It’s no secret that Scandinavians endure long winters when daylight is in short supply. Little wonder that in the summer, when the evening sky rarely darkens, they celebrate. Coloradans can get a taste of that solstice celebration at the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival in Estes Park on Friday to Sunday, June 23 to 25, 2023, at Bond Park.
During the FREE festival, entertainment runs continuously throughout the day, with dancing by various folk groups and live Scandinavian music performances. There will be opportunities to join in and dance along.
You’ll find Scandinavian food and more than 80 artisans selling original work.
In the tradition of educational re-enactors, Fjellborg Vikings presents a Viking tent encampment with demonstrations of various skills including textile arts, blacksmith, and carpenter work.
Throughout the event warriors will be giving demonstrations of live combat using swords, axes, spears, and shields (watch out, Games of Thrones fans!).
When you visit them, you will have a truly hands-on experience by studying museum quality reproductions of Viking chests, tools, carvings, weapons, and armor.
Viking age re-enactors will provide insights of the home life, merchant trade routes, and conquests of the greatest expansion of European culture, unequaled until the time of Columbus.
For a modern-day view, check out the Scandinavian Classic Car Show with the Rocky Mountain Volvo Club.
Hours are 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Bond Park is at intersection of Elkhorn (the main street) and MacGregor Ave. in Estes Park.