Creative Competitions

Select any of the dropdowns below to view each creative competition.

Pre-Festival | SUBMISSIONS CLOSED

Entry Details

  • Coloring Book Submission Deadline is July 1st, 2026.
  • Be creative! We are looking for an intricate Renaissance theme; Which could mean feasting, dancing, royalty, mermaids, fairies, jousting, juggling and much more! 
  • Submissions should be one-sided, black and white page that is 8.5×11
  • Limit one entry per person.
  • Judging will be conducted once the submission deadline has passed.
  • Pages will be judged on overall quality of both the picture and the subject, and how those elements represent the spirit of the Renaissance Festival.
  • Submissions using AI art generation programs will NOT be accepted.

File Information

  • Accepted file formats: JPG, PDF, TIF, EPS, PNG, Flattened PSD
  • TIF formats should be flattened
  • EPS formats must have all type converted to vector paths (traced or outlined)
  • Max file size is 10MB
  • Please include your name on the file export if possible (eg. JohnSmithColoringPage.png)

Rules and Restrictions

  • Family Friendly: The Minnesota Renaissance Festival reserves the right to disqualify any coloring pages that are not family friendly or do not meet requirements
  • Copyright: All art submitted to the Mid-America Festivals Inc. must be legal property of the person submitting the art. Your submission must be your own drawing and cannot be someone else’s artwork, a photographed image or traced reproduction. Mid-America Festivals will not be held responsible for any copyright infringements.
  • AI Usage: Artwork must be an original work of the participant, created without the use of AI or digital image generation of any kind
  • Usage Rights: By entering this competition you grant Mid-America Festivals Inc. the right to publish or reproduce submitted art, along with your name and location on any Mid-America Festivals website, printed materials, newsletter and other social networking channels, without fee or compensation. Mid-America Festivals may use submitted art for promotional or commercial use. Small alterations may be made by our staff in order to format submitted work for social media, print or promotional purposes.
  • Winners will be notified via email and prizes will be distributed after winners are announced. 

Prizes

  • For the submission of a coloring book entry, you will receive 1 free 2026 admission ticket!
  • If your page is included in the coloring book, you will receive two festival admission tickets and one free copy of the final coloring book. Coloring books and tickets may be mailed separately. 
  • 1st Place Prize: One season pass to the 2027 Minnesota Renaissance Festival! (One 1st place prize for both Adult and Child category)
REGISTER NOW

Once Upon a Time | August 22nd & 23rd

Contest Information:

  • The Fairy House Contest is held first weekend of the Renaissance Festival, August 22nd & 23rd.
  • Each submitted Fairy House competitor will receive One Free 2026 Admission Ticket (valid for weekends 1-4 + Festival Friday)
  • Judging will be conducted onsite each day so fairy houses can be on site either day or both, depending on the creators preference.
  • There will be two separate categories for adults (14 and older) and children (13 and under) with separate prizes.

Contest Rules:

  • Fairy houses must have first/last name attached. Names must be written clearly in black marker on a white card that is securely attached to the front bottom right of your fairy house. Name MUST match the one on your entry form. 
  • Fairy houses must have category written next to name – Children (13 or younger) or Adult (14 or older)
  • Registration is required to be completed online through this Google form by Thursday, August 20th
  • Houses MUST be dropped off on Saturday or Sunday before 10AM at B-Gate (directions and parking information below).
  • If you wish to keep your fairy house, please pick it up in the Shepherd’s Green Field between 5 – 7 PM on Saturday the 22nd or Sunday the 23rd.
  • If you do not pick up your fairy house before 7pm of Sunday, it will become the property of the Renaissance Festival and WILL NOT be returned to you.
  • Winners will be notified the following week and prizes will be mailed!

Drop Off Location and Info:

B-Gate
  • To the right of the King’s Gate
  • Follow the gravel road past the box office until you reach a gate
  • This is B-Gate
 
Festival Arrival Information:

Construction Tips:

  • Fairy Houses should be durable to weather elements in the Special Events Field.
  • Create a strong sturdy base structure to build your house on for easier transport, although make it small enough to hold and light enough to carry!
  • Fairy houses must be a maximum weight of 10 pounds
  • Fairy houses must be a minimum of 12″ wide x 12″ long and a maximum size of 16″ wide x 16″ long.
  • Be creative! Make a fairy garden or use a fun planting pot as the base for easy transportation.
  • We recommend using all natural materials to build your fairy house.
  • Examples of materials can include: dry grasses, leaves, sticks, bark, pebbles, pine cones, acorns, feathers, seaweed, nuts, shells and much more!
  • Decorate your house inside and out! This can include landscape and any indoor furnishings you wish to add.
  • Don’t forget to add your name and category! Must be written on a white card in black and securely attached to the front bottom right of your fairy house.

Prizes:

Adult (14 and Older):
  • Grand Prize: 2026 Season Pass, T-Shirt, Festival Mug & a Trophy!
  • Second Place: 4 Festival Admission Tickets & T-Shirt
  • Third Place: Festival T-Shirt & Mug
 
Children (13 and Younger):
  • Grand Prize: 2 Nickelodeon Universe tickets & a trophy!
  • Second Place: 2 Sea Life at Mall of America tickets
  • Third Place: 4 Skateville tickets
 
REGISTER NOW

Highland Fling | August 29th & 30th 

Contest Information:

  • Registration form is due by July 19th, 2026
  • Banners must be dropped off by July 20th – July 30th, 2026 (no late submissions accepted).
  • Banner Competition Forms MUST be submitted online prior to Banner Drop-Off (if not registered, banners WILL NOT be accepted).
  • Each submitted banner competitor will receive One Free 2026 Admission Ticket (valid for weekends 1-4 + Festival Friday); ticket will be given during banner drop off.
  • Voting will take place the first 2 weekends of the Renaissance Festival. The Banner Competition winners will be announced during Highland Fling weekend, on Saturday, August 29th, 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:

  • Banners must be 4′ x 2′ (Banner example provided in next section)
  • Banners must be made with weather-treated material (i.e. waterproof nylon/fabrics, weatherproof paint and glues, NO VINYL)
  • Be creative! We are looking for banners that can be hung around the Festival, in pubs, tents and/or on stages.
  • It’s time to bring your banner to life! Decorate it with anything that captures the spirit of the Highlands—unicorns, Highland hills, Celtic symbols, and the legendary Lochness monster — your banner tells the tale. Show us your Highland spirit and un-loch your imagination!
  • Provide your first name and age on the back of your banner in the bottom right corner.

Drop Off Times & Locations:

Banners 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 MURAL 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 Banner Competition Drop-Off Box at our Festival Site Office: 12364 Chestnut Blvd, Shakopee, MN 55379

 

Directions
  1. When you drive in, go through the metal gate and follow the road next to the train tracks
  2. 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
  3. Go through the parking lot and once you reach the fork turn left and go up the hill
  4. Pass the small building marked Costume Shop and you should arrive at the Renaissance Festival Studio Office Trailer
  5. Place mural in box outside the studio labeled Banner Competition Drop-Off Box
  6. 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 & a Trophy!
  • Second Place: 4 Festival Admission Tickets & T-Shirt
  • Third Place: Festival T-Shirt & Mug
 
REGISTER NOW

Woofstock | September 5th – 7th

Contest Information:

  • Proudly presented by Bricks & Minifigs Shakopee, The Build-a-Bark Contest is an in-person LEGO® building event held during the third weekend of the Renaissance Festival, September 5th, 6th, and 7th.
  • Judging will be conducted each day at Shepherd’s Green Stage after the building period has concluded. Winners will be announced immediately following judging, with new winners being selected each day.

Contest Rules:

  • You may sign up solo or as a team of 2. If a team of 2 wins, only 1 prize will be awarded to the team. Children under the age of 12 are encouraged to sign up with a guardian.
  • All submissions must feature a doghouse-style LEGO® build as the central element of the design.
  • Build-a-Bark submissions must be constructed on-site at the event location during the allotted time period using provided LEGO® provided by Bricks & Minifigs.
  • Build-a-Bark submissions must be original works and not built from pre-made kits.
  • Build-a-Bark submissions cannot be taken home and must be returned to the Festival following the competition.

Construction Tips:

  • Build-a-Bark submissions must be a maximum weight of 3 pounds and dimensions of 12 in by 12 in. Pieces must be small enough to carry by hand and easy to transport, as you will be in charge of carrying your own submission to present to the judges.
  • Get creative with your doghouse theme! As long as it’s a home for a dog, the possibilities are practically endless.
  • Prepare to present and explain your build to the judges.

Prizes:

  • Grand Prize: $50 Bricks & Minifigs gift card
  • Second Place: $25 Bricks & Minifigs gift card
  • Third Place: $15 Bricks & Minifigs gift card
 

Bold North Adventure | September 12 & 13th 

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
  1. When you drive in, go through the metal gate and follow the road next to the train tracks
  2. 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
  3. Go through the parking lot and once you reach the fork turn left and go up the hill
  4. Pass the small building marked Costume Shop and you should arrive at the Renaissance Festival Studio Office Trailer
  5. Place shield in box outside the studio labeled Competition Drop-Off Box
  6. 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
REGISTER NOW

Wine, Chocolate & Romance | September 19th & 20th

Contest Information:

  • The Cupcake Royale Contest is held sixth weekend of the Renaissance Festival, September 19th and 20th.
  • The Cupcake Royale Competition theme for 2026 is “House of the Cupcakes!”
  • Judged by Nadia Cakes!
  • Each submitted Cupcake Royale competitor will receive One Free 2026 Admission Ticket
  • Judging will be conducted onsite each day at 11:00 AM at the Shepherd Green Stage
  • The weather may be hot, please freeze cupcakes prior to drop off!

Contest Rules:

  • Cupcakes MUST be transferred into clear containers (provided by the Festival) upon arrival. Please include a note card with your full name.
  • Please note: If your cupcake exceeds the dimensions of the clear container [3.5″ × 2.625″ × 2″], you will need to transport it yourself to the designated area at the time of judging.  
  • Registration must be completed online through this Google form before September 17th at 11:59pm. Any entries after this time will not be accepted.  
  • Cupcakes MUST be dropped off on Saturday or Sunday before 10 AM at B-Gate (directions and parking information below). There will be signs directing you where B-Gate is. 
  • Cupcakes will be returned to the participant as they will be judged based on presentation, creativity & theme. Cupcakes will not be tasted (for safety reasons). 
  • Must submit two (2) cupcakes total (One for presentation, one for cutting to judge the inside). 
  • You can only compete ONCE during the weekend (Saturday 9/19 or Sunday 9/20). Multiple entries will not be accepted. 

Judging Criteria:

  • 50% Decoration
  • 25% Adherence to Theme (House of the Cupcakes)
  • 25% Creativity and Originality  

Drop Off Times & Locations:

B-Gate
  • You must pre-pay for parking on-site to drop off cupcakes!
  • Drop off before 10 AM.
  • B-Gate is located to the right of the King’s Gate.
  • Follow the gravel road past the box office until you reach Cupcake Royale signs directing you towards B-Gate.
  • At B-Gate, drop off Cupcakes and transfer them into clear containers with clear name cards attached.
Festival Arrival Information:

Prizes:

Prizes to be announced!

 
REGISTER NOW

Art Affair | September 26th & 27th 

Contest Information:

  • Forms Due by July 19th, 2026.
  • Murals must be dropped off by July 20th – July 30th, 2026 (no late submissions accepted).
  • Mural Competition Forms MUST be submitted online prior to Mural Drop-Off (if not registered, murals WILL NOT be accepted).
  • Each submitted mural competitor will receive One Free 2026 Admission Ticket (valid for weekends 1-4 + Festival Friday); ticket will be given during mural drop off.
  • Voting will take place the first 5 weekends of the Renaissance Festival. The Mural Competition winners will be announced during the 6th weekend Art Affair, on Saturday, September 26th, 2026.
  • Please note: All submissions will become the property of the Renaissance Festival and WILL NOT be returned to you.

Contest Rules:

  • Murals must be painted on a weather treated material (i.e. treated plywood).
  • Murals must be painted using outdoor paint or the final murals must be waterproofed.
  • Murals must be 2’x2′, frames will be provided.
  • MURALS LARGER THAN 2′ X 2′ WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
  • Be Creative! We are looking for renaissance themed murals, which can include, but not limited to: eating, dancing, royalty, mermaids, fairies, jousting, juggling and more!
  • Provide your first name and age on the back of your mural in the bottom right corner. 

Drop Off Times & Locations:

Murals 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 MURAL MUST BE REGISTERED BEFORE DROP-OFF
Weekend drop-offs will not be accepted. Please call ahead at 952-698-9625 to schedule your drop off time
Drop off at the box labeled Mural Competition Drop-Off Box at our Festival Site Office: 12364 Chestnut Blvd, Shakopee, MN 55379

 

Directions
  1. When you drive in, go through the metal gate and follow the road next to the train tracks
  2. 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
  3. Go through the parking lot and once you reach the fork turn left and go up the hill
  4. Pass the small building marked Costume Shop and you should arrive at the Renaissance Festival Studio Office Trailer
  5. Place mural in box outside the studio labeled Mural Competition Drop-Off Box
  6. 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 & a Trophy!
  • Second Place: 4 Festival Admission Tickets & T-Shirt
  • Third Place: Festival T-Shirt & Mug
REGISTER NOW
VOTE HERE!

Oktoberfest | October 3rd & 4th

Contest Information:

  • The Pretzel Jewelry Competition is held the 7th weekend of the Renaissance Festival, October 3rd & 4th, 2026.
  • Each submitted Pretzel Jewelry competitor will receive One Free 2026 Admission Ticket
  • Judging will be conducted onsite each day at 10:30 AM at the Shepherd Green Stage

Contest Rules:

  • Pretzels MUST be in clear containers upon arrival. Please include a note card with your name
  • Registration must be completed online through this Google form before September 30th at 11:59pm. Any entries after this time will not be accepted.  
  • Pretzels MUST be dropped off on Saturday or Sunday between 9AM -10 AM at B-Gate (directions and parking information below). There will be signs directing you where B-Gate is. 
  • Pretzels will be returned to the participant.
  • Pretzels will be judged based on presentation, creativity & theme. Pretzels will not be tasted (for safety reasons). 
  • You can only compete ONCE during the weekend (Saturday 10/3 or Sunday 10/4). Multiple entries will not be accepted. 

Judging Criteria:

  • 50% Decoration
  • 50% Creativity and Originality  

Drop Off Times & Locations:

B-Gate
  • You must pre-pay for parking on-site to drop off Pretzels!
  • Drop off before 10 AM.
  • B-Gate is located to the right of the King’s Gate.
  • Follow the gravel road past the box office until you reach Pretzel Jewelry signs directing you towards B-Gate.
  • At B-Gate, drop off Pretzels and transfer them into clear containers with clear name cards attached.
Festival Arrival Information:

Prizes:

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