MVTA Offering $6 Round-Trip Bus Service to Minnesota State Fair, Renaissance Festival
A record 148,715 State Fair rides were taken on MVTA buses in 2025. Provided by the MVTA.
Published: August 16, 2026.
DAKOTA & SCOTT COUNTY, MINNESOTA - South metro residents heading to two of Minnesota’s biggest late-summer events will have another transportation option this year, with the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority offering express bus service to both the Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota Renaissance Festival.
MVTA announced it will provide round-trip transportation to either event for $6, with service departing from several locations in Burnsville, Eagan and Shakopee.
The transit agency is again expanding on a service that saw record demand last year. In 2025, MVTA provided more than 53,841 rides to the Renaissance Festival and a record 148,715 rides to the Minnesota State Fair.
Minnesota Renaissance Festival Service Begins August 22
Provided by the MVTA.
MVTA service to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival will be available on all festival operating days from August 22 through October 4, though departure locations will change after Labor Day. Through Labor Day, buses will operate exclusively from the Eagle Creek Park and Ride, 6600 Eagle Creek Boulevard in Shakopee.
Service from Eagle Creek will be offered on the weekends of August 22-23, August 29-30, and September 5-6, as well as on Labor Day, Monday, September 7.
Buses will depart for the Renaissance Festival approximately every 15 to 20 minutes between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Return buses from the festival to Eagle Creek will operate from noon until 8 p.m.
More Renaissance Festival Locations Added After Labor Day
Following Labor Day, MVTA will expand Renaissance Festival transportation to three locations in the south metro. In addition to Eagle Creek Park and Ride, passengers will be able to board at the Burnsville Transit Station, 100 East Highway 13 in Burnsville, and the Southbridge Crossings Park and Ride, 1401 Crossings Boulevard in Shakopee.
Service from all three locations will be offered September 12-13, September 19-20, September 26-27, Festival Friday on October 2, and October 3-4.
MVTA said the service provides another option for festival visitors while also helping alleviate traffic congestion around the Renaissance Festival grounds during busy weekends. The agency reported providing more than 53,841 Renaissance Festival rides in 2025, which represented record ridership for its festival service.
Bus schedule for the MVTA for the Renaissance Festival, provided by the MVTA.
State Fair Buses Available from Burnsville, Eagan, and Shakopee
Provided by the MVTA.
MVTA will also provide express transportation every day of the Minnesota State Fair from August 27 through September 7. Unlike the initial Renaissance Festival schedule, State Fair service will operate from four locations throughout the south metro:
Burnsville Transit Station — 100 East Highway 13, Burnsville
Blackhawk Park and Ride — 4565 Blackhawk Road, Eagan
Eagan Transit Station — 3470 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan
Southbridge Park and Ride — 1400 Crossings Boulevard, Shakopee
Buses will depart approximately every 15 to 20 minutes from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. each day. On Labor Day, outbound service will end earlier, at 4 p.m.
Return transportation from the State Fair will operate from noon until 11:30 p.m., with return service ending at 8:30 p.m. on Labor Day.
Bus schedule for the MVTA for the Renaissance Festival, provided by the MVTA.
Record State Fair Ridership in 2025
MVTA’s State Fair service is coming off a record-setting year. According to the agency, passengers took 148,715 State Fair rides on MVTA buses in 2025, setting a new ridership record for the service.
Tickets and Payment
Round-trip transportation to either the State Fair or Renaissance Festival costs $6 per rider. Tickets can be purchased through the free RideMVTA app, or passengers can pay cash when boarding. Riders paying cash must have the exact amount.
For State Fair service, MVTA staff at the stations will also be available to assist passengers purchasing tickets with a credit or debit card. Passengers should note that the $6 fare covers MVTA round-trip transportation; admission to the Minnesota State Fair or Minnesota Renaissance Festival is separate.
Additional information about MVTA’s special-event transportation is available through MVTA Customer Service at 952-882-7500.
Written by: Will Wight
Photos provided by: MVTA
Heading to the Minnesota State Fair or Renaissance Festival? MVTA is offering $6 round-trip service from several south metro locations, including Burnsville, Eagan and Shakopee, with buses running every 15 to 20 minutes during scheduled service periods.