Bold North Adventure

SEPTEMBER 12 - 13

Embrace the heart of the North with lumberjacks, legends, and larger-than-life fun. From axe throwing to tall tales, this weekend celebrates the rugged, adventurous spirit of our region.

Sign Language Saturday

Sign Language Saturday is an annual one-day event during the Festival dedicated to uplifting the Festival’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. With the help of on-site ASL Translators, guests are invited to experience the Festival’s finest acts as they’re signed with style and spirit. Sign Language Saturday 2026 will be held on Saturday, September 12

BOLD NORTH ADVENTURE PRESENTED BY

EVENTS

TIME	EVENT	LOCATION
ALL DAY	Barbarian Barters	Shepherd's Green Field
ALL DAY	Viking Encampment	Viking Encampment
10:30 AM	Barony of Nordskogen: Armored Combat	Shepherd's Green Field
11:00 AM	Lore & Legends of the Bold North Registration	Shepherd's Green Stage
11:15 AM	Lore & Legends of the Bold North	Shepherd's Green Stage
11:45 AM	Battle Cry Registration	Shepherd's Green Stage
12:00 PM	Battle Cry Contest	Shepherd's Green Stage
12:30 PM	Barony of Nordskogen: Armored Combat	Shepherd's Green Field
1:00 PM	Nordic Meatball Eating Registration	Shepherd's Green Stage
1:10 PM	Nordic Meatball Eating Contest	Shepherd's Green Stage
2:00 PM	Nordic Costume Contest Registration	Shepherd's Green Stage
2:15 PM	Nordic Costume Contest	Shepherd's Green Stage
3:00 PM	Barony of Nordskogen: Armored Combat	Shepherd's Green Field
4:00 PM	Battle of the Beards Registration	Shepherd's Green Stage
4:15 PM	Battle of the Beards	Shepherd's Green Stage

Tastings

TIME	EVENT	LOCATION
2:00 & 4:00 PM	J Bird Wines	Pavilion
1:00 - 4:00 PM	Prairie Organic Spirits	Shepherd's Green Field

ARTrageous Adventures Kids Craft

Viking Shields

Calling all young Norse adventurers! Prepare for epic quests by crafting your very own Viking shield. Decorate and design a fierce emblem worthy of a true warrior of the Bold North. Whether you sail with dragons or guard your village, your shield shall tell your tale!

Creative Competitions

Shield Competition

Contest Information:

Registration form is due by July 19th, 2026.
Shield must be dropped off by July 20th – July 30th, 2026 (no late submissions accepted).
Shield Competition Forms MUST be submitted online prior to Shield Drop-Off (if not registered, shields WILL NOT be accepted).
Each submitted shield competitor will receive One Free 2026 Admission Ticket (valid for weekends 1-4 + Festival Friday); ticket will be given during shield drop off.
Voting will take place the first 3 weekends of the Renaissance Festival. Winners will be announced during the 4th weekend Bold North Adventure, on Saturday, September 12th, 2026.
Winners will be notified the following week and prizes will be mailed.
Please note: All submissions will become the property of the Renaissance Festival and WILL NOT be returned to you.

Contest Rules:

Shields must be circular and no larger than 2’x2′.
Shields must be made with weather-treated material (i.e. treated plywood, Coroplast, EVA foam, sealed wood or hardboard, weatherproof paint and glues, NO VINYL) to ensure their shield stands up to Bold North weather!
Be creative! We are looking for shields that can be hung around the Vikings encampment.
It’s time to bring your shield to life! Decorate it with anything that captures the spirit of Bold North—mead halls, frost-covered fjords, mighty warriors, and legendary beasts — your shield tells the tale. Show us your Viking spirit and unleash your boldest Northern imagination!
Provide your first name and age on the back of your shields.

Drop Off Times & Locations:

Shields can be dropped off from

July 20th from 9AM – 3PM
July 21st from 9AM – 3PM
July 22nd from 9AM – 3PM
July 23rd from 9AM – 3PM
July 24th from 9AM – 3PM
July 27th from 9AM – 3PM
July 28th from 9AM – 3PM
July 29th from 9AM – 3PM
July 30th from 9AM – 3PM

Please note: COMPETITOR AND SHIELDS MUST BE REGISTERED BEFORE DROP-OFF

Weekend drop-offs will not be accepted. Please call ahead at 952-698-9626 to schedule your drop off time

Drop off at the box labeled Competition Drop-Off Box at our Festival Site Office: 12364 Chestnut Blvd, Shakopee, MN 55379

Directions

When you drive in, go through the metal gate and follow the road next to the train tracks
Follow the yellow signs that say Renaissance Festival Studio Office, you’ll follow these down into the Employee Parking lot – the entrance is marked with orange cones
Go through the parking lot and once you reach the fork turn left and go up the hill
Pass the small building marked Costume Shop and you should arrive at the Renaissance Festival Studio Office Trailer
Place shield in box outside the studio labeled Competition Drop-Off Box
Come inside the Office Trailer to receive your One Free 2026 Admission Ticket (valid weekends 1-4 + Festival Friday)!

Prizes:

Grand Prize: 2027 Season Pass, T-Shirt, & Festival Mug
Second Place: 4 Festival Admission Tickets & T-Shirt
Third Place: Festival T-Shirt & Mug

Deals & Discounts

Weekend 4 • September 13-14 • Bold North Adventure

Celebration of Cities

Celebration of Cities (Belle Plaine, MN/ Elko New Market, MN/ Jordan, MN/ New Prague, MN/ Prior Lake, MN/ Savage, MN/ Shakopee, MN) Residents from these cities will receive $5 off their admission ticket when they present proof of residency at our box office.

Scholars, Scrolls & Honor Rolls

Congratulations! The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is celebrating your Honor Roll achievement by providing you with a FREE ticket to the 2026 Festival. Applicable for younger students with Exceptional or Satisfactory report cards and older students with A or B (80% average or higher) report cards! Bring your report card to the box office to receive your discount. Promotion active for current elementary through college students.

Soldier Savings

Any member of the armed services, active or veteran, will receive $5 off their gate Admission to the festival with the proper ID. It’s our special way of saying thank you to our country’s biggest heroes. This deal is valid for all current and past military members with government issued ID. To take advantage of this discount, present a valid military ID at the festival box office. Limit one per person.