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Finding My Knight in Shining Armour at Abbey Medieval Festival
It’s time to turn back the clock and start a quest to find my knight in shining armour, proving once and for all that chivalry is not dead!
In the middle of the clash of swords and the melodies of ancient tunes, let’s discover a world where honour, bravery, and romance reign supreme.
Join us on this magical journey to relive the glory days of yore and who knows, you might even find your very own hero during this historical celebration.
Abbey Medieval Festival: An Overview
Established in 1989, The Abbey Medieval Festival is an annual event that takes you back to medieval times. This event is all about experiencing the excitement of knights sparring and fighting with swords.
During the Abbey Medieval Festival, you and your family can also enjoy medieval food and drinks, and shop for cool stuff at the market. There are shows where you can see what life was like back then, and you can watch live battles too!
This festival has lots of fun things to do for everyone. Your kids can join in activities, there’s music to enjoy, and you’ll see performers wandering around entertaining people.
One special day during the festival is the Family Fun Day. It’s made for families and people who might find big crowds overwhelming. There won’t be loud noises like cannon blasts, and there’ll be extra activities for families to enjoy together.
How to Get to the Abbey Medieval Festival
Getting to the Abbey Medieval Festival is easy, but it’s important to plan ahead because this event is quite popular for both locals and tourists!
The festival takes place over two days at Abbey Museum of Art and Archaelogy, on the grounds of Abbeystowe. It’s not far from Bribie Island and the Sandstone Point Hotel, which will just take you about a 20-minute drive.
If you’re coming from Brisbane, it’ll take you around 45 minutes by car. However, keep in mind that traffic might make the journey a bit longer.
If you prefer not to drive, you can catch a train to Caboolture and then hop on one of the free event shuttle buses. These buses run every 30 minutes from 7:45 in the morning, with the last one leaves the festival at 5:45 in the afternoon.
This way, you can relax and let someone else do the driving while you enjoy the ride.
Luckily, starting last year’s celebration, the Abbey Medieval Festival has teamed up with various bus services in Brisbane to offer local pickups, providing even more convenient transportation options for attendees.
Essential Things to Know
Here are some important things to know about the Abbey Medieval Festival.
- Location: The festival is held at the Abbeystowe grounds at Abbey Museum of Art and Archaelogy. This venue is close to Bribie Island and the Sandstone Point Hotel, approximately a 20-minute drive from these locations.
- Dates and Duration: The festival takes place over two days due to a long line up of events. You may check the announcement for the exact dates here.
- Tickets: Ticket prices vary every year so it’s best to check the different passes and inclusions here.
- Costume: You can expect to attend a large dress up party when you’re going to the Abbey Medieval Festival. Here, you get to wear 15th century attire, showcasing the medieval and renaissance era.
If you’re making your own costume, consider checking Abbey Medieval Festival’s suggestions here.
However, it’s not a prerequisite to dress up when attending the festival—you’ll surely not be the odd one out! Just dress comfortably to enjoy the festivities.
- Activities: During the festival, you can experience the excitement of medieval sparring, sword fighting, along with combat demonstrations.
You can also go around to enjoy the lively marketplace filled with food, drinks, and trinkets!
Make sure to not miss out on the daily camping demonstrations showcasing 1,000 yeats of history, along with live battles, presentations, and entertainment.
- Highlights: Look out for favourites like the Moreton Bay Medieval Joust Championship, Knight Combat, Turkish Oil Wrestling, and Birds of Prey.
- Inclusivity: A new feature from the 2023 festival, The Family Fun Day aims to provide an inclusive experience for all attendees through their sensory-friendly activity.
This is designed for families and individuals who prefer a quieter experience, featuring reduced crowds and noise, along with enhanced family activities.
- Accessibility: The Abbey Medieval Festival prioritises accessibility for all attendees, offering various resources and accommodations to ensure an inclusive experience.
Their accessibility map simplifies navigation by identifying key areas like toilet facilities and quiet spaces, while the Sensory Quiet Space Tent provides a retreat for those needing a break from sensory stimulation.
You can download additional resources such as the map and parking for people with disabilities here.
Abbey Medieval Festival: Tips and Reminders
Here are some handy tips and reminders to make the most of your experience at the Abbey Medieval Festival:
- Check the Schedule: Before heading to the festival, take a look at the schedule of events. Highlight any must-see performances, demonstrations, or activities you don’t want to miss.
- Dress the Part: Get into the spirit of the festival by dressing up in medieval-inspired attire. Whether you opt for a full costume or just some themed accessories, it adds to the fun atmosphere.
- Prep your Sun Essentials: Queensland can get quite hot, especially in July. Bring along plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout the day, and don’t forget sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself from the sun.
- Comfortable Footwear: With lots to see and do, you’ll likely be doing quite a bit of walking. Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes to keep your feet happy as you explore the festival grounds.
- Bring Cash: While some vendors may accept card payments, it’s always a good idea to have some cash on hand for purchases at food stalls, market vendors, and other attractions.
- Arrive Early: Beat the crowds by arriving early, especially if there are specific shows or activities you wouldn’t want to miss. This also gives you more time to explore the festival at your own pace.
- Plan for Parking: If you’re driving to the festival, consider carpooling with friends to share parking costs and reduce congestion. Remember, there’s a huge crowd so just be prepared for potential delays when leaving at the end of the day.
- Download the Festival Map: Familiarise yourself with the layout of the festival grounds by downloading a map in advance. This can help you navigate between attractions and locate amenities like restrooms and first aid stations.
What to See and Do in Abbey Medieval Festival
Abbey Medieval Festival Reenactments
Get ready to see history come alive right before your eyes. As you walk through the festival grounds, you’ll be surrounded by swords, armour being crafted, and knights on horseback sparring for glory!
Here, you can also check out people showing off their medieval costumes, artisans weaving or making pottery, and some grooving to medieval tunes!
These reenactors truly bring the Abbey Medieval Festival to life each year. expect to see more than 30 re-enactment volunteer groups from all over Australia to participate.
The re-enactment groups are divided into four categories – the Dark Age and Early Medieval, High Middle Ages, Late Middle Ages, and Early Renaissance and Multi-Period.
These groups will be showing you the medieval life, arts, and traditions from Europe from 600 to 1600 AD! Additionally, these participants ensure the authenticity and quality of their performances by practising thoroughly.
Medieval Tournament Weekend
The Medieval Tournament Weekend at the Abbey Medieval Festival is packed with exciting activities and experiences for everyone to enjoy. Here’s what you can expect:
- Dancing: Re-enactors will showcase medieval dances from around the world, inviting you to join in the fun or simply enjoy the show.
- Music: Listen to enchanting melodies of medieval music played on traditional instruments like the hurdy-gurdy and bagpipes, with live performances by talented medieval bands adding to the festive ambiance.
- Presentations and Talks: Learn more about the history with informative presentations and talks led by passionate re-enactors eager to share their knowledge and love for the medieval period.
- Animals: Interact with a variety of animals commonly found in the Middle Ages, including horses, donkeys, poultry, and even birds of prey, all adding to the authentic medieval experience.
- Crafts: You can also witness skilled artisans demonstrate medieval crafts such as woodturning, pottery making, illumination, weaving, and more! You can even try your hand at workshops on the spot.
- Games: Join some medieval games like Hnefatafl and Kubb, as well as modern interpretations of traditional favourites, providing entertainment for visitors of all ages.
- Markets: Explore the market stalls offering a diverse range of goods, from handcrafted items and medieval-inspired clothing to delectable treats and savoury dishes for a truly immersive culinary experience.
- Encampments: Check out over 700 medieval re-enactors’ encampments, where you can observe daily activities, engage in conversation, and learn about medieval life firsthand.
- Weapons of War: See some mighty siege weapons like the trebuchet and witness demonstrations of firepower by re-enactment groups, offering a glimpse into the military tactics of the Middle Ages.
- Tournament: Don’t miss the thrilling Moreton Bay Medieval Joust Championship and the intense Turkish Oil Wrestling competition, where skilled competitors fight for victory in these time-honoured medieval traditions.
Abbey Medieval Festival Family Fun Day
The Festival Family Fun Day at the Abbey Medieval Festival offers a sensory-friendly experience tailored for families and individuals who are looking for a more relaxed atmosphere.
You and your kids will still get to experience crowd favourites such as the Moreton Bay Medieval Joust Championship, Birds of Prey demonstrations, combat showcases, storytelling, workshops, and live performances.
With smaller crowd numbers, allowing for more one-on-one engagement and activity-based fun, families can enjoy a variety of hands-on experiences.
In fact, your kids can try their hand at archery or create their own shields in the Kids Kingdom area.
Encampments will be open to the public, offering activities, demonstrations, and a glimpse into medieval village life.
The Medieval Markets provide a relaxed shopping and dining experience, while high-sensory activities like cannon and weaponry firings have been removed for a more sensory-friendly environment.
Ticket prices include access to morning or afternoon joust tournaments, and kids can even participate in a costume competition for added fun.
Abbey Medieval Festival Banquet
You can also experience the Abbey Medieval Festival Banquet for an unforgettable evening of feasting and entertainment, guided by the Steward of the Hall, Sir Blair Martin.
As doors open at 5:45 in the afternoon, you’re invited to enter the Great Hall and take part in the traditional medieval ritual of ‘washing of the hands’ with scented rosewater, followed by a complimentary glass of mulled wine.
The event begins promptly at 6:15 in the evening with an opening procession.
Seating is arranged in sections of eight, with four guests on each side of the table.
Meanwhile, food is served on communal platters placed in the center of the table, and guests are encouraged to eat using knives, spoons, or their fingers, as was customary in medieval times.
The banquet menu features two substantial courses—referred to as Removes—-each offering a variety of authentic medieval dishes, followed by a final course called an Issue, which includes dessert.
You must remember to specify if you prefer gluten-free or vegetarian options when purchasing your tickets. However, no other dietary accommodations can be made to maintain the authenticity of the experience.
In addition to the feast, the evening includes music, pageantry, and dance, creating a lively and immersive medieval atmosphere. The banquet is a licensed event, with wine, beer, cider, and mead available for purchase to complement the meal.
Abbey Medieval Festival Knighting Ceremony
The Abbey Medieval Festival’s Knighting Ceremony is also known to honour the traditions of medieval knighthood.
For the celebration on July 2024, the ceremony will take place in Abbey Church, illuminated by candlelight and adourned with stunning medieval stained glass windows, authentically recreating a 14th-century knighting ritual.
In medieval times, being knighted was a pinnacle achievement, symbolising the culmination of years of rigorous training from page to squire.
Normally, performers grace the event to make the knighting ceremony even more interesting.
This year, the Companie Draco Routiers will perform the ceremony based on Ramon Llull’s 1275 text, Book of the Order of Chivalry, which was widely used in the 14th century.
The recipient of this year’s honour is Giovanni Carandini, a distinguished member of the Companie Draco Routiers since 2020 and a veteran knight of the Knights Order of the Lion Rampant since 2009.
Giovanni’s dedication to the ideals of chivalry and his mentorship of others in martial and chivalric pursuits has earned him a new accolade.
He will be inducted into the Order of the Wyvern, a knightly order founded by the Companie to promote re-enactment and uphold chivalric values.
Join Companie Draco Routiers at the Abbey Church to witness and celebrate Giovanni Carandini’s recognition by his peers in this moving and majestic ceremony.
Abbey Medieval Festival Stalls
Of course, the Abbey Medieval Festival will also be graced by various stalls, allowing everyone to fully immerse in the medieval experience.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Retail Stalls: You can shop for unique, handmade items like medieval costumes, jewelry, pottery, and home décor.
If your timing is right, you’ll be able to catch artisans demonstrating their crafts right at their stalls, making your shopping experience fun and educational.
- Food and Beverages: You can also try out delicious food and drinks at the festival. Feast on tasty treats like venison pies, German sausages, and paella.
And if you’re in the mood for something sweet, there are toffee apples and fruit tarts too. Don’t forget to try the traditional ales, mead, and cider to stay refreshed throughout the day.
- Sponsors Village: Visit the Sponsors Village to see the businesses and organisations that support the festival. You can learn about these sponsors and enjoy interactive displays and activities they offer.
You may check the complete catalogue here to catch your favourite vendors!
