Renaissance Faire returns for 54th year

Hear ye, hear ye! The clatter of armor, the laughter of jesters, and the unmistakable sounds of jousting will soon fill the air as Young Park is transformed into a celebration of the Middle Ages at Doña Ana Arts Council’s 54th Las Cruces' Renaissance Arts Faire.

The festivities begin Friday, Nov. 7, when Celia Farran presents a concert on the Young Park main stage at 7 p.m. Farran loves visiting Las Cruces and will perform multiple times throughout the park during the event. She will also lead the Sunday morning service Nov. 9 at the Center for Spiritual Living in the at 575 N. Main Street.

The other events at the Faire will be plentiful.

Witness a wedding, as Our Queen’s Court hosts a real Nordic handfasting at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8.

The event is hosting the state-wide questing group, Mordakin’s Eye. Members visit each Ren Faire throughout New Mexico and carry out quests to advance their standing. You may see strange fairies and pirates as they scour the realm in pursuit of their assigned duties.

Visitors can also meet the Las Cruces TableTop Dungeon and Dragons group, which rolls at Branigan Library. Las Cruces' divination community will have tents on the grounds to read tarot, consult astrology, or read your charts to offer their enlightened perspectives, and there will be maypole dancers in the Queens Court.

The Royal Procession will feature Empyre Pipes and Drums leading the Lords and Ladies of the Land throughout the Kingdom at noon daily. Black Box Theater will present their Improv Comedy; Odyssey Greek, Las Perlitas del Pueblo, and Folklorico Corazon de Las Cruces will dance; and Odd-Lab from El Paso will dazzle with their fire and acrobatic performances. Guests should also watch out for our roving musicians, Frosty Locks the Bard and Flicker the One Man Band.

The Faire will also feature perennial battle demonstrations by the Society for Creative Anachronism, AMT-Guard, and fan favorite jousting by the Order of Epona from Colorado Springs. See the splendor of the Queens Court with entertainment by Snake Charmer Belly Dancers, Karuna and the New World Drummers, and Autumn’s Punch and Judy Puppet Show.

Magician Christopher Mitchell is your host, the master of ceremonies, in the Children’s Realm where the Moose Caboose Train rides. Also included is a bouncy castle, and other midway attractions.

Mermaid Jade of the Great Midland Sea is back, along with a new visitor, La Reina Rosa Contacuentos, telling bilingual stories, singing songs, and sharing her experiences over distant journeys. You won’t want to miss the unicycling unicorn with its daring feats and hilarious banter.

Many local food favorites are returning with some new flavors. Pepsi is back in the park this fall, sold by the NMSU ROTC. Chef Charles will bring his barbeque, Southwest Concessions will have all of its fair-fare. Attendees can also enjoy Nops on Wheels, Green Chili Paddy Wagon, Hole Food Mini Donuts, Busy Bee Frozen Custard, Chef D’s Bakery, Chilly’s Ice Cream, Dairy Dream Treats, Enchanted Sweets, ET’s, BTX, Snaxx Attaxx, and Loaded Lemonade.

Big Blue Kitchen, Gourmet Doner Kebab, and Island Noodles are among the new dining options this year as the Faire also welcomes Inn of the Mountain Gods’ Iron Arrow Grub and Grill mobile kitchen. Dragon’s Eye Tavern will serve Lescombes Wine, Icebox Beer, and Picacho Peak will serve beer and MEAD!

ART—RAF 2025 hosts 90 artists’ booths from all over the USA, including painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, woodwork, leather, fiber and textiles, products of the Southwest. There will be a ton of beautiful items to see and select from and lots of our great local artists and new vendors.

Free parking is available, and a free shuttle bus will also be available at the west parking lot of the Mesilla Valley Mall. 

The Faire runs Nov. 8-9 at Young Park, 850 S. Walnut St in Las Cruces. Those desiring to purchase tickets in advance may do so online at DA Arts’ website, https://www.daarts.org/las-cruces-ren-art-faire.