2nd Denmark Iowa Renaissance Faire returns this weekend

DENMARK — The much-anticipated second annual Denmark Iowa Renaissance Faire will be held Saturday, November 1 and Sunday, November 2 in Denmark, Iowa.
This immersive event invites families, adventurers, and history-lovers alike to don costumes, explore living-history encampments, cheer on Highland games, dance with pirates and royals, and stroll a delightful river-front village filled with entertainment, food, and vendors.
“We had absolutely no clue what to expect when we attended the first faire last year,” said Chi Eastin of the Fort Madison Tourism Bureau. “My family and I had so much fun — the costumes, the staff, the atmosphere were all beyond what we imagined. We’re already planning to go again this year dressed in costume!”
The organizers emphasize that the Denmark Iowa Renaissance Faire is unlike any other in the region: it is Iowa’s only privately-owned permanent Renaissance faire site and the only one within a 90-mile radius.
On-site attendees will find:
• Three performance stages, three interactive living-history camps, and multiple themed interactive areas.
• More than 40 vendors offering garb, swords, jewelry, fantasy items, and more.
• Highland games, pirate-royal dance battles, river-front shopping, and scenic wooded amphitheaters along the Skunk River.
• Family-oriented fun: children can be knighted, join quests, explore historic-village tents, and play “rat pucking” (a playful twist on mini-golf!).
The Fort Madison Tourism Office believes this event is a valuable addition to our fall calendar of regional attractions. September and October are our most visited months and the rise of the Renaissance Faire will extend our peak tourism season by another week and into November. We encourage visitors to stay overnight, explore the area, and experience the unique charm of Southeast Iowa.
“We see this faire growing into a staple event for the region,” Eastin added.
“It aligns perfectly with the heritage of our river-communities, the spirit of costumed fun, and the draw of entertainment that brings families together. We hope to encourage visitors to not only attend for the day, but stay with us in Fort Madison, enjoy local dining, lodging, and explore our town and riverfront.”
Event Details:
• When: Saturday, Nov 1 & Sunday, Nov 2, 2025 – Event runs 9am-5pm, rain or shine
• Parking: 502 Academy Avenue, Denmark, Iowa 52624. Busses will take you a short distance to event
• Admission & tickets: Online tickets are available (with a discount of $3–$5 off gate price).
• Attire: Costumes strongly encouraged! While any genre is welcome, the theme this year emphasizes Scottish Highland / Pirates / Renaissance. Closed-toed shoes are recommended given terrain.
• Accessibility: The site includes a hill and stairs; shuttle bussing is available from the parking area and improvements for accessibility are in progress.
• Proceeds: A portion of ticket sales goes to support the local community (10% goes to the Burlington Area Homeless Shelter).
Why Visit Fort Madison Area
Visitors attending the Denmark Iowa Renaissance Faire can extend their stay in nearby Fort Madison and explore our wonderful riverfront, historic district, museum offerings, lodging specials and dining experiences.