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Charlottesville Fae Festival: IX Arts Foundation to host two-day Renaissance Faire

Rebecca Barnabi
Courtesy of IX Arts Foundation.

The Fae Festival is an enchanted urban Renaissance Faire in the heart of Charlottesville.

On Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 3 to 9 p.m. and Sunday, June 29, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the IX Arts Foundation invites visitors of all ages to step into the realm of wonder at the 4th annual Fae Festival, a playful and imaginative Renaissance-inspired experience in downtown Charlottesville.

Festival-goers can explore the enchanted Medieval Market, enjoy live music and captivating performances, delight in delicious food and encounter mythical creatures and fairy folk all within the whimsical setting of IX Art Park.

“We love transforming IX Art Park into a magical village where fantasy meets creativity,” Ewa Harr, Executive Director of the IX Arts Foundation, said. “It’s a weekend for everyone — from families to cosplay fans — to dress up, shop the market, create mischief and memories and be part of something joyful.”

More than 50 local and regional artisans will fill the Medieval Market with handmade crafts, mystical wares, art, jewelry and herbal remedies. Guests can also enjoy roaming performers, mermaids, pirates, aerialists, musicians, demonstrations and interactive workshops designed to spark creativity and curiosity for all ages. Full festival details can be found online.

The Fae Festival is presented in partnership with Virginia Tourism Corporation. Daily tickets are $15 per person for outdoor festival admission or $20 per person to enjoy both the festival and The Looking Glass, Virginia’s first permanent immersive art museum. Weekend passes are available for $20 per person for the festival only or $30 per person for both the festival and The Looking Glass both days. Children 12 years old and younger are free.

The IX Arts Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Charlottesville on a mission to bring joy through art to the community. IX curates welcoming experiences that provide all community members with an inclusive space to thrive creatively, believing that everyone deserves the opportunity to express themselves artistically. The Foundation operates the outdoor IX Art Park mural and sculpture space and The Looking Glass, Virginia’s first permanent immersive art museum.

Rebecca Barnabi

Rebecca Barnabi

Rebecca J. Barnabi is the national editor of Augusta Free Press. A graduate of the University of Mary Washington, she began her journalism career at The Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star. In 2013, she was awarded first place for feature writing in the Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia Awards Program, and was honored by the Virginia School Boards Association’s 2019 Media Honor Roll Program for her coverage of Waynesboro Schools. Her background in newspapers includes writing about features, local government, education and the arts.