Frequently Asked Questions

Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026. Saturday 10:00–22:00, Sunday 10:00–19:00.

Castle Gardens Arcen, Lingsforterweg 26, 5944 BE Arcen, Netherlands.

Yes. For 2026 re-entry is unlimited — leave and return as many times as you like, via the official exit points.

Children aged 0 to 2 enter free. Little Elf tickets cover ages 3–11.

Yes, on a leash. Horses, birds and ferrets (leashed) are welcome too. Reptiles, lizards, rabbits and other exotic pets are not. Dogs are not allowed inside Castle Arcen itself.

No. Since November 2025 no metal weapons of any kind are permitted, even decorative, completely blunt, or fixed to your costume. Only soft non-metal props are allowed.

Generally not. Permitted: one sealed plastic water bottle up to 500 ml, baby food, and food or drink for medical or dietary needs (medical proof may be requested). Glass is prohibited everywhere.

Castle Gardens Arcen is smoke-free. Smoking and vaping are only allowed in the designated smoking areas, marked on the map. Cannabis is prohibited everywhere.

No. Drones are prohibited for everyone, including photographers and media. Flying over events and crowds is forbidden by law.

Largely yes. Wheelchair hire is available at the entrance and there is a lift at Castle Arcen. The rock garden and miniature golf is not wheelchair accessible. Dedicated parking is available with an officially recognised disabled parking permit.

Yes, but only five riders per day can park a horse. A horse parking ticket costs €1 and includes hay and fresh water.

Possibly. Security carries out bag checks at entry, always politely and respectfully.

The Kingdom of Elfia is a magical community festival born in 2001, where imagination knows no borders. It has grown into Europe's most enchanting gathering for those who love to express themselves through cosplay, fantasy, historical, or other creative subcultures. In Elfia, everyone is free to become whoever they dream to be, united by a shared respect for themselves and for others. It's not just a festival, but a living kingdom where fantasy and reality dance together, inviting all to move the magic.

The Kingdom of Elfia festival is more than an event. It's a living portal. Each festival forms one end of a wormhole that connects our world to Planet Eve, a distant utopia in another galaxy. On Eve lies the continent of Elfia, home to humans, dragons, elves, demons, dwarves, and hybrid beings like elmans, draeries, and degons. Its vast history unfolds on http://kingdomofelfia.com/drach-oc, while the living story continues through the manga Drach-oc on http://kingdomofelfia.com/manga

Visitors under the age of 14 will only be granted access if accompanied by a visitor aged 18 or over.

We request that you accept and respect the House Rules and Visiting Conditions of the location. You enter the location at your own risk. Liability for damage you incur during your stay at the location is excluded by the location organisation.

The house rules and conditions for Castle Vorden can be found here: https://kasteelvorden.nl/

The park regulations of Kasteeltuinen Arcen are: https://www.kasteeltuinen.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Parkreglement-Kasteeltuinen-Arcen-2026-1.pdf

Unfortunately, the castles will be closed during Elfia. Both the Castle Arcen during Elfia in September, and the Castle Vorden during Elfia in May.

Everyone visits Elfia as they want. Dressed up or not, it doesn't matter. But it obviously improves the atmosphere when visitors come in costumes.

Only soft, non-metal prop weapons (foam, rubber, or plastic) are allowed. Airsoft, paintball, and sharp or metal weapons are strictly prohibited. Read the full weapon policy here.

Ticket sales for Elfia Arcen in September always start a day after Elfia Vorden. This means ticket sales occur from late May until the event in September. Ticket sales for Elfia Vorden always start a day after Elfia Arcen. This means ticket sales occur from late September until the event in May. To avoid confusion, we never sell tickets for both events simultaneously.

In all cases that you have problems with your tickets that you purchased via YourTicketProvider: https://www.yourticketprovider.nl/support
Did you buy a ticket via Ticketswap? Then you can go here: https://www.ticketswap.com/help

Purchased tickets cannot be taken back, this can be read in our terms and conditions. Even if you cannot come at the last minute due to illness, unfortunately we are not able to cancel your ticket. However, you can insure your ticket when you buy your ticket, which means that refunds are possible in some cases. More about ticket guarantee can be found on our ticket provider's website: https://www.cm.com/ticket-guarantee/. If unfortunately you can't make it, sell your ticket securely via Ticketswap at www.ticketswap.com!

Yes! All visitors must scan the QR code from their ticket email at the entrance to enter the festival. Your QR code is your only access to enter, so please have it ready on your phone or printed.

Yes, it is possible to have the tickets scanned on your smartphone so that a paper version of the tickets is not necessarily necessary. However, make sure your phone is charged before going to the event! Your screen must also be intact and for a fast flow, we ask you to set the brightness of your screen to the maximum

Yes, you can! Elfia tickets are not registered to individual names, which means they can be easily transferred to another person without any issue. The new ticket holder can simply use the same QR code to enter the event, even if the name on the ticket is different. Alternatively, if you prefer to resell your ticket, you may safely do so via our official ticket reselling platform, TicketSwap

If tickets for the correct day are still available, you will need to purchase a new ticket for the correct day first. After that, please email us your ticket numbers and names. We will then refund the incorrectly purchased ticket (excluding service fees). Please note: the refund can only be processed once the correct ticket has been purchased.

If the correct day is sold out and you are no longer able to attend, you may resell your ticket safely through our official resale platform, TicketSwap.

Only prop weapons made of soft, NON-METAL materials such as plastic, rubber, foam, or other flexible materials are allowed. These items must be clearly recognisable as props and must not resemble real or functional weapons.

All props must be completely blunt, with no sharp edges, pointed tips, or hard impact surfaces. Even if the prop weapon is attached to your outfit and cannot be drawn, it must still meet this requirement.

Wooden prop weapons are allowed only if they are lightweight, completely blunt, and generally under about 1 metre in length. Simple wooden staffs within this range are usually acceptable. Larger or heavier items (such as mallets or large hammers), or anything over 1 metre that could cause real impact, may be refused at security's discretion. Attendees may bring such items at their own risk, but approval cannot be guaranteed.

Only 3D-printed props made entirely of plastic, rubber, or other soft materials are allowed. 3D-printed items made of metal or other hard materials are strictly prohibited. Additionally, 3D-printed or replica firearms are not allowed if they resemble real guns in size, shape, or colour, even if non-functional. Under Dutch law, such items are still considered real weapons and cannot be brought into public spaces or events.

No. For safety reasons, metal weapons of any kind are not allowed, even if they are decorative, completely blunt, or attached to your costume and cannot be drawn.

Yes. All props weapons will be inspected by the security team at the entrance. Final approval is always given by the security staff on the day of the festival.

If your item is deemed unsafe to be permitted inside, you will be asked to return it to your vehicle or hand it over to security to collect when you leave the festival.

No. Exceptions are not possible. Real or metal weapons are no longer permitted at Elfia under any circumstances, even if you promise not to use them. The same safety policy applies to ALL visitors, participants, and exhibitors alike to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.

In light of recent developments and changing public safety regulations, Elfia has reviewed its weapon policy in consultation with local authorities and its organising board. As one of the last festivals that still allowed metal prop weapons, we have decided that it is no longer acceptable or responsible to do so. This decision follows new social circumstances and increased awareness of public safety.

Therefore, from now on, NO METAL WEAPONS of any kind are permitted within the festival grounds.

Yes, we have already scheduled several dates. In 2026, Vorden: 8, 9, and 10 May. For Arcen: 19 and 20 September.

For Elfia Arcen 2026, there will not be an ATM on-site.

All Elfia beverage bars operate cashlessly, and most food vendors and caterers also accept cashless payments. However, some merchants may still accept cash, so it's a good idea to bring some with you.

If you need to withdraw cash during your visit, unlimited re-entry is allowed, and there is an ATM approximately 400 metres from the festival entrance in Arcen village. We recommend bringing enough cash or a payment card to ensure you're prepared for all purchases.

At Elfia, the toilets have been free since 2023 and have also become gender-neutral. This means that there is no longer a distinction between ladies' and men's toilets. As a result, the toilets are accessible to everyone. Despite the visitor limit, the total number of toilets has been significantly increased to meet the demand. Our toilets are regularly cleaned by a dedicated team responsible for this task.

Unfortunately, it is not legally permitted to fly a drone above Elfia as a private individual due to the presence of crowds and buildings. For more information, visit Rijksoverheid.nl. Therefore, for safety and security reasons, the use of drones is strictly prohibited at Elfia, whether by photographers, media, or visitors.

Can you breathe fire? Awesome! For the safety of all attendees and the preservation of the site, we kindly ask you not to carry out fire-breathing actions during the event without permission. If you have a special talent for fire breathing and would like to show it off, please contact us by filling out the form on the entertainment page. This way we can discuss the possibilities to integrate your talent in a safe and controlled implementation.

You are not allowed to bring your own food and drinks onto the site. About a few sandwiches, one or two snacks and a bottle of water (500ml), we do not bother. However, large quantities of food will be rejected by Security. There is no intention of bringing whole picnic baskets of course-dinners or second and third breakfasts. (Sorry, hobbits!) You are also not allowed to bring alcohol onto the grounds yourself, but it can be ordered from the various bars. Luckily, there are also a lot of different caterers on site! For vegetarians, vegans or people who want to eat gluten-free: check our catering overview.

Yes! For the 2026 edition, unlimited re-entry is now allowed. You can leave and return to the festival grounds as many times as you like throughout the day. Just make sure to exit via the official exit points. This policy gives you full freedom to explore, take breaks, or meet friends, so you can enjoy Elfia on your own terms!

In general, visitors are not allowed to bring their own food or drinks onto the festival grounds. However, if you have a serious medical condition that requires specific dietary items, you may bring a small amount of food and drinks for personal use. This includes items such as a few sandwiches, snacks, or specific necessities like dextrose tablets, fruit juice, or a can of cola. Please keep it limited to what is necessary to manage your condition, as large bags of meals or beverages are strictly prohibited. Please be aware that to be permitted entry with these items, you must be able to show valid medical proof, such as a doctor's note or report, to the security staff at the entrance. Failure to provide proof may result in your food or drinks not being allowed onto the festival grounds.

Yes. The following age restrictions apply:

• Under 12: Tattoos are not permitted. No exceptions.
• 12–16: Written parental consent is required, and a parent must be present during the procedure. Tattoos on the head, neck, wrists, or hands are not permitted.
• 16–17: A person may consent independently, but tattoos on the head, neck, wrists, or hands are not permitted until the age of 18.
• 18+: No age-related restrictions apply.

Yes, it is certainly possible to store your belongings safely during Elfia. We offer lockers that you can find near the entrance. These lockers come in three different sizes: Dwarf (small), Human (medium) and Giant (large). All lockers are equipped with a handy USB connection, so you can charge your mobile devices, for example.

As the lockers are very popular, we recommend booking a locker in advance. This is because they go fast! You reserve a locker by buying a ticket for it, simply in our ticket shop: https://elfia.com/Ticket.html

Before the event, you will receive a code to open your locker with. Make sure you do not leave items in the locker, because the next day the access code will change and you will no longer be able to access your items left behind.

Yes. There will be a dedicated parking area for visitors with a valid disabled parking permit, located closer to the festival entrance. Please note that the permit must be an officially recognised one, such as the European Disabled Parking Card issued by the Dutch or German government

Buses and campers are generally not permitted in the regular parking area, but exceptions can be made for accessibility vehicles. If your van or bus is required for mobility reasons, you may bring it to the festival grounds. However, please note that parking is only allowed for vehicles up to 5 meters in length.

Not all areas of the festival are accessible for visitors with limited mobility or wheelchair users

Yes, you are very welcome to bring your camera or SLR to Elfia for personal use at Elfia. However, please remember that photography and filming are only allowed for private, non-commercial purposes. Any form of commercial recording and photographing are strictly prohibited under our Terms and Conditions.

No, you do not need a special photographer pass or press card to bring your camera to Elfia. Simply purchasing a regular festival ticket is sufficient to enjoy and photograph the event.

No, we do not provide free tickets to photographers. All visitors, including photographers, are required to purchase a regular festival ticket. Official press coverage and photography are exclusively managed by Elfia's own press team, and we do not issue external press passes.

You may bring semi or professional photography gear such as lenses, tripods, lighting equipment, and power storage. If you need additional power, please bring your own generator or power bank, as no power outlets are provided on-site.

However, please keep in mind that drones are strictly prohibited within the castle grounds for safety and privacy reasons.

Yes. Photography and video recording may take place at Elfia events. By attending, visitors agree that they may appear in photos or videos, which Elfia may use for editorial, informational, archival, and promotional purposes related to Elfia, Kingdom of Elfia, Drach-oc, and related events.

This includes use on websites, social media, newsletters, advertising, ticket campaigns, and other event-related materials without needing individual consent.

However, if images are used for separate commercial products such as merchandise, calendars, or posters sold independently, Elfia will request additional permission when necessary.

Certain pets are allowed at Elfia.

Dogs (on a leash), horses, birds, and ferrets (on a leash) are welcome.

Yes. Reptiles, lizards, and other exotic pets are not permitted.

Yes. Dogs and ferrets must be leashed at all times during the event.

Yes. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets at all times.

Yes, horses are welcome in the Kingdom.

Yes. Horses will have a designated area for care and parking.

Yes. A Horse Parking Ticket can be purchased here: https://elfia.com/Ticket. For Arcen 2026 edition, each day only 5 riders can park their horse.

For the 2026 Arcen edition, parking tickets will be sold separately by the castle. You can purchase them here: Kasteeltuinen Parking Ticket Page. For parking-related questions in this location, please email: info@kasteeltuinen.nl

For other editions, parking tickets can be purchased directly via the official Elfia website ticket page. We strongly recommend booking your parking ticket in advance to ensure smooth access on the day of the event.

Yes. The maximum vehicle length per parking ticket is 5 metres. Exceptions can be granted upon prior approval for special cases. For further information contact elfoffice@elfia.com.

Overnight parking is not permitted on festival grounds.

Campers, large vans, and buses are not permitted in the regular visitor parking area. These vehicles must be parked at designated camper or bus parking facilities elsewhere.

For Vorden: Yes. The official parking areas are within reasonable walking distance of the event entrance. Please note that the route may include grass paths or uneven terrain.

For Arcen: There are two official parking areas:

Near Castle: Located within reasonable walking distance of the castle.

Lomm Parking: Located approximately 3 km from the castle. A free shuttle bus is provided to transport visitors between the parking area and the castle. The shuttle bus from Parking Lomm will depart from the bus stop near the office of the Limburgs Landscape Foundation (Rijksstraatweg 1, Lomm).

We recommend wearing comfortable footwear, as some walking may be required.

At Elfia Arcen 2026, step into a magical ballroom experience where Elfians can dance, celebrate, and immerse themselves in the fantasy atmosphere of the Kingdom, inspired by this year's fairytale theme: Mirror, Mirror on the Ball.

Entry is free, but a ballroom wristband is required. Wristbands become available at 17:00 at the Tourist Information Booth. Guests must register in person, present a valid ID, and be 18 years of age or older.

Only 500 guests can participate. Once all places have been filled, registration will close.

Yes. Elfia Passport holders can collect an exclusive Ballroom Stamp.

An exclusive 18+ fantasy show at Elfia Arcen 2026. Expect an experience that is playful and daring, but never vulgar.

Registration opens at 15:00 at the Tourist Information Booth. Entry is free for Saturday visitors, but only guests aged 18 and above may participate. Registration must be completed in person and a valid ID is required.

Only 500 guests can participate. Once all places have been filled, registration will close.

Yes. Every accepted guest receives a special admission wristband and can collect a unique Elfia Temptation stamp for their Elfia Passport.