Military and 65+ Admission, Plus Other Ways to Save on Your Visit

The short answer

The Yuletide Medieval Festival sells a Military or 65+ Admission ticket for $30, which is $5 less than the $35 Adult Admission for guests 10 and older. You choose it at checkout on the Events page for the day you plan to attend: December 5, 6, 12 or 13, 2026.

The festival does not publish what proof of military service or age is checked, or exactly which military groups qualify. If you are unsure, call (858) 864-0020 or email info@yuletidemedievalfestival.com before you buy.

The discounted ticket is listed alongside Adult Admission for every festival day, so a mixed group can buy both kinds in one order. Each eligible guest needs their own Military or 65+ ticket, and everyone else aged 10 or older needs Adult Admission. Parking and the feast are chosen separately in the same checkout.

What the discount does and does not cover

• Covers: one day of festival admission at $30.
• Does not cover: the St. Nicholas Day Feast, which is sold as General Admission with the Feast ($110) or as feast tickets.
• Does not cover: parking, which is a separate add-on.
• Not published: whether the discount applies to feast tickets or can be combined with anything else. Call to ask.

Sample costs with the discount

• Two guests aged 65+: $60 admission, plus $10 shuttle and parking.
• A service member and partner: $30 plus $35, so $65 admission, plus parking.
• A veteran grandparent with two grandchildren aged 10 and 13: $30 plus $70, so $100 admission, plus parking.
• With children under 10 in the group: call (858) 864-0020, since under-10 admission is not published.

Other honest ways to keep the day affordable

There are no published promo codes, coupons or group rates for the festival, and you should be wary of any that claim otherwise. The savings below come from the published prices and your own planning.

1. Choose the $10 shuttle and parking

General Shuttle & Parking costs $10: you park off-site and ride a shuttle to the festival. Fairgrounds Premium Parking costs $35 and is limited. Choosing the shuttle saves $25. The shuttle lot location and hours are not published, so call ahead to plan your arrival.

2. Share the drive

Admission is per person, but carpooling cuts fuel costs and the number of parking add-ons your group needs. Check with the festival whether one parking ticket covers a vehicle, since that is not published.

3. Decide on the feast with eyes open

The St. Nicholas Day Feast is a five-course seated meal, and General Admission with the Feast is $110. If your budget is tight, you can skip it and eat from the festival food vendors, which sell turkey legs, meat pies and vegetarian options. If you do want the feast, the combined ticket is the published way to get festival entry and a feast seat together.

4. Set a cash budget for the marketplace

The artisan marketplace offers “shops from weapons to whimsy,” and it is easy to spend more than you planned. Bring a set amount of cash, which also helps because vendors may not take cards if festival Wi-Fi goes down. ATMs are on site, but they are easiest to resist if you have already decided your budget.

5. Make the most of one day

Admission is per day, so choose a day that gives you the time you want. Saturdays run 10 am to 8 pm and Sundays 10 am to 6 pm. Arriving near opening lets you see the jousting, the daily battle pageant, the King’s Procession and the guild encampments without feeling rushed.

Keep in mind a few costs to avoid: outside alcohol is not allowed, and the festival does not publish its policy on outside food, so call before planning a picnic.

What your admission day includes to see

A $30 or $35 admission ticket gets you onto the grounds for the day you chose. The festival is set in England in 1420, near the end of Henry V’s reign, with knights in tournament, a daily battle pageant by the guilds reenacting the Battle of Meaux, the King’s Procession, and minstrels, jesters, musicians and storytellers.

Reenactor guilds run encampments with historical demonstrations, and members answer questions, which makes the day rewarding for history fans without spending anything extra. St. Nicholas, Father Christmas and Krampus also appear.

A budget-minded checklist

• Buy Military or 65+ Admission for each eligible guest, and ask about proof of eligibility by phone if unsure.
• Add General Shuttle & Parking ($10) rather than premium parking ($35).
• Decide on the feast before you buy, since seats are limited to 100 per day.
• Bring a set amount of cash for food and shopping.
• Print or screenshot your confirmation; there is no cell coverage at the park.
• Pack layers and rain gear: the festival runs rain or shine.

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