Events
31st Florida Renaissance Festival Returns to South Florida with 8 Weekends in 2023
31st Florida Renaissance Festival Returns to South Florida with 8 Weekends in 2023. Select schools welcomed for their own personal day.
February 6th, 2023
Experience the Thrill of a Bygone Era When Legendary Knights, Pirates, Vikings, Evil Villains, and Heroes Ruled the Kingdom
Experience ALL NEW Additional 8th Weekend in 2023 for a Mad Hatter Circus
The annual Florida Renaissance Festival returns with a one-of-a-kind family-friendly event that takes lords and ladies of the realm back to a time when tunics, tabards, slashed sleeves, and bodices were the fashion. Beginning February 4, 2023, and running for eight consecutive weekends until March 26, 2023, all roads lead to Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach to celebrate the 31st edition of the Florida Renaissance Festival with an added bonus eighth weekend of festivities.
The festival is for all ages, and it’s one of the most anticipated major events of the year because it’s a memorable, magical, mystical experience for the entire family. This special event features multiple new attractions, as well as popular older ones to guarantee non-stop fun and excitement in this magical kingdom.
Jousting knights, royalty, wenches, magicians, and more awaits as festival goers will be treated to delectable foods, fabulous drinks, numerous unique craft shops, live music, and more. The kingdom is a wonderful place for fun, but it’s also a great environment where participants can take selfies of themselves in era garb. PLUS there is an all-new eighth weekend introduced for this year – the Mad Hatter’s Circus embarks on an “Alice in Wonderland-themed” adventure that brings fairytales to reality!
While costumes are not necessary for admittance, thousands of people enhance their experience each year by donning outfits from the Renaissance era or participating in one of the festival’s special themed weekends.
“For more than three decades we’ve provided South Floridians a Renaissance experience unlike any other,” said Bobby Rodriguez, founder, and producer of the Florida Renaissance Festival. “It’s a special storybook event unlike any other, and we invite patrons to dress up and rejoice as we celebrate culture and history, because it promises to be a fun-filled memorable time for the entire family.”
Florida Renaissance Festival 2023 Themed Weekends
The festival weekend dates are Feb. 4-5 (school day on Feb. 6), Feb. 11-12, Feb. 18-19, Feb. 25-26, March 4-5, March 11-12 (Sunday time change), March 18-19, and March 25-26. The current themes are as follows:
Weekend 1:
The Wizarding World’s Faire – A Magical Grand-Opening!
Feb. 4 & 5, 2023
The tales of old magic and the mystical arts are not only true but still very much alive. Experience the wonderful world of magic with us as we set our eyes upon wizards, warlocks, witches, and more! Celebrating the grand opening of our festival, we’ll get to see a world in which enchantment not only survives but thrives. Potions of alchemy, casting spells, and a merry of mages are only some of the powerful presentations of magic sure to be present at the festival. The only requirement we hold you to is having a fascination for the fantastical—although a magical cloak wouldn’t hurt.
Weekend 2:
Barbarians & Dragons- A Roaring Battle!
Feb. 11 & 12, 2023
To set our eyes upon lands far away from our own in the call of the conqueror is what makes a true Viking. This weekend is a war of passion and romance- blood spilled and kingdoms sundered in the name of love. The barbarian’s heart is a drumming of axe and shield, the dragon’s heart is a beating of wings on wind. A warrior is a testament to the strength of champions by fighting for the one they love, a world in which dragons fly overhead and warships volley along the coastline. Take up arms to protect your village or mount a monstrous dragon in the hopes of quelling another. This is where the heart of the barbarian is truly formed, in the heat of battle where swords clash, and axes collide. It is now that true loyalty will shine through, and the pact of warriors will stand strong.
Weekend 3:
Steampunk & Time Travelers – Age of Automation!
Feb. 18 & 19, 2023
Cogs, nuts, and bolts are the rulers of automation. Enter the Victorian age of industrialization as technology and innovation are rooted in gadgets and steam-powered inventions. Literature and science converge as one as vigilantes and warring factions fill the background of this fantastical world. Locomotives send puffs of steam from their smokestacks up into the air, artificial lightning flows through the inventions of madmen, and the lines between fiction and science begin to blur as the roaring of the city continues well into the night. Imagination is only the beginning of what is conceivable, for the possibilities are endless in this magnificent world of machines.
Weekend 4:
Maidens, Wenches, and Goddesses! – A Beautiful Empowerment!
Feb. 25 & 26, 2023
Join us in celebrating the women who inspire us all to be fierce warriors, brave adventurers, and mighty explorers. This weekend of empowerment is dedicated to our mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, and all the women who stand at the forefront of what it means to be a hero. Through trials and tribulations, these ladies of the lionheart stand strong and true and showcase to us all the immense strength, fortitude, and tenacity that live within each and every one of these wonderful women.
Weekend 5:
Days of Cosplay – Heroes, villains, and everything in between!
March. 4 & 5, 2023
A valiant hero charged with the protection of the kingdom or a nefarious villain with an agenda of their own—only you can decide whom to support. In this weekend of factions, we invite everybody to throw on their own costume or outfit and join us as we experience a world in which our favorite fantasy comes to life. Whether you cosplay your favorite character in full garb or throw a cowboy hat and some boots on, we welcome all heroes and villains to the stage. Choose a side and show off your fit—it’s always more fun when you dress the part!
Weekend 6:
Pirate Invasion – Swashbucklers & Scallywags!
March. 11 & 12, 2023
Wealth, fame, power. Attain this and everything else the world has to offer on the seven seas will be yours! Leave yer old compass behind, you won’t have to look far for an abundance of thrilling entertainment perfect for pirates of all ages. Prepare the crew for a swashbuckling adventure and climb aboard with all your hopes and dreams for a weekend adventure in search of treasure. Quench your thirst on a wide variety of beer and mead, join a choir of sea shanties, and you’ll find everything you’re looking for. Ready your eye patches and captain hats for this pirate-filled adventure!
Weekend 7:
Highland Fling – A Celtic Celebration
March. 18 & 19, 2023
We welcome you to a weekend of Celtic celebration, as we commemorate all those nations who take pride in their heritage and long-lasting culture. This is a time to explore the wonders and mysteries of Britanny, Cornwall, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the Isle of Man, along with revering the age-old traditions and folklore of these great civilizations. It wouldn’t be St. Patty’s Day without a whole lot of green, so wear something shamrock-colored, grab a pint and enjoy the day with us! By the way, while kilts aren’t required to enter, we welcome anybody to wear one (bonus points if it’s green).
**NEW Weekend 8:
A Mad Hatter’s Circus – A Fairytale Finale!
March. 25 & 26, 2023
Join us on our final weekend of the festival, where you’ll be transported to a world far different than our own, one filled with mystical beasts, fairytale creatures, and much more! This “Alice in Wonderland”-inspired experience will bring you to the tales of fantasy, where you’ll walk through mirrors out into a world that can only rival that of your own imagination. Perhaps it was a reflection, or maybe it really was a giant teacup that leapt from its platter. In this land, anything is possible, because when a fairytale meets reality, the only limit is what the mirror might reflect.
Also returning for the 2023 season are a variety of fan-favorite acts and performances:
- Bard & Minstrels
- Bells to Go (Carillon)
- Blue Muse
- Brothers Blackwell
- Broon
- Buckle & Swash
- Celtic Mayhem
- Debracey Productions (joust)
- Faire Wynds
- Harper & the Minstrel
- History of Chivalry
- Historical Demonstrations: Cannons
- Kamikaze Fireflies
- Kelly Irish Dancers
- Les S. Moore (pickpocket)
- Masala Music & Dance
- MooNiE
- Music the Gathering
- NEW – Nightwings (a new exotic bird and falconry show in the joust area)
- Pirates of Tortuga Bay
- Rota Temporis
- Reelin’ Rogues
- Splatter Time Players (mud show)
- Tales of Robin Hood
- The Adventure Quest
- The Commedia Madrigal Singers
- The Greatest Pirate Story Never Told
- Trebuchet
- Washing Well Wenches
There will also be The Court, Encampments, Promenade, Street Characters, Wandering Musicians, and dozens of characters from Gabriel Q.
The Florida Renaissance Festival is produced by nationally acclaimed Bobby Rodriguez Production and strives to create an entertaining and cultural experience for adults and children alike. The current sponsors of the 2023 Florida Renaissance Festival include Sapporo, Unibroue, Anchor Brewing, 1911 Cider, Llanos Leather, Pelican’s View, JMlovelaw.
Prices range from $32 for adults and $14 for children (ages 6 to 11 years of age). Children 5 and younger are free. Special seasonal passes are available for $199 (adults) and $79.50 (children). Group ticket rates are also offered, but must be purchased in person at the box-office only. VIP Parking is also available for purchase. You can avoid making the box office line, by buying ahead of time, online! Online purchases include convenience fees.
For tickets and more information visit: www.ren-fest.com; Find us on Facebook and
Tik Tok, or follow @FlaRenFest on Twitter and Instagram. If you prefer the ancient method, call 954-776-1642.
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Renaissance Festival. ©South Florida Insider.
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Renaissance Festival. ©South Florida Insider.
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Renaissance Festival. ©South Florida Insider.
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Renaissance Festival. ©South Florida Insider.
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Renaissance Festival. ©South Florida Insider.
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Renaissance Festival. ©South Florida Insider.
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Renaissance Festival. ©South Florida Insider.
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Renaissance Festival. ©South Florida Insider.
The glamour of the French Riviera arrived in Miami Beach as Melissa Odabash presented Riviera: La Côte d’Azur during PARAISO Miami Swim Week.
May 29, 2026
Before the runway began, guests explored sponsor activations throughout the venue, including cocktails from Empress 1908 Gin, pours from Maker’s Mark, refreshments from LaCroix, Australian Gold sun care products, and sweet treats from Tony’s Chocolonely. A crystal-covered MINI convertible featuring a sparkling pink palm tree quickly became one of the evening’s most photographed attractions.
As guests settled into their seats, the atmosphere shifted from Miami Beach to the Mediterranean coast.
Inspired by the timeless elegance and relaxed luxury of the French Riviera, the runway showcased the effortless resort style that has become synonymous with the Melissa Odabash brand. Models floated down the catwalk in sophisticated swimwear, airy coverups, crochet pieces, flowing dresses, and polished resort looks that felt equally at home in Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Monaco, or Miami Beach.
A palette of crisp whites, soft neutrals, shimmering metallics, and ocean-inspired blues reinforced the coastal aesthetic, while lightweight fabrics and elegant silhouettes captured the ease of luxury vacation dressing.
The presentation celebrated more than swimwear. It embraced an entire lifestyle centered around sunshine, travel, seaside glamour, and effortless sophistication. Each look reflected the idea that great resort fashion should feel both elevated and wearable, whether spent poolside at a beach club or dining waterfront at sunset.
By blending timeless resort pieces with the romantic spirit of the Côte d’Azur, Melissa Odabash delivered one of the week’s most transportive runway experiences. For a few moments inside the PARAISO Fashion Tent, guests were no longer on Collins Avenue. They were somewhere along the sun-soaked shores of the French Riviera.
Feeling inspired to plan your next getaway? The looks featured on the runway and additional resort wear styles can be purchased through MelissaOdabash.com, offering shoppers the opportunity to bring a touch of Côte d’Azur elegance to their own summer travels.
Events
Neutrogena’s Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party Brought SPF and Swim Week Energy to Strawberry Moon
The Miami Swim Week® The Shows event mixed model casting, poolside glamour, sunscreen touch-ups, and a very South Beach kind of scene.
May 26, 2026
Miami Swim Week® The Shows is known for runway lights, bold swimwear, and a little bit of beautiful chaos, but Neutrogena brought the action poolside with its Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party at Strawberry Moon.
Set against the hotel’s dreamy pastel pool deck, the event felt less like a traditional casting call and more like a sun-soaked Swim Week hangout with a purpose. Models moved around the pool in swimwear, guests mingled under turquoise umbrellas, and the whole scene had that perfect Miami mix of fashion, beauty, heat, and “wait, is this a casting or a party?” energy.
The pool became the runway for the afternoon, with models walking along the water in front of Miami Swim Week® The Shows signage. It was casual, but still camera-ready. Instead of a stiff casting room, Neutrogena created a setting that felt alive, social, and very on-brand for Miami. There were bikinis, heels, palm trees, pool reflections, and enough sunlight to make the SPF message feel extremely relevant.
At the center of the event was Neutrogena’s bright activation area, complete with Ultra Sheer sunscreen products, yellow-and-white towels, and the perfect pool party reminder: “Arrive. Apply. Unwind.” Guests could check out the sunscreen lineup while taking in the casting atmosphere around them. It gave the whole afternoon a smart beauty angle without taking away from the fun.
The best part was how naturally everything fit together. Miami Swim Week is all about swimwear, bodies, beach culture, and confidence, so a sunblock casting pool party made perfect sense. Neutrogena did not just set up a table and call it a day. The brand turned SPF into part of the event experience, making sunscreen feel like the accessory everyone actually needed.
The atmosphere was playful and relaxed, with guests moving between the pool, the Neutrogena station, and nearby brand activations. Liquid Youth also added to the beauty-meets-wellness vibe with colorful collagen drinks, giving attendees another reason to stop, sip, and stay a little longer.
By moving the casting call into a pool party setting, Neutrogena gave Miami Swim Week a daytime moment that felt fresh, social, and easy to enjoy. It had the structure of a fashion event, the vibe of a South Beach pool day, and just enough glam to remind everyone that this was still Swim Week.
In a city where the sun is basically a main character, Neutrogena’s Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party was a natural fit. It brought together models, beauty lovers, swimwear energy, and SPF in one bright, splashy afternoon.
At Strawberry Moon, the message was simple: show up, get seen, protect the glow, and maybe get cast while you’re at it.
Veggies Made Great helped fuel a family-friendly weekend of free workouts, paddleboarding, coffee, small bites, and feel-good fun at 96th Street Park.
May 18, 2026
Surfside brought the good vibes this weekend with Paddletopia 2026, a two-day wellness and outdoor lifestyle event that turned 96th Street Park into a sunny little hub for movement, community, and family-friendly fun.
Held on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event welcomed kids, adults, fitness lovers, coffee drinkers, paddleboarders, and anyone looking for a fresh-air weekend by the water. The best part? So many of the experiences were free, making it easy for families and locals to drop in, move around, and enjoy the day without overthinking it.
The workout classes were a highlight, bringing plenty of energy to the park with approachable, upbeat sessions that made wellness feel fun instead of intimidating. Between the fitness classes, paddleboarding, live music, wellness activations, and relaxed outdoor atmosphere, Paddletopia had that perfect South Florida mix of active and easygoing.
Of course, no great weekend event is complete without good bites. Veggies Made Great, an official event partner, kept guests fueled with complimentary samples of their veggie-packed favorites, including the Spinach Egg White Frittata and Lemon Blueberry Muffin. The samples were a smart fit for the day: light, wholesome, tasty, and easy to enjoy between activities. Paired with coffee and other small bites available throughout the event, it made for the kind of simple, satisfying spread that both kids and adults could get behind.
The event also had a thoughtful environmental angle through the “Paddle for Plastic” initiative with Plastic Fisherman, encouraging attendees to help clean Surfside canals in exchange for eco-friendly rewards. It added a meaningful layer to the weekend, blending wellness, community, and environmental care in a way that felt natural for a coastal town like Surfside.
Overall, Paddletopia 2026 felt like exactly what a South Florida weekend should be: outdoorsy, welcoming, active, delicious, and just a little bit sun-kissed. From free fitness classes to better-for-you snacks and community-focused fun, Surfside gave families a reason to get outside and enjoy the best of wellness by the water.
To bring a little of that Paddletopia feel-good energy home, check out more of the veggie-packed muffins, frittatas, and easy breakfast favorites from Veggies Made Great at https://www.veggiesmadegreat.com/
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