Something for Everyone at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival

Hear ye, Hear ye! Tis the season for Minnesota festivals and fanfare! When looking at ways to fill these late summer/early fall weekends (that typically hold our state’s most ideal temperatures), why not rely on a tried-and-true festival that’s been around more than 50 years, is the largest of its kind in the United States, and continues to bring a giddiness to people that is hard to put into words? The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is just that! If you’ve never been, take a friend or spouse and see what the fuss is all about. If you haven’t been in years, maybe it’s time to bring the family. That’s what we did this year – it had been many years since we’d visited the festival in Shakopee and figured it would be a place the kids would thoroughly enjoy becuase, truly , there is something for everyone.

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is open every weekend from mid-August to late-September and it seems to grow in size, popularity, creativity, and (I’m just gonna say it) price every year. It allows dogs (must fill out registration), it’s family-friendly (yes, all ages), and the offerings are sure to fill an entire day (making it worth the cost). With themed weekends, hilarious shows, elaborate costumes, entertaining games and rides, and SO MUCH FOOD, the Minnesota Renaissance Festival provides weekends that will capture the hearts of more than just theater kids.

What you’ll want to know:

• Admission is $27.95/adult; $18.95/child (5-12). Kids under 4 are free, and seniors are $25. They do have a Family Pack as well (2 adults, 2 kids) for $77.
• But STOP – don’t buy them at full price! There’s a million ways to save on ticket costs. Visit your local Costco, Kwik Trip, Menards, Walgreens, Cub Foods, Papa Murphys, or Groupon to save a few bucks per ticket. (Costco has my favorite deal – $47 for two admissions AND two turkey legs.)
• Parking felt pricy at the whopping cost of $30 to park on-site in their lot – which is still quite a hike from the front gates. But you can purchase your parking online, bringing it down to $18 with tax.
• Don’t feel like paying that much to park? Look into their Park and Ride option. It includes many lots surrounding the festival grounds and provides you a bus ride to and from the grounds for $6/person round trip. If you have the time, this is definitely the way to go (plus they drop you off quite a bit closer than on-site parking).
• Do you need to dress up? Absolutely not. Do most people? Well, yes. Before we went, I had guessed it’d be 50/50 dress up vs don’t, but after visiting this year, I changed it to 70/30 (with the 70 as those who dressed up). We did not wear costumes and that’s perfectly fine, but observing the costumes and the people inside of them was easily my favorite part of the day. This is the place to do it. Let the theater kid out and go for it if you feel so inclined. There is zero judgement and it’s super amazing to see what folks come up with.
• The food is super good – you can look at every offering for 2025 online here. That menu is pretty great because it tells you the location of the food vendor, but it also clearly marks vegan, gluten-free, and vegetarian options.
• You will spend money. After parking and admission is paid for, you will want to buy food and likely a souvenir or two. Many of the kids games and rides will also cost you somewhere between $5-10 and then of course there’s candle making, face painting, floral crowns, and so much more. Not everything costs you a pretty penny though. I thought this was cheaper than a day at the State Fair and if you plan carefully, you can get in a whole day’s worth of entertainment for almost nothing (minus the food cuz, hey, ya gotta eat).
• Bees. There are plenty of bees. I don’t know what else to say other than, watch out for the bees.
• You will laugh. A LOT. The humor can be cruder than some parents may like, but I loved it and so did our boys. The pickle references were their favorite. Sorry not sorry.

The lists below are our family’s Top 5 Activities to do at the Renaissance Festival for various ages. We aren’t experts by any means, and would love to hear your favorites as well, but this is how we spent our day – and we have no regrets. There’s WAY more to do than what is listed (hair braiding, trinket shopping, costume contests, story times, parades, live music, royal court) but it’s impossible to do it all. Oh, on that note, they DO offer a Weekend Pass and a Season Pass if you’re so inclined.

Our Top 5 Activites for Young Kids:

If you have littles, don’t be afraid to introduce them to the Renaissance Festival. In fact, I would almost say there’s MORE to do for little ones than for adults, which is awesome for us parents. We haven’t done it all, but of what we have done, these are our Top 5 Ren Fest Activities for little ones:

1. Walk Through Fairy Wing Forest and Mermaid Cove:
   Fairy Wing Forest was a beautiful surprise, with tons of free activities for the kiddos. Walk through a tiny tunnel, play bags, make a wand, visit with fairies and trolls, and more. Then take a walk through the (also free) Mermaid Cove to visit merfolk twirling and dancing underwater while some bask on the rocks and greet you (for photos!)
2. Visit the Petting Zoo or Take an Elephant or Camel Ride:
   While I don’t condone animals like elephants and camels being anywhere but their natural environments, kids think the idea of riding an actual elephant is pretty amazing. We did not do this activity, but we saw it. And those animals ARE pretty magical in person. Personal opinions aside, the petting zoo is cute and free and there’s no debating the adorableness of a happy bearded goat.
3. Watch a Live Show (magic, juggling, puppets):
   The Minnesota Renaissance Festival hosts SO many stages, it’s hard to narrow down which shows to attend. Little ones should not miss the fire-breathing dragon man, the silent clown (I promise he’s not scary), fire eaters, belly dancers, magicians, and so much more! Visit the entertainment page of the website.
4. Shop for Shields, Swords, and Crowns:
   What makes your little one feel more in their Renaissance Era than wielding their own wooden sword (available in every size) and shield, or donning a gorgeous (and affordable) crown made of beautiful flowers? I personally think these make the best souvenirs and can be used throughout the entire day. Worth the splurge!
5. Sit Front Row for Live Jousting:
   Have YOU ever seen live jousting? Throughout the day, at scheduled times, audiences swarm the jousting arena for a seat on the bleachers to watch the jousting matches. Think Medieval Times, but on a smaller scale (and included in your admission). You’ll find yourself cheering for your knight of choice and your kids will be SO into it, you’ll want to watch the next match as well.

Our Top 5 Activites for Tweens and Teens:

We can all admit, this is a tough age to entertain in general. But the Minnesota Renaissance Festival has plenty of options to keep them fed, amused, and (gasp) happy. Depending on the child’s interests, of course, the festival will appeal to some teens and not others, but even the most introverted gamer kids (ahem, I have one of those) will find plenty to do at the festival. Our Top 5 Ren Fest Activities for tweens and teens include:

1. Hear Endless Insults from the Vegetable Justice Guy:
   The same guy has been working the Vegetable Justice game since I can remember. He’s hysterical, and a little mean, and I could sit there for hours listening to him berate his victims. If your teens aren’t easily offended, this is a hot spot for them to take in human insulting at its finest. If you have thin skin, keep walkin.
2. Watch Comedy or Thrill Shows:
   The Danger Committee should NOT be missed by this age group. Where else can you see knives being thrown at balloons inflated on somebody’s head? Or swords being juggled between three guys. Or axe throwing so close to a man’s torso that audible gasping is heard throughout the land. Another can’t-miss is Puke and Snot – my personal favorite. They sneak in adult innuendos and sword fighting. It’s a play on words unlike anything I’ve seen and they’re too darn charming to groan at.
3. Attend Juggling School or Try Fencing:
   Not all the games are for the toddlers in the crowd. Fencing with balloons on your helmet is a comical activity enjoyed by this age. And a few times a day, miscellaneous juggling booths throughout the grounds host Juggling School where you can learn the basics without looking any more foolish than the other students around you.
4. Visit the Escape Room or Torture Museum:
   For a small additional charge, you can experience an Escape Room and a (very small) Torture Museum. Both are good for the teen ages.
5. Play some Games like Axe Throwing, Dueling Buckets, or Archery:
   If Vegetable Justice isn’t your jam, do something less painful like axe throwing or archery. Or find a partner to compete in dueling buckets with you, where you toss beanbags at your partner’s target in an attempt to dump a bucket of water on their head. So long as they don’t hit your target first! These games will cost extra.

Our Top 5 Activites for Adults/Couples:

1. Go Shopping for Candles, Art, Pottery, Clothing, or Celestial Readings:
   As a kid, I remember wanting every stone carved animal, sequin skirt, and elaborate crown that was sold here. As an adult, I leisurely stroll from shop to shop admiring the pottery and the artistry of the blown glass, the skill of the metalsmithers, and the convincing demeanor or the palm readers. Because who doesn’t love a good palm reading?
2. Eat All the Food:
   We never go a visit without a bread bowl soup and a turkey leg. But this year, we tacked on Queen’s Apples, elote street corn poppers, cheese curds (if you know my husband, you know he could find cheese curds at the bottom of the ocean), and unicorn rainbow cake. What did I love the most? The unicorn cake. Not made with real unicorns.
3. Watch the Street Shows and Live Music:
   As an adult, we understand the jokes, the danger, the physical energy that goes into putting on these shows. Whether it’s a musician quietly playing the lute on the curb or a full improv group acting out their spin on a classic fairy tale, you will be entertained. Check out the daily program before heading out and be sure to hit up a few of the scheduled shows. You won’t regret it.
4. Chat Up the Actors:
   The Minnesota Renaissance Festival has a reputation for crude humor, sarcasm, and innuendos. I’m totally here for it and laugh a LOT at the jokes made around me as I innocently stroll the grounds trying to go unnoticed. The working actors walk amongst the public, speaking as though they’ve just stepped off the set of A Knight’s Tale, and have no problem chatting you up.
5. Watch the People. Compliment the Costumes. Be Present and Enjoy!
   You will see cleavage. You will see horns. You will see capes and netting and fur and clanking tankards. The amount of time and energy people here put into these costumes deserves to be recognized. Whether you dress up or not, by the time you leave, you will either want to grow an epic beard or take up belly dancing.

I’d be a fool to not mention the pubs and meaderies on every corner. If you’re wanting a night out, or visiting with friends, or feeling like mama deserves a noon bloody mary (no judgement from me), you will not be disappointed. Drinking at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival is an absolute blast (I’m speaking from “college me” experience). Listen to live music in a pub, purchase a leather-clad mug with a dragon on it and get refills of your favorite brews, or sip wine with your pinky up like the ladies of yore. Be safe, be smart, and bottoms up!

Huzzah! There you have it – I’m listed out and can do no more, but I hope this gives you an idea of what you could expect if you take kids of varying ages to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. There’s unique fun for everyone, making it easy to spend a whole day discovering everything there is to do. From mermaids to mead, you’re sure to have a great time at Ren Fest!

Check out the Minnesota Renaissance Festival website to learn more about everything you want to know!