Minnesota Renaissance Festival

Visited the MRF for my brother in laws wedding and it was a really nice event. However, the food wasn't the best for what was served to guests but maybe it was just me? I've only ever been to the renaissance in NY and can say the festival in Minnesota is way better! More space, activities and shops it seemed. The only small downside is, the path from the parking area is not recommended for anyone in a wheelchair, elderly or anyone with difficulty walking- it was very far and at a certain point there was an incline. Staff was organized with getting all vehicles moving in an efficient way.

My friends and I ended up attending twice this year; it's definitely something we try to hit at least once per year! I really appreciate that they've added the park & ride system with buses, since that's made getting in a lot faster and easier. We all also had tickets in advance, so we didn't have to deal with lines at the gate, aside from those to actually get in. I will say, I love the fact that the Renaissance Festival here is huge! There are a ton a vendors & there's a huge variety of foods & stores to wander around. We spent 1.5 whole days here & I feel like I finally got to see the whole thing. Now to the negatives: --There's definitely a lack of accessibility, which, although "authentic", is a bummer (I would never be able to bring my dad, a huge Renaissance nerd)--The LINES. Especially for something like a turkey leg, which they have to know is one of the biggest sellers. Why aren't there multiple people working each booth to streamline? --The jousting/shows in that arena don't seem to be prioritized. I really wanted to see one, but, even if we'd been around that area at one of the scheduled times, it's just about impossible to see unless you get there super early to get one of the bench seats. It feels like that arena should be way more built outAnyway, even with the drawbacks, I'm sure I'll head to the festival at least once next year!

It wasn't until I actually stepped inside of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival that I was mind blown. The reason? It is absolutely massive!So massive that it is suggested that if you do go, to go at the earliest time, and even, consider going on a second day. Per Google, this is the second largest festival of its type in the U.S. They are only beaten out by Texas.That said, we went mid-morning and left a couple of hours before closing time and I don't feel it was enough time to do everything. Yes, we drank beer and ate, saw jousting, even had a caricature done, but there is so much we missed out on.Tarot readers, finding a food stand with corn that the line didn't wrap around who knows what, more games, etc. All these things were missed. Nevertheless, it was a good time and it is probably one of the reasons to visit Minnesota this time of year.

Had a fun time at the MN Renaissance Festival! This was my first time coming to the festival ever in my life and it was surely a sight to behold! So many fun costumes and people living their best Renaissance lives!

Went to the Renfest for the first time this year. I didn't really have too much expectation for attending as I feel like I know people who go multiple times a year so I just kind of thought it must be fun. Kind of tried dressing up in theme but it was hot out and I was told that I would get dirty with all the dirt/dust/mud. We ended up going on a Sunday during the Chocolate & Romance weekend theme. It was HOT out that day. I know they have shows/live entertainment pretty much running all day which is nice for the adults to sit and chill. I felt like 80% of the attractions were geared towards kids (like little kids). For adults it's just shows, drinks, spendy shops (but cool crafts) and food, which is fine. Very tip heavy. Tipping for everything. My main complaint is the mile walk on rocks to and from the parking lot. That was a bit rough. But other than that the dirt/mud didn't really bother me. I tried mead for the first time which I loved, I tried about 3 different flavors (all the fruity ones) and they were really good. I love honey. I tried a spicy pickle, the pickle was maybe Mn spicy but not spicy to me at all but the pickle was very good. I had a caramel crepe, it came out cold so I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have a fresh one. Also had ice cream, the flavors were very basic but who doesn't like ice cream in general? Most places (especially food) only took cash, there were atms around. I'd say bring a lot of cash just because TIPS. I overall had fun and would go again in future years, with expectations, lol

This was my first time here and it was not what I had expected. It's even better. Everyone that worked there was def in character. The food options ranged from turkey legs, beef sticks, tater tots to soup! And it was all delicious. The variety in drinks (alcoholic and non alcoholic) was amazing. The strawberry smoothie is still my favorite. I recommend the hanging chairs for when you've walked too many miles. The javelin was a lot of fun to watch.

My husband and I returned to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival this year for their Feast of Fantasy. It was on a Saturday, Sept 21, 2024 at 11:00AM. We left our house an hour early in hope to be at the fair by 10:30AM. (Our Feast of Fantasy ticket states to be there 15-minutes before show starts.) By the time we arrived to king's parking lot, we were stuck in traffic because there were multiple trains coming through. We were stuck bumper to bumper for about 30-minutes! I watched people getting out of their car and walking up the hill, but was stuck anyway due to the train. While we waited on the train, we called the fair's main number to ask if they can connect us or let the people working the Feast of Fantasy know that we were stuck in traffic outside the fair, she told us that she is unable to do so. (Our first attempt, apparently we had a bad phone connection.) We were late to the Feast of Fantasy by half an hour! Luckily there was a staff member outside the building to took us on back by the kitchen and led us inside and to our seats. Our first two dish were waiting for us at the table. Our server quickly grabbed us drinks. Otherwise, great show, delicious and filling food.

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is a lively and immersive experience that transports you to a world of medieval fun and entertainment. With a wide range of performances, from jousting tournaments to comedy acts, there's always something happening to capture your attention. The festival grounds are filled with talented artisans selling handcrafted goods, making it a great place to shop for unique items. The food is another highlight--turkey legs, mead, and other classic Renaissance-themed treats are a must-try. The atmosphere is family-friendly, and whether you're in costume or just there to enjoy the spectacle, it's a fun way to spend a day. This year, the festival introduced several new shops, adding even more variety to the artisan scene. Some of stand outs were the Asian Stall, Pho stall and Boozie cakes. These include unique boutiques featuring hand-forged weapons, custom leather goods, intricate jewelry, and fantasy-themed clothing. These new vendors bring fresh, high-quality craftsmanship to an already diverse shopping experience.However, be prepared for large crowds, especially on weekends, and wear comfortable shoes for walking through the sprawling fairgrounds. All in all, it's a fantastic annual tradition in Minnesota!

I don't go to the MN Ren Fest very often - about once a decade, but I will admit, it's definitely the best people watching EVER. Unlike the State Fair (which has amazing people watching too), this one has adults all decked out and dressed up! While this isn't my thing, I love seeing this level of enthusiasm!I'm not a huge shopper, but I will admit that the booths that they have here are awesome - from small crystals to dragons to wooden swords, etc. Ren Fest is super dog and kid friendly, and my 8-year old had so much fun! I'll also say that the hidden mazes (e.g., count the # of dragons and get a small kid prize) and fun, free things were cool too. That said, you can easily blow through A LOT of cash quickly (like the MN state fair) so be prepared! (There are ATMs everywhere).

$30 for parking on 9/22/2024. We decided not to attend. FYI Sever's fall festival is going on near by.