16 – 22 February 2026
The tents have been pitched, swords and axes sharpened and shields reinforced as York braces itself for a week-long Viking invasion, when Norse enthusiasts from around the world descended on York for the JORVIK Viking Festival 2026.
The week-long festival, organised by the events team from York Archaeology, will see tens of thousands of visitors to York experience a slice of Viking-age life in the city. At the heart of the Festival is the free-to-enter Viking encampment on Parliament Street, a hub of activity and fun, where people can explore Viking crafts and skills, from wood-turning to blacksmithing, enjoy sagas, watch demonstrations and – just for the younger visitors – learn to become a Viking Berserker in the Berserker Bootcamp (£10 per child)!
“This is a culmination of months of work and it is always extremely satisfying to open the barriers and let the first visitors into the encampment,” comments head of operations, Mark Jackson. “We often have families waiting to be first in to talk to the wonderful re-enactors who populate the displays, and this year was no different. It may be cold, but that doesn’t deter the hardy Vikings or the visitors!”
The encampment runs Monday to Saturday from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Anyone hoping to visit JORVIK Viking Centre itself is advised to book ahead, as the week always sees tours of the attraction sell-out. “We’re opening later – until 6pm – each day to help accommodate all those who want to enjoy the original Viking adventure in York, but we know that there is high demand for all the timeslots and there is already limited availability for some days. It also looks like most of the events will sell-out too, with tickets for some all selling out weeks ahead – it looks like this is going to be a bumper year!”
For more information on the events that make up this year’s JORVIK Viking Festival and Fringe, visit jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk
