Step Back in Time at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
The lance shattered about three feet from our table, and I was on my feet cheering before I even realized I'd stood up. My wife was almost yelling louder than me. This was supposed to be a low-key birthday dinner. It did not stay low-key for long.
That's the thing about Medieval Times — you walk in expecting a themed dinner show, and you walk out having genuinely lost yourself in it for two hours.
Located in Buena Park, California, Medieval Times sits conveniently near other popular attractions like Knott's Berry Farm, making it an easy day trip no matter where in Southern California you're coming from, usually about an hour's drive. But the location is really just logistics. What makes the place worth the trip is what happens once you're inside the castle walls.
WALKING INTO THE KINGDOM
The building itself sets the tone before you even get through the doors. It is built with stone walls, colorful banners, towers rising up like it was lifted straight out of a medieval countryside. Inside, it only gets more immersive. The castle theme building is decorated with armor displays and flags. The staff stay in character all night, greeting guests like honored visitors to the kingdom rather than customers walking through a lobby.
We got there early, wandered the gift shop, took the obligatory photos next to the armor, grabbed a drink before heading into the arena. None of it felt like filler. By the time we found our seats, the anticipation had already been building for twenty minutes.
THE KNIGHT UNFOLDS
I'll be honest about one thing. There's no special treatment for turning 31. No spotlight, no birthday crown, no announcement to the crowd unless you arrange it in advance. I half expected to feel a little overlooked because of that.
I didn't. The entire evening became the celebration on its own.
Six knights, six kingdoms, six colors. The second you're assigned one to cheer for, you're locked in. There's no easing into it. You're yelling, clapping, hoping your knight wins, all within the first few minutes.
The jousting is the centerpiece, and it's more dramatic in person than I expected. Two armored knights charging each other on horseback, long wooden lances leveled, and then that shattering impact — loud, sudden, and somehow more visceral than I was prepared for. The sword fights that follow are just as impressive: real choreography, performed on horseback, with shields and games woven throughout.
And the horses deserve their own mention. Watching them execute complicated movements with total precision, despite a crowd of screaming fans all around them, is its own kind of impressive.
I went in thinking I'd enjoy it the way an adult politely enjoys a kids' show. Instead I was cheering as loud as anyone in the arena. That tells you something about how well the whole thing is built.
We were cheering for the Green Kingdom, and they won the tournament! I felt so proud and happy that our kingdom had won—but who would have known that my wife had actually arranged for the winning team when she booked the tickets?
Something good to know if you’re bringing your kids or your husband—because apparently, you can choose who wins when you book your ticket!
DINNER WITH THE SHOW STILL GOING
Here's what I didn't expect: dinner doesn't pause the show. It happens alongside it. Servers bring each course right to your seat while the tournament continues in front of you, and you're encouraged to eat without utensils, the way meals would have been eaten centuries ago. It sounds strange on paper. In practice, it just pulls you further into the experience.
The standard meal includes garlic bread (ask for more if you need to), tomato bisque soup, roasted chicken, sweet buttered corn, herb-basted potatoes, dessert, and your choice of coffee or soft drinks. I had my chicken half gone before my wife would even torn into her bread. That's how good the pacing and the food both were. The chicken was tender, the soup was warm and comforting right as things were ramping up, and the portions left us both full by the end. Vegetarian, vegan, and allergy-friendly options are available if you request them ahead of time.
Nobody's walking in expecting a Michelin-star meal, and that's not the point. The food is better than dinner-theater food has any obligation to be, and because it's timed around the show, you're never rushed through a course while missing the action.
WHO SHOULD GO?
If the story above has you considering a visit, here's what's worth knowing.
Who it's for: This works for nearly everyone — families with kids, couples looking for a date night that isn't dinner-and-a-movie, birthday celebrations, groups of friends, tourists passing through Southern California, horse lovers, medieval history and fantasy fans, or just people who like live entertainment. My wife and I went in as a couple looking for something different, and it delivered — cheering for a knight together, sharing drinks, laughing through the whole thing turned out to be a better date night than another nice restaurant would have been. Parents will find it just as effective: each section of the arena is assigned a knight, giving kids someone to root for immediately, and the live horses and swordplay hold attention in a way screens can't compete with.
Is it worth the price: It's a fair question, since dinner shows aren't cheap. But when you add it up — a full live performance, horseback demonstrations, jousting, sword fighting, a complete dinner, dessert, drinks, and close to two hours of entertainment — it holds up well against paying separately for dinner and a show elsewhere. If you can catch a promotional sale or discount ticket site, the value gets even better.
A few tips before you go: Arrive at least 45 minutes early so you have time to explore the castle and grab photos before the show starts. Wear something comfortable, since you'll be seated for about two hours. Bring a camera — there are more photo opportunities than you'd expect. If you're celebrating something specific, check online ahead of time for celebration packages. And if anyone in your group has dietary restrictions, let them know when you book so they can prepare an alternative meal. Most importantly, don't hold back on the cheering. The performers feed off the crowd's energy, and the more into it you get, the better the whole night gets.
WHAT STUCK WITH ME
I walked in thinking this would be a themed dinner with some entertainment on the side. I left impressed — by the performers, by the atmosphere, by how completely the audience becomes part of the show instead of just watching it happen. Somewhere between the first joust and the last course, I stopped thinking about turning 30 altogether. I was just watching my knight try to win.
If you're looking for a night that breaks from the usual routine of restaurants and movie theaters, this is worth trying at least once. I get why people come back year after year — I'm already thinking about when we'll go again.
Let's go!
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