Big Bear City Renaissance Faire, Fawnskin

For five weekends, a six-acre site near Big Bear Lake is transported hundreds of years into the past. The Big Bear City Renaissance Faire presents a new theme each weekend, with music, food, drinks, and comedy. There's also plenty of fun entertainment, including arts and crafts, games, archery, belly dancing, parades, and a birds of prey exhibit.

• July 14 and 15: Opening Weekend: Armor-clad knights joust atop steeds to fight for the queen's approval. Artisans and craftsmen sell their goods while jugglers and magicians provide entertainment.
• July 21 and 22: Fantasy Weekend: Colorfully costumed attendees and vendors from "outside the realm" come together to celebrate all things fantasy and whimsical.
• July 28 and 29: Pirates Take Over: Pirates invade the Faire to teach landlubbers a thing or two about scallywaggin'.
• August 4 and 5: Steampunk Weekend: Victorians from the past and future alike arrive with goggles, impeccably tailored outfits, and all manner of steam-powered gadgets.
• August 11 and 12: Royal Weekend: The Queen makes her way through the Faire and invites commoners to try chocolatada, a Spanish drink.