Monday, August 17, Copenhagen 

Start the evening with a short walk to Tivoli Gardens for a festive welcome dinner. You’ll have time after dinner to explore Tivoli on your own. 

Tuesday, August 18, Copenhagen

Morning sightseeing tour including a visit to the Little Mermaid, an outside visit to the present day royal palace of Amalieborg and inside visits to the renaissance residence of King Christian IV, Rosenborg Castle, and the National Gallery, Denmark’s largest art museum.

Wednesday, August 19, Copenhagen

Visit Denmark’s National Museum, which houses one of Europe’s best collection of Iron and Viking Age artifacts--and go behind the scenes with the experts!

Thursday, August 20, Copenhagen to Oslo

Take the scenic coastal route north to visit Kronborg Castle, the site of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Spend time in Elsinore before boarding an overnight cruise to Oslo.

Friday, August 21, Oslo 

Start the morning sightseeing by bus and visit the Vigeland Sculpture Park and the famed Viking Ship Museum. An afternoon walking tour of downtown Oslo takes you to the roof of the Oslo Opera House as well as Oslo City Hall, where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded, and the brand new Munch Museum.

Saturday, August 22, Oslo

Visit the Fram Museum where you will be able to walk through the polar ships Fram and Gjoa. We’ll also visit Norway’s largest open air museum, the Norske Folkemusuem. We’ll have a late afternoon lecture before dinner on your own.

Sunday, August 23, Oslo to Stockholm

After a morning flight from Oslo to Stockholm, we’ll stop at Sweden’s great university city, Uppsala to visit its cathedral. Enjoy some free time for lunch on your own before continuing on to Stockholm.

Monday, August 24, Stockholm

The morning tour to Djurgården takes you to Sweden’s Nordic Museum and the Vasa Museum, which is built over a large Swedish warship from 1628 that sunk in Stockholm’s harbor on its maiden voyage.

Tuesday, August 25, Stockholm 

This morning we’ll have a walking tour to nearby Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s old town. We end at the National Museum, for a visit to Sweden’s art museum.

Wednesday, August 26, Stockholm to Helsinki

Following a morning lecture, visit the Swedish History Museum with its famous Gold Room. Have dinner aboard the Silja Line ship to Helsinki, as it sails along the Stockholm Archipelago with its 24,000 islands.

Thursday, August 27, Helsinki 

After arriving in Helsinki, spend the morning sightseeing the Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church), the Sibelius Monument and the National Museum. Afterwards, walk to the nearby Market Square where there are ample choices for lunch on your own.

Friday, August 28, Helsinki

Take a walking tour with visits to the nearby Lutheran Cathedral, Ateneum Art Museum, and the Kiasma Contemporary Art Museum. This evening we’ll finish things up with a dinner at a local restaurant.

Saturday, August 29, Helsinki

Say goodbye to the friends you’ve made on this tour and head home after breakfast. 

All tour arrangements made by Tumlare.  Please see Tumlare booking/information page for latest updates.

Photos of Copenhagen, Oslo, Upsalla, Stockholm, Helsinki and other destinations by:

Tony Yakovlenko, Ivan Vashchenko,  Tapio Haaja, Shubhesh Aggarwal, A6 Reflex, Felix Hoffmann, Christoffer Engström, and Tom Juggins 

Courtesy of Unsplash

Professor Leiren teaches courses in Scandinavian history and culture at the University of Washington. He joined the UW faculty in 1977 as professor of Scandinavian studies and history. His courses include the popular "History of the Vikings." Leiren served as Chair of the Department of Scandinavian Studies from 1995 - 2010 and as Acting Department Chair in 2014-2015.   Professor Leiren was the first holder of the Department's Sverre Arestad Endowed Chair in Norwegian Studies from 2007 to 2017. He also held an appointment in the Department of History as Adjunct Professor of History   In 1996, Professor Leiren was knighted by His Majesty King Harald V of Norway and awarded the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit.

Professor Leiren also served as co-General Editor of the New Directions book series with the University of Washington Press between 2006 and 2015.  The UW Press New Directions series offers interdisciplinary approaches to the study of the Nordic region of Scandinavia and the Baltic States and their cultural connections in North America.  By redefining the boundaries of Scandinavian studies to include the Baltic States and Scandinavian America, New Directions in Scandinavian Studies presents books that focus on the study of the culture, history, literature, and politics of the Nordic region.  During his time as co-general editor, eleven books appeared in the series.

His many publications include an updated and revised edition of the Historical Dictionary of Norway for Rowman and Littlefield Publishers published in 2019. Professor Leiren has contributed to, and appeared in, television productions for the History Channel, PBS, the A&E Network as well as NRK and TV2 in Norway.

Eric Nelson joined the National Nordic Museum as Executive Director/CEO in January 2008; at that time, the organization was called the Nordic Heritage Museum. Since that time, he has overseen the expansion of the Museum from a small and beloved local heritage site into a nationally and internationally recognized center for sharing Nordic culture, values, and innovation. Nelson also oversaw the development of the stunning new $52.5M National Nordic Museum on Seattle’s working waterfront, which debuted May 5, 2018 with a grand opening ceremony attended by Nordic heads of state, royalty and other national and international dignitaries.

Under Nelson's leadership, the Museum has become the only museum in the United States – and indeed the world – that showcases the impact and influence of Nordic values and innovation in contemporary society, and tells the story of 12,000 years of Nordic history and culture, across all five Nordic countries – Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden – and the Sámi people of Arctic Europe.

In addition to its collection and exhibitions, the National Nordic Museum serves as a convener on critical issues including innovation, economic development, environmental policy, cultural identity and societal issues. The Museum presents more than 100 programs annually including contemporary art exhibitions, concerts, lectures, films and educational events.

Nelson is a graduate of the prestigious Getty Museum Leadership Institute and holds a Master of Art degree in History and B.A. in History from California State University. He has served as a guest lecturer at the University of Washington, California State University, Sacramento and San Francisco State University. A native of Napa, California, Nelson previously served as Executive Director of the Napa Valley Museum from 1999 to 2007.  Prior to this role, he was Curator of Exhibits and Collections and then Executive Director of the Sonoma County Museum in Santa Rosa for eleven years.

Nelson was named Swedish American of the Year in 2019 by the Vasa Order of America. He was previously awarded Knight of the Order of the White Rose of Finland by the President of Finland Sauli Niinistö.

Vendors

We will have 40 hand-picked artisan and craft vendors on site, so you're sure to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Each purchase directly supports local and Nordic artists as well as the Museum. 

Thank you to our wonderful 2019 vendors! You will be able to shop selections from: 
Touchstone Runes & Jewelry  |  Birgit Moenig  |  Paper Cut  |  Elizabeth Person Art & Design  |  SIGIL  |  Doris Namaste  |  Swede Hill Distilling  |  Languid Decadence  Artworks  |  50 Degrees North  |  Freddy's Real Leaf Gifts  |  Friday Harbor House of Jerky  |  Sewing by Heart  |  Blue Ice Design  |  Sky River Mead  |  Pacific Norse Vest  |  Handmade by Hanson  |  Smithermade  |  Carved Wooden Treasures  |  Elentari Handverk  |  Whidbey Island Beeswax Candle Company  |  Neil Cutler  |  Stina's Sheaves  |  Sjoeblom Winery  |  Viking Raids  |  Judy's Painted Treasures  |  Landet Studio  |  Tistel Swedish Design  |  Bags by Caprice  |  Rainy Day Bees  |  Swedish Dream  |  Michael Holberg Glass  |  Norwegian Rosemalers  |  Skipping Stones  |  Bohrers Originals/Boatworks  |  Folk Art of Norway  |  Verso  |  Nordic Trader  |  Gro Enger Holt  |  Norskwear/Ice-Ame  |  Sunlan Designs/Dickson Rugs  |  Flying Mug Coffee  |  Sweet Mickey's Roasted Nuts  |  Anthony’s Seafood 

We are no longer accepting applications to be a 2019 Julefest vendor. Please check back in March 2020 to apply to be a 2020 Julefest vendor. 

Food

A winter market is nothing without tempting treats, delicious meals, and a nice spiced wine to toast with! Satisfy your sweet tooth with aebleskiver and our beloved Goodies2Go booth. Freya will serve open-face sandwiches. Our Nordic Grill will feature meatballs, lefse, hotdogs and brats, kringles, and more. 

Anthony's Finn the Food Truck in the parking lot for the freshest seafood around. We'll also have Sweet Mickey's on hand selling roasted nuts, and Flying Mug Coffee serving craft coffee and espresso.

To help food lines move faster this year, we have moved our aebleskiver stand to the East Garden with our Valhalla Beer Garden, which returns to serve up beer, glogg, wine, spirits, and aquavit. 

Festivities 

Julefest is a place for family fun! Kids will love having their photo taken with Santa thanks to Shutter Spark Studio. Photos with Santa will take place in our Cultural Resource Center on the second floor from 10am–4:30pm both days. 

New  this year is our Santa's Workshop area, where for a small donation kids can make tomte hats. See the Santa's Workshop section below to sign up. Also, be sure to get your free Tomte Trail passport at the Admissions Desk. Kids will have fun finding tomtes hidden throughout the Museum, and can turn in their completed passport for a chance to win a Family Membership. 

Santa's Workshop Kids' Crafts

Join us in Santa's Workshop for the ultimate Julefest kids' craft! Kids ages 4+ will learn the history of tomte (Christmas gnomes) and then craft their own tomte hat, perfect for celebrating the upcoming holiday season or for a picture with Santa.

Each crafting session is limited to 15 attendees. Each child will receive one hat to decorate. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No early arrivals. Santa's Workshop is located in our Craft Room on the first floor. 

Click the time below to sign up for the time-slot of your choice: 

Saturday, November 23
Check for times Sunday! 

Sunday, November 24
Online Sales have ended. Please visit our front desk at the Museum for day of sales! 

Special thanks to New Season’s Market who sponsored the holiday cookie snack for each Santa's Workshop guest. 

Cost: $8/child

Performers on 2 Stages

We'll have dozens of musicians and dancers throughout the weekend, making our halls merry and bright with beautiful music and dance. You can catch them in our Julefest Pavilion on the Fisherman's Sun Terrace (the perfect place to sit with aebleskiver or nibbles from the Nordic Grill!), and on the Valhalla Stage in the Valhalla Beer Hall. 

Thank you to our wonderful performers, including: 
Norwegian Ladies Chorus  |  Norwegian Male Chorus  | TinnFelen  |  Leikarringen of LEL  |  Karusallen  |  Northwest Nordic Ladies Chorus  |  Nordiska Dancers  |  Winter Band  |  Skandia Kappel  |  Eina Tapio  |  Leif and Sunnie  |  Edwin Pearson  |  Bjarne Jacobsen  |  Allspice  |  Bjarneleikarringen of Greater Seattle  |  Poulsbo Likarringen  |  Katrilli—Lucia Procession  |  Seattle Skandia Spelmanslog  |  Slojea Sisters  |  Hjarte Herring  |  Midgarde Viking Expedition  |  Metro Gnomes  |  Sprida Ut

Raffle

Tickets: $3 each

Our winter raffle kicks off at Julefest, and this year's grand prize is a trip for two to Iceland, courtesy of 50 Degrees North! Tickets can be purchased at the Admissions Desk or via roaming raffle ticket sellers throughout the festival. Tickets are on sale through December 31, at which time the winner will be drawn at 5pm. You do not need to be present to win. 

Goodies2Go

Our volunteers work tirelessly to bake the best Nordic treats this side of the Atlantic! A set amount of goodies are available each day, and when they're gone, they're gone. So make sure to shop these early! 

You'll find treats like: Julekake, currant cookies, Swedish heirloom cookies, shortbread, brunekake, chocolate wafer cookies, princess gems, ginger snaps, almond crescents, cardamom shortbread, cut jam cookies, thumbprints, krumkake, pebernodder, sugar cookies, farmer cookies (bondkakor), filbert butter cookies, tea breads (pumpkin, zucchini, cranberry), spritz, almond cake, muskotsnitter, Swedish coconut cookies, rosettes, cardamom rolls, julpepparkakor, rosettes,pulla, cardamom braid, Norwegian rye bread, and more. 

Julefest After Dark

Hosted at Skål Beer Hall

Keep your spirits bright with the National Nordic Museum Saturday night down at Skål. You'll find drink specials, raffle prizes, songs, and good company with the National Nordic Museum from 5–9pm Saturday night. 

Win 4 VIP tickets to Frozen 2

Courtesy of Majestic Bay Theater in Ballard

Sign up for our e-newsletter mailing list at the Front Desk and be entered to win a four-pack of VIP tickets to a showing of Frozen 2, courtesy of our friends at Majestic Bay Theater. Four tickets are available for each of the following dates: November 27, November 29, December 1, December 7, and December 8. Winners will be randomly selected, and notified on Monday, November 25. Dates will be awarded in a first come, first served fashion. 

Our opening film will be screened on Friday February 28th at 7pm
SIFF Uptown Cinema, 511 Queen Anne

The County / Héraðið
Drama | Iceland | 2019 | 92 minutes | Grímur Hákonarson

Set in a small Icelandic farming community, The County tells the story of Inga, a middle-aged dairy farmer who rebels against the all-powerful local Cooperative. Inga tries to get other farmers to join her in rising up against the Co-op’s corruption, but encounters great resistance, forcing her to confront the community’s dependence and loyalty to this single, dominant enterprise. Inga must use her resourcefulness and cunning to break free of the Co-op’s grasp and finally live life on her own terms.

About the director: Grímur Hákonarson is an Icelandic film director and screenwriter. His first feature film was SUMMERLAND (2010), and was nominated for the Edda Award for Best Screenplay. His next feature film was RAMS, about two estranged brothers on the Icelandic countryside who come together to save their sheep. Hákonarson won several awards for RAMS among them the prestigious Un Certain Regard Award in Cannes. RAMS was screened at the 2016 NLFF.

Join us for an after party at the House Studios—a short walking distance from the Uptown Theater. This hip, modern space is the perfect stage for a party celebrating Nordic cinema. Admission to the after party is included for festival pass holders. Attendees who do not wish to purchase a festival pass can also purchase an opening night ticket, which grants admission to both the film and after party, for $20 for Museum and SIFF Members and $25 general admission.