A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Medieval/Fantasy Experience Industry

Not all medieval/fantasy events are created equal—and that’s a good thing.

If you’ve ever Googled "medieval battle event" or tried to explain LARP to a friend, you’ve probably seen the confusion firsthand. Some events cost five dollars and take place in a public park. Others charge over a thousand and fly you to a castle in Europe. Some have costumes and stories; others are foam fighting in jeans and a hoodie. And the truth is, they all serve a purpose.

I’ve spent the last decade neck-deep in the medieval fantasy experience world. Starting in the film world, I was asked to costume the first Weekend Warrior Experience as well as play one of the main characters. Since then, we have launched two additional immersive experiences along with five smaller annual events. Along the way, I’ve realized how helpful it is to map out the landscape. Because whether you're new to this or thinking of trying it for the first time, knowing what you're walking into can make all the difference, not just to help you choose the right event, but to avoid expecting one kind of event to operate like another.

So here it is: a practical, behind-the-scenes look at the five main categories of fantasy/medieval events, how they run, what they cost, and who they’re a fit for. I will put a major disclaimer here: I have not participated in all of these categories of events. But working in the industry for a decade and talking with people who attend and run them has given me an idea of the forms in which this community has its adventures. Also, this is often more of a spectrum than a series of clearly defined categories. Obviously, some events will be between two categories. Many of these events are only located in select places or have different practices/expectations in Europe vs. the USA.

Let’s get one final thing out of the way. The term “LARP” or “Live Action Role Play” is a two-edged sword. The great thing about words is that they help us all to agree on the meaning of a thing. The problem is that LARP has a lot of different meanings to different people. To some, it is boffer fighting, to some it is character role play. To some, it is dressing in medieval gear, while for others, it is cinematic historical battles. So, in an effort to avoid a concussion, I have found other words to describe what many would call LARP. My hope is that by using some more specific language, we can clear up some of the confusion and mixed expectations in the community. 

Now, let's dig in.

Category 1—The Backyard Battle

This is where many folks began. A group chat, a handful of foam swords, and a battle in a local park with loose rules and looser insurance policies. Maybe someone brings snacks. Maybe someone will print a character sheet. Maybe you all just start swinging and have a fun adventure for the day.

What You Can Expect:

• Low to no cost (usually $0–$10)
• Casual, improvised gameplay
• No costume standards or formal structure

Pros:

• Accessible to anyone
• Minimal commitment
• Great way to be active with friends

Cons:

• Little immersion or continuity
• No consistency between games
• Often no accountability for rules, behavior, or safety

Labor Model: 100% volunteer, often day-of decision-making

These are the “garage bands” of the LARP world. And like a garage band, sometimes they’re a mess and sometimes they’re magic.

Category 2—The Volunteer-Driven Community Event

This next level often comes with a name, a website, and a local group behind it. These events are typically run by volunteers who organize 1-3 day games for anywhere from 30 to a few hundred players. There’s usually a rulebook, some costume encouragement, and a basic in-game world.

What You Can Expect:

• $50–$300 ticket prices
• Plot-driven events with some lore and structure
• Diverse player base, varying costumes, and prop quality

Pros:

• Affordable with a sense of community
• More structure and storytelling than casual park days
• Opportunities to build long-term characters and friendships

Cons:

• Production value and quality can vary widely
• Heavy reliance on volunteers limits scope and scale
• Gaps in consistency, logistics, and communication

Labor Model: Mostly volunteer-led, with perhaps a small stipend or comped tickets for lead organizers. These events are usually functionally non-profit. Even most of the businesses at this level are only breaking even, if that. 

This tier is what is traditionally considered LARP in the USA and formed the foundation for the industry that has emerged in the last 10 years.

Category 3—The Immersive Experience

This is where things start to feel like a movie, or at least a very committed historical drama. Events in this category are often 3-4 days long, feature high costume standards, deep story arcs, and are run by small teams of paid staff with volunteer support. Attendance is usually capped in the hundreds, allowing for both spectacle and intimacy.

What You Can Expect:

• $300–$600 ticket prices
• Costume requirements, story arcs, and roleplay mechanics
• Property rentals, themed meals, and environment-specific immersion

Pros:

• Rich storytelling and cohesive visuals
• Strong character development and faction identity
• High-quality props, set dressing, and staff investment
• Battles that feel big, but you can still make a difference

Cons:

• Higher cost and more preparation required
• Can be overwhelming for newcomers
• Limited slots may require early booking

Labor Model: Some core staff are paid; supporting roles often receive perks or volunteer stipends. Expenses include property rental, insurance, meals, logistics, and more.

These events strike a balance between large-scale production and meaningful storytelling. You’re not just playing a game, you’re living in another world as another person for a few days.

Category 4—The Festival-Scale Sandbox

Imagine a medieval town springing to life over a long weekend, or even a full week. These massive events gather thousands of players but don’t revolve around a central plot. Instead, the experience is what you make of it. Build your camp, run your own guild, host your own duels.

What You Can Expect:

• $200–$400 ticket prices
• Thousands of attendees, open play style
• No costume standards or centralized storyline

Pros:

• Immense scale and freedom
• Great for social play, crafting, and casual immersion
• Build-your-own narrative possibilities

Cons:

• Visual inconsistency (Romans next to Musketeers)
• No overarching direction or pacing
• Hard to find emotional depth unless you bring it yourself

Labor Model: Event logistics handled by a paid core team; players provide much of the content (camps, quests, events).

These events feel more like a Renaissance faire mixed with a campout. These large events have formed much of the community and crafting culture that other events have benefited from.

Category 5—The Boutique Fantasy Experience

This is the luxury end of the spectrum. Think twenty players in a real castle, or a costumed crew sailing a tall ship. These events are less about combat and more about character immersion, deep narrative, and cinematic moments.

What You Can Expect:

• $800–$2000+ price range
• Highly curated environments, personalized plot lines
• All-inclusive accommodations, food, and costuming support

Pros:

• Intimate, immersive, and unforgettable
• Often includes custom character arcs and staff-led storytelling
• Great for deep roleplayers or once-in-a-lifetime experiences

Cons:

• Expensive and exclusive
• Often limited to specific types of stories or characters

Labor Model: Run by professional staff, often with theater, hospitality, or film backgrounds. High costs cover everything from meals and housing to plot writing and performance.

This is the fine dining of fantasy immersion—and like fine dining, it’s not for every meal.

What Kind of Experience Are You Looking For?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best event for you depends on:

• Your budget
• Your play style (combat, roleplay, sandbox, story-driven)
• Your gear and costume
• Your desire for immersion, spontaneity, or community

Ask yourself:

• Do I want to follow a story or make my own?
• Do I like big battles or tight character moments?
• Do I want to sleep in a modern tent, a medieval tent, or a castle?
• Do I care if other participants are as invested as I am?
• Do I need to be in control of the plot, or am I ok with being swept up in a story?
• Do I want combat that feels immersive or more of an arena mosh pit?

There’s no wrong answer, just the right one for the experience you want.

Which Category Are Fell and Fair Events?

We’ve dabbled in most of these layers. From friends hanging out in a cabin with swords for a weekend, to massive battles with hundreds of players. We’ve written plot lines, built structures, organized logistics, and hauled props in the rain.

But at the end of the day, we wanted to feel like we had stepped into a movie at our events, which led to two priorities: epic immersion and playability. This landed us squarely in Category 3—The Immersive Experience, where battles are epic, costumes matter, and you can lose yourself in a new world. And also, where you get fed good meals, there are bathroom facilities and a knowledgeable staff that can offer guidance and direction.

That’s why we built the events we now run: Weekend Warrior, War of the Barons, and The Hearthlands. They’re designed to give you the kind of experience we always wanted—rich, immersive, beautiful, and unforgettable.

Conclusion: The Story You Want to Tell

At the end of the day, every LARP and every fantasy experience is about the same thing: people stepping into a form of adventure.

Some stories are short and silly. Some are deep and dangerous. Some last a weekend and some a lifetime.

There is no “best” kind of event. But there may be a best for you. For where you are right now, for what you want to feel, for what you want to build.

We hope this guide helps you to better understand the world of medieval and fantasy events and equips you with confidence to try something new, or maybe to commit a little deeper to what you already love.

The truth is, we need all of it. We need the kids in the park and the craftsmen in castles. We need the hobbyists and the high-enders. By building new worlds together, we support and shape the other worlds around us. 

It’s all part of the same great story.

And the next chapter? That’s yours to write.