What Medieval Times Is and How a Night There Unfolds
Medieval Times is a dinner theater chain where you sit in a castle-themed arena, eat a multi-course meal with your hands, and watch costumed performers on horseback act out a medieval tournament with jousting, sword fights, and stunts. There are nine locations across the United States — in California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Texas, and two in the Chicago area — each designed to look like a 11th-century castle from the outside and inside.
The show runs about two hours and fifteen minutes from start to finish. You arrive, check in, and are seated in the arena. A king or queen takes the throne, introduces knights who represent different regions (each with a color and heraldic symbol), and then the tournament begins. The knights compete in games of skill, horseback combat, and choreographed battles while you eat. The show has a loose plot — usually involving honor, rivalry, and a final champion — but the real draw is the live action, the horses, and the spectacle.
You do not order from a menu. Everyone at your table gets the same four-course meal: tomato bisque soup, a salad, a half roasted chicken with a baked potato and vegetables, and a dessert (usually a pastry or cake). Drinks are separate and cost extra. The meal arrives in courses timed to the show, so you eat between tournament rounds.
Key Takeaways
- Medieval Times is a fixed-menu dinner show where you watch knights joust and fight on horseback while eating a four-course meal with your hands in a castle arena.
- Ticket prices vary by location and day of the week, with weekend and holiday shows costing more than weekday matinees, and you can often find discounts through their website or Groupon.
- The show lasts about two hours and fifteen minutes total, and you should arrive 30 to 45 minutes early to park, check in, and be seated before the show starts.
- You eat with your hands — no utensils are provided — and the meal is the same for everyone at your table, so dietary restrictions must be noted when you book.
- The arena can be loud and crowded, the seats are bleacher-style and not padded, and you sit very close to other guests, so it is not ideal if you need quiet or personal space.
Ticket Prices and How to Find Discounts
Ticket prices depend on which location you visit, what day and time you go, and whether you book online or at the door. A typical adult ticket ranges from about $60 to $90 per person, with children's tickets (usually ages 3 to 12) running $10 to $15 less. Matinee shows on weekdays are cheaper than evening shows, and weekend and holiday performances cost the most.
Medieval Times often runs promotions on their official website, and discounted tickets are frequently available through Groupon, which can cut the per-person cost by $15 to $25. Some locations offer special packages that bundle tickets with a souvenir cup or merchandise. Call your local Medieval Times directly or check their website before buying at full price, because deals change by season and location.
Parking is free at all locations. Some venues charge extra for premium seating (closer to the action or with a better sightline), but standard seating is included in the base ticket price.
What the Meal Includes and Dietary Restrictions
The four-course meal is the same for all guests: tomato bisque soup, garden salad with dressing, a half roasted chicken with a baked potato and roasted vegetables, and a dessert. Bread and butter arrive at the table, and water and coffee are included. You eat with your hands — no forks, knives, or spoons are provided, which is part of the medieval theme.
Alcoholic drinks (beer, wine, cocktails) and soft drinks cost extra and are ordered separately. A beer or glass of wine typically runs $8 to $12. Non-alcoholic beverages beyond water and coffee are also charged separately.
If you have a vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or other dietary restriction, you must tell Medieval Times when you book your tickets. They will prepare an alternative meal for those guests — usually a vegetable-based plate or a different protein — but you have to request it in advance. Do not expect to order something different on the day of the show. If you have a severe food allergy, call ahead and speak to a manager about what they can safely prepare.
Seating, Comfort, and What to Wear
You sit on bleacher-style seating arranged in tiers around the arena floor. The seats are not padded, and there is no back support beyond a low rail. You sit very close to other guests — expect to have strangers on both sides of you. The arena is loud (cheering crowds, horse hooves, clanging swords, music), and the lighting is dramatic but can make it hard to see your food clearly.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes you do not mind getting dirty. The arena floor is sawdust and dirt, and dust can settle on your clothes and hair. Some people wear casual clothes they do not care about. Avoid white or light colors if you are concerned about stains. The arena temperature varies — some locations are cool, others warm — so a light jacket or sweater is a good idea.
If you have mobility issues, back pain, or need to sit for long periods without moving, the bleacher seating will be uncomfortable. Ask about accessible seating options when you book; some locations have chairs with backs or wheelchair spaces, but availability is limited and must be requested ahead of time.
How to Book and What to Bring
Book tickets online through the Medieval Times website, through a discount site like Groupon, or by calling the location directly. Online booking is usually faster and lets you choose your show time and date. When you book, you will need to provide the number of adults and children, note any dietary restrictions, and choose a payment method.
Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before your show time. You will check in at the box office, receive a wristband or ticket stub, and be directed to the arena seating. Bring a valid ID if you plan to order alcohol. Cameras and phones are allowed, and many guests take photos and videos during the show, though the lighting and distance make quality photos difficult.
Medieval Times does not allow outside food or drinks. You cannot bring your own meal or beverages into the arena. If you have questions about what is and is not allowed, call ahead.
What Happens During the Show and How It Is Staged
The show opens with a royal court ceremony. A king or queen is introduced, and then four to six knights are presented, each representing a different region or house (identified by a color — red, blue, yellow, green, black, or white). Each knight has a squire and a horse. The announcer narrates the tournament and explains the rules of each competition.
The tournament consists of several rounds: jousting (knights on horseback charging at each other with lances), hand-to-hand sword combat, and choreographed battles with multiple fighters. Between rounds, your meal courses arrive. The show builds to a climax where the champion is crowned, and the royal court celebrates. The entire performance is choreographed and scripted, though the stunts and falls are real.
The horses are real and are part of the show — they are trained for the noise and activity. The sword fights and jousts are staged combat, meaning the outcomes are predetermined, but the physical action is genuine. Performers do fall off horses and get hit with swords (with padding underneath), so there is real risk and real athleticism involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sit with my group, or are we assigned random seats?
You are seated together as a group at a long table shared with other guests. You cannot choose your exact seat, but your party will sit together. If you have a large group (8 or more), call ahead to make sure they can accommodate you at one table.
Is the show appropriate for young children?
The show is designed for families and includes choreographed violence (sword fights, jousting) that is theatrical and not graphic. Children ages 3 and up generally enjoy it. Very young children (under 3) may be frightened by the noise and action. There is no age restriction, so you decide what your child can handle.
How long does the whole experience take from arrival to leaving?
Plan for three to three and a half hours total. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early, the show itself is two hours and fifteen minutes, and you may spend 15 to 20 minutes after the show ends waiting to exit the arena. Parking and walking to the entrance add another 10 to 15 minutes.
What if I do not like the food or have questions about ingredients?
The meal is fixed and not customizable beyond dietary restrictions noted at booking. If you have questions about ingredients or preparation, ask your server when they bring the food. If you are concerned about the meal, eat before you arrive and focus on the show.
Can I bring a baby or very young child?
Infants and toddlers are allowed, but there are no high chairs, changing tables, or quiet areas. The arena is loud and crowded, which can be overwhelming for very young children. If you bring a baby, be prepared to leave if they become distressed, and plan to feed them before the show or bring your own food (though outside food is not technically allowed — ask a manager).