Minnesota Renaissance Festival

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Cultural & TraditionalShakopee
DatesDates TBA · Usually AugustCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
CrowdMediumAbout 320,000 people
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsLongevity and scale set this festival apart
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

Minnesota Renaissance Festival in Shakopee

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is a Renaissance fair on 400 wooded acres near Shakopee, recreating a fictional 16th-century England-like kingdom every weekend from mid-August through the end of September. Opened in 1971 and moved to its current site in 1974, it is one of the oldest and largest Renaissance festivals in the United States, with roughly 300,000 visitors, 16 stages, hundreds of costumed performers, and craft vendors each season.

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival began on September 11, 1971, in Jonathan, Minnesota, with actress Tovah Feldshuh reigning as its first Queen.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Longevity and scale set this festival apart: it has run continuously on the same Shakopee land since 1974, launching the early careers of performers like Penn and Teller, whose first joint show happened here in 1975, and jugglers The Flying Karamazov Brothers

02

The mystery stays covered

Over 700 entertainers, 275 crafters, and 120 food booths fill 16 stages across 400 acres, a scope closer to a small town than a fairground

03

The city starts moving

Signature touches include the Feast of Fantasy dining experience and the comedy troupe Puke and Snot, which has performed there for decades, along with street characters who stay in period voice all day

04

The water draws everyone in

Its survival through repeated lease uncertainty, including a threatened relocation debated for nearly a decade, has made the fixed Shakopee grounds part of its identity for generations of returning families

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Signature traditions include full-contact jousting tournaments

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the long-running comedy duo show Puke and Snot

The sacred route

Living ritual

the Feast of Fantasy multi-course dinner

The local code

Living ritual

and staying-in-character interactions with costumed nobles

Tradition 5

Living ritual

and fools throughout the grounds

Tradition 6

Living ritual

Many performers and craft vendors return year after year

Tradition 7

Living ritual

giving the festival a recurring cast recognized by regular attendees

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually August

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Late-summer Minnesota heat and dust call for breathable, closed-toe walking shoes, shorts or light pants, and a hat or bandana for sun. Many attendees dress in Renaissance-inspired costume...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map44.80 N, 93.53 WOpen in Google Maps

Shakopee, MN

Nearest airportMSP — Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Shakopee via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Shakopee, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare faresFestival gearLate-summer Minnesota heat and dust call for breathable, closed-toe walking shoes, shorts or light pants, and a hat or bandana for sun. Many attendees dress in Renaissance-inspired costume for fun, but ordinary casual clothing is entirely acceptable; layers help since evenings can cool off quickly as the season moves toward autumn.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Minnesota Renaissance Festival?

Minnesota Renaissance Festival is listed for August · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Minnesota Renaissance Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Shakopee, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Shakopee, MN

How big is it?

Medium: 320000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLrenaissancefest.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually August
Source statusOfficial source linked
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