King Richard's Faire

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Cultural & TraditionalCarver
DatesDates TBA · Usually SeptemberCheck locally before booking
DurationAutumnEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsUnlike faires built around a single stage
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

King Richard's Faire in Carver

King Richard's Faire recreates a sixteenth-century English marketplace across eight weekends each fall, from the weekend before Labor Day through Columbus Day weekend. Founded in 1982 by Richard and Bonnie Shapiro, it is billed as the largest and longest-running Renaissance faire in New England, staged on wooded fairground acreage in Carver.

King Richard's Faire traces back to 1982, when Richard and Bonnie Shapiro, who had already founded a Wisconsin Renaissance faire that later became the Bristol Renaissance Faire, opened a New England counterpart on wooded acreage in Carver, Massachusetts.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Unlike faires built around a single stage, King Richard's Faire spreads jousting, royal court pageantry, and roughly a dozen simultaneous performance stages, minstrels, whip artists, stilt walkers, puppeteers, across a pine forest laid out as themed lanes such as Canterbury and Tourney Field

02

The mystery stays covered

Its scale and longevity, more than four decades under the same founding family before a 2025 ownership change, have made it a training ground for Renaissance-faire performers nationally

03

The city starts moving

The costumed crowd is itself part of the spectacle: many attendees arrive in handmade period or fantasy dress, turning the fairground into a participatory theater rather than a passive show

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Jousting knights on horseback and a royal court headed by King Richard anchor the day

Water and renewal

Living ritual

alongside recurring novelty contests and a costume culture in which many visitors dress in handmade period or fantasy attire

The sacred route

Living ritual

some rented at the gate

The local code

Living ritual

that has become as central to the event as its scripted performances

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually September

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Outdoor forest fairground in September and October with variable New England weather; comfortable closed-toe walking shoes are essential for uneven dirt paths, with layers for cool mornings...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map41.88 N, 70.76 WOpen in Google Maps

Carver, MA

Nearest airportBOS — Boston Logan
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Carver via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Carver, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearOutdoor forest fairground in September and October with variable New England weather; comfortable closed-toe walking shoes are essential for uneven dirt paths, with layers for cool mornings and warm afternoons. Costume is welcome and common but not required.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is King Richard's Faire?

King Richard's Faire is listed for September · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does King Richard's Faire take place?

The festival is listed in Carver, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Carver, MA

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLkingrichardsfaire.net
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually September
Source statusOfficial source linked
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