Viking festival returns with nod to York's Norse invasion

Jorvik Viking Festival takes place between Monday February 12 and Sunday, February 18.

It will this year mark the arrival of the Norse invaders in 866AD, when the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Eoforic was reborn as the city of Jorvik.

Organisers have described it as the “largest Viking celebration in Europe, with upwards of 40,000 visitors expected to join the invasion of the Great Viking Army”.

Jorvik Viking Festival:
The Saturday night battle , Rout to Riccall, where the English army defeated the Vikings, was held on the Eye Of York. A symbolic Viking long baot burns at the end of the battle and at the start of the firework display.feb 12 2005 — Jorvik Viking Festival: The Saturday night battle , Rout to Riccall, where the English army defeated the Vikings, was held on the Eye Of York. A symbolic Viking long baot burns at the end of the battle and at the start of the firework display.feb 12 2005

Family events such as sword fighting sessions and living history demonstrations – including a blacksmith’s workshop where a traditional craftsman will be making Viking arrows – run throughout the week.

A parade through the city streets is due to take place on the Saturday.

Jorvik marketing manager Paul Whiting said: “Some of our key events – including the grande finale combat event on Saturday evening, our Viking feast, and a guest musical performance by Einar Selvik – have already sold out, but we’ve got loads of other events in this year’s programme so anyone coming to York will certainly not be disappointed.”