Considering a road trip up to Scottsdale to visit Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament? You've come to the right place! Below you will find a comprehensive guide with everything you need to know before you go.
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament is a unique dinner and theatrical experience, featuring heroic knights on spirited horses, astounding athletic feats, thrilling swordplay, and a thematic feast (that you eat with your hands!).
In other words, you'll dine on a four-course dinner fit for royalty while being immersed in a heart-pounding show that lasts approximately two hours. You’ll see lance-shattering jousting, clashing swordsmanship, thrilling hand-to-hand combat, displays of extraordinary horsemanship, and falconry as part of an unforgettable experience.
There are ten Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament locations in North America.
The Scottsdale location, which opened in 2019, is centrally located in the Talking Stick Entertainment District. Nestled near Camelback Mountain and Salt River Fields, the Arizona Castle is hard to miss.
Pro tip: There are two entrances to the Castle’s parking lot for easy access in and out.
General Admission
A safe estimate is approximately 2 hours.
Hotels to consider include:
Medieval Times is "based upon authentic Medieval history and is the true story of a noble family with documentation dating back to the 11th Century." Medieval Times originally opened with two dinner/entertainment complexes in Spain and later expanded to the United States in 1983. Medieval Times’ Castles have since entertained more than 72 million guests. The Scottsdale Castle opened in 2019.
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament in Scottsdale typically holds evening shows on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings with matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. See current showtimes and purchase tickets here.
Parking is free and plentiful outside the Medieval Times castle in Scottsdale. The parking lots can also accommodate RVs and buses.
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament is indoors with heating in the winter and air-conditioning in the summer. Dress as casually or as formally as you like. Medieval costumes are also welcome, but weapons (real or fake) are prohibited.
Cash or card to tip your server and to buy souvenirs!
Yes. You can find restrooms inside the castle.
The three main horse breads that can be seen in the show are Andalusian, Quarter Horse, and Friesian.
Medieval Times is the #1 breeder in North America of the Pure Spanish Andalusian Horses. They live the first 3 years of their life in Sanger, TX on the 240-acre Chapel Creek Ranch before being sent to their new home at a castle.
When a horse is ready to retire from performing, they are sent to the Chapel Creek Ranch to live the rest of their days as a time-honored celebrity! Some horses are also donated to therapeutic riding schools.
The horses receive round-the-clock care with frequent veterinary, dental, and farrier visits. They have a healthy diet and nutrients and live in state of the art stables at the castle with tempur-pedic flooring, air conditioning, and a paddock outside for playtime.
The show at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament runs for approximately two hours. During each course of your feast, you will watch as knights joust, horses gallop, and falcons soar. It's a rousing and action-filled performance, featuring live animals and talented performers.
One of the best things about Medieval Times is that you get to eat with your hands! In fact, you will receive no utensils for your meal!
The first course is a warm and creamy tomato bisque soup, served with a hunk of garlic toast. Feel free to dip the toast into your soup or to lift the bowl directly to your lips. Everyone else will be doing the same!
The next course is a bountiful half of a roasted chicken, sweet buttered corn, and herb-basted potato. Again, pick it up and enjoy! (If your fingers get sticky, you can use the provided wipes).
Finally, your sweet tooth will be delighted by a pastry of the castle served with hot coffee.
Your meal also comes with your choice of non-alcoholic beverage (soda or lemonade).
Alcoholic beverages are available to purchase for an additional fee.
Absolutely! Simply notify your server of this request. The vegan meal includes a generous serving of hummus with carrot and celery sticks, a main course featuring three-bean stew with fire-roasted tomato and brown rice, and Italian ice for dessert. The vegetarian option includes all of these vegan dishes, along with a side of warm pita bread.
Yes! Gluten-free meals are also available upon request and include tomato bisque soup, hummus, carrot and celery sticks, and the main course of roasted chicken, sweet buttered corn, and herb-basted potato, as well as Italian ice for dessert.
The whole family will enjoy Medieval Times - from elementary-age kids to teens to grandparents!
Note, however, that there are dark moments, loud noises, and realistic fight scenes, which could be frightening to infants and toddlers. Best for ages 5+.
No. It shouldn't be necessary as the castle is relatively compact and you won't be doing much walking.
Yes. Changing tables are available in all of the restrooms - men, women, and family.
Medieval Times does not currently have a designated area, but a manager would be happy to provide a private space upon request.
Yes! Educational matinees are developed for K-12 students and include a full meal with options for those with dietary restrictions. These discounted field trip shows ($30.95 per person plus tax and gratuity) are closed to the general public and offer a safe environment for students to discover the Middle Ages. You can even download a corresponding lesson plan.
Absolutely! There are a number of birthday party packages to choose from - for both children and adults. Note also that Medieval Times offers incentives for groups of 15 or more for any celebration!
Yes! You can follow Medieval Times on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
