First time at a Renaissance faire? This page covers what to wear, what to bring, where to park, and how to skip the line, so the only thing left to decide is which century to dress for.
Three days, two places
- Friday 20 August, 5 pm to midnight: the Gathering of the Realms at Parlee Beach. It’s included with any Faire ticket.
- Saturday 21 August, 11 am to midnight, and Sunday 22 August, 11 am to 7 pm: the Neptune Drive-In grounds, 693 Route 133, Pointe-du-Chêne. Admissions open two hours before the gates.
The beach and the Neptune grounds are about 20 minutes apart on foot, or 3 minutes by car. From the Neptune, walking to your vehicle in the Main festival parking and driving to the beach takes about 10 minutes.
What to wear
Costumes are encouraged, never required. Any century is welcome: a knight, a pirate, a lady, or a traveller from somewhere stranger. Whatever you wear, wear shoes for grass. The grounds are uneven, with small hills, and can be soft after rain.
What to bring (and what to leave in the car)
- Bring: sunscreen, comfortable shoes, a reusable water bottle, and your ticket on your phone.
- Bags: backpacks and day bags are fine and are checked at the entrance. Suitcases and coolers aren’t.
- Leave at home: outside food and drink, coolers, and pets. Service animals with documentation are welcome.
Props and masks
- Foam, wood, and plastic prop weapons are welcome after inspection at the gate.
- Steel blades, working or replica firearms, and anything that shoots stay home.
- Full-face masks come off when staff or emergency services ask.
Skip the line: get your bracelet early
Your bracelet is your ticket in and your pass to come and go. Keep it on all weekend; it can’t be replaced. There are three ways to get it before the gate gets busy:
- Friday evening at the Gathering of the Realms, Parlee Beach.
- Saturday from 7:30 to 11 am at breakfast at the WitZuit canteen, 221-B Parlee Beach Road.
- At the Faire’s gate from 9 am.
Already wearing a bracelet on Saturday? Use the express lane.
Parking
- Saturday and Sunday: park at the Parlee Beach Concert grounds and follow the signs. Accessible parking is near the gate.
- At the beach (Friday evening, and Saturday’s breakfast pickup): Parlee Beach Provincial Park sets its own parking fees, which aren’t part of your ticket. The park charges from 9 am onwards, so arriving before 9 on Saturday means free parking.
Food, drink, and money
- Unless otherwise announced, the food and drink counters take festival food tickets only. Buy them by cash or card at any bracelet pickup or at the ticket booth on the grounds. They’re good all weekend, Friday included, and aren’t refundable.
- Alcohol, mead included, is for guests 19 and over wearing a 19+ bracelet. Bring government ID.
- The merchants in the village mostly take cash and card. There’s no ATM on the grounds.
With children
- Children under 5 get in free; children 5 to 12 have their own ticket price.
- Strollers and wagons are allowed, though the ground is uneven.
- A few workshops and activities are for adults only and are marked 19+ in the program.
Accessibility
Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are welcome; power-assist or electric options handle the grass best. There are accessible portable toilets and accessible parking near the entrance. The accessibility table is under the blue tent at the entrance, and a request form will be posted two months before the Faire.
Five questions first-timers ask
Can I buy a ticket at the gate?
No. Tickets are sold online only, in advance, at shediacrenaissancefaire.ca/tickets.
Do I have to wear a costume?
No. Plenty of guests come as themselves.
What happens if it rains?
The Faire goes on, rain or shine. Bring a layer and shoes that don’t mind mud.
Is it in English or French?
Mostly English, with some bilingual and French programming. The guild can help in French.
Where can I stay?
Shediac fills up on Faire weekend, so book early. Le Griffon B&B is on Main Street, and the campgrounds around Parlee Beach are a short drive from both Faire sites.
More answers are in the FAQ. Questions: renfaire@shediacwonderland.ca.
