Weekend Themes
Themes infuse each weekend with a unique atmosphere, bringing to life beloved characters, legendary tales, and thrilling adventures.
By command of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth
Let it be known throughout the Village that wondrous themes for the 2026 celebrations are officially revealed!
Prepare thyself, for soon these marvels shall be upon us! Until that day, keep watch upon the proclamations of the Crown by signing up for our Official Faire Newsletter.
Viking Weekend
July 18-19, 2026
Call of the Storm
The roots of history run deep, twisting and gnarled, crossing over and under, through and between. These ancient tendrils connect us all, stories of sorrows and triumphs linked through an uncountable number of labyrinthine strands. It is a thing often forgotten. But in the heat of summer, in the little town of Merriwick, something has stirred, and it calls us all to remember. The bearers of this Midsummer summoning bring forth the horns and rallying cries of the old Norse ways. “Skäl!” They toast, and their hearts swell with the crack of thunder and the rumbling of the cold, deep sea. Their celebration is not just their own; it is an invitation to honor all lineages, all the ancient blood, all the old stories. As you step through the town gates, you carry with you the long, winding roots of your own ancestry. Come, heed the call, and remember.
Ancient lore and lineage collide in a wild, summer celebration! Put on your finest leather, braid your hair, and join in the Viking gathering, or bring the rich clothing and stories of your own traditions! The storm beckons all!
Feast of Fools Weekend
July 25-26, 2026
Merrymaker’s Masquerade
Leave thy courtly manners at the door! Rules and formalities have gone out the window, along with any semblance of sense. Jokes, riddles, songs, and tricks have taken the place of pleasant smalltalk and pleasantries, dignified dances and long-winded speeches. Familiar faces hidden behind a mask or a painted face, there is an air of mystery, merriment, malarkey, and mischief. Her Majesty’s Royal Jester has been given full authority to issue a formal decree that the Feast of Fools is upon us! With the full ceremony and spectacle of any royal to-do, this celebration of silliness and tomfoolery is an occasion any reveler won’t want to miss. Don all thy frivolous fool-like finery, from striped socks to harlequin hats, tasseled trimmings, and bell-toed boots, and join in the joyful, wild antics of this featherbrained fête!
Mischief and merriment will reign! For just one weekend, the Village of Merriwick will be utterly transformed into a colorful wonderland where jesters and fools stand upon equal footing with nobles of the court. Don thy brightest attire and paint a smile for the Feast of Fools Weekend at Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire!
Dark Fantasy Weekend
August 1-2, 2026
Twisted Fairytales
There are two sides to every story. With the fading of the Midsummer full moon, a tide of darkness approaches the Village of Merriwick. It creeps between the spires of the grand Towne Gate, slinks from the murky riverbank, and whispers through the fields. The veil between the mortal world and the magical realm has slipped, and from the deepest of shadows, beings of twisted tales and spooky stories step forth. Fairies of the Unseelie Court lead this dark and dazzling parade, trailing along a troupe of witches, vampires, goblins, satyrs, and all manner of creatures of the under-realms. Flowers wither, thorned vines grow thick, fruits turn over-ripe to sickly sweetness, and the hairs rise on the necks of mortal-kind in the mere presence of this celebration of the magnificently monstrous and fabulously feral.
Bear your claws, your pointed teeth, and your twisted horns as the Village of Merriwick undergoes a transformation from charming English town to something straight out of a dark fairytale! Embrace the magic of nightfall and fall under a spell as Her Majesty’s summer revels step into the moonlight for Dark Fantasy Weekend at the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire!
Pirate Weekend
August 8-9, 2026
Treasure and Trouble on the High Seas
Word of Merriwick’s wild Midsummer revels have reached all the way out to sea, and pirates are certainly not the type to miss out on a party. Leather boots and wooden peg legs have sauntered down the gangplank at dockside, and the whole crew has shown up in their finest regalia to crash Her Majesty’s summer gathering with all the style and aplomb of true, sea-salt swashbucklers. From flouncy shirts to grand damask coats, golden earrings, and hats bedecked with ostrich plumes and ruffled trim, this dastardly fashionable bunch have set their course to drink, sing, gamble, and sweettalk their way a good time!
Weigh anchor! The charming Village of Merriwick turns into a rowdy seaside port town for two days of piratical plunder and roguish antics. Grab your best hat, your tankard, and your compass, landlubbers – we’re about to set sail to the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire!
Dark Fantasy Weekend
August 15-16, 2026
The Wydlewood Dream
While Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth may hold court for the Midsummer festivities in the Village of Merriwick, there are two days when royalty from another realm is given the spotlight. Led by their wise, twinkly-eyed, sometimes rather tricksy Queen Glorianna of the Wyldewood Fae, all manner of storied fairy creatures fill the village with magic, dance, and no small amount of playful pranks. Their steps jingle with the bowing of branches in the breeze, and their laughter carries the silvery shimmer of summer moonlight. They have beckoned forth all those from their unseen kingdom, from satyrs and mushroom-kin to elves and unicorns and the myriad of folk in between. Leaves shall unfurl and flowers shall bloom, as is Her Faerie Majesty’s decree! Come, mortal, and step into the faerie ring.
Magic is in the air! The Queen of the Wydlewood Fae welcomes all those who wish to join in her summertime festival, be you faerie, elf, sprite, or other enchanted creature! Sprout a pair of wings, find the curious sparkle in thine eye, and suspend all disbelief as you set foot into the faerie realm at the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire!
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Weekend 1: Mystic Meadows
July 19-20, 2025
Wander the meadows, where faeries flit among the flowers and the gentle charm of cottagecore flourishes. Cozy cottages dot the landscape, nestled under ancient trees and filled with handmade crafts, fragrant herbs, and forest treasures. As you explore, you may encounter elfin guides, wise forest folk, and other mystical beings who dwell within this world of fantasy and charm.
Dress as one of the fae, a wandering minstrel, or a noble spirit and join in a celebration of all things mystical and magical. The Queen herself has embraced this wondrous realm, encouraging all to partake in the beauty of the meadows and the joy of simple pleasures. In Mystic Meadows, magic and nature blend in a weekend of stories, song, and splendid revelry.
Weekend 2: Legends of the High Seas
July 26-27, 2025
As Merriwick’s docks bustle with seafarers, the town transforms into a lively haven for those who live by the sword and sail. The weekend hums with sea shanties, thrilling quests, and competitions of strength and skill. Experience the thrill of pirate life, from raucous tavern shenanigans to the clash of cutlasses. Dress as a fearsome pirate captain, a world-traveling rogue or a charming privateer and join in the revelry as Merriwick becomes a port of legendary proportions!
Come for the thrilling stories, stay for the merriment, and make memories among the most notorious figures of the seas. In Legends of the High Seas, the daring spirit of piracy and the charm of Merriwick blend into a weekend of adventure you won’t soon forget!
Weekend 3: Fête des Masques
August 2-3, 2025
On this weekend, Merriwick transforms into a world of whimsical illusion and enchantment, where every corner offers a new spectacle. Jugglers, acrobats, and dancers perform their feats of marvel, while jesters and fortune-tellers add a touch of mystique to the Village. Guests are encouraged to wear masks and revel in the thrill of anonymity, embracing the fantasy of the masquerade.
Step into a weekend where the mundane is masked in wonder, the familiar becomes magical, and the spirit of the masquerade is alive in every face and every shadow. Join us at Fête de Masques for a weekend of mystery and unforgettable memories!
Weekend 4: Saga of Steel & Storm
August 9-10, 2025
With every drumbeat, the ground trembles, echoing with tales of valor and conquest. Warriors clad in fur and iron clash in displays of strength, while the air fills with the scent of roasting meats and the fervor of battle songs. Guests are invited to don their fiercest attire, channeling the raw spirit of the Vikings and Barbarians as they step into a world where valor, honor, and the thrill of battle reign supreme.
Here, the echoes of thunder and storm are felt in every step, bringing the heart of the North to Merriwick where an unforgettable weekend of power, primal spirit, and epic adventure awaits!
Weekend 5: Infinite Realms
August 16-17, 2025
In this weekend of cosmic encounters, the very fabric of time and space intertwines. Expect to see temporal travelers from ages past and future, interstellar navigators charting courses through the stars, and beings from alternate realms arriving in Merriwick to share their stories, inventions, and mysteries. The town thrums with the energy of countless worlds, each corner revealing new technologies, ancient artifacts, and glimpses into realms that defy imagination.
Whether you’re dressed as a time-hopping hero, a cosmic crusader, or a visitor from another galaxy, Infinite Realms invites you to journey beyond the stars, explore the unknown, and be part of a celebration that stretches across the multiverse. Join us in Merriwick, where timelines blur, dimensions converge, and every step reveals a new adventure waiting to unfold.