The Battle of the Bards is more than a contest. It is your chance to earn a place among Wyldwood’s esteemed Pipers.

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Prizes

The top three performers will be awarded their very own Talent Pipes, marking them as recognised Pipers of Wyldwood:

• The Golden Pipes – awarded to our Battle of the Bards champion

• The Silver Pipes – awarded to our two runners-up

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Our Golden Piper will also receive:

• A featured spot in next year’s festival programme

• Recognition across our social media and website

• A featured spot in next year’s main stage entertainment schedule

The two Silver Pipers will also receive a Weekend+ ticket for Wyldwood Renaissance Festival 2027, giving them the chance to return to the realm once more.

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​Date & Time

• Saturday, 29th May 2027
  Bards Stage, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  Participants should arrive 20 minutes prior to check in and prepare for their performance.

 

How It Works

Step into the Bards Stage and take your place before our judges and festival audience. Each contestant will have a set amount of time to perform, with performances judged on creativity, originality, stage presence, and audience engagement. Whether your weapon of choice is song, instrument, poetry, storytelling, or another bardic talent, bring your own style and make the stage yours.

This is a friendly competition, but only three will earn their Pipes.

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How to Enter

To enter the Battle of the Bards, you must:

1. Complete the official application form, either online or at the Bards Stage on the day.

2. Hold a valid Wyldwood Renaissance Festival ticket for the day of the competition.

 

*The Battle of the Bards is a talent competition for festival attendees and is not an application to perform as part of Wyldwood’s scheduled entertainment. Professional performers wishing to be considered for the festival programme should apply through our separate Musician or Performer application forms.