Medieval Booker

Medieval festivals in October 2026

5 medieval festivals, markets and reenactments across Europe in October 2026, in date order, with cities and what each one is known for. Expected dates say so.

5 festivals, upcoming first

April 2026

Featured
Living History & Museums Castle Events

Guédelon Castle (living medieval construction site)

Treigny, France

Guédelon is a 13th-century castle being built from scratch in a Burgundy forest quarry using only the tools, materials and techniques of the 1230s, open to visitors from spring to autumn since the first stone was laid in 1997. Around forty masons, carpenters, blacksmiths, tilers, rope-makers and carters work in front of the public, and the site draws roughly 300,000 visitors a season.

On now until
Family

May 2026

Jousting & Tournaments Living History & Museums

Middelaldercentret (The Medieval Centre), Nykøbing Falster

Nykøbing Falster, Denmark

Middelaldercentret is an experimental living-history museum on the Guldborgsund opposite Nykøbing Falster, where a reconstructed Danish market town of around the year 1400, Sundkøbing, is populated by costumed staff who stay in character all day. Its season runs from early May to late September with daily trebuchet firing, jousting and craft demonstrations, plus an autumn-holiday week in October and a Christmas market.

On now until
Family

September 2026

Featured
Living History & Museums Historic City Celebrations

Der Meistertrunk (Rothenburg Whitsun Festival)

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Rothenburg ob der Tauber's Whitsun festival re-enacts the legend of 1631, when former mayor Nusch supposedly saved the town from General Tilly's army by emptying a tankard holding more than three litres of wine in one draught. Citizens have performed the play 'Der Meistertrunk' since 1881, framed by a four-day festival with a costumed procession, military camp, shepherds' dance and crafts market.

2026
Family

October 2026

Featured
Reenactment & Battles Living History & Museums

Battle of Hastings Re-enactment

Battle, England

English Heritage stages its annual re-enactment of the 1066 Battle of Hastings on the original battlefield at Battle Abbey in East Sussex on the weekend nearest the 14 October anniversary. More than 500 re-enactors recreate the clash between Harold's Saxons and William's Normans, with living-history camps, falconry, a medieval market and a sword school for children.

2026
Family
Reenactment & Battles Medieval Markets & Fairs +1

Festival Médiéval de la Rose d'Or

Avignon, France

Every autumn some 60 to 70 historical associations camp on the Île de la Barthelasse, the island in the Rhône facing the Palais des Papes, for a re-enactors' festival with a market, archery, tournaments and a closing battle. Running since 2007 and organised by volunteers without public subsidy, it is one of the largest medieval gatherings in southern France; the 2026 edition, billed as the twentieth, falls on 10–11 October.

2026
Family