The Jorvik Viking Festival is returning to York for 2025 – here are eight unmissable events.
Now in its 40th year, the Vikings will once again be pitching their tents this February for a city-wide celebration of York’s rich Norse heritage.
The Jorvik Viking Festival will take place from Monday 17 to Sunday 23 February 2025.
“We have got an absolutely packed schedule for February,” said Gareth Henry of York Archaeology, the charity that organises the annual festival.
“With the first Jorvik Viking Festival taking place in 1985, this is our 40th year – and we are making sure it will be one to remember!”
The exciting programme of events has now been revealed, and it promises an extra fiery spectacular, more weapons to train with at the Berserker Bootcamp, and the infamous Poo Day now extended to a full week.
As usual, the festival features a mixture of free and paid-for events spread around the city centre. For 2025, it includes a living history encampment, academy for young warriors, epic battles, and the legendary March to Coppergate – a parade of over 200 Viking warriors through the city streets, from York Minster to Jorvik Viking Centre.
Take a look at our guide to eight of the unmissable events below! The full programme of events can be found at the Jorvik Viking Festival website.
Jorvik Viking Festival highlights
Encampment
The Vikings have taken over York City Centre! Snap some selfies as you watch them in action, from woodworking to making traditional leatherwork and even get your face painted to look like a true Norse warrior! Visit Parliament Street to experience the excitement up close and catch a glimpse of Viking life right in the heart of the city in our encampment.
- Parliament Street & St Sampsons Square
- Mon 17 – Sun 23 Feb
- 10:30am – 4:30pm
- Free
- More info
Berserker Bootcamp
Get your Little Vikings ready for battle at our Berserker Bootcamp! Led by seasoned warriors, kids will learn the art of combat with foam swords and shields—don’t worry, Norse health and safety keeps it all safe and fun! Perfect for ages 5-12, these workshops are a great way to let young warriors experience the thrill of Viking training.
- Parliament Street, York
- Mon 17 – Sun 23 Feb
- 10:30am – 4:30pm
- £10
- Book tickets
Poo Week
It’s smelly, it’s squelchy, and it’s a highlight of the Festival calendar! Believe it or not, poo can reveal a lot about our past! Bring the kids to DIG and discover why archaeologists are fascinated by this unexpected treasure. They’ll even have the chance to create their own replica fossilised poo, inspired by the famous Lloyds Bank Turd at JORVIK Viking Centre.
- DIG, St Saviour Church, St Saviourgate, York YO1 8NN
- Mon 17 – Sun 23 Feb
- 11am – 4pm
- Included in admission – booking required
- Book tickets
Jorvik Viking Festival Feast
Celebrate the end of a long winter with an unforgettable candlelit dining experience at the historic Merchant Adventurers’ Hall! Gather in this magnificent venue for a three-course feast inspired by traditional Viking fare, with live entertainment and epic tales from the past that will transport you to another era.
- Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, Fossgate, York YO1 9XD
- Tue 18 Feb
- 7-11pm
- £95
- Book tickets
Evening Spectacular: Tyrfing. The Cursed Sword
Join ‘Time Will Tell Theatre’, as we journey into the heart of a Viking myth with trickery, beauty, death and curses in our Tale of Tyrfing; The Cursed Sword! A chance encounter between a king and two dwarves leads to the forging of a magical sword – but all is not as it seems…
- Eye of York, Tower St, York YO1 9RY
- Fri 21 – Sat 22 Feb
- 7:30-8:30pm
- From £15
- Book tickets
March to Coppergate
The Viking March is a Festival tradition like no other! It simply wouldn’t be the JORVIK Viking Festival without the sight of Viking warriors parading through the city. Don’t miss your chance to experience their thunderous war cries echoing through the streets of York.
- York city centre
- Sat 22 Feb
- 1:30-2pm
- Free
- More info
Viking Games
Join ‘Time Will Tell Theatre’, as we journey into the heart of a Viking myth with trickery, beauty, death and curses in our Tale of Tyrfing; The Cursed Sword! A chance encounter between a king and two dwarves leads to the forging of a magical sword – but all is not as it seems…
- Eye of York, Tower St, York YO1 9RY
- Sat 22 Feb
- 1:30-2:30pm
- From £2.50
- Book tickets
The Siege of Jorvik V
Get ready for a night of Viking metal and folk like never before! In 2025, the Siege of Jorvik enters its fifth year with headline act Ren Marabou and the Berserkers.
- Burton Lane Club, 74 Bootham Crescent, York YO30 7AH
- Sat 22 Feb
- 7-11pm
- Free
- More info