Hanlon-Lees Action Theater
Joust Tournament — Performing All Season!
By royal decree, the King has summoned the finest knights in the realm to prove their valor before his loyal subjects. Watch thunderous charges, gleaming armor, costumed steeds, and authentic weaponry bring the romance and adrenaline of the age to life—complete with daring feats and noble pageantry.
Want the best view? Upgrade to VIP covered seating at Knight's Ale by the Joust—premium reserved seats with fans, plus a souvenir pin for $15.
Joust Arena
Tournaments at 11:30 am, 2:30 pm, and 5:30 pm
Rota Temporis
THEY ARE BACK! Rota Temporis is a five-person, high-energy Celtic band from Italy—medieval music with a full heavy-metal edge. Their roaring pipes and thunderous drums might just knock you off your bench!
Second only to the Joust, this is one of our top must-see shows.
And whatever you do—DON'T MISS the end-of-day Front Gate Jam!
PERFORMING ALL SEASON!
King's Hall Stage
Front Gate Jam at 5:45pm
NEW!!! Aaron Bonk - Fire Whips & Swords
Aaron Bonk is a 3-time International Performance Champion, 6-time Guinness World Record setting whip artist, and unique entertainer with a twisted sense of humor who risks his life to make you laugh. With stupefying acts of juggling, whip cracking, danger and craziness, he will amuse and amaze the whole family with his world renown stunt show spectacular. Machetes, whips, swords and fire--the hottest show in all the 'Shire!
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!
Halfwit Harbor
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
Shakespeare Shorts!
Two thespians allow the audience to choose which Shakespearean play to perform, and hilarity ensues. Come watch the cart wreck! …Exit pursued by a bear!
Performing all Season
Crown Stage
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!
Middleton Stage
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
They're Back! The Tortuga Twins
Outrageously unpredictable and unstoppably hilarious, these three "Twins" spin wild tales and unleash nonstop laughs—making you the star of the show with every twist, turn, and audience-fueled surprise.
Performing May 9 - May 31
The Crown Stage
Shows at 12:15pm, 1:45pm, 3:00pm, and 4:45pm
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
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!
Brewer's Pub, Drunk Monk Pub, and Tavern on the Hill
Check stage signs for schedule
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 and Drunk Monk Pub
Check stage signs for schedule
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, Drunk Monk Pub, and Tavern on the Hill
Check stage for show times
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, Drunk Monk Pub, and Tavern on the Hill
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
Birds of Prey
In addition to a majestic Falconry exhibition, this incredible bird show features hawks, eagles, owls, and vultures—and you'll be amazed as they demonstrate breathtaking free-flight skills right over the audience.
Presented by Earthquest™
Now in a brand-new location: Marrakech Mews Stage—a wide-open space designed for excellent viewing as these spectacular birds soar overhead!
"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
Shows at 11:15am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm
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
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
11:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm, and 4:45pm
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!
Castle Courtyard
Lessons every hour on the hour
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
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
Shows at 11:30am, 1:15pm, 3:00pm, and 4:30pm
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!
Olde Towne Green
Check stage for show times
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!
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 bated 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
Pub Crawl Special Event
Climb aboard for a Pub Crawl through the Festival—led by our resident cut-purses, scallywags, and troublemakers for a rowdy, bawdy romp from tavern to tavern.
Your adventure begins at Crown's Nook Tavern, where you'll receive a souvenir tankard to keep your grog close. From there, you'll carouse your way across the realm—stopping at multiple pubs for a beer at each stop, outrageous entertainment, lively music, terrible puns, riddles, and a few shamelessly bawdy drinking games (sea legs required). Expect surprises, foolishness, and plenty of "did they really just say that?" moments.
Choose your flavor of mischief:
Pirate Pub-Crawl — extra swagger, extra scallywag energy
Peasants & Pissants — gloriously lowbrow, proudly uncouth fun
Additional ticket required (does not include Festival admission). Rated R. Limited spots—plan ahead!
Tavern on the Hill, Drunk Monk Pub & Crown's Nook Tavern
Each Festival day at 12:30 pm, 1:15 pm, and 3:00pm
NEW!!! Lady Prudence The Court Composer
Lady Prudence The Court Composer - and Your Emotional Support Bard! - welcomes patrons of all ages to her Musical Retreat, with Songs for All Occasions, featuring tender harp, boisterous guitar, whimsical whistle, and sweet soprano.
Castle Courtyard
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 11 THRU MAY 3 ONLY!
Crown Stage
Shows at 11:30am, 1:00pm, 2:45pm, 4:15pm