Minnesota Renaissance Festival

The time is here—when those last few glorious, warm summer days start to fade, and temperatures begin falling along with the leaves. Kids are back in school, and docks are being pulled out of the lakes. So, as true Minnesotans, we want to get out and take advantage of the beautiful fall weather and spend our time outdoors. Patio repasts, bike rides, outdoor festivals—it’s time to cross them off the list.

There’s a reason many people make visiting the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, frequently voted one of the Twin Cities’ top outdoor festivals, an annual tradition. Between 16 stages of live entertainment, 250 artisan booths, and activities that include armored jousting, elephant rides, a Grand March parade and even a mermaid cove, there’s more to see and do than can be covered in just one day.

Attendees may opt to attend purely as spectators, while others prefer to join in the fun by donning costumes and interacting with hundreds of unique characters who can be spotted yelling loudly, playing instruments, engaging in impromptu sword fighting or cheering with their favorite stein in hand.

Fun Fact: Most new, and even seasoned, visitors are unaware that the first performance of renowned magicians Penn & Teller was held at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in 1975.

As the largest Renaissance festival in the country, the Minnesota Renaissance Festival attracts more than 300,000 visitors every year. There were rumors last season that it would be relocating to a new venue this year for its 47th season, but it will remain at its current Shakopee home through 2019.

Every weekend of the festival has a theme, and some of the most popular themes are coming up. Wine, Chocolate & Romance takes place this year Sept. 9–10, with a grape stomp, wooing contest and free vow renewals for the hopeless romantic. Shamrocks & Shenanigans, the weekend of Sept. 23–24, taps the luck o’ the Irish with free Guinness tasting (naturally), a kilt contest and a mashed-potato-eating competition.

The last weekend, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, is the famous Oktoberfest theme, with polka lessons, the best beard contest, lederhosen and hammerschlagen (for those unfamiliar, Google it) to bring out everyone’s inner German. Prost!

Along with the immensely popular turkey legs and a wide array of other “faire” foods, the menu offers Minnesota original Spam sliders, new this year. And for the daring, Pickle-Juice Icees. Also new in 2017 is flying on the Wizard’s Flight School Zip Line for kids, and for both children and adults, the chance to see a “real” unicorn.

The festival is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., rain or shine, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 1, along with Labor Day and Sept. 29, aka Festival Friday. Located in Shakopee, a quick drive from the Twin Cities, the festival also offers free parking. For more information on planning your visit, log on to renaissancefest.com.

AAA Minneapolis members receive $5 off adult tickets and $3.45 off child tickets purchased at the AAA Minneapolis Box Office and $3 off tickets purchased at the Renaissance Festival.