2026 Awards Updates

Welcome to the 22nd Annual Renaissance Festival Awards. Here is the 2026 lineup, category by category. Voting runs January 1 to February 1, 2027.

Festivals

Festivals76 nominees

• Faery / Fantasy - North (6)
• Faery / Fantasy - South (6)
• Irish / Celtic / Highland Games (5)
• Pirate (4)
• Medieval - North (8)
• Medieval - South (7)
• Renaissance - Midwest (9)
• Renaissance - Northeast (9)
• Renaissance - Southeast (7)
• Renaissance - South Central (9)
• Renaissance - West (6)

Merchants

Crafts39 nominees

• Apothecary & Candles (4)
• Art, Décor & Toys (4)
• Body Art & Hair (4)
• Clothing & Headwear (7)
• Fire & Earth (4)
• Jewelry (4)
• Leather (8)
• Metalwork & Blades (4)

Food and Drink13 nominees

• Hearty Meals (8)
• Teas, Drinks & Sweets (5)

Purveyor of Goods29 nominees

• Books, Games & Toys (7)
• Clothing & Costuming (7)
• Home Décor & Collectibles (7)
• Leather & Arms (3)
• Scents & Apothecary (5)

Performers

Music and Vocals85 nominees

• Bawdy (3)
• Celtic & Pub Bands (5)
• Celtic Duos (4)
• Filk & Fantasy (5)
• Folk & Ballad Soloists (5)
• Folk Rock & Contemporary (6)
• Instrumental Soloists (5)
• Lane Performers (5)
• Medieval & Renaissance (5)
• Musical Comedy (5)
• Nordic & Viking (4)
• Pipes & Drums (5)
• Pirate & Celtic Solo Singers (5)
• Pirate Bands (6)
• Pirate Comedy (5)
• Shanty Crews (5)
• Adults Only (7)

A Capella9 nominees

• Solo & Small (1–3) (4)
• Ensembles (4+) (5)

Physical Non-Musical31 nominees

• Live Armored Combat (3)
• Staged Combat & Swordplay (7)
• Pirate Swordplay (4)
• Fire Performers (5)
• Sideshow & Danger (6)
• Acrobatics & Circus (6)

Non-Physical Non-Musical40 nominees

• Comedy Shows (5)
• Faeries (7)
• Improv & Interactive Comedy (5)
• Lane Characters (7)
• Magic (6)
• Storytellers (7)
• Mermaids (3)

Dance6 nominees

Jousting5 nominees

Others

Educational Demonstrations4 nominees

Media4 nominees

Top Albums of 202611 nominees