Jorvik Viking Festival 2023 – Your guide to all the fearsomely fabulous events
Jorvik Viking Festival is a city-wide celebration of York’s rich Norse heritage.
The Vikings will once again be pitching their tents in central York this February with the welcome return of the Jorvik Viking Festival from the 11 to 19 February 2023.
Put your whiskers to the test in the Best Beard Competition or explore exquisite Viking goods at the 10th Century Traders stalls.
The Vikings will also return to muster their fearsome armies with the March to Coppergate through the city centre. Plus kids crafting, expert talks and much much more. Full programme of events can be found here.
Get your tickets booked as we’re expecting events to sell out fast!
Here’s our selection of some of the festival’s key events
Beserka Boot Camp
Little Vikings can prepare for battle with these fun Berserker Bootcamp workshops, led by Jorvik’s expert instructors. Suitable for ages 5-12 only, pre-booking advised.
- Guildhall
- 11-18 February
- 10:30am, 12:30pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3:30pm
- £5 per child
Annual Best Beard Competition
Put your whiskers to the test at the annual Best Beard competition! Men, women and children welcome – judges are looking for the most glorious beard in York, whether it’s natural or homemade.
- St Helen’s Square York
- 11 February
- 11-11:30am
- Free entry
Annual Strongest Viking Competition
The stakes are high for the annual Strongest Viking Competition! Come along for hammer-holding, leg-wrestling, hand-to-hand combat and more – cheer on your favourite Viking champion at this family-friendly contest.
- Eye of York
- 18 February
- 11:15am – 12:15pm
- Free entry
Jobalot Feast
Dine in style at the beautifully atmospheric Merchant Adventurers’ Hall. Enjoy three courses of delicious fare and raise your glass to the gods – this a dining experience not to be missed. Skal!
- Merchant Adventurers Hall
- 11 February
- 7-10pm
- £95
Trending
Feast with the King with Francesca Simon (author of Horrid Henry)
To mark the release of the third book in the Two Terrible Vikings series, bestselling author Francesca Simon will be making a triumphant return to the Jorvik Viking Festival. Hear the Horrid Henry author talk about what inspired her to write her Viking tales, with a chance to buy your own signed copy!
- Tang Hall Explore Library
- 11 February
- 2-4pm
- £5. Pre-booking essential
Mead Tasting with the Award-Winning Lancashire Mead Company
Discover your new favourite drink! Learn about the cultural and historical significance of mead, a honey-based drink beloved in the Viking era, Middle Ages and now the 21st century. The Lancashire Mead Company leads a tasting of several delicious meads, accompanied by fine food, served in the Great Hall of our atmospheric medieval townhouse. Skal!
- Barley Hall
- 15 February
- 7-10pm
- £35
Go on an adventure with Johnny Chiodini
Join a quest of your choosing run by Johnny Chiodini in this brand-new role playing game event for 2023.
Johnny is the dungeon master of The Oxventure, a Dungeons and Dragons series on YouTube starring the folks from Outside Xbox and Outside Xtra. They love tabletop role playing games and can’t wait to take you on an adventure.
- Encampment, Parliament Street
- 17 February
- 11am – 4pm
- Free but booking required
New Fringe Event – Mythos: Ragnarok
Prepare for a brand-new fringe event – Mythos: Ragnarok – perfect for Viking enthusiasts and wrestling fans.
Half-brothers Odin and Loki must overcome primordial giants, rival gods and goddesses, and their own ambitions – in their quest to seize power over the Nine Worlds.
- York Barbican
- 17 February
- 7:30-10pm
- £24.50