several sites are under consideration, including properties in other parts of Scott County and near Belle Plaine, Minnesota. In December 2018 it was announced that the lease for the current site was extended thru the 2020 season. On August 19, 2020, it was stated on the Minnesota Renaissance Festival Facebook page that the 2020 season, which would have been the 50th season, was cancelled due to covid, and that the 2021 season will now be considered the 50th season. It was also stated that the lease for the current site was extended thru the 2021 season, though no new updates regarding the proposed new permanent site have been made since it was announced in March 2019 that a site in or near Jordan, Minnesota was probable, and that land near the Scott County Fairgrounds had been purchased for that purpose. On December 31, 2020, it was stated on the Minnesota Renaissance Festival Facebook page that the lease for the current site was extended thru the 2022 season. Travel to the Festival The Minnesota Renaissance Festival provides free parking at its site in Shakopee and directions from its website. Parking is available in two parking lots accessible by a single dirt road crossing active train tracks onto its 400-acre campus. Limited access to and from the festival site has led to significant transportation issues including delays as long as two hours either entering or leaving the fairgrounds. Traffic problems have created significant backups and delays along Minnesota Highway 169 with traffic being identified as the number one issue. In the 1980s, the Minnesota Transportation Museum provided train trips to the Renaissance Festival using Northern Pacific 328. These trains used Chicago & North Western Railway tracks between Minneapolis and Merriam Junction, which is located next to the Renaissance Festival grounds. The rail line was severed between Hopkins and Chaska in 1991. See also List of Renaissance fairs Reenactment Jousting Society for Creative Anachronism List of open air and living history museums in the United States References External links Minnesota Renaissance Festival Festivals in Minnesota Festivals established in 1971 Tourist attractions in Scott County, Minnesota Renaissance fairs 1971 establishments in Minnesota