Vikings at the Jorvik Viking Festival (Photo: York Archaeological Trust)
When: 20th – 27th February 2019
Where: York, North Yorkshire
£: Ticket prices vary, depending on the event. Some events are free
What is it?
JORVIK Viking Festival 2019 takes place in York from Wednesday 20th to Wednesday 27th February, with forgotten stories of Viking women, a battle spectacular and a Viking encampment.
This year’s quirky events will include Strongest Viking and Best Beard competitions, mead tasting, a Viking banquet and Poo Day.
This year’s Battle Spectacular will transform the Eye of York, in the shadow of Clifford’s Tower, into Fólkvangr Fields: the meadow ruled over by the goddess Freya, where half the warriors who died in battle would go, with the other half being sent to Odin’s Valhalla. Five strong Viking women will tell their stories of settlement, revenge, politics and courage, re-enacted by a cast of 100 Viking warriors, and culminating in a fiery finale of pyrotechnics from Clifford’s Tower.
Fossilised poo, the subject of Poo Day!
The main stage at St Sampson’s Square will feature storytelling, demonstrations and competitions, and Spark:York will provide the perfect venue for young warriors to learn sword skills at daily workshops.
Adjacent to the Viking encampment on Parliament Street will be the new Nine Realms Bar, a new venture by Valhalla and Brew York, serving locally produced ales and beverages into the evening.
Experts and performers from all over the world will join this year’s JORVIK Viking Festival, including Danish artist Myrkur, who will be bringing her Folkesange set to The Barbican on Thursday 21st February. Kristin Noreng-Fjellheim, the expert ‘tekstilheksa’ (textile witch) from Norway, will run a Viking embroidery workshop, also on 21st February.
Vikings in the Valhalla bar
Mari Wickerts of Gothenburg Museum will return to teach the art of Nalebinding (Norse knitting with one needle) in workshops for beginners and advanced students, on Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th February.
JORVIK Viking Festival, organised by the events team of York Archaeological Trust, is one of York’s largest events, now in its 35th year. JORVIK Viking Festival is believed to be the largest Viking festival in the world, last year attended by over 63,000 visitors.
More info: www.jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk/about/jorvik-viking-festival-2019
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