RuneFest

The Old School RuneScape Wiki also has an article on: osrsw:RuneFest

RuneFest is the name of the annual real-world convention for RuneScape and Old School RuneScape players. It usually takes place in the latter half of each year at a location in the UK, and features a variety of different activities for players to participate in, including learning about and experiencing upcoming content.

The event is organised and attended by Jagex, and some panel content is also streamed live on the official RuneScape Twitch channel.

List of RuneFest events

RuneFest	Date of event	Announcement date	Location	Theme
RuneFest 2019	4 October 2019 (Golden Gnome Awards)	24 May 2019	Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, Farnborough	Anachronia (RuneScape) Fossil Island (Old School RuneScape)
	5 October 2019
RuneFest 2018	5 October 2018 (RuneScape Live)	30 April 2018	Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, Farnborough	Rellekka
	6 October 2018
RuneFest 2017	22 September 2017 (The Night Before)	9 May 2017	Battersea Evolution, London	"Back to Our Roots"
	23 September 2017
RuneFest 2016	16 September 2016 (The Night Before)	8 July 2016	Battersea Evolution, London	Eastern Lands
	17 September 2016
RuneFest 2015	2 October 2015 (The Night Before)	16 June 2015	Tobacco Dock, London	Steampunk (Invention) and Vampyre
	3 October 2015
RuneFest 2014	11 October 2014	26 June 2014	Tobacco Dock, London	Prifddinas
RuneFest 2013	2 November 2013	25 June 2013	Tobacco Dock, London	N/A
RuneFest 2011	29 October and 30 October 2011	10 June 2011	Old Billingsgate, London	N/A
RuneFest 2010	28 August 2010	24 April 2010	Vinopolis, London	N/A

Cancelled events

2012

RuneFest 2012 had a poll sent out on the main page regarding possible locations on 25 November 2011. The options were: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and London. A livestream in September 2012 announced RuneFest 2012 as cancelled.

2020

RuneFest 2020 was set to go ahead, however was announced as cancelled by Jagex on 9 April 2020. Jagex were unable to finish locking down plans for the venue due to the COVID-19 pandemic:

“

Finally, this is normally the time we’d be locking down our plans and working with venues in preparation for RuneFest. Given the current situation, we're not able to do that so, regrettably, hosting our favourite event of the year won’t be possible in 2020. Instead, we’re looking at alternative virtual events that will go some way to filling the void until we can begin planning the next RuneFest, which will be the biggest and best we’ve ever done. More details to come.

”

History

The first indication that the concept of a "RuneFest" was under development was on 18 March 2010, when Jagex registered the domain name RuneFest.com.

On 24 March, an interview with Mark Gerhard - the CEO of Jagex at the time - was released on the RuneScape YouTube channel. At two seconds into the video, the words "RuneFest 2010" were visible on a whiteboard behind Mods Paul M and Mark G, leading to speculation that Jagex was planning a RuneScape-related real-world event. A month later, Mark was asked about RuneFest several times in his Friends Chat (called Clan Chat at the time) to which he replied:

“	Aah RuneFest, seems our worst kept secret so far. We are planning a real world event for the players currently code named RuneFest. I cant give too much away otherwise the team will be beat me with my own shoes But I suppose I can say that I'm really excited about meeting the player(s). As are the rest of the Jagex family. Take care and hopefully see you all soon Irl. RuneScape nation was the project name for RuneFest. No RuneFest will go international afterwards, the 1st will be in England. Yeah it will go on tour :) I cant say too much about RuneFest though as the will club be [sic] to death with my own shoes if I do :) There will be official coms on RuneFest to follow shortly I'm sure	”
— Mark Gerhard

On 29 March, Jagex filed trademark applications for "RuneFest", "Jagex Nation", and "RuneScape Nation".

The website for RuneFest 2010 was launched on 24 April. Tickets went on sale on 30 April to those who had pre-registered. On 9 July, Jagex refunded those who had bought tickets and instead decided to cover the costs of the event themselves. RuneFest events have continued to be held every year since 2010, apart from 2012 and 2020, at multiple locations in the UK including Tobacco Dock and Battersea Evolution in London, and Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre in Farnborough.