Florida Renaissance Festival Opens with Entertainment and Fun Activities

by David Volz February 8, 2026

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Members of the Adrian Empire at the Florida Renaissance Fest. {David Volz}

Jacqueline Wigg is passionate about recreating Renaissance Europe and sharing it with the community.

A member of the Adrienne Empire, Wigg, of Coconut Creek, is participating in the Florida Renaissance Festival. She is a leader in the Empire’s encampment, where people can come and learn about daily life from about 800 AD to the 1600s.

“Life was a lot harder then, and many people struggled to make a living. We have areas where people can see how pottery and armor were made. We offer education on the medieval arts, such as making clothing and jewelry,” said Wigg.

Many members of the Adriene Empire participate in a combat event in which men and women, dressed in medieval-style armor, use dulled swords to fight until one participant is too exhausted to continue. Most participants make their own armor and learn metalworking.

Joseph Hawk, an Adriene Empire member, is learning about life in old Europe. “We meet about once a month and practice our fighting skills and learn about medieval life,” said Hawk.

The 34th Annual Florida Renaissance Festival takes place every Saturday and Sunday until March 29 at Quiet Waters in Deerfield Beach. The world of early 1600s Europe has been recreated, and visitors are encouraged to dress in Renaissance attire. Many individuals dress as pirates, kings, knights, queens, and princes and princesses. People can participate in activities such as axe throwing, archery, and sword fighting.

There is a joust in which men and women dressed as knights engage in mock combat on horseback. There are many musical performance groups and comedy performances. There are about 100 vendors offering clothing, jewelry, and various products, as well as food outlets offering a wide variety of items, including turkey legs.

The encampments provide insight into daily life in the Renaissance. There is an extensive section on the Ottoman Empire, including a recreated palace where one can sit on a pillow and enjoy tea. “We have studied the Ottoman Empire and worked to make sure everything here is authentic,” said Michelle Stinson, a presenter.

The Merchants of Brittany encampment presented early business in Europe. In the 1500s, large caravans of artisans traveled from town to town, setting up camps to sell a wide variety of goods. “This was the beginning of the middle class. People who did not own land could earn money by selling crafts they produced. They would come to a town that would welcome them and sell items that people there needed, and usually have a festival,” said Scott Breton, a presenter.

There is an encampment demonstrating how early cannons and guns worked, including the firing of cannons. There is also a presentation on herbal medicine in ancient Europe.

The festival is at Quiet Waters Park at 401 S Powerline Road, Deerfield Beach. Admission is $39 for adults, $15 for children, and kids under 5 are admitted free. The festival opens at 10 a.m. and runs until sunset, according to festival information. Purchase your tickets here.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.