbarian Beard Contest at 2pm (Brewer’s Pub)
• Der Flingen of Der Fishin (don’t ask, just go) at 3:30pm (Joust Arena)

Extra points if your outfit looks like it was stitched together during a longboat raid.

APRIL 19–20: Pet Friendly Weekend

Yes, you can bring your cat in a costume this year—and no, you won’t be the only one. This weekend is open to leashed dogs and cats (registration required here).

It’s a solid excuse to dress your corgi like a knight or your tabby like a fire-breathing dragon.
Catch these fur-forward contests:

• Pet Costume Contest at 1pm (Joust Arena)
• Dog Eating Contest at 2pm (Joust Arena) — yes, this is dogs eating, not humans eating dogs. You’re welcome.

APRIL 26–27: Highland Fling

Kilts, clans, and a lot of yelling in a vaguely Scottish accent—this weekend’s all about celebrating the Celtic vibes. The John Mohr Mackintosh Pipe & Drum Band will be marching through the village, and the competitions are peak RenFest:

• Costume Contest at 1pm (Joust Arena)
• Bonnie Knees Contest at 2pm (Brewer’s Pub) — a long-running favorite. Bring your knees, but only if they’re fabulous.
• Mashed Potato Eating Contest at 3:30pm (Joust Arena) — no fork, no shame.

MAY 3–4: Time Traveler/Cosplay Weekend

This one’s for the multiverse wanderers. Bring your Doctor Who, your anime squad, your Renaissance Batman, or your plague-doctor-meets-space-cowboy mashup. No rules, just vibes.

• Costume Contest at 1pm (Joust Arena)
• Probably the best people-watching of the whole season

The Georgia Renaissance Festival runs every weekend through June 1. Costumes are optional but strongly encouraged. So is getting there early—especially if you want a turkey leg without waiting an hour.

Parking’s free. The memories? Weird and wonderful.