How to Start the Radahn Festival in Elden Ring (and Why It Won’t Start)

To start the Radahn Festival in Elden Ring, you need to do one of two things: reach the Altus Plateau and rest at a site of grace there, or progress Ranni's questline far enough that Blaidd mentions the festival. Then travel to Redmane Castle in Caelid and talk to Witch-Hunter Jerren. Here's exactly how to trigger it, and what to do if it won't start.

Radahn Festival at a glance

How do you start the Radahn Festival?

Option 1: Reach the Altus Plateau

The simplest trigger is reaching the Altus Plateau, either by using the Grand Lift of Dectus (you need both halves of the Dectus Medallion) or by climbing the Ruin-Strewn Precipice. Once you touch any site of grace on the plateau, the festival begins. Sites of grace inside Volcano Manor don't count.

Option 2: Progress Ranni's questline

If you're following Ranni the Witch's quest, you can start the festival without going to Altus. Meet Ranni at Ranni's Rise in Liurnia (after Caria Manor), then follow her quest until you tell Blaidd in Siofra River about Radahn. When Blaidd mentions the festival, it's ready.

How do you get to Redmane Castle?

Redmane Castle is in the far southeast of Caelid. Before the festival, the castle is closed off, but once it has started you can head straight in. If you've reached the Impassable Greatbridge, the teleporter there takes you inside the castle.

Who do you talk to at Redmane Castle?

Find Witch-Hunter Jerren overlooking the courtyard and talk to him to start the festival. He organised it so that his master, General Radahn, could have a noble warrior's death. Guides also mention War Counselor Iji: talking to Jerren about Iji, and Iji about Jerren, is part of the same thread for players coming from Ranni's quest.

After the speech, go into the building, take the lift down and walk out onto the beach to face Starscourge Radahn. You'll find summon signs for NPC helpers along the way, and you can call them in again if they fall.

What level should you be for Radahn?

Radahn hits extremely hard, so guides suggest arriving at around Rune Level 65 or higher, usually after Stormveil Castle and the Academy of Raya Lucaria. Use Torrent to close the distance, use the NPC summons and Spirit Ashes, and dodge his falling meteor attack in the second phase.

Why won't the Radahn Festival start?

• You haven't touched an Altus grace: using the Grand Lift alone isn't enough; you need to activate a site of grace on the plateau.
• You're relying on Volcano Manor: its sites of grace don't trigger the festival.
• Ranni's quest isn't far enough along: you need to have met Ranni and told Blaidd about Radahn.
• You haven't spoken to Jerren yet: the festival only starts once you talk to him at Redmane Castle.

Does helping Jerren affect other quests?

Yes. Siding with Witch-Hunter Jerren later in the game ends Sorceress Sellen's questline with her death, so think about it if you're following Sellen.

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More Elden Ring guides on iGame Magazine

• How to beat Rykard, Lord of Blasphemy – the Volcano Manor boss
• How to beat the Fire Giant – another huge late-game fight
• The Shadow of the Erdtree Radahn exploit – Radahn's return in the DLC

Radahn Festival FAQ