"LARP event", "LARP festival", "LARP camp": the words are used loosely, and organizers do not always mean the same thing. What matters for you is the format behind the name: how long it lasts, where you sleep, how big it is and how much of it is actual game.
This guide explains the main formats, compares them side by side and helps you choose the right one for your first or next adventure.
Day Games
A day game runs for a few hours, usually on a weekend afternoon in a forest, park or rented site. There is no overnight stay and the rules are often simple.
- Good for: trying LARP for the first time, testing a character or new kit
- What you need: simple costume, good shoes, water, sometimes a LARP-safe weapon
- Typical size: a few dozen players
Weekend Events
The classic LARP format: you arrive on Friday evening and play until Sunday. Many weekend events belong to a long campaign in which characters develop from event to event. You sleep in tents, cabins or buildings on site, and some events include in-character meals.
- Good for: deeper story, regular play with the same group
- What you need: full costume, sleeping gear, food unless catering is included
- Typical size: dozens to a few hundred players
Festival LARPs and Tent Cities
The largest LARPs run for five days or more on huge sites. Players camp together by faction, building whole villages of period tents, taverns and fortifications. There are markets, workshops, quests in every corner and battles with hundreds or thousands of fighters. ConQuest of Mythodea, for example, describes itself as a five-day self-catering tent event, and DrachenFest groups its players in camps that compete through the week.
- Good for: epic scale, battles, meeting players from many countries
- What you need: camping equipment, full kit, a plan for food, water and weather
- Typical size: thousands of participants
Joining a camp or group in advance makes a big event much easier: they help with tents, food and finding your place in the game.
Festivals With LARP Elements
Some medieval and fantasy festivals are not LARPs themselves but include a LARP or quest program next to concerts, markets and shows. Hellpeak in Germany, for example, sells combined tickets that add the LARP and quest program to festival access. This format suits players who want a taste of LARP without committing to a full game.
Balls and Ambience Events
Not every LARP is about camping and combat. Balls and ambience events take place in castles, halls or manor houses, with formal costumes, dancing, music, politics and intrigue. Armor is rarely worn, but costume quality and etiquette matter a lot.
LARP Camps for Children and Youth
A LARP camp, in the narrow sense, is usually a supervised holiday program for children or teenagers, often run by youth organizations or schools. Participants learn teamwork, storytelling and safe play in a fantasy setting. These camps are educational first and are run by trained staff, with very different rules from adult events.
Comparison at a Glance
| Format | Duration | Sleeping | Size | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day game | A few hours | At home | Small | First try |
| Weekend event | 2 to 3 days | Tent, cabin or building | Small to medium | Story and campaigns |
| Festival LARP | 4 to 7 days | Tent city | Thousands | Scale and battles |
| Festival with LARP program | 1 to 4 days | Festival camping | Large | A taste of LARP |
| Ball or ambience event | 1 to 4 days | Hotel or venue | Small to medium | Atmosphere and intrigue |
| Youth camp | Several days | Camp site | Small groups | Children and teenagers |
How to Choose the Right Format
- Your time: one afternoon, a weekend or a whole week?
- Your budget: big festivals mean ticket, travel, camping gear and food for several days.
- Your comfort: are you happy to sleep in a tent in rain or heat?
- Your interests: battles, story, politics, crafting or atmosphere?
- Your company: going alone, with friends, or with an established group?
- Language: many large events welcome international players, but check which language is used in play.
Gear for Each Format
For a day game, simple clothing and good boots are enough. For a weekend or festival, you will live in your kit, so comfort becomes as important as looks. Polyurethane armor reinforced with fiberglass is much lighter than steel and does not rust in wet weather, which helps on long, hot or rainy days. Start with a helmet or breastplate, or see complete LARP armor sets.
Going to a festival as a group? Our group orders start from 5 players with a 15% discount, so your whole camp can share one look.
Find Your Next Event
Browse upcoming dates in the LARP calendar, read our beginner's guide and explore regional overviews such as LARP Events in Germany and Best LARP Events in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Difference Between a LARP Event and a LARP Festival?
Which LARP Format Is Best for Beginners?
Do I Have to Camp at a LARP?
What Is a LARP Camp?
Event information is provided for orientation only. LARPSHOPKEEPER is not affiliated with the organizers. Please check dates and details on the official event websites.