For the first time in its history, the Arizona Renaissance Festival will have limited engagement performers for its 2026 season.
Yes, the Village of Fairhaven will welcome six newcomers to the Renaissance Festival in Gold Canyon, and all will be performing for only a limited time. Once their gig is up, they’ll be gone for good — no encore performances here.
The 2026 Arizona Renaissance Festival will run every Saturday and Sunday starting Jan. 31 and ending on March 29. Here’s a little more about the new acts coming into town this year including when their limited engagement begins and ends.
Blades and Bravery
They have skill, they are dangerous and some would also say they’re complete lunatics. Blades and Bravery pushes the limits on knife throwing stunts and includes tricks like hitting balloon targets, the Mannequin Challenge, Fire Knives and the fabled Spinning Wheel of Destiny.
Performance dates: Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.
Jacques ze Whipper
You may have seen him on Instagram Reels and TikTok, but now you can catch him in person at the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Jazques ze Whipper is part circus and part stand-up comedy, but with a French twist. In his 30 years of performing, Jacques has traveled the world, appeared on national television shows like America’s Got Talent and even set four Guinness World Records.
Performance dates: Feb. 7, 8, 14, 15 and 16.
Dungeons and Shakespeare
Have you ever wanted to see Shakespeare’s greatest characters face horrific monsters from the world of Dungeons and Dragons? Well now you can with the Dungeons and Shakespeare show that’s inspired by the Bard but determined by the dice and all live on stage. Each show will be different as audience choices and the roll of the giant die will decide if the heroes live or die.
Performance dates: Feb. 21, 22, 28 and March 1, 7 and 8.
Tiny Girl Big Show
Step right up and experience the new one-woman circus extravaganza. With charm and sparkle to spare, this award-winning, pint-sized powerhouse packs a punch. Watch Stahr twist her body into ridiculous positions before adding in a whip, unicycle, fire, juggling or a bow and arrow held between her pedicured toes.
Performance dates: March 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29.
Judas and Magnolia
This husband-and-wife duo brings death-defying escape artist stunts along with deeply moving theatrical seances to audiences all over the country. Judas and Magnolia are an award-winning team of illusionists who blend physical extremity, theater and comedy into and unforgettable live experience.
Performance dates: Jan. 31, Feb. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 21 and 22.
Witch Trials!
This show flips the script on the classic tale of the witch trials with interactive hilarity. So, come make fun of horrendous history with the famed tragedian Ned Alleyn and the “viciously polite mob” and witness an innocent volunteer be tormented to roars and howls of laughter.
Performance dates: March 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29.
Arizona Renaissance Festival 2026
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Jan. 31-March 29, 2026.
Where: 12601 U.S. 60, Gold Canyon.
Admission: $36, $24 for ages 5-12, free for age 4 and under.
Details: arizona.renfestinfo.com.
Reporting by Meredith G. White, Arizona Republic
