Great Northern Viking Festival

The Great Northern Viking Festival Is A  Family Friendly Celebration Honoring Rich Old Norse & Viking Heritage. Our Mission Is To Immerse Attendees In The Viking Era Through Exhilarating Entertainment, Education, And Immersive Experiences. Join Us For A Unique Blend Of Festival Fun Mixed With Historical Exploration, Where The Past Meets The Present In A Thrilling Interactive And Entertaining Atmosphere.  

Experience Live Entertainment & Viking Adventures
Welcome To The Great Northern Viking Festival—Where History, Adventure, And Interactive Entertainment Collide For An Experience Like No Other! Get Ready To Live The Viking Life In The Modern World, With Exciting Events And Activities Designed For All Ages. Here’s What You Can Expect From This Epic Festival!

Why You Need To Attend
The Great Northern Viking Festival Is Not Your Average Event—It’s A Fully Immersive Viking Adventure That Offers You More Than Just A Glimpse Into The Past. Step Into Our Historical Viking Village, Where Reenactors From The Viking Age Club And Society Of The Sons Of Norway Bring Viking Life To The Present Day. Explore Authentic Iron Age Cooking With Modern Urban Viking Cooking Demos And Meet Viking Encampment Characters Who Will Take You On A Journey Through The Rich History And Lore Of The Norse People.

Interactive Viking Activities
This Festival Is All About Hands-On Experiences. Whether You’re Trying Your Luck At Axe Throwing With Purple Bunny Axe House, Mastering The Ancient Atlatl Spear Throw, Or Playing The Strategic Viking Game Of Kubb, There’s Something For Everyone To Enjoy. Don’t Miss The Live Blacksmithing Demos From The Forging Community Of Duluth And Drew’s Blades, Where You Can Watch Master Craftsmen In Action And Bring Home Their Handcrafted And Foraged Goods.

Non-Stop Demos & Epic Entertainment
Prepare To Be Amazed By Non-Stop Entertainment Throughout The Festival. Learn About The Ancient Art Of Falconry With River Valley Raptors, And Watch Fierce Live Steel Combat From Asfolk Viking Martial Arts And The Viking Age Club. For Those Curious About Viking Magic, Join Kari Tauring To Discover The Mysteries Of Runes, And Listen To The Ancient Sounds Of Kulokk—A Viking Cattle-Calling Technique—Performed By Peggy Larson. Legendary Tales Await You With Tad The Viking Skald, Who Will Bring The Sagas Of Viking Explorers And Warriors To Life.

Feast Like A Viking
No Viking Gathering Is Complete Without A Feast! Satisfy Your Appetite With Offerings From Our Food Trucks, Or Enjoy A Drink In The Mead Hall, Where Traditional Viking Beverages And A Special Nordic-Style Beer Brewed Just For The Festival Await. Whether You’re In The Mood For Viking-Themed Coffee Or A Mead, There’s Something For Every Viking To Enjoy.

Fun For The Whole Family
The Great Northern Viking Festival Is A Family-Friendly Event With Activities For Little Vikings, Too! Kids Can Dig For Treasures At The Viking Relic Dig, Crawl Through The Troll Tunnel, And Create Viking-Inspired Crafts To Take Home. There’s Plenty Of Fun For All Ages!

Unique Vendors & Artisan Goods
Looking To Bring Home Some Viking Treasures? Explore The Market With 25 Unique Vendors Offering Handcrafted Items, Including Viking-Inspired Jewelry, Clothing, And Artisan Weapons. You’ll Find One-Of-A-Kind Pieces That Truly Capture The Spirit Of The Norse.

Minnesota Sauna Experience
In The Spirit Of Minnesota’s Renowned Sauna Culture, We’re Offering A Special Sauna Experience! Relax Like A True Viking In The Heat Of The Sauna, And For The Brave, Take On The Traditional Cold-Water Immersion Dip To Awaken Your Inner Warrior. It’s The Perfect Way To Cap Off Your Viking Adventure. Don't Forget To Bring  Swimwear And A Towel.

Exclusive 21+ Event: A Night In Valhalla
For Those Seeking An Even More Immersive Experience, Join Us For A Night In Valhalla, Our 21+ Exclusive Event. Enjoy An Unforgettable Evening Of Viking Revelry, Complete With Drinks, Music, And An Atmosphere That Will Make You Feel Like You’ve Entered The Halls Of The Gods. It’s The Ultimate Way To Celebrate The Viking Way Of Life!

Schedule Of Events:

10:00 Am The Gates Open - Let The Festivities Begins
10:15 Am Got Forge? (Forging Community Booth)
Witness Blacksmiths Breathe Life Into Raw Metal As They Forge Mighty Tools And Weapons. The Forging Community Is Here To Display Their Ancient Craft And Answer Your Questions.
10:30 Am-Viking Age Club And Society Of The Sons Of Norway: Live Steel Combat Start Your Day With A Clash Of Steel As Viking Warriors Showcase Their Combat Skills In An Epic Display Of Strength And Strategy.
11:00 Am-River Valley Raptors: Falconry Demo Marvel At The Mastery Of Falconry As These Skilled Birds Of Prey Demonstrate Precision, Power, And Grace In Action.
11:45 Am Dye Like A Viking (Viking Village) Learn About The Brilliant Dyes And Bright Colors Used During The Viking Era. See Dye Pots, Materials, And Samples, And Get An Introduction To The Basics Of Dyeing.
11:45 Am Axe/Hatchet Throwing Contest (Axe Throwing Area)
Prove Your Strength And Accuracy In This Fierce Contest Of Axe Throwing! Anyone Can Join-Prizes Await The Victors.
12:00 Pm-Modern Urban Viking Cooking (Viking Village Area)
12:30pm-Tad The Skald: Norse Stortelling
Gather Close As Tad The Skald Spins Epic Tales Of Gods, Heroes, And Wild Adventures That'll Make You Feel Like You're In The Middle Of The Sagas.

1:00 Pm Peggy Larson: Kulokk - Norwegian Herding Calls Hear The Echo Of The Hills As Peggy Demonstrates The Art Of Kulokk, The Ancient Herding Calls Used To Guide Livestock Across The Land.
1:45 Pm Asfolk: Try Viking Martial Artsi Step Into The Shoes Of A Viking Warrior And Test Your Mettle With Thrilling Combat Techniques. This Interactive Demo Lets You Experience Viking Martial Arts Firsthand- Grab A Weapon And Join The Action!
2:15 Pm-Kari Tauring: Runes: History, Use And Misuse - Elder Futhark And Younger Futhark Comparisons A 45-Minute Exploration Of Rune History, Comparing The Elder And Younger Futhark And Delving Into Their Use And Misuse.
3:00 Pm-River Valley Raptors: Falconry Demo Witness These Magnificent Birds Of Prey As They Take Flight, Showcasing The Precision And Skill Of Falconry.
3:30 Pm-Viking Age Club And Society Of The Sons Of Norway: Live Steel Combat The Viking Warriors Return For Another Fierce Round Of Steel Combat, Showcasing Their Skill And Strength!
3:45 Pm Nawdy Bawdy Brigade (18+ Show In Mead Hall)
Prepare For An Uproarious Performance In The Mead Hall- Laughter And Revelry Await!
4:30 Pm Festival Concludes For The Day (All Activities Take Place In The Demo Area Unless Otherwise Noted)

A Night In Valhalla

6:00 Pm: Gates Open - Enter The Halls Of Valhalla

Step Into Valhalla, Where Fire Dancers And The Thunder Of War Drums Announce Your Arrival To The Viking Afterlife! Vips, Capture A Heroic Moment With A Professional Photo To Mark Your Entry Into This Realm Of Legends. Raise A Horn Of Gebo, The Special Nordic-Style Honey Ale Brewed By Paddlefish Brewing Just For This Night. Feast Like A True Viking With Delicious Offerings From The Food Trucks-No Need To Hunt Your Supper Tonight! Dress Code: Viking-Style Garb Is Encouraged. Don Your Finest Norse Attire To Fully Embrace The Spirit Of The Night.

6:30/6:45 Pm: Naughty Bawdy Brigade Performance Laugh & Cheer As The Naughty Bawdy Brigade Brings Bawdy Songs, Rowdy Humor, And Tales Of Mischief To Get The Night Rolling. These Performers Don't Hold Back!
7:30/7:45 Pm: Clash Of Steel - Full Combat Show By Asfolk Hear The Ring Of Swords And Shields As Asfolk's Warriors Go All Out In A Full-Steel Combat Show. This Is As Real As It Gets-Viking Style!
8:30/8:45 Pm: Dance Of Flames 

The Ladies Of Bellaterra Watch As The Ladies Of Bellaterra Enchant With Fire And Dance, Lighting Up The Night Like A Spell Cast By The Gods Themselves. It's A Fiery Feast For The Eyes! All Evening: Sauna And Soak Experience Get A Taste Of Minnesota's Love For Sauna-Sweat It Out Like A True Viking, Then Cool Down. It's The Perfect Way To Feel Alive! Don't Forget To Bring What You Need To Jump Into The Experience.

9:15/9:30 Pm: Viking Contests Time To Shine! "Show Us Your Shieldmaiden"

Women Of Valhalla, Show Your Warrior Spirit And Claim The Spotlight! "Best Overall Viking Garb" - Break Out Your Finest Viking Look And Wow The Crowd. Your Fellow Vikings' Cheers Will Decide Who Gets The Glory-And The Prizes!

9:45/10:00 Pm: Tales By The Bonfire 

Storytelling With Tad The Skald Gather Close As Tad The Skald Spins Epic Tales Of Gods, Heroes, And Wild Adventures That'll Make You Feel Like You're In The Middle Of The Sagas.

10:00 Pm: The Revelry Doesn't Stop Here The Night's Official Program Ends, But Valhalla Stays Alive! Keep The Party Going By The Bonfire Until Midnight. Vips Can Continue To Revel In The Mead Hall, While Everyone Can Explore The Vendors' Handcrafted Goods.

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