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Today, we will talk about the upcoming Viking Fest in Poulsbo, Washington. We will give you information about the festival, and we will tell you ways to save money when attending the event. But first, we will talk about the history behind Scandinavians in Washington.
Scandinavians in Washington
Not everyone in Washington state is part Scandinavian but a whole lot of people there are. Per History Link.org, by the 1880s, the railroad reached the Pacific Northwest and the influx of Norwegians began increasing. By 1910, Scandinavians were the largest ethnic group in the state. In Seattle, they amounted to 31% of the foreign born population.
In Washington, Norwegians found a place that reminded them of home with the forests and water. They could use their skills as fishermen, loggers and farmers per History Link.org.
Viking Fest Info
The annual Viking Fest will take place on the third weekend in May which is when Norway celebrates its independence. It will be happening on May 16, 17 and 18, 2025, in Poulsbo, Washington, in the greater Seattle area. The festival is hosted by Viking City and Poulsbo Parks & Recreation.
There will be live performances during the day at the Austin Kvelstad Pavilion in the waterfront park. On Saturday night, a street dance will be held on Front Street.
The Viking Fest Parade will be at 2 pm on Saturday, rain or shine. The parade begins at 6th and Fjord. It will end at Martha & Mary on Front Street. The best viewing will be along Fjord Drive.
Carnival rides and games will be at the Viking Fest and in the King Olaf parking lot. Wristbands and tickets will be available for purchase at the Carnival.
During the fest, Anderson Parkway will be closed to traffic and turned into a Street Fair. Vendors will be there with arts, crafts and merchandise for sale. Food vendors will also be there and many will be offering delicious Scandinavian dishes.
The annual Road Race will be held on Saturday. Choose between the 5 mile race, the 1 mile race and the Kids Dash which are held along the lovely Poulsbo waterfront.
Scandinavian Cuisine
If you enjoyed the food at the festival and you’d like to learn more about Scandinavian cuisine, try these cookbooks. And you can use our links to see how you can save money on them.
- Scandinavian Comfort Food by Trine Hahnemann
- Dell Rapids South Dakota Cookbook: Ethnic German Norwegian Scandinavian
- The Complete Scandinavian Cookbook by Alice Johnson
Or you can try Scandinavian cuisine at great Scandinavian restaurants in the greater Seattle area. Based on restaurant reviews, Green Vacation Deals recommends
- Scandinavian Specialties
- Byon Bakeri
- Cafe Hagen
- Skal Beer Hall
Visiting Seattle
If you’d like to visit Seattle for the Viking Festival, you should consider these hotels. They are all offering discounted rates which can save you money.
If you’re flying into Seattle, you can use a promo code to save money on your flight here.