Montana Renaissance Festival returns to Billings, is taking over MetraPark fairgrounds

After four successful years in Red Lodge, the Montana Renaissance Festival is returning to Billings for its biggest season yet.

The 2026 Montana Renaissance Festival will take place June 6-7 at the MetraPark fairgrounds, bringing together knights, pirates, musicians, artisans, performers and thousands of guests from across the region for a weekend of history, fantasy and family adventure.

Originally founded in Billings in 2012, the festival spent several years at ZooMontana before moving to Red Lodge in 2022. Organizers say the return to Billings marks both a homecoming and a major expansion for the event.

“We loved our years in Red Lodge and are deeply grateful for the support we received there,” said festival organizers Ken Haak and Doug McIsaac in a press release. “But the growth of the festival created challenges with parking, traffic flow, lodging availability and space for expansion. Moving back to Billings allows us to grow the experience in ways we simply couldn’t before.”

The 2026 festival is expected to draw more than 25,000 attendees and will feature over 230 vendors, nine stages, more than a dozen roaming performance areas and entertainment throughout the grounds.

Highlights include:

• Full-contact jousting performances by the Order of Epona
• Live music, comedy, magic, and interactive performances
• Birds of prey demonstrations by Raptors Return
• Expanded food and tavern experiences
• The royal coronation of Queen Hyacinth
• A Saturday evening Coronation Ball at MetraPark pavilion

The move to MetraPark also provides access to expanded parking, improved accessibility, larger performance areas and additional infrastructure to support the festival’s continued growth.

The Montana Renaissance Festival has become one of the largest renaissance festivals in the region, attracting visitors from across Montana and neighboring states. Organizers estimate the event generates millions of dollars in economic impact annually through tourism, hotels, restaurants, fuel sales and local shopping.

“This has always been about building something magical for Montana,” McIsaac said. “We’re excited to bring the festival back to Billings and create the biggest celebration we’ve ever hosted.”

Festival hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets and additional information are available at MontanaRenFest.com or call 406-347-0779.