Fantasy renaissance fair set to bring a blast from the past to Singapore
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Members of the live-action role-playing group Larp Singapore Community (above) will be joining the official street cast at Ren Faire Sg: The Origin.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
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SINGAPORE – Fancy playing the part of an armoured knight? Or maybe a courtly lady picking out the finest gemstone jewellery?
An upcoming renaissance fair, to be held at Fort Canning Park, will allow you to do just that.
The event, Ren Faire Sg: The Origin, will run from 2 to 9pm on Jan 31 and Feb 1, 2026.
A renaissance fair is an outdoor festival that recreates a historical period, typically that of the English and European Renaissance, sometimes imbued with fantasy elements. Themed performances, food and drink and a craft marketplace are its hallmarks, and patrons are encouraged to show up in costume.
Renaissance fairs are most popular in North America and Europe, where they have a long history of being held.
More recently, such fairs have found a market in Asia. Examples include Ren Faire PH in the Philippines and Dragon Dungeon Day in Taiwan.
The idea of hosting a renaissance fair in Singapore came to organiser Caylee Chua after she stumbled upon a TikTok clip of Ren Faire PH in 2024.
The 23-year-old was hooked on fantasy books as a child.
“I was bookish and loved fantasy as it just felt larger than life. I didn’t have the easiest time growing up, so I was drawn into the escapism of it all,” she says.
Ms Chua, who runs a small handmade jewellery business, says she expects to spend about $50,000 in total to organise the two-day event.
She is handling the bulk of the planning, with help from friends and family.
She hopes to sell between 6,000 and 8,000 tickets across both days – a quota that would allow her to keep ticket prices affordable.
Three types of tickets – citizen, baron and earl – will be available for purchase from Nov 11. They are priced between $11 and $27.
Organiser Caylee Chua, 23, hopes to showcase the talents of local creatives at Ren Faire Sg: The Origin.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
Early-bird sales start on Oct 10, at 20 per cent off. Tickets can also be bought onsite, subject to availability.
Ms Chua hopes the event, beyond providing entertainment, will be a space for local creatives to showcase their talents.
A curated marketplace – set to host about 100 vendors – will offer a variety of wares ranging from accessories and art prints to baked goods and books.
Attendees can also look forward to interactive activities, including trinket trading, costume competitions, and arts and crafts workshops.
Members of Larp Singapore Community role-playing in their costumes at the Singapore Sports Hub on Aug 16.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
If huddling around to play Dungeons & Dragons
Joining the official street cast are actors from local story-telling team The Seven Seas of Sage, who will be live-action role-playing as characters from its audio drama series Guardians Unheard.
Live-action role-playing involves players immersing themselves in character and acting out scenarios with the help of props and costumes.
“I was really excited when I heard about Ren Faire Sg because fantasy enthusiasts in Singapore rarely have a space to come together,” says the group’s writer and director El Goh, 22.
The team members hope to shed light on South-east Asian fantasy and mythology through its exhibition and performance at the event, she adds.
Mr Tyler Ng, 21, who plays the character Xuanwu in Guardians Unheard, says he hopes to see refreshed interest in the creative scene here now that “a unique side of the community is finally given a space” to express itself.
His sentiments are echoed by members of the Larp Singapore Community (LSC), a community-run interest group that connects individuals keen on live-action role-playing, some of whom will be joining the official street cast at the fair.
“We hope that this renaissance fair can become a catalyst to bring people together, be it personally or professionally, so there are more of such events in the future,” members of LSC tell The Straits Times.
“There is overwhelming excitement and enthusiasm in our community for this upcoming renaissance fair.”
Although working out administrative and logistical matters has not been without difficulties, Ms Chua’s main concern remains Singapore’s tropical heat.
She says the hot, muggy weather may deter attendees from showing up in costume, but added that air coolers will be installed throughout the venue.
But dressed up or not, the renaissance fair is designed for guests to engage with festivities at their own pace and comfort, she says.
