FAQs - Great Northern Viking Festival
Please reach us at greatnorthernvikingfestival@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Welcome to the Great Northern Viking Festival—a bold, immersive adventure that bridges ancient Viking history with modern Viking subculture. This isn’t just another Viking festival; it’s a completely new concept produced by Northern Woman Productions. Through interactive reenactments, hands-on workshops, and battle demonstrations, we’re building a community of Viking enthusiasts. Whether you’re a history buff, festival lover, or curious explorer, come don your Viking garb and experience the Vikings like never before!
Everyone is welcome at the festival, a celebration open to all who share a passion for the Viking era. Regardless of your heritage, if the spirit of the Vikings calls to you, come be part of this unforgettable adventure. The Great Northern Viking Festival is committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all staff, volunteers, and guests. We have a zero-tolerance policy for any hate-related iconography or behavior. Discrimination or prejudiced conduct will not be accepted by the festival or its producer, Northern Woman Productions. Harassment of any kind is strictly prohibited.
Dates:
- Saturday, October 18th, 2025: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sunday, October 19th, 2025: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Location:
Great Northern Viking Festival: 20002 Hawkeye Lane, Mankato, MN 56001.
Join us in Mankato, MN, for an unforgettable Viking experience, rain or shine!
A Night in Valhalla is a 21+ fully immersive Viking experience, held outdoors on Saturday, October 18th, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Step into Valhalla under the stars, in the woods, by the river. Enjoy interactive entertainment, vendors, live music and more. VIVs (Very Important Vikings) enjoy exclusive perks, including tent camping, signing the 2025 Viking Shield, mead hall access and more. Attendance is limited, and the event may sell out before gate sales, so we recommend purchasing tickets in advance to avoid disappointment!
Yes, visit our entertainment page for a daily schedule of festival activities.
Yes! Gate sales will be open for both general admission to the festival and 'A Night in Valhalla'. However, A Night in Valhalla has limited attendance and may sell out before gate sales, so we recommend purchasing your tickets early to secure your spot. VIV tickets are pre-sale only. Go here for ticket information. All tickets are non-refundable. Event happens rain or shine.
Don’t just attend, become part of the story.
Throw on your best Viking garb and step into a realm of longships, sagas, and shield walls. Whether you channel a fierce shieldmaiden, a wise seer, or a raider from the fjords, this is your chance to live the lore.
Historical or Viking fantasy garb is welcome — just keep your look rooted in the Viking Age.
The more you embrace the role, the more Valhalla comes alive around you.
Garb/Costumes aren’t required but they’ll make your night unforgettable.
Weapons are allowed but must be peace-tied and sheathed at all times. No live steel weapons can be drawn, and all blades must remain secured. Prop bows without arrows are welcome. We’ll check all weapons at the gate for safety.
Want to tent camp at the festival? Full weekend, primate tent camping is available with the Ultimate Viking Weekend Pass. A perfect way to immerse yourself in the spirit of the Viking Age.
There are several off-site camping sites in the area as well as many local hotels. Visit our camping page for more info.
Pets are not allowed at the festival. Please arrange care for your pets beforehand—only registered service animals are permitted.
At the Great Northern Viking Festival, you can look forward to a fantastic selection of food trucks and stands offering a variety of delicious options.
If you’re camping, you are welcome to bring your own food. Throughout the festival, enjoy a selection of mead, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages. Please remember that outside alcohol is not permitted.
IDs will be checked for all alcohol purchases, and no one under 21 will be served.
Both cash and credit cards are accepted at most vendor locations. Some vendors may be cash-only, so we recommend bringing cash with you. There is no ATM onsite. Cash is still king!
The festival is held outdoors, and while we aim to accommodate all visitors, accessibility may be limited in certain areas. Please contact us for any specific needs so we can assist you. There is very little on-site handicap parking.
Smoking and vaping are allowed in designated areas outside the main gate. Smoking/Vaping on the festival grounds or in enclosed spaces is prohibited to ensure safety and fire prevention.
The Great Northern Viking Festival is a rain-or-shine event. We recommend coming prepared for any weather, as most of the festival is outdoors. No refunds will be issued for weather-related cancellations, so get ready to enjoy the Viking spirit, rain or shine!
Where will parking be located?
Parking is available in a grassy field that is mostly flat, providing convenient access to the festival grounds.
How much does parking cost?
Parking is a $2 per car donation. However, if you are carpooling with 4 or more ticket holders, parking is free!
What should I expect upon arrival?
When you arrive, you will directed to a parking spot. Walk to the ticket entry to access the festival. Make sure to have your ticket ready for scanning to ensure a smooth entry.
Is there early access for VIVs?
Yes! VIV Valhalla and Ultimate Viking Weekend Pass holders will enjoy early access to parking and camping areas.
The Great Northern Viking Festival offers a dedicated Kids' Area filled with exciting activities! Kids can hunt for treasure in the Viking Relic Dig, explore the Troll Tunnel, ride a zipline, and enjoy the play area. There will also be interactive Viking games and storytelling to bring the Viking world to life. Plus, children 7 years old and under get in free, making it an adventure the whole family can enjoy! Sunday is family day with special children's activities.
Make your A Night in Valhalla 2025 experience
truly legendary by upgrading to VIV (Very Important Viking).
Designed for those who want the ultimate immersion into the Viking spirit, VIV tickets offer exclusive opportunities to elevate your adventure.
VIV tickets are limited and highly sought after, ensuring an intimate and unforgettable evening.
Don’t wait—VIV tickets and Ultimate Viking Weekend passes will sell out quickly, and no VIV tickets or weekend passes will be available at the gate.
We’re not chasing crowds, we’re building a gathering of community, authenticity, and connection.
We want every guest to feel like they’re part of something real, not just watching a festival, but stepping into a living saga.
your journey is meant to feel personal, not packed.
The Ultimate Viking Weekend begins where all great sagas do — around the fire.
Exclusively for Ultimate Viking Weekend Pass holders, the Fire of Fellowship is your chance to arrive early, claim your camp, and step into the story before the gates open.
Under the stars and beside the flames, you’ll join Viking reenactors, artisans, and special guests who are experts in all things Norse culture, for a night of storytelling, songs, and connection that sets the tone for the entire weekend.
It’s not just a festival - it’s a feeling.
We’re not here for clout, trends, or who has the most followers.
We don’t care who the biggest social media influencer is.
We care about connection, to each other, to the land, to our ancestors, and to ourselves.
The Great Northern Viking Festival and A Night in Valhalla were created to offer something real. A place where you can unplug, step into the old ways, and feel like you belong. It’s about firelight, storytelling, shared purpose, and finding kin among strangers.
This is a woman-owned, independently run festival, founded by a Scandinavian American Norse pagan who lives the culture, not just curates it. We’re not chasing spectacle. We’re offering something immersive, grounded, and soul-stirring.
Yes, we love fantasy. But we’re also here to honor history, with expert guests, skilled reenactors, and a commitment to keeping the theme Viking.
If you’re seeking more than a weekend distraction — if you’re looking for meaning, community, and a moment that feels
Welcome Home - Welcome to the Great Northern Viking Festival.
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