For Immediate Release
Contacts: Dan Bader, NY Capital District Renaissance Festival, 646-261-7189
Leanne Ricchiuti, Headline Media for Indian Ladder Farms, 518-222-8073
May 12, 2026
(Altamont, N.Y.) – As the days grow longer, so do the tales worth telling. The NY Capital District Renaissance Festival returns to Indian Ladder Farms for its 12th year, bringing two weekends of midsummer revelry on June 13–14 and June 20–21, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day. The festival is embracing this year’s theme, “The Longest Days Deserve the Best Stories.” Celebrate the approach of the summer solstice with double the charging knights, raised tankards of locally crafted mead, cider, and beer, those famously coveted turkey legs, and a vibrant marketplace of more than 80 artisans.
Set against the backdrop of the Helderberg Escarpment, the festival transforms Indian Ladder Farms into a bustling Renaissance Village filled with roaming performers, skilled artisans, lively “taverns,” and immersive entertainment for all ages.
From the Royal Court to the Village Green, a vibrant cast of performers brings the festival to life:
Equus Nobilis, a thrilling jousting troupe, brings the thunder of hooves and clash of lances in battle for Her Majesty’s favor.
Enjoy the sword-swallowing and juggling antics of performance artist Jim Mackenzie.
Lords of Adventure, a comedic sword-fighting duo blend sharp wit with sharper blades in fast-paced, family-friendly combat.
Don’t miss Jack O’ All Trades, a comedy variety show that includes juggling, rope walking, balancing, unicycling, and fire spinning.
Daniel Greenwolf, a master of fire and illusion, captivates with flaming stunts and sleight-of-hand sorcery.
Pauly Solomon, a dazzling aerialist, enchants with bubble magic and acrobatics.
Vibrant and fun, The Sirens of Circe will lure you in with melodious songs and keep you there with their vivacious personalities. From beautiful ballads to witty drinking songs and all the bawdy pleasures in between, there’s a little temptation for everyone!
Axe throwing offers a chance to test your mettle.
Tarot card readers will divine your destiny from the deck.
Local talent shines with Altamont blacksmiths known from Forged in Fire, the artisan metalwork of Aggressive Metal Works, and traditional clay throwing by two local potters.
And no Renaissance Fair is complete without a hearty drink from Helderberg Meadworks and the Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery.
Join the ever-popular Pub Crawl, a raucous royal romp through the festival’s “taverns” for those who wish to toast like true lords and ladies. There will be three crawls each day at 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. While the crawl offers festive fun and flavorful pours, one standout beverage will be available all weekend long: Princess Pilsner, a 5.3% ABV Bohemian-style lager brewed by Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery to honor both the festival and the brewer’s wife. Crafted with Pilsner malt, Nugget and Crystal hops, and fermented with the farm’s house lager yeast, this clean, easy-drinking beer boasts a smooth bitterness and grassy notes. Enjoy it in 16oz cans during the festivities or take the magic home in 4-packs.
“We’re thrilled to offer festival goers a second weekend this year,” said Kendall Hudson, director of the NY Capital District Renaissance Festival. “Whether you're coming for the joust, the music, the mead, Hocus Smokus Turkey Legs, or to throw an axe or a clay pot, there’s truly something for everyone. It’s a gift to be in this special place to host this midsummer celebration.”
“What makes this festival special is that people don’t just come once, they come back, they bring friends, and they make a tradition of it,” said Dieter Gehring, co-owner of Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery. “Having two weekends again this year gives even more people a chance to experience the energy, the creativity, and the sense of community that takes over the farm.”
The excitement is still building, so patrons are encouraged to check the website for a schedule of events once the date draws near. Both weekends will feature many of the same events and vendors. Adult tickets are $25 each, and children aged 12 and younger are $5 each. Children 2 and younger are free. Two-and-four day commemorative wristband passes are available too. Tickets can be purchased online, but are also available at the gates.
For more information about the premiere Renaissance Festival in the region, visit www.nycdrf.com.
For more information about Indian Ladder Farms, visit https://www.indianladderfarms.com/.
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About The New York Capital District Renaissance Festival. The New York Capital District Renaissance Festival (NYCDRF) is the premier Renaissance Festival in the region. The annual event transforms Indian Ladder Farms in Altamont, N.Y., into a bustling Renaissance Village set against the backdrop of the Helderberg Escarpment.
About Indian Ladder Farms and Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery. Nestled in the shadow of the Helderberg Escarpment in Altamont, New York, Indian Ladder Farms is a fourth-generation, family-owned farm founded in 1916 by Peter Gansevoort Ten Eyck and now recognized as a New York State Centennial Farm. Spanning more than 300 acres of apple orchards, berry patches, pumpkin fields, hop yards, and animal pasture, the farm serves as a beloved agritourism destination dedicated to connecting the community with local agriculture and the land. The property also offers a scenic setting for weddings, private events, and seasonal celebrations throughout the year. Located on the farm, Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery, a New York State Farm Brewery and Cidery owned by Dietrich Gehring and Stuart Morris, provides a true farm-to-glass experience. Craft beers are brewed using hops grown on-site and New York–sourced grains, while hard ciders are produced from fruit harvested from the farm’s orchards and berry fields. The Tasting Room and Biergarten feature beverages on draft as well as in cans and bottles, and during the spring and summer months guests can enjoy wood-fired fare at the Pizza Garden by DeFazio’s, creating a full farm-to-table experience.ed m