A Renaissance Festival on Castle Grounds
CastleFaire is back for YEAR 4! Join us for another year of ren faire fun on castle grounds with the Meadow Village lower level and Courtyard Grounds upper level full of unique vendors, performances, activities and of course, the grounds themselves with two level castle walls and towers at every corner for you to explore!
Friday, January 15 11:00 to 5:00pm
Saturday, January 16 10:00 to 5:00pm
Sunday, January 17 10:00 t0 4:00pm
Tickets
General Admission (ages 5+) $20
Young Squires (ages 0-4) Free
Four ticket options:
Friday 11 - 5
Saturday 10 - 5*
Saturday 12 - 5*
Sunday 10 - 4
In-person Tickets (Tickets at the Door)
Advanced ticketing is strongly recommended. In-person ticketing will be available at opening hour on Friday and Sunday and starting at noon on Saturday. In person ticketing will be accommodated primarily by guests getting tickets on their own phone while in line - please get tickets in advance. Sometimes internet stops working midday in Helen on these busiest days. If the internet goes out in the area, check-in for pre-registered guests will continue but we will not be able to sell you tickets.
Weather & Cancellation Policy
Tickets are non-refundable
Bring your cloaks, capes and coats!
PLEASE NOTE: CastleFaire is mostly an outdoor experience. It is a winter festival that is not weather dependent, it will be held rain or shine. Check the weather and plan ahead.
~ PLEASE DRESS ACCORDINGLY ~
Tickets can be transferred until Monday, Jan 12, on a space available basis. Send the original ticket holder's registration name, confirmation code, and the name to be transferred to in an email to info@uhuburg.com.
Interested Vendors for 2027
Wares, Activities, Food & Performers
Application window will be open from August 1st to November 1st
Interested Vendors
A note from our Vendor Coordinator
We are limited on vendors spots and the amount of inquiries is typically high. Please follow the process as described below. Thank you! Fare thee well!
Stay Updated
Please join the Facebook CastleFaire Vendor Inquiry group. When requesting to join, you must answer the group questions or the system will decline your request.
Link to Group
A few guidelines to keep in mind
1) Must have renaissance, medieval, fantasy, pirate, steampunk or similar themed wares or performance.
2) All items must be of a handmade nature (no wholesale bought items)
3) No epoxy jewelry, anime art, super hero art, or beverages (unless you are a food or beverage vendor)
4) Everyone will go through an approval process.
Application process
A) Join Facebook Group
B) Complete this Application
2027 Vendor Application
2027 Performer Application
2027 Food Vendor Application
C) All applicants will be contacted via email from castlefaire@gmail.com. Add us as a contact so that our communications do not end up in spam.
D) Upon approval, pay vendor fee to @uhuburg on Venmo.
Email castlefaire@gmail.com with questions.
Where to Stay
Bear Creek Lodge and Cabins
Lovely pet friendly cabins on the river within walking distance to town and Fun Factory shuttle pick-up.
Unicoi State Park and Lodge
Centered around sparkling Lake Unicoi in the Chattahoochee National Forest, Unicoi State Park & Lodge puts you only two miles from Alpine Helen, GA.
Special CastleFaire promo:
Use code CASTLE for 25% off and shuttle service to and from Uhuburg provided by Unicoi!
CastleFaire Gallery Links & Attire Inspiration
Download ~ Enjoy ~ Share
We love seeing your content on social and always love a tag!
@uhuburg #uhuburg #castlefaire
Parking, Shuttle & Walking
Parking
CastleFaire will always have off-site parking and shuttles. Check out the details to help you make plans! During festival hours, watch social media stories for day-of updates.
Parking is mostly in off-site lots with shuttle service provided.
Parking fees are $10-$15 and are not included with ticket purchase. Shuttle service to the grounds and between the Meadow Village and Castle Courtyard is included with ticket purchase.
Carpooling is strongly encouraged ~ split that fee and save space!
The parking options for CastleFaire 2027 will likely be like past years:
1. Cool River Tubing's Headwater's Outpost at 112 Poplar Stump Road, Helen, GA
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Park and pay Cool River's parking fee ($10 - prepare for cash only)
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Check in and get your CastleFaire wristband
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Catch a shuttle to Uhuburg: A shuttle will run continuously starting just before festival opening time to and from Uhuburg. Shuttle drop off is at the Meadow Village on Uhuburg's lower level grounds. Go to the white tent to enter the Meadow Village if you have already checked-in and have your wristband, or to register if you need to purchase tickets. Enjoy the Meadow Village performances and vendors, then take a shuttle to the upper level and enjoy the courtyard performers, vendors, and Uhuburg's castle grounds.
2. Fun Factory at 115 Escowee Dr, Helen, GA
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Park and pay Fun Factory's parking fee ($15 - cash or card)
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Receive a $15 voucher for Fun Factory, good through the end of February!
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Check in and get your CastleFaire wristband
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Catch the shuttle to Uhuburg: A shuttle will run continuously starting just before festival opening time to and from Uhuburg. Shuttle drop off is at the Meadow Village on Uhuburg's lower level grounds. Go to the white tent to enter the Meadow Village if you have already checked-in and have your wristband, or to register if you need to purchase tickets. Enjoy the Meadow Village performances and vendors, then take a shuttle to the upper level and enjoy the courtyard performers, vendors, and Uhuburg's castle grounds.
3. Downtown Helen
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Park in one of the various lots in downtown Helen (usually $10) and enjoy the walk through town to Fun Factory at 115 Escowee Dr to check in, get your wristband and catch the shuttle to Uhuburg.
CastleFaire Has Two Locations On Uhuburg Grounds:
Meadow Village and the Castle Courtyard
There are two ways to get from one to the other:
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🚌 Shuttle - two shuttles run continuously from top to bottom and back again
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🥾 Hiking Trail - new this year!
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⅓ mile ~ 170ft elevation ~ 10-20 minutes
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Difficulty level is moderate and that of a hiking trail, not a nature path.
Accessibility
Four accessible parking spots are available on site. Drop off for guests needing accessible, direct entrance at the castle entrance can be arranged (talk to staff in blue capes upon arrival). Please note we still need to arrange for check-in and must coordinate your drop off with shuttle passage. If you are doing a drop-off, we will do our best to park the driver on-site but can not guarantee there will be a spot available. More info here.
Shuttle
Shuttle service is included with ticket purchase and is provided between parking lots and castle grounds and up to the castle entrance.
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Everyone parked in off-site lots will be dropped off at the Meadow Village at the lower level of Uhuburg grounds and go through the same entrance.
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Shuttles will run continuously both to Uhuburg and within Uhuburg's grounds from the Meadow Village to the Castle Courtyard.
Walking From Town
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PLEASE NOTE that traffic is common and ice could be found on the banks of narrow Ridge Road on winter mornings. Walking to Uhuburg from town/Fun Factory is not recommended.
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Uhuburg is less than a mile walk uphill from Fun Factory and 1.2 miles from the center of downtown Helen. Sidewalks are available from town until Escowee Drive - always exercise caution and watch for passing cars and shuttles.
Accessibility
When you arrive, please inform the CastleFaire staff that you require accessible parking accommodations and they will assist you.
Options for parking and entering the castle grounds:
- Accessible parking spots in the lower level parking lot (shuttle service provided)
- Drop-off at the castle entrance coordinated with shuttle
- Two accessible parking spots at the castle entrance
Uhuburg grounds (and CastleFaire) are partially accessible. More stone and brick paths have been added since CF 2025! Most pathways and parts of the upper castle wall are wheelchair accessible, but the grounds are uneven. The Great Hall has an ADA compliant bathroom. The Lookout Tower is accessed only by stairs.
Weapons Policy
Firearms
Concealed and open carry firearms are PROHIBITED on the grounds, except as required by law with regards to law enforcement personnel with properly presented credentials. CastleFaire is hosted on private property.
Costume Weapons
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Only arms relevant to the period portrayed in costume are allowed. Such arms include but are not limited to swords, daggers, axes, bows and arrows, crossbows and replica firearms.
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All costume blades must be properly sheathed and peace tied with red or yellow twine, ribbon or zip ties at all times. Arrows must have tips removed (except padded LARP tips), tied together and tied inside the quiver.
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Crossbows must not be capable of launching any projectiles.
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Only period appropriate replica firearms allowed. Replica firearms must not be capable of launching projectiles and/or making loud or gunfire sounds.
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Foam weapons are okay to wield, but please no fighting (except in our foam sword fight ring!).
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All persons and weapons are subject to search and inspection. Any item found to be potentially harmful or unsafe will be removed and securely stored until departure.
Uhuburg, Eagle Owl Castle
Uhuburg is the Renaissance Eagle Owl Castle in Helen, GA. It is a philosophical, food producing, natural and celebratory place. Outside of CastleFaire, Uhuburg offers day visits with guided tours, unique guest chambers for overnight stay, photoshoots and special event bookings as a venue.
Read more about our mission, the mural project, history, and visit our Gallery
During CastleFaire, the 2 level castle walls, Lookout Tower, and Great Hall will be open for festival participants.
Address: 571 Ridge Rd, Helen, GA
#uhuburg
Frequently Asked Questions
2025 version, updates pending
Why is CastleFaire in January?
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The community businesses that partner with Uhuburg to provide off-site parking, buses and drivers for CastleFaire are not available at other times of the year.
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It's the time of year vendors and entertainers said they have availability.
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We are providing an opportunity for you to wear all that winter garb you have! Kidding aside, thanks for braving the cold with us. We love how many folks have expressed enthusiasm for bringing out the wool, furs and velvet and not sweating so much for once! If winter temps aren't for you, there are many warm weather ren fests to check out - we know winter CastleFaire might not be what everyone wants. Here's a cool list of them: The Renlist.
What parts of Uhuburg are open during CastleFaire?
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During CastleFaire, the upper castle wall promenade with vista towers, lower wall with philosophical murals, Lookout Tower, greenhouse, general grounds, Great Hall and Drawing Room are open for festival participants. The Great Hall will have tables chairs, Visions of the Oasis belly dancing performances all weekend and a fantasy musical performance by ContraForce on Saturday. The Drawing Room will be open with the rescue organization, Georgia Reptiles.
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Guided tours of Uhuburg are not offered during CastleFaire, Overnight guest chambers can be seen here, the Tropical Atrium is part of our Day Visit tours, and other spaces in Uhuburg's four buildings consist of various staff apartments, utility rooms such as the commercial kitchen, workshops and storage (these spaces are not open to the public).
Can I take pictures?
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Absolutely! Please check in before taking photos of others, as they may not want their photo taken or may be part of CastleFaire entertainment and accepting tips. If you put your photos on social media, we love to see them! We'll re-share if we're tagged and also use #uhuburg.
Is it appropriate to tips performers?
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Absolutely! Please tip performers. It is part of how they can continue making magical moments at events like this.
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Busking or solicitation of tips by non-official CastleFaire entertainment, vendors, staff, volutneers, etc is prohibited.
What happens if the weather isn't ideal?
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CastleFaire is not weather dependent and will happen rain, cold, or shine. The Great Hall is heated and will be set up primarily for seating this year. There are some outdoor heaters available to be set up around the grounds. Check the forecast and plan shoes, coats, layers, hand warmers, umbrellas, raincoats, boots, etc, accordingly. Some hand warmers will be available for purchase in the gift shop.
Will the snow be gone?
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Due to temperatures in the forecast, we expect most if not all of the snow and ice to be melted on roads and in the courtyard area/castle grounds. The Meadow Village does has some tree cover and may not be completely clear, but we anticipate it will be mostly melted.
How do I transfer my tickets?
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Tickets can be transferred to other guests and the original ticket holder must have the name changed on the reservation (Contact Us). We are doing our best to keep up with requests while complete festival preparations. As CastleFaire gets nearer, expect longer delays in receiving a response.
Can I bring my dog?
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Pets are not allowed on Uhuburg and CastleFaire grounds.
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Following the guidelines of ADA, service dogs are not pets and are expected to behave accordingly to the duties they are responsible for. Following the guidance of adata.org, "A service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability." "Emotional support animals, comfort animals, and therapy dogs are not service animals under Title II and Title III of the ADA."
We love your love of CastleFaire!
Special Thanks
Lacy Greer - Festival Coordinator
Terry Sims - Off site parking, additional bus drivers and buses
Pierre Maalouf - Off site parking