Medieval Reenactment Isn't Dead—It's Just Not the Whole Story Anymore

Here's a number that should stop you in your tracks: 50%. That's the share of historical reenactment events in Catalonia that are set in the medieval era, according to a 2019 study in the EXARC Journal. For decades, we've been told that medieval times are the gold standard for living history—the jousting, the feasting, the mud. And sure, that's true—if you're stuck in the past. Because while medieval fairs are still the biggest slice of the pie, they're not the fastest-growing one. In fact, contemporary-era recreations—think World War II, the 1950s, even the 1990s—now account for 43% of events initiated in Catalonia in the last ten years, compared to just 36% for medieval ones (EXARC Journal 2019/1). That's right: the new kids on the block are beating the old guard at their own game.

I've been covering reenactment for years, and I'm here to bust the myth that medieval is the only 'real' historical reenactment. It's not. It's just the most photogenic. But if you're a history buff, a reenactor, or a festival organizer, you need to know where the momentum is. Because clinging to the Middle Ages is like insisting on VHS when everyone else has moved to streaming. So let's answer the questions people actually ask about medieval reenactment—and why you might want to diversify.

Is medieval reenactment actually growing?

Short answer: not as fast as you'd think. The Catalonia study documented 115 active annual reenactment events by 2017, up from 62 in 2008—so overall, the hobby is booming. But dig into the numbers: 69% of active events were initiated between 2000 and 2017, and 38% of those were created between 2007 and 2017 (EXARC Journal 2019/1). That's a lot of new events. But here's the kicker: medieval fairs and markets made up only 36% of events started between 2009 and 2017, while contemporary-era recreations hit 43% in the same period (EXARC Journal 2019/1). So yes, medieval is still the top overall category, but the growth is elsewhere. If you're looking to start a new event, the data says: think beyond the castle.

But aren't medieval events more popular with the public?

It's easy to assume that because medieval events are the most numerous, they must be the most attended. But that's not necessarily true. The Battle of Evesham Medieval Festival in the UK drew an estimated 60,000 visitors with over 1,000 reenactors from across Europe (British Library oral history). That's impressive. But it's just one event. And attendance numbers for medieval vs. contemporary are hard to compare because the Catalonia study didn't break down attendance by era. What we do know is that contemporary events are popping up at a faster rate, which suggests they're filling a demand. People want to see history they can almost touch—the 1940s housewife, the Cold War barracks, the '80s punk scene. That's not to say medieval is passé, but it's not the only game in town.

What about the 'authenticity' problem?

Here's the myth I really want to bust: that medieval reenactment is somehow more 'authentic' than other eras. Baloney. The Catalonia study found that activities linked to experimental archaeology—the actual testing of historical techniques—are virtually non-existent in reenactment events, under 5% of proposals (EXARC Journal 2019/1). So even in the most 'authentic' medieval fairs, you're not seeing genuine medieval life. You're seeing a curated version, just like any other era. And when you think about it, a 21st-century person in a woolen tunic is no more 'authentic' than a 21st-century person in a 1940s suit. Both are dressing up. The goal is education and entertainment, not carbon-dating.

Who actually organizes these medieval events?

This is where it gets interesting. In Catalonia, 70% of annual reenactment events were instigated directly by town councils, who are also the main funders (EXARC Journal 2019/1). Only 18% were coordinated by local cultural associations, and a mere 6% are organized mainly by a local museum. So if you're hoping to see rigorous historical interpretation, you might be disappointed. It's often a local government trying to boost tourism, not a historian trying to recreate the past. That's not necessarily bad—it's just important to know what you're getting. And it explains why medieval events are so popular: they're easy to market, they're family-friendly, and they don't require as much political sensitivity as, say, a Civil War reenactment in the South.

Is there a place for medieval in a modern reenactment scene?

Absolutely. I'm not saying we should ditch medieval entirely. It's the gateway drug for many people into living history. But it should be one tool in the toolbox, not the whole box. Consider the Highland Games in Scotland: they're a medieval tradition that's still going strong, with over 50 member events staging more than 1,000 competitions each year, attracting around 500 athletes and over 300,000 spectators (RSHGA). That's a medieval-adjacent event that has evolved and thrived. The key is adaptation. The medieval era isn't going away—it's just no longer the automatic default. If you're a reenactor, try a new era. If you're an organizer, consider mixing it up. You might be surprised.

What does the future hold for medieval reenactment?

The trend is clear: contemporary reenactment is on the rise, and medieval is, if not declining, then plateauing. The Catalonia study shows that the share of municipalities holding at least one annual reenactment event grew from 7% in 2008 to 11% by 2017 (EXARC Journal 2019/1). So more towns are getting involved, but they're not all choosing medieval. If you're a history buff, this is great news—it means more variety, more stories, more perspectives. If you're a medieval purist, you might feel threatened. But I say: embrace the change. The past is a big place, and there's room for everyone.

Source: EXARC Journal 2019/1 (Catalonia study)

• Medieval events are still the most numerous, but they're starting to lose ground to contemporary ones.
• Authenticity is a myth—few events use experimental archaeology.
• Local councils are the driving force behind most events, not history experts.

Bottom line

If you're passionate about living history, don't put all your eggs in the medieval basket. The data says that contemporary reenactment is where the growth is, and that's where you'll find fresh audiences and new challenges. Medieval is a fine place to start, but it's not the only destination. So go ahead, try a 1940s weekend or a Cold War reenactment. You might just find that history is more exciting when it's not all about knights and castles.

Sources

• EXARC / Catalonia reenactment study - https://dev.exarc.net/issue-2019-1/int/current-trends-annual-historical-re-enactments-events-catalonia
• EXARC Journal 2019/1 (Catalonia study PDF) - https://www.exarc.net/sites/default/files/2026-02/Current%20Trends%20in%20Annual%20Historical%20Re-Enactments%20Events%20in%20Catalonia.%20Uses%20of%20Cultural%20Heritage%20_%20The%20EXARC%20Journal.pdf
• British Library oral history - https://www.bl.uk/stories/blogs/posts/re-enactments-authentic-history-or-just-dressing-up
• RSHGA (About) - https://www.rshga.org/about