Viking Days

At this FREE two-day event, the Museum grounds will be transformed into an all-ages festival featuring Nordic food, folk music, fun demonstrations, and even a full-scale Viking encampment.

Perhaps the greatest highlight of the event will be the Viking encampment. There, visitors will learn what a day in the life of a Viking was really like—and have the opportunity to participate in demonstrations of weaving, woodcarving, weapon-forging, games, and more.

Delicacies from each of the five Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden) will be available throughout the festival, including æbleskiver, Swedish meatballs, vinarterta, and more. There will also be a Swedish Pancake Breakfast from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. Visitors can enjoy grilled sausages and salmon burgers all weekend at the Viking Grill, as well as Krogstad aquavit and craft beer from Odin Brewing Company in the Valhalla Beer Garden. An afternoon Salmon Bake is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday.

Traditional music groups will perform on three different stages, local artisans will sell handcrafted items, and crafts will be set up for children. Attendees will also be able to purchase tickets for the annual Viking Days raffle; prizes include a weeklong stay at Eagle Crest Resort (April 8–15, 2018), a new Museum naming plaque, a Mariners package, and more.

To celebrate the last Viking Days in the current building (iIn December, the Nordic Heritage Museum will begin its move to a new facility on Market Street), docents will lead tours of the Museum’s original core exhibition, The Dream of America, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day, as well as of its brand-new visiting exhibition, The Whimsical World of Bjørn Wiinblad, at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Admission to the Museum will be free all weekend.