Beloved springtime festival brings jousting, artisans, and Elizabethan-era entertainment to Los Angeles County
LOS ANGELES (April 2026) — The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation (LA County Parks) invites all communities to step back in time as the Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire returns to the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, open now through May 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m, on weekends only.
One of Southern California’s most beloved annual traditions, the Renaissance Pleasure Faire transforms the park into an immersive recreation of a 16th-century English marketplace, where visitors can experience live entertainment, artisan crafts, themed food and drink, and interactive performances throughout the day.
First launched in 1963 as a living-history event for students and families, the Renaissance Pleasure Faire has grown into one of the largest Renaissance festivals in the United States, attracting hundreds of thousands of guests each year and inspiring similar festivals nationwide.
Guests entering the Faire’s bustling village of “Port Deptford” will encounter full-contact jousting tournaments, musicians, comedians, acrobats, artisans, and hundreds of costumed performers bringing the Elizabethan era to life across more than a dozen stages and entertainment areas.
“LA County Parks is proud to host this iconic cultural event at Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area each spring,” said Norma E. García-González, Director of the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation. “The Renaissance Pleasure Faire offers families a unique opportunity to experience history through performance, craftsmanship, and creativity while enjoying one of our beautiful regional parks.”
Visitors can browse handcrafted goods from skilled artisans, learn historic arts and crafts through interactive workshops, enjoy themed food and drinks—including the festival’s famously oversized turkey legs—and participate in immersive experiences such as educational demonstrations and courtly pageantry.
Located in Irwindale, the Renaissance Pleasure Faire takes place within the scenic grounds of the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, an LA County Parks facility.
Parking and entry to the recreation area are managed by Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, which charges a $15 vehicle access fee.
For tickets, schedules, and additional information, visit: https://renfair.com/socal/
About the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation
The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation manages 184 parks, 9 natural areas; 15 wildlife sanctuaries; 44 public swimming pools; 25 splash pads; 14 lakes including 3 with swimming beaches; 247 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding; and the largest municipal golf system in the nation with 20 golf courses at 18 facilities. The department maintains four botanical gardens: The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, the South Coast Botanic Garden, Descanso Gardens, and Virginia Robinson Gardens. The department also owns the iconic Hollywood Bowl, and The Ford (John Anson Ford Amphitheatre), providing County residents with valuable entertainment and cultural resources. Visit: https://parks.lacounty.gov/
