About the Festival
17th Annual
Scandinavian Midsummer Festival
June 23rd and 24th, 2012 at the Scandinavian Community Centre
Festival Day Pass $10 / Free admission for kids under 12 / Free parking all weekend
Thousands of people visit the Scandinavian Community Centre every year to celebrate the traditions and festivities of Scandinavian Midsummer. In its 17th year, it is a weekend of fun-filled activities, living history and non-stop entertainment for the whole family.
Scandinavia Through the Ages
This year’s theme will take you on a journey of the Scandinavian countries from the beginning of recorded history to present day. Learn how Scandinavian culture and the people of the Nordic countries have evolved and how traditions developed along the way.
Viking Village
The Midsummer Festival has always been proud to host a life-size Viking Village on the festival grounds where Vikings live, work, eat and play all weekend long. The Vikings will share with us Viking life, arts & crafts and culture and you never know what else may happen in the village! Vikings can be very unpredictable, you never know what they are going to do next – so this is something you don’t want to miss!
Food, Folk Dancing and Fun!
Traditional Scandinavian entertainment continues throughout the weekend with folk dancing, choirs, and cultural displays. Enjoy a salmon BBQ and Scandinavian foods such as Swedish meatballs and Danish smørrebrød and at the end of the day, put up your feet and cool off in the Valhalla beer garden.
There’s lots of fun kids activities throughout the weekend with a troll forest, carnival games, an Amazing Nordic Race, storytelling and much more!
Father’s Day Brunch
Treat your father to a lovely outdoor Father’s Day Brunch at the Midsummer Festival on Sunday morning at 10am (indoor if the weather disagrees). Right after the Father’s Day Brunch there will be kids’ games and dancing around the Midsummer Pole so bring the whole family!
Midsummer Lottery
You may be the lucky winner of the Midsummer Festival Lottery so make sure you get your tickets in advance or at the festival. Prizes include round-trip airline tickets for two to anywhere in Scandinavia courtesy of Icelandair and $2,000 in cash prizes! For tickets, contact the Scandinavian Centre office at (604) 294-2777.
Paavo Nurmi Run – 3km, 5km & 10km
Sport enthusiasts may begin the festivities on Saturday morning at the Paavo Nurmi Run at Burnaby Lake and the winners are presented on the main stage at the festival! For more information on the run, also visit www.midsumrun.com.