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Hoggetowne Medieval Faire returns to Depot Park for a weekend of festivities

Jan 19, 2026 6:00 am
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A knight armed with a sword advances on an adversary wielding a staff during a Living Chessboard game.
A knight armed with a sword advances on an adversary wielding a staff during a Living Chessboard game on Saturday during the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire preview day at Bo Diddley Plaza. This year marks the 39th iteration of the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow
Key Points
  • The 39th annual Hoggetowne Medieval Faire will be held Jan. 24-25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Depot Park in Gainesville.
  • The free event features artisans, medieval music, a living chessboard, royal knightings, and olde world demonstrations.
  • EZ Event Rides offers shuttle service from two downtown parking garages to Depot Park during the event.
  • The faire was condensed to a single weekend after moving to Depot Park in 2024 due to inability to fence off public park space.

The annual Hoggetowne Medieval Faire returns for its 39th year, transforming Depot Park in Gainesville into a “bastion of medieval revelry” for a single weekend. 

The free event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, and Sunday, Jan. 25, at 874 SE 4th St. 

Rain or shine, Depot Park is expected to be filled with artisans and craftspeople, olde world demonstrations, food, medieval music and dance, a living chessboard and royal knighting ceremonies. 

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EZ Event Rides will provide round-trip shuttles from Gainesville’s two downtown parking garages to Depot Park. Robin Hood’s tram stop is located next to the Southwest Downtown Garage (105 SW 3rd St.), while King Arthur’s tram stop is close to the Downtown Parking Garage (220 SE 2nd Ave.). 

Craig Merlin Broers, left, and Jerry Barry of the New Minstrel Review serenade attendees of Saturday’s Hoggetowne Medieval Faire “Sneak Peak Preview Day.”
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Craig Merlin Broers, left, and Jerry Barry of the New Minstrel Review serenade attendees of Saturday’s Hoggetowne Medieval Faire “Sneak Peak Preview Day.”

According to the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire website, the last tram will leave Depot Park at 6:20 p.m. 

The Hoggetowne Medieval Faire is produced every year by the city of Gainesville Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. This will be the third year the event will be held at Depot Park after moving downtown in 2024. 

The search for a permanent home for the faire has been ongoing since the Alachua County Fairgrounds, which hosted the event for many years, was sold in 2020. The faire is traditionally held for three weekends, but has been condensed to one weekend since its move to Depot Park.  

Ashley Ladnyk, also known as “Brigit the Blacksmith,” and Ember the Forge Dragon charm Bob Lofstrom, 8, during a performance break Saturday.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Ashley Ladnyk, also known as “Brigit the Blacksmith,” and Ember the Forge Dragon charm Bob Lofstrom, 8, during a performance break Saturday.

On its website, the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire said it “must limit the Faire to only one weekend because we cannot fence off a municipal park whose intended purpose is an open public space for all neighbors to enjoy.” 

City staff have looked at more than 40 possible sites for the faire, but all have failed despite some near misses. One of the near misses, the Gainesville Raceway, has been discussed as a potential option beyond 2026.  

For more information about this year’s faire, visit https://www.hoggetownemedfaire.com/. 

Spectators follow the action unfolding during a Living Chessboard game. Depot Park will host this year’s Hoggetowne Medieval Faire, a free event.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Spectators follow the action unfolding during a Living Chessboard game. Depot Park will host this year’s Hoggetowne Medieval Faire, a free event.
Performers exchange barbs during a Living Chessboard game. The game is a theatrical, life-sized version of chess in which players take turns moving human “pieces” around a board, and the pieces engage in one-on-one combat.
Photo by Megan V. Winslow Performers exchange barbs during a Living Chessboard game. The game is a theatrical, life-sized version of chess in which players take turns moving human “pieces” around a board, and the pieces engage in one-on-one combat.

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