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Viking festival postponed due to Covid concerns

The JORVIK Viking Festival is postponed to May. Photograph: Anthony Chappel-Ross / Jorvik
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The Jorvik Viking Festival has been moved to May due to concerns over large gatherings and staff availability.

But organisers want to stress that the festival hasn’t been cancelled – only moved.

The Jorvik Viking Festival normally takes place during York’s February half-term but has moved instead to the May half-term week – which in York is Monday 30 May to Friday 3 June – though the new dates are not yet confirmed.

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The Jorvik Viking Festival is a popular event every year, with two highlight events – the Viking Feast and Battle Spectacular – already sold out.

Organisers have stated that those who have purchased tickets to the Viking Feast and Battle Spectacular will have priority to transfer their tickets over to the rescheduled events in May.

“We are determined that it will still take place in 2022,” said festival manager Gareth Henry, “but with parts of the UK still under restrictions, it would be unwise to host events that draw crowds of thousands at this time.”

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Fireworks explode over Clifford’s Tower at the finale of the Jorvik Viking Festival 2019

But concerns surrounding Covid weren’t the only reason for the move.

“As we experienced in 2020 with high winds, weather can also impact the event,” Gareth commented. “Moving to the May half term week should give us a better chance of hosting the Festival that tens of thousands of people know and love.”

Last year’s festival was unable to go ahead due to Covid restrictions and was replaced with the online festival That Jorvik Viking Thing – which was the world’s largest online Viking Festival.

That Jorvik Viking Thing will take place again this year, from 19 to 27 February. The online festival is expected to include livestreamed events and on-demand videos.

“We always planned to host That Jorvik Viking Thing alongside the Festival, so we’re finalising the programme now,” added Gareth.

So while unfortunately we’ll have to wait a little longer for the cries of Vikings taking over the city, there’s still Viking-themed fun to look forward to in February.

Visit the Jorvik Viking Festival website for further updates.