Upcoming Events
Nordic festivals, celebrations, and cultural gatherings across the Americas.
Nordic Soundscapes Festival
Multi-concert festival presented by the Minnesota Orchestra, exploring the orchestral music of northern Europe's past and present. The 2026-27 season edition features Music Director Thomas Sondergard and Conductor Laureate Osmo Vanska on the podium. Opening concerts (Nov 5-7) include Grieg's Norwegian Dances and Sibelius' sweeping Symphony No. 2. The second program (Nov 13-14) features Vanska leading violinist Stella Chen in Jaakko Kuusisto's Violin Concerto, Outi Tarkiainen's Songs of the Ice, and Nielsen's Symphony No. 6. Tickets at Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis.
Nordic Fest (Whatcom County)
Nordic Fest is an annual fall Scandinavian cultural festival in Whatcom County, now in its 25th year. Hosted by the Daughters of Norway Nellie Gerdrum Lodge #41 (based in Bellingham), the event runs 10 AM to 4 PM with all-day entertainment, vendors selling gifts and crafts, a Scandinavian bakery, and a Norsk café serving traditional foods. Admission is $5. The festival celebrates the region's strong Nordic immigrant heritage.
Annual Lutefisk Dinner
Annual Norwegian lutefisk dinner held at the Norway Center since 1963, hosted by Sons of Norway Idun Lodge 74 in Madison.
Julefest: A Nordic Holiday Celebration
Julefest is the National Nordic Museum's annual Nordic holiday market and celebration, modeled after a traditional Scandinavian Christmas market. The weekend event features rows of stalls with handcrafted gifts, traditional Nordic foods, cozy Scandinavian apparel, live music, dancing, winter fare from northern Europe, photos with Santa, and a Santa Lucia procession. One of Seattle's favorite holiday traditions, celebrating customs from all five Nordic countries. Free admission to the outdoor market.
Solvang Julefest
Solvang Julefest is a month-long Danish Christmas celebration transforming the village into a holiday wonderland with nightly light and music shows, a tree-lighting ceremony, candlelight tours, the Nisser Adventure city-wide scavenger hunt for Danish elves, artisan markets, traditional Danish holiday food, and live entertainment. One of the most authentic Danish Christmas celebrations in the United States.
Julmarknad Handcraft Market & Festival
One of the region's largest handicraft markets and holiday festivals, featuring over 60 local artists and artisans selling Nordic-inspired crafts, jewelry, textiles, and holiday goods. The weekend-long event includes live music, festive Scandinavian foods at FIKA Cafe, family crafts, story time, holiday shopping at ASI's Museum Store, and visits to ASI's iconic holiday exhibition in the Turnblad Mansion.
SWEA San Francisco Swedish Christmas Fair
The largest and oldest Swedish Christmas fair on the West Coast, running since 1984. Features traditional Lucia processions with candle-crowned performers, a Swedish julbord with meatballs, herring, and glögg (mulled wine), Scandinavian craft vendors selling handmade gifts, a julbutik (Christmas shop), gingerbread cookies, and live Swedish Christmas music.
Finnish American Village Finnish Independence Day Celebration
Annual celebration of Finnish Independence Day (December 6, 1917) at the Finnish American Village in Lake Worth, Florida. Features community gathering, flag raising, Finnish traditions, and remembrance. Lake Worth has a significant Finnish-American community.
Luciadagen at Gammelgården
The Luciadagen program at Gammelgården is held in the Gammelkyrka (Old Church) and includes readings, a message, and songs led by a soloist from DeCantus (an a capella ensemble). Dress warmly — the church dates back to 1856 and has no heat. After the program, guests enjoy the holiday exhibit in the classroom in the Welcome House (Välkommen Hus) and shop in the Scandia Butik, filled with Swedish and holiday items. All guests receive a small bag of Swedish treats and a Lucia-theme item.
Utepils Brewing's Julemarket
Weekend holiday market held at Utepils Brewing Co. in partnership with Norway House, now celebrating its 10th annual event. Features 25-30+ Nordic-inspired artisans selling locally made Scandinavian-inspired holiday goods. Includes craft beer, food trucks, special festivities, and full holiday vibes. A Twin Cities holiday tradition since 2016. Free to attend; food and beer available for purchase.
Lucia Celebration & Lucia Choir
Annual Saint Lucia Day celebration at the American Swedish Institute featuring the ASI Lucia Choir, a seasonal youth choir of approximately 75 singers honoring the Swedish tradition of bringing light to the darkest time of year. Children dress in white with candle crowns and perform traditional Swedish and English Lucia songs. Concerts held in the Turnblad Mansion with pepparkakor (ginger cookies) and Swedish holiday treats.
Lucia Celebration of Light
An annual Swedish Christmas tradition featuring a candlelit Lucia procession with children and adults in white robes singing traditional Swedish Lucia carols, performed by the Zaida Singers. Includes a Julbutik (Scandinavian Christmas market) with handcrafted gifts, refreshments including Swedish baked goods and glögg, and folk dancing.
Sanford St. Lucia Festival
Annual celebration of Seminole County's Swedish heritage, dating back to the 1871 arrival of Swedish settlers in the Sanford area. Features a traditional St. Lucia processional with girls in white robes and candle crowns, choral and dance performances, authentic Swedish food, beverages, and desserts. Free admission.
Lucia Celebration at The Swedish Club
The Swedish Club's annual Lucia Celebration is a cherished holiday tradition in Seattle, featuring a collaboration with the University of Washington Scandinavian Department. The event includes a traditional Santa Lucia procession with candlelight, Swedish Christmas carols, folk dancing, and festive treats. The Lucia tradition commemorates St. Lucy, the Sicilian saint adopted as a symbol of light in the dark Scandinavian winter.
Luciafest (Nordic Council of Greater Seattle)
Luciafest is the Nordic Council of Greater Seattle's annual Santa Lucia celebration. The program features a Lucia procession, fiddle tunes from Lilla Spelmanslag (a children's folk music group), and dancing from Barneleikkarringen (a children's Nordic dance group). The event includes lessons and carols in Swedish and English, followed by a candlelight reception with coffee and Swedish treats. Celebrates the Swedish tradition of light in the darkness of winter.
Sankta Lucia Celebration – Duluth
Annual Sankta Lucia Celebration featuring a Lucia processional with approximately 20 children portraying Lucia, the Maids of Light, Starlights, and Jultomte (Christmas elves), followed by a Scandinavian buffet brunch and choral music. Tickets are sold October 15 through November 30. Guests are warmly welcomed.
Nordic Heritage Festival
The Nordic Heritage Festival is an annual event hosted by PLU's Scandinavian Cultural Center, now in its 48th year. The festival celebrates Nordic culture through artisans, vendors, performers, and authentic food. Features include Norwegian café fare (pea soup, rømmegrøt), craft demonstrations such as rosemaling, Hardanger embroidery, spinning, and woodcarving, live musical entertainment, and booths from local Norwegian lodges. Runs 11 AM to 4 PM. PLU has deep Scandinavian roots as a university founded by Norwegian Lutheran immigrants.
Syttende Mai Festival
Stoughton's Syttende Mai Festival is America's largest celebration of Norwegian Constitution Day, held annually on the weekend closest to May 17. This three-day city-wide festival in Historic Downtown Stoughton features Norwegian parades starting at Mandt Park, traditional folk dancing by the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers, rosemaling and Hardanger embroidery exhibits, quilt shows, woodcarving, a Norse costume style show, a smorgasbord of Norwegian foods, live music, an arts and crafts fair, a 3.5-mile Yahara River canoe race, and the Ugliest Troll Drawing contest. Organized by the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce since 1953.
Poulsbo Viking Fest
Rooted in Poulsbo's rich Scandinavian heritage, Viking Fest brings thousands of visitors together every third weekend in May for a festive parade, lively carnival, and street fair celebrating Norse tradition. The event features a Viking Road Race, gourmet Scandinavian food, arts and crafts vendors, a Nordic Fashion Show, live entertainment, carnival rides, and games. Poulsbo, known as 'Little Norway,' was founded by Scandinavian immigrants and the festival honors that legacy. Free to attend.
Syttende Mai Minnesota Banquet
Annual banquet and reception honoring Norway's Constitution Day, organized by Norway House. Now in its 45th year, the Norwegian community in Minnesota gathers on May 17th to celebrate with great food, colorful flags, national songs, and inspiring speakers. Held at the Sundet Aula at Norway House. Tickets: $85 general, $75 members, $45 students. Hosted on Saturday evening closest to May 17th.
17th of May Parade & Celebration (Syttende Mai)
Seattle's Syttende Mai celebration is one of the largest Norwegian Constitution Day parades outside Norway. The parade runs through downtown Ballard, historically the heart of Seattle's Norwegian-American community, featuring marching bands, Norwegian folk groups, bunad (traditional costume) wearers, and community organizations. The day includes festivities with Nordic food, music, and drinks. Free and open to the public.
Syttende Mai at Mindekirken
Norwegian Constitution Day celebration at Mindekirken, the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church in Minneapolis. The weekend celebration includes Norwegian and English church services, a parade, children's games and bouncy houses, folk dancing, bunad displays (traditional Norwegian costumes), ice cream for children, and performances by the Twin Cities Hardingfelelag (Hardanger fiddle ensemble). Syttende Mai is celebrated as 'Barnas dag' (children's day) with family-friendly activities.
Midsommar Kubb Tournament
The National Nordic Museum hosts Seattle's Kubb Tournament in honor of the Midsommar holiday. Kubb is a traditional Scandinavian lawn game (sometimes called 'Viking chess') that has grown in popularity. The tournament invites participants to play on the museum grounds in Ballard. The event is part of the museum's broader Midsommar programming, which celebrates the summer solstice the traditional Nordic way.
Midsommardagen Celebration
Gammelgården's annual Midsommardagen Celebration is the Museum's largest outdoor event of the year, featuring a traditional maypole (majstang) raising, live Scandinavian music, folk dancing, children's activities, artist demonstrations, flower crown making, Swedish outdoor games, food trucks, and a vendors fair on the Museum's 11-acre grounds. Also available are self-guided tours of the Museum's historic buildings and exhibits in the Välkommen Hus (the big red building).
Midsommar Celebration – Duluth
Community Midsommar celebration with traditional ring dance and singing around the Majstång (maypole), flower crown making with wildflowers, painting of dalahästar (Dalarna horses), and hands-on craft activities for all ages. The 2026 celebration was held Sunday, June 28th from 2:00 to 4:30 pm, with the ring dance at 3:00 pm.
Spelmansstämman
Gammelgården offers a family-friendly cross-cultural festival filled with folk music and dance on three stages; and hands-on visual arts activities for children and adults. Visitors also can take self-guided historic building tours; visit the artists, crafters, and vendors fair; watch artist demonstrations; and look at the exhibits and displays in the Välkommen Hus (Welcome House). Food trucks are available for purchase of food and beverages.
Spring Grove Syttende Mai
Annual Norwegian Constitution Day celebration in Spring Grove, Minnesota's first Norwegian settlement (founded 1852). Running since 1973, the celebration features a children's parade (Barnetoget), city-wide garage sales, a quilt show, a 5K Run/Walk ('Running with my Gnomies'), disc golf at Trollskogen Park, live music, a coronation of royalty including 'King of the Trolls' and 'Honorary Norwegian,' and a DJ at the Lions Pub.
Florida Viking Festival
A volunteer historical reenactment festival dedicated to Viking Age heritage, featuring living history encampments, combat demonstrations, crafts, and educational activities. Founded in 2019 as a private foundation.
St. Urho's Day Dance at Little Finland
Annual St. Urho's Day dance at Little Finland, the cultural center of the National Finnish American Festival in the Wisconsin Northwoods. Music, dancing, and Finnish-American heritage celebration.
Scandinavian Festival at Cal Lutheran
The largest Nordic culture festival in Southern California, celebrating its 51st year in 2025. The two-day event features live music and folk dancing from all five Nordic countries, cooking and craft demonstrations, specialty Nordic food vendors, Viking reenactments, a children's activity area, and over 100 artisan vendors. Free admission and parking.
Norway Day Festival
An annual two-day celebration of Norwegian culture in San Francisco, featuring authentic Norwegian food including salmon, waffles with brown cheese, and baked goods, live Scandinavian music and folk dancing, Viking reenactment encampments, Norwegian cultural exhibits, artisans selling traditional crafts and knitwear, a bunad fashion show, and children's activities.
ASI Midsommar Celebration
ASI's Midsommar Celebration is the American Swedish Institute's largest outdoor event of the year, featuring a traditional maypole (majstang) raising, live Scandinavian music, folk dancing, flower crown making, Swedish food vendors, and a craft market on the ASI campus in Minneapolis.
Midsummer at Old World Wisconsin
A Scandinavian Midsummer celebration at the Old World Wisconsin living history museum, featuring traditional seasonal traditions from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark.
Skandia Midsommarfest
Skandia Midsommarfest is a traditional Swedish midsummer celebration showcasing Nordic folk music and dancing by the Pacific Northwest's premier folk musicians and dancers. The event features the raising of a garlanded Midsommar pole, followed by community dancing around it. Attendees enjoy Scandinavian delicacies, a Hemslöjdsmarknad (crafts market), and live performances throughout the day from approximately 11 AM to 6 PM.
Swedish American Club of Sarasota Midsommar Celebration
Annual Midsummer celebration organized by the Swedish American Club of Sarasota, traditionally held at parks in the Sarasota/Tampa Bay area. Features maypole dancing, Swedish food, music, and community gathering.
Nordic Fair (Stanwood)
The Nordic Fair is an annual Scandinavian cultural event in Stanwood, now in its 11th year, organized by the Daughters of Norway Ingeborg Lodge No. 43. Held at the Stillaguamish Grange Hall on the Stanwood Camano Fairgrounds, the fair runs 10 AM to 3 PM and features Scandinavian crafts, food vendors, cultural demonstrations, and Nordic-themed gifts. The event celebrates the Scandinavian heritage of the Stanwood-Camano area.
Swedish American Club of Sarasota Kräftskiva
Traditional Swedish crayfish party (kräftskiva) organized by the Swedish American Club of Sarasota. Features crayfish, schnapps, singing, and socializing at the Sarasota Yacht Club.
Christmas Sing Along at Little Finland
Annual Christmas sing-along at Little Finland, the cultural center of the National Finnish American Festival in the Wisconsin Northwoods. Coffee and refreshments served.
Vinterfest at Norway House
Norway House's winter holiday festival — formerly the Nordic Julemarket. Now rebranded as Vinterfest, featuring Nordic artisans, live music, warm drinks, and holiday celebrations. Free to attend.
Nordic Spirit Symposium
A unique lecture and performance program exploring Scandinavian history, culture, and music through scholarly presentations and live performances. The symposium covers rotating themes across all five Nordic countries, with past topics including Reformation-era Scandinavia, Viking age history, and Nordic folk music traditions.
A Taste of Syttende Mai
Annual Norwegian heritage celebration in Milan, MN, once fondly referred to as 'Little Norway.' The event features Norwegian music, dance, arts, crafts, and traditional foods including lefse, flatbreads, krumkaka, Norwegian meatballs, blod klub, Gjettost with cloudberry jam, and rommegrat. The day begins with a Norwegian church service at Kviteseid Lutheran Church, followed by a parade at 2pm, sidewalk performances, and food vendors.
Duluth-stämman: Nordic Music & Dance Festival
Duluth Stamman is a Nordic music and dance festival at Weber Music Hall, University of Minnesota Duluth. The event brings together Scandinavian musicians, fiddlers, and dancers for workshops, performances, and community dancing celebrating Nordic folk traditions.
Great Northern Viking Festival
The Great Northern Viking Festival is a family-friendly cultural and educational event celebrating Nordic cultures, including Finnish and Sámi traditions. Features authentic cultural demonstrations, historical education, music, crafts, hands-on activities, and a dedicated children's education area. Programming includes visiting cultural educators and historians, public-facing demos, and a Viking Strongman Competition. Runs 10:30am to 4:30pm, Saturday and Sunday.
Lindström Midsommar Festival
Town-wide Midsummer celebration in Lindstrom, MN, known for its iconic Coffee Pot Water Tower. The festival features a goat parade, goatee contest, clogging performances, the Swedish Karl Oskar band, Kubb tournaments, a Kid Zone, live music, food vendors, and community contests. Downtown Lindstrom hosts a full day of Scandinavian fun from noon to 9pm.
Norskedalen Midsummer Fest
Norskedalen's annual Midsummer Fest celebrates the summer solstice with Norwegian Midsummer traditions. Features folk art and heritage skills demonstrations, workshops, music, and family activities in the beauty of Poplar Coulee. The historic homestead showcases blacksmithing, ropemaking, rosemaling, embroidery, and fjord horses. Includes a nationally sanctioned USS Viking Strongman Competition, Kubb tournament, flower crown making, Pollinator Path for kids, and lefse. A family-friendly event rooted in thousands of years of Norwegian Midsummer celebration.
Sveadal Midsummer Festival
The oldest Swedish Midsummer celebration in the United States, dating back to 1894. Held at the SAPL's historic Sveadal grounds in Morgan Hill, the festival features traditional Midsummer pole raising, flower wreath making, Swedish folk dancing, authentic Swedish food including herring, meatballs, and strawberries with cream, live Scandinavian music, and games for all ages.
Menahga Midsummer Celebration
Finnish-American midsummer celebration held the second weekend of July in Menahga, MN. Events include the St. Urho 5K/10K Run, an arts and crafts fair, horseshoe tournament, youth fishing derby, baseball tournament, antique car show, live music, a parade, and food vendors. The celebration honors Finnish heritage with St. Urho King and Queen royalty. Most events are free and open to the public.
Scandinavian Fest (ScanFest)
The largest Scandinavian festival on the East Coast, now in its 39th year. Held annually on Labor Day Sunday at NJ Vasa Park in Budd Lake, New Jersey. The full-day celebration features live Scandinavian entertainment, traditional food, Viking combat demonstrations, the Leif Ericson Viking Ship, blacksmithing, weaving, Hardanger embroidery, lace making, cooking demonstrations, Nordic-inspired vendors, children's activities, and the 16th annual Wife-Carrying Competition. Celebrates the cultures of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, and Estonia. Admission is $17 general, $15 seniors, free for ages 12 and under.
Nordic Music Festival
The Nordic Music Festival is a free annual celebration of music, dance, culture, food, and traditions from all five Nordic countries. Features Scandinavian dancers, bands, choirs, and musicians performing throughout the day, a Nordic café with baked treats, and Nordic crafters and artisans selling handmade goods. Hosted by the Nordic Heritage Club of Carver County and Sons of Norway. Runs 10am to 5pm, rain or shine.
Scandinavian Day Festival
The 46th annual Scandinavian Day Festival at Vasa Park in South Elgin, Illinois, celebrating the cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. The all-day festival features live entertainment, folk dancing by the Nordic Folk Dancers of Chicago and Leikarringen Heimhug Dancers, traditional Scandinavian food and beverages, vendors, children's activities with free pony rides, and a morning church service. Admission is $15 per person, children 12 and under free.
SEA-Nordic Film Festival
An annual week-long Nordic film festival at the National Nordic Museum in Seattle, Washington. The 2026 festival showcases LGBTQ+ stories from across the Nordic region, tracing the history of queer representation in Nordic cinema. Screenings include both classic and contemporary films from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, with discussions featuring academics and artists. Full festival passes and single screening tickets available.
Tuesday Open House at Mindekirken
Weekly cultural and fellowship program at Mindekirken Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church, running September through May. The program covers Norwegian literature, historic and contemporary Norwegian life, music, theology/faith, and art. Schedule: doors at 10:30am, lunch 11-11:30am, program 12-1pm in Fellowship Hall. $10 donation includes lunch and program.
FinnFest USA 2026
FinnFest USA 2026 is a four-day Finnish and Nordic culture festival featuring music, art, design, language, food, lectures, and workshops. The free Tori (marketplace) is open to all — no festival ticket needed. Everyone is welcome, not just Finns. Programming spans Thursday through Sunday at the Hilton Minneapolis Downtown and the American Swedish Institute.
Solvang Danish Days
Solvang Danish Days is the premier Danish-American cultural festival celebrating the founding of Solvang by Danish immigrants in 1911. The three-day weekend features a parade, Danish food tents serving aebleskiver and frikadeller, live folk music and dancing, a beer garden, Viking encampment demonstrations, artisan crafts, and a queen coronation. Most events are free.
Vista Viking Festival
Southern California's premier Viking and Nordic culture celebration, now in its 24th year. Held at the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, the festival features live Viking encampments, battle reenactments, axe throwing, Nordic music, Scandinavian food vendors, mead tasting, artisan crafts, and educational presentations on Norse mythology and history.
Taste of Finland
Samples of various Finnish foods to share. Held at Little Finland, the cultural center of the National Finnish American Festival in the Wisconsin Northwoods.
Berserk Viking Festival
An epic annual Viking festival at the Scandinavian Cultural Center in West Newton, Massachusetts. Features two rival Viking encampments on the front lawn with warriors crafting tools, playing traditional Viking games, and clashing in combat demonstrations culminating in a climactic battle at 2 PM. Activities include stone lifting with the New England Stone Lifters, rune-making, weaving stations, a Viking interaction zone, live Nordic music, and Scandinavian food including Icelandic hot dogs. Tickets are $20 for adults in advance ($25 day of), $10 for kids 12 and under ($15 day of).
Midwest Viking Festival
A free festival celebrating the craft traditions, food, stories, and other aspects of medieval Scandinavia at the UW-Green Bay Viking House.
Nordic Innovation Summit
The Nordic Innovation Summit is the National Nordic Museum's flagship annual event, fostering cross-collaboration between science, community, government, and industry to accelerate cultural exchange between the Pacific Northwest and the Nordics. The 2026 theme is Arctic 360, focusing on Arctic policy through the lenses of academia, policy, community, and implementation. Features high-profile speakers from the US and Nordics, including opening session with Princess Marie of Denmark. Two-day summit with evening reception. Tickets $275 general, $250 members, $50 students.