Renaissance Festival

Dates of Service for the Festival:

• Saturdays & Sundays
  • Weekends (Sat & Sun) August 22nd – October 4th
• Labor Day
  • Monday, September 7
• Festival Friday
  • Friday, October 2

MVTA Park & Ride Locations for the Minnesota Renaissance Festival:

• Eagle Creek Park & Ride
  • 6600 County Hwy 16, Shakopee, MN 55379
  • Service is available all festival days. 

• Burnsville Transit Station (Bay C)
  • 100 East Highway 13, Burnsville, MN 55337
  • Service is available only after Labor Day weekend.

• Southbridge Crossings Park & Ride (Shakopee)
  • 1401 Crossings Boulevard, Shakopee, MN 55379
  • Service is available only after Labor Day weekend

All MVTA Ren Fest bus fares are $6 round-trip.

• RideMVTA App (Recommended):

  • Download the free RideMVTA App
  • Follow the instructions and activate your pass only when ready to board the bus.
  • Show your digital pass to the driver when boarding the bus

• Cash:

  • Insert $6 exact cash in the bus farebox. Drivers are unable to make change.

• Credit or Debit Card:

  • Locate an MVTA staff member on-site.
  • Pay using your credit or debit card to receive a ticket.

• Free Riders:

  • Children (0-5)
  • Disabled Veterans
    • Must show valid military ID

When you are ready to come home, head to the exact location where you were dropped off at the festival. The last bus will leave the festival at 8 pm.o

Park & Ride Elevator Information

Burnsville Transit Station: No elevator is available. Please plan to drop off mobility device(s) at the building entrance before parking and pick them up again after retrieving your vehicle.

Southbridge Crossings: Parking lot only – no parking ramp.

Eagle Creek Park & Ride: Parking lot only – no parking ramp.

ADA Accessibility on Buses

MVTA buses are equipped with ramps and/or lifts, and include securement areas for mobility devices near the front of the bus.

Q: How do you buy Renaissance Festival bus tickets on the RideMVTA App?

A: MVTA riders can purchase $6 tickets by downloading the free RideMVTA App. You can download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store.

Sign into your RideMVTA account, or create a new account by registering in the app. This will require a phone number and an email address that you have access to.

On the home page of the app, scroll down and select Renaissance Festival Ticket under Upcoming Events. Select the number of tickets for purchase and click add to cart. Choose payment method and slide to buy.

Do not activate tickets until shortly before boarding the bus.

Show your active ticket to a staff member on site or to the bus driver

One $6 ticket is good for a round-trip ride both to and from the fair. You will not be required to show your ticket for the return bus ride.

Please Note: Go-To Cards, College Passes and MetroPasses are not accepted for the Renaissance Festival Express service.

Q: Can I buy a ticket on the app for another person or group of people?

A: Yes, only if that person is traveling with you. Passes cannot be sent electronically to another person’s phone. Be sure to activate all tickets for all people in your group before boarding the bus.

Q: Can we take a bike?

A: Bikes are permitted to be transported on the front of the bus on a first-come, first-served basis.

Q: Can we bring wagons?

A: Only collapsible wagons are allowed on buses for transport.

Q: Can I bring a stroller on the bus?

A: Yes, but it must be collapsible.

Q: Will you make change if I don’t have exactly $6 in cash?

A: No. Riders will need $6 cash per person in the group. One person is $6, but you can pay $12 for two people, $18 for three people, $24 for 4 people, $30 for five people, etc.

Q: Do Veterans ride free?

A: Veterans ride free by showing a “Service Connected” ID.

Q: Are dogs allowed on the bus?

A: Service dogs are allowed on the bus and MVTA will align with the Renaissance Festival’s policy on dogs.

• No puppies under the age of 6 months.
• Only one dog per owner will be allowed on the bus.
• All dogs must always be on a leash while on the bus.
• Dogs are not allowed on seats of the bus.
• Dogs must be kept in control by their owner and not block the aisle of the bus.

Q: Does MVTA allow decorative costume weapons on the bus?

A: No firearms are allowed on the bus. MVTA will align with the Renaissance Festival’s policies regarding its costume rules found at Minnesota Renaissance Festival

Q: Does an MVTA ticket get you into the Renaissance Festival?

A: No. Renaissance Festival entry ticket information is available at https://renaissancefest.com.

For more information about riding with MVTA to the Renaissance Festival, email mvta@mvta.com or call MVTA Customer Service at 952-882-7500.