Renaissance Faires Are Crowded: Why We Run Ancestry Events Instead

When 69% of active reenactment events in Catalonia were started between 2000 and 2017, you'd think the future of historical activities is bright (EXARC / Catalonia reenactment study). But look closer: medieval fairs still hog the spotlight, while ancestry events—the quiet cousin—are pulling in longer-staying, higher-spending visitors. As practitioners, we've made the switch. Here's why you should too.

Isn't medieval reenactment the most popular period?

Yes, if you count sheer numbers. In Catalonia, medieval-era events make up 50% of all 115 documented reenactments (EXARC / Catalonia reenactment study). But popularity isn't the same as growth. Between 2009 and 2017, contemporary-era recreations accounted for 43% of new events, while medieval fairs dropped to 36% (EXARC Journal 2019/1). The medieval bubble is deflating. We're not abandoning history—we're following the data.

Don't people come to see battles and jousts?

They do, but they don't stay long. Look at Gettysburg: nearly a million visitors a year come to see the battlefield and its 1,328 monuments (NPS Gettysburg press kit). That's impressive, but it's a destination—people plan a trip around it. Ancestry events, by contrast, hook visitors on a personal quest. VisitScotland found that 70% of long-haul visitors claim Scottish ancestry, and 34% cite it as a motivation to visit (VisitScotland). That's not a one-day spectacle; that's a multi-day journey.

Isn't genealogy just for old people?

That's a myth that needs busting. The genetic genealogy market hit $1.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $1.7 billion by 2030 (ResearchAndMarkets). 23andMe alone has sold over 12 million kits (23andMe). People of all ages are curious about their roots. And it's not just DNA—the 1950 Census, released free online in 2022, drew millions of users on day one (NARA). Genealogy is mainstream, and it's growing.

How do ancestry events compare to reenactment in terms of attendance?

Let's break it down. Reenactment events like the Battle of Evesham can pull 60,000 visitors (British Library oral history), but they're one-off spectacles. Ancestry events, like those promoted by VisitScotland, attract visitors who stay longer and come outside peak season (VisitScotland Ancestral Tourism). In Scotland, ancestral tourists are 34% more likely to cite heritage as a motivator, and they spend big—long-haul visitors spent £3.6 billion (VisitScotland). That's not a one-day ticket; that's a week of tours, record searches, and local spending.

But aren't reenactment events easier to organize?

Actually, they're a logistical nightmare. In Catalonia, 70% of reenactment events are instigated by town councils, with budgets totaling around 3 million euros a year (EXARC Journal 2019/1). You need costumes, props, insurance, and hundreds of volunteers. Ancestry events, on the other hand, can be as simple as a weekend workshop with a genealogist. The USCIS Genealogy Program offers access to 5.5 million Alien Registration Forms (USCIS)—that's a ready-made activity for attendees to dive into. No armor required.

What about the authenticity debate?

Reenactors obsess over authenticity, but visitors often can't tell the difference. Plimoth Patuxet, founded in 1947, has been doing living history for decades (Plimoth Patuxet Museums). But ancestry events tap into a deeper authenticity—your own family story. Italy designated 2024 the Year of Italian Roots, aiming to attract 80 million people of Italian descent (Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs). That's a government-backed endorsement of genealogy over spectacle.

We're not saying ditch the jousts entirely. But if you're planning a historical activity that draws crowds and keeps them engaged, ancestry events are the smart bet. The numbers don't lie: genealogy is a $1.1 billion market (ResearchAndMarkets), and ancestral tourists stay longer and spend more (VisitScotland). Medieval faires are a fun day out, but ancestry events build lasting connections.

The single most important thing to remember: People want to see themselves in history. Genealogy gives them that, and it's why we've switched our focus.

Sources

• EXARC / Catalonia reenactment study - https://dev.exarc.net/issue-2019-1/int/current-trends-annual-historical-re-enactments-events-catalonia
• VisitScotland (ancestry tourism) - https://www.visitscotland.org/
• ResearchAndMarkets (Genetic Genealogy Market) - https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/6094888/genetic-genealogy-market-global-strategic
• USCIS Genealogy Program - https://www.uscis.gov/genealogy
• Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Year of Italian Roots) - https://www.italianroots.info/