10 Of The Biggest LARP Events Around The World & 10 Ways To Get Ready
A Medieval Fantasy Dream
For those that don’t know, LARPing stands for live action role play. While it certainly has nerdy connotations, these events are like Renaissance fairs taken up a level. People are expected to dress and act the part, and the events usually include guilds, war campaigns, and good old-fashioned tavern partying. It’s a great way to act out your MMORPG and fantasy movie dreams.
1. Empire
Empire is considered one of the most ambitious and expansive LARP events around. It’s hosted in Buckinghamshire, England, and has event dates for every season of the year. That means there are summer, spring, winter, and autumn equinox events to attend, and it’s all set up at the Dadford Road campsite. With everything from political intrigue and deep-set character arcs, this campaign attracts thousands to each event.
2. Bicolline
Despite being in Quebec in Canada, you won’t have to speak French to attend Bicolline. It is impressively North America’s biggest LARP event and features a grand battle week that draws thousands. They take roleplay very seriously, meaning you’ll have to dress and act the part and forego devices and modern-day conveniences to really live it up medieval style.
Bicolline.org; Trollball.org on Wikimedia
3. Drachenfest
Germany is also pretty well-known when it comes to LARP events, with one of the largest battles taking place in Central Germany.
You’ll find yourself transported to a tent city if you end up visiting between July and August. The LARP mainly focuses on player factions and uses draconic themes to ground the politics.
4. Knutepunkt
If you’d prefer visiting a LARP event in the Nordics, then you’re in luck. This LARP conference switches up the location, ranging from Norway to Sweden to Denmark. It’s not a traditional event but instead acts like a convention with workshops and player-hosted talks.
5. College of Wizardry
It isn’t all dungeons and dragons and medieval when it comes to LARPing. In fact, in Poland, they’ve set up a Harry Potter-inspired LARP that includes attending a wizarding school and befriending fellow students. It’s all hosted in the stunning Czocha Castle as well.
6. Menhirs Fate
Another LARP event worth attending in the United Kingdom, especially if you prefer a smaller, intimate setting, is Menhir’s Fate. This event is hosted during select dates from April to September at Bygrave Woods in Hertfordshire. It focuses more so on magic, music, and rituals, offering a nice, relaxing, and mystical experience.
7. Pennsic War
Another fun LARP event that takes place in North America is Pennsic War. It’s east of the Rocky Mountains and has been known to have tens of thousands of people attend in recent years. You might want to make some friends on Discord before attending, as going solo can be quite overwhelming at first.
8. ConQuest of Mythodea
This is another German LARP event and is often seen as a rival of Drachenfest. Despite which one you prefer, they both have a lot to offer. Mythodea also sees 10,000 participants regularly and focuses on offering exciting roleplay.
Frank fotografiert on Wikimedia
9. Dystopia Rising
In the U.S., players have put another spin on LARPing, focusing instead on a post-apocalyptic horror environment. America loves its dystopias after all, and this one is impressively large and well-organized. They also have multiple plotlines going on, impacting various states.
10. Chimera
For fans of Lord of the Rings, nothing quite beats a LARP event in Auckland, New Zealand. Chimera is the country’s biggest LARP event, and gets a lot done in as little as a single weekend. Instead of one big campaign, it focuses on a short-format game system, meaning you’ll get a good sample of what LARPing has to offer.
Now that we talked about LARP events worth going to, here are 10 ways to prepare yourself.
1. Understand Decorum
In LARP communities, decorum refers to how authentic the game and system are to actual medieval and fantasy eras. For instance, high decorum might mean you cannot wear regular clothes, which include jeans and sneakers, and anything that wouldn’t fit in those times. You’ll also have to pick a tent that fits decorum, as certain materials won’t work in a medieval setting.
2. Book Early
Most LARP events have their dates fixed, and people often rush to snag the best locations and tents.
Booking early not only ensures you’re saving money on your flight and transportation but will give you a chance to get in on those nicer tents. Plus, there may be early bird discounts.
3. Join the Discords
For most LARP communities, Discord is the ideal way to communicate. It’s essentially an online forum and chat room where you can get all your questions answered and talk to like-minded people. This may help you set up a guild or a character arc with other players before you even arrive.
4. Check Costume Requirements
Before you start buying or making your costume, be sure that it fits within the event guidelines. Simply looking medieval isn’t enough, as some events might have rules against certain weapon types or accessories. Better to be safe than sorry.
5. Stay in Character
LARPing means you’ll have to make a character and play out the event as them. For some, their character might just be a version of themselves. For others, their character might have an opposite personality. Either way, remember to stay in your role and keep consistent. And no, “regular human visitor attending a LARP” is not a playable character.
6. Be Respectful
Obviously, LARPing relies on multiple players working with one another to tell insightful stories. This means you have to respect what other players want, whether that’s combat, drama, or just some silliness. Also, be sure to keep all event rules in mind.
7. Engage With the Story
You’re not going to get a lot out of a LARP event if you avoid other people and dismiss attempts at roleplay and story. Instead, go along with plot hooks and dive into other people’s character drama. Don’t just shut down scenes saying your character wouldn’t do that, but instead find fun ways to make everyone feel included.
myself (User:Piotrus) on Wikimedia
8. Pack Smart
Packing for a LARP is a bit different than packing for any other trip or a Renaissance fair. You’ll likely be staying overnight in tents or event housing, so you’ll want to make sure you have enough to carry you through the week. But at the same time, there will be rules against what you can and can’t bring into the housing. You might want to consider getting a modern hotel close to the site and commuting over instead.
9. Make Friends
Making friends in character doesn’t mean they can’t be friends in real life. While you can’t exchange socials, you can find them on Discord after the event and maybe plan ways to continue the story next time you attend. Even if that’s not the case, be sure to engage with other people when you’re there.
10. Decompress
After your first LARP event, you should take some time to process the emotions and intensity that come with it.
Reacclimate with technology, attend a debrief session, and keep it going in the Discord. Importantly, you should also give the event managers some feedback so they can do an even better job next time.
