Highland Fling

AUGUST 29 – 30

Celebrate the spirit of the Highlands with bagpipes, bold tartans, and lively competition. Cheer on feats of strength, raise a toast, and enjoy a weekend inspired by Scottish tradition and revelry.

Turkey Leg Trot 5K

Lace up thy running shoes for a one-of-a-kind 5K adventure through the whimsical woods of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival!

5K Details:

Adults ($45): Includes race entry, same-day Festival admission, t-shirt, and turkey leg voucher.

Kids 12 & Under ($25): Includes t-shirt, turkey leg voucher, and Festival admission.

Turkey Leg Trot 5K

Lace up thy running shoes for a one-of-a-kind 5K adventure through the whimsical woods of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival!

5K Details:

Adults ($45): Includes race entry, same-day Festival admission, t-shirt, and turkey leg voucher

Kids 12 & Under ($25): Includes t-shirt, turkey leg voucher, and Festival admission.

Events

TIME	EVENT	LOCATION
ALL DAY	Irish Village	Shepherd's Green Field
9:15 AM	22 lb Heavy Hammer	Shepherd's Green Field
10:00 AM	16 lb Open Stone Putt	Shepherd's Green Field
10:00 AM	Celtic Trivia Registration	Shepherd's Green Stage
10:15 AM	Celtic Trivia Competition	Shepherd's Green Stage
10:45 AM	56 lb Heavy Weight for Distance	Shepherd's Green Field
11:00 AM	Kiddies Highland Games Registration	Shepherd's Green Field
11:15 AM	Kiddie Highland Games	Shepherd's Green Field
11:25 AM	28 lb Light Weight for Distance	Shepherd's Green Field
12:30 PM	Mactír Academy of Irish Dancers	Shepherd's Green Stage
12:30 PM	Keg Toss Registration	Shepherd's Green Field
1:00 PM	Keg Toss	Shepherd's Green Field
1:45 PM	Caber Toss	Shepherd's Green Field
2:00 PM	Scotch Egg Eating Contest Registration	Shepherd's Green Stage
2:15 PM	Scotch Egg Eating Contest	Shepherd's Green Stage
2:45 PM	Sheaf Toss	Shepherd's Green Field
3:00 PM	Mactír Academy of Irish Dancers	Shepherd's Green Stage
3:45 PM	56 lb Weight Over Bar	Shepherd's Green Field
3:45 PM	Kilt Competition Registration	Shepherd's Green Stage
4:00 PM	Kilt Competition	Shepherd's Green Stage

Tastings

TIME	EVENT	LOCATION
1:00 - 4:00 PM	Nutrl	Shepherd's Green Field
2:00 PM & 4:00 PM	Kona Big Wave	Pavilion

ARTrageous Adventures Kids Craft

Scotland Thistle Flower

Craft a classic Scotland thistle flower to show your highland spirit.

Creative competitions

Banner Competition

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

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 mural in box outside the studio labeled Banner 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 & a Trophy!
Second Place: 4 Festival Admission Tickets & T-Shirt
Third Place: Festival T-Shirt & Mug

Deals & Discounts

Weekend 2 • August 29-30 • Highland Fling

Food Drive

Amidst the magic, merriment, and medieval delights of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, we invite you to take a moment to give back. Join us during Highland Fling Weekend – August 29 & 30 for a special Food Drive in partnership with the Jordan Area Food Shelf & Belle Plaine Food Shelf. Donate 5 or more unexpired items at the gate and receive a BOGO (Buy One, Get One Free) admission ticket! Your generous donations will help support local families in need while adding even more heart to your festival experience. Let’s come together as a community and make a meaningful impact—one can at a time!

We accept non-perishable, unexpired food like canned goods, dry foods, snacks, and cooking staples (e.g., rice, pasta, peanut butter, flour, oil). Essential items such as toiletries, baby supplies, cleaners, and paper goods are also appreciated. Please do not donate perishable, expired, opened, homemade, glass-packaged, or alcoholic items.

Huzzah to Hometown Heroes

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is proud to announce a special promotion in honor of our nation’s military heroes: August 29th and 30th; any member of the armed services, active or veteran, will receive up to TWO (2) Buy One Get One Free Adult Admission tickets to the festival. It’s our special way of saying thank you to our country’s biggest heroes. This deal is valid for all current or past military members with government issued ID. To take advantage of this discount, present a valid military ID at the festival box office.

Buy your discounted ticket in advance with GOVX!

BUY DISCOUNT TICKETS HERE

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.

Senior Citizen Days

Receive $5 off your Senior gate admission!

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.

Buy your discounted ticket in advance with GOVX!

BUY DISCOUNT TICKETS HERE