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The Darkmoon Faire is WoW’s monthly traveling carnival, and it opens for one week roughly every four weeks — check your in-game calendar to confirm the exact dates, since they shift slightly month to month. Where it actually takes you depends heavily on your version. In Retail, the Faire has had a permanent home on Darkmoon Island since Cataclysm, reached through portals. In Classic, there’s no island at all — the Faire itself sets up on the ground in Elwynn Forest, Mulgore, or (in TBC Classic onward) Terokkar Forest.
What Is the Darkmoon Faire? (Retail vs. Classic)
- Retail: A dedicated Darkmoon Island, accessed through portals in Elwynn Forest (Alliance) and Mulgore (Horde), or by paying a Darkmoon Faire Mystic Mage in your capital city for a quick teleport.
- Classic (Era, Hardcore, Anniversary): No island — the Faire itself alternates monthly between a site south of Goldshire in Elwynn Forest and a site southwest of Thunder Bluff in Mulgore. No Mystic Mage teleport service exists here; you travel there directly.
- TBC Classic and later Classic versions: Same ground-based setup, but a third rotating site was added in Terokkar Forest, just south of Shattrath City.
How to Get to Darkmoon Faire from Stormwind (Alliance)
Retail
- Find the Darkmoon Faire Mystic Mage near the Auction House in Stormwind and pay a small copper fee for an instant portal to the staging grounds.
- Alternatively, travel to Elwynn Forest yourself, just south of Goldshire, and step through the Portal to the Darkmoon Faire on the ground.
- Either route drops you at the Darkmoon Faire Staging Grounds, where a second portal takes you the rest of the way to Darkmoon Island. Look for Gelvas Grimegate once you arrive to start turning in tickets.
Classic
- When the Faire is set up in Elwynn Forest, travel south from Goldshire to reach the grounds directly — no portal or staging area involved.
- When the Faire is in Mulgore that month, you’ll need to make the trip across the continent: take the boat from Booty Bay to Ratchet, then head west across the Barrens into Mulgore.
- In TBC Classic, if the Faire has rotated to Terokkar Forest, head south from Shattrath City to reach it.
How to Get to Darkmoon Faire from Orgrimmar (Horde)
Retail
- Find the Darkmoon Faire Mystic Mage on the upper level of Orgrimmar, near the flight master, and pay the small teleport fee.
- Alternatively, travel to Mulgore yourself, southwest of Thunder Bluff, and use the Portal to the Darkmoon Faire on the ground there.
- Either route lands you at the staging grounds, with a second portal onward to Darkmoon Island.
Classic
- When the Faire is in Mulgore, travel southwest of Thunder Bluff to reach it directly.
- When it’s set up in Elwynn Forest instead, take the zeppelin to Grom’Gol Base Camp, then head north through Stranglethorn Vale and Duskwood.
- In TBC Classic, if the Faire is in Terokkar Forest, you can reach Shattrath via a mage portal or the usual Outland flight paths, then head south into Terokkar.
Quick Reference: Routes to Darkmoon Faire
| Version | Location | Access Method |
|---|---|---|
| Retail | Darkmoon Island | Mystic Mage teleport or ground portal in Elwynn Forest/Mulgore |
| Classic (Era/Hardcore) | Elwynn Forest or Mulgore | Direct travel — no portal or island |
| TBC Classic+ | Elwynn Forest, Mulgore, or Terokkar Forest | Direct travel — no portal or island |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does the Darkmoon Faire open?
It opens for one week roughly every four weeks. Exact dates shift slightly month to month, so it’s worth checking your in-game calendar rather than assuming a fixed weekday.
Is there a Darkmoon Island in Classic?
No. Darkmoon Island was added in Cataclysm and only exists in Retail and Classic versions from Cataclysm Classic onward. In Classic Era, Hardcore, and TBC Classic, the Faire itself is set up on the ground.
Why does the Faire location keep changing in Classic?
The Faire alternates monthly between Elwynn Forest and Mulgore in Classic Era and Hardcore. Once TBC Classic content is active, Terokkar Forest joins the rotation as a third possible site.
Do I need to pay the Mystic Mage, or can I walk to the portal for free?
The Mystic Mage teleport is optional and just saves travel time for a small copper fee. You can always walk or fly to the ground portal in Elwynn Forest or Mulgore instead, at no cost.
Is there a level requirement to visit the Darkmoon Faire?
No. There’s no level restriction to attend, though you can only travel there while the Faire is actually open for that week.
