Late summer in Minnesota means two things: fair food and festival fun!
Two of Minnesota’s favorite traditions, the Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Whether you’re visiting Minnesota for a getaway or you’re a local ready for some end-of-the-summer fun, Burnsville puts you in a convenient spot to experience both.
The Minnesota State Fair: The Great Minnesota Get Together
The Minnesota State Fair is a must-do Minnesota tradition. From iconic fair foods and live music to rides, animals, exhibits and shopping, there’s something new to discover around every corner.
The 2026 Minnesota Fair runs August 27-September 7 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul.
Getting there from Burnsville is easy, too. Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) offers direct State Fair bus service from the Burnsville Transit Station throughout the Fair, with free parking at the station. Skip the fairgrounds traffic and parking and spend more time enjoying the Great Minnesota Get-Together.
The Minnesota Renaissance Festival: A Step Back in Time
Huzzah! The Minnesota Renaissance brings a 16th century village to life with knights, artisans, entertainment, food and plenty of colorful characters.
The 2026 Minnesota Renaissance Festival runs weekends August 22-October 4, plus Labor Day (September 7) and Festival Friday, October 2, in nearby Shakopee.
Browse handcrafted goods, catch a live performance, cheer on the knights and enjoy festival favorites. It’s a fun day trip for families, couples, groups of friends and anyone ready for a little adventure.
Why Make Burnsville Your Home Base?
If you’re wondering where to stay for the Minnesota State Fair or Minnesota Renaissance Festival, Burnsville makes a great home base for experiencing both.
Stay comfortably. Burnsville offers a variety of hotels for different budgets and travel styles, with amenities that may include complimentary breakfast, indoor pools and free parking.
Eat local. Make Burnsville part of the experience by exploring our local restaurants. Grab breakfast before heading out, enjoy dinner after a day at the festival or settle in for drinks and appetizers.
Add to your adventure. Have a little extra time? Explore Burnsville’s shopping, attractions, parks and trails and turn your event day into a weekend getaway.
Get around easily. Burnsville offer convenient access to major highways, putting both Shakopee and St. Paul within easy reach.
Make a Weekend of It
With the Minnesota Renaissance Festival and Minnesota State Fair overlapping in late August, why not experience both? Make Burnsville your home base, enjoy two of Minnesota’s favorite traditions, and leave time to explore local restaurants, attractions and more along the way.
Whether you’re visiting from out of town or planning a day trip close to home, there’s plenty to experience in and around Burnsville.
Ready to start planning? Explore places to stay, local restaurants and more things to do in Burnsville.
