The National Nordic Museum’s (2655 NW Market St) annual Nordic holiday festival returns next month: Julefest is happening November 20-22.
The three-day festival brings together Nordic food, music, and crafts. One of the biggest draws is the outdoor Christmas market with over 40 vendors selling local goods and Nordic-inspired wares.
Julefest will continue its 21+ Friday Night Market this year, happening Friday, Nov. 20, from 5 to 9 p.m.
The festival continues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, and Sunday, Nov. 22, with all-day markets, food, and music.
The 21+ Beer Garden will be open all weekend with glögg, mead, and beer. Local Nordic performers will be on stage all weekend in the Valhalla Beer Hall. You can also purchase tickets for the Valhalla Mug Club, which gets you a 20 oz. glass Valhalla Mug, two free beers, and two tickets for the museum after Julefest.
Another major Julefest draw is æbleskiver (or ebelskivers), a fluffy Danish pancake ball that’s a traditional Christmas dessert. They’re served with lingonberry sauce, powdered sugar, and whipped cream.
Another Julefest tradition is a community-powered effort to bake Christmas cookies en masse. Dozens of volunteer bakers spend weeks making thousands of cookies, including krumkake, rosettes, and princess gems. (You can join the volunteer bakers here.)
Tickets for Friday are $20 for the general public if you buy them ahead, or $25 at the door. Museum members’ prices are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Saturday and Sunday tickets are $12 for adults ($16 at the door) and $5 for kids (free for kids under 12), and free for members.
Photos: National Nordic Museum