When: August 25th through September 5th
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds
About: What began in 1854 as a territorial fair to highlight agriculture and encourage farming in the region became the Minnesota State Fair in 1859, a year after Minnesota was granted statehood. Learn more about the State Fair's rich history.
Today, often referred to as the “Great Minnesota Get-Together,” the annual Minnesota State Fair is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. The fair attracts nearly 1.8 million guests annually.
Minnesota Renaissance Festival
When: Open Weekends August 20 - October 2, Plus Labor Day & Festival Friday, September 30
Where: 12364 Chestnut Blvd. Shakopee, MN. 55379
About: The Minnesota Renaissance Festival began its journey in September of 1971 on a 22 acre field in Jonathan, MN. More than 25,000 people visited the two weekend grand opening of the festival than named “A Celebration of Nature, Art, and Life!” That celebration has since relocated to Shakopee, MN and has grown to be the largest Renaissance Festival in the United States with an annual attendance of 300,000.
