Grab your gal pals for an evening of shopping, dining, deals, and fun! This annual event is always a blast and we hope to see you there! Start your route at the Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce office to get your swag bag (for the first 500 people).

Summer Solstice Celebration

On Saturday, June 14th, Poulsbo Leikarringen, the Poulsbo Sons of Norway and their Vikings invite you to experience a traditional Scandinavian Midsommar celebration.

Hosted at the picturesque Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park in downtown Poulsbo, this event offers two distinctive celebrations: an afternoon festival rooted in Swedish Midsommar traditions, culminating in the raising of a maistang (midsummer pole), and an evening bonfire inspired by the Norwegian observance of Midtsommer and St. Hans Eve.

Midsommar festivities in Poulsbo began in 1981, when the Skandia Folkdance Society relocated their event from Gig Harbor to Poulsbo’s Frank Raab Park. After Skandia’s move to St. Edwards State Park in the early 2000s, the Poulsbo Sons of Norway proudly took up the tradition, bringing it closer to the heart of their community. For over two decades, the Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park has been home to Poulsbo’s beloved Midsommar celebrations. Today, the festivities are organized by Poulsbo Leikarringen and the Poulsbo Sons of Norway Vikings.

These cherished traditions reflect the spirit of Scandinavian villages, now shared with the Pacific Northwest.

What makes Poulsbo’s celebration unique is its harmonious blend of two distinct interpretations of the summer solstice:

● Swedish Midsommar: In Sweden, Midsommar is a national holiday celebrated on a Saturday between June 20th and June 26th. Villages, towns, and cities across Sweden adorn and raise maistang—large poles decorated with greenery and flowers—symbolizing spring, life, warmth, and beauty. Dancing around the pole, singing traditional songs, and wearing flower crowns are central to the celebration. In keeping with these time honored traditions, Poulsbo Leikarringen will host an afternoon Midsommar pole raising, complete with live Scandinavian folk music, flower crown making, and traditional performances by Leikarringen’s talented youth dancers.

● Norwegian Midtsommer: In Norway, Midtsommer is celebrated on June 23rd, known as Sankthansaften (St. Hans Eve), the evening before the feast day of John the Baptist. This tradition blends pre-Christian pagan customs with Christian influences, most famously marked by large bonfires near beaches or water. Once linked to mystical and superstitious practices, today’s celebrations are primarily secular, offering a festive way to welcome the summer solstice. In Poulsbo, the Sons of Norway Vikings bring this tradition to life with a spectacular bonfire on the shores of Liberty Bay, lighting up the evening sky and honoring the longest day of the year.

Event highlights:

• 10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Free flower crown-making, live music, and dance performances.

• 1:00 pm: Maistang raising, inviting audience participation in dancing and singing.

• 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm: Folk dance performances by Poulsbo Leikarringen youth dancers.

• 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm: Continued live music performances.

• 7:00 pm (Dusk): Viking Bonfire

This event is proudly coordinated by Kristina Halvorson, President of Poulsbo Leikarringen, with evening bonfire leadership by the Poulsbo Vikings.

About Poulsbo Leikarringen Poulsbo Leikarringen is dedicated to preserving and sharing Scandinavian heritage through traditional folk dance, music, and community events.

About Poulsbo Sons of Norway Poulsbo Sons of Norway is a fraternal organization dedicated to preserving Norwegian heritage, fostering community, and celebrating Nordic connections.

Celebrate Midsommar in Poulsbo and experience vibrant Scandinavian culture with friends and family. Admission is free!

4.1 MILES

Start and end your experience at the Brewery of your choice on DataBar! Run, stumble or walk the 4-mile route to enjoy our 6 other locations.

4 BREWERIES + 1 CIDERHOUSE + 1 BONUS STOP =
“A KICKIN ASS FUN PBR”

Valhöll, Rainy Daze, Western Red, Echoes, Ty’s Wine & Brew, and Bushel and Barrel Ciderhouse at the Viking Statue.

7 BEERS + 1 CIDER + 1 DONUT = BLAST

Enjoy a beer/cider (9 oz) at each stop! Each brewery will be featuring their custom brews for your first beer to start the morning. OH WAIT…what? Did you say Donut? Yes, a yummy Space City Donut is also INCLUDED.

FINISHER’S PRIZE

Visit all 6 locations then head back to your starting point to receive your finishers prize and LAST beer!

The Annual Julefest Celebration in Poulsbo!

Come to historic downtown Poulsbo on Saturday, December 6th, 2025, and celebrate the changing of the seasons with the Poulsbo Sons of Norway Vikings as we mark our annual Julefest Celebration!

Highlights include:
A majestic torchlight march honoring the Miracle of Santa Lucia!
The arrival of the Lucia Bride, who will lead us to the Solstice bonfire at Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park!
A Skald bellowing out his seasonal proclamation!
The lighting of the blazing Julefest bonfire by the Lucia Bride!

Includes Taste of Norway and a Nordic Market at Sons of Norway

This is a fun, family-friendly event that you won’t want to miss! Bring the whole family down to enjoy the magic of the season, and let’s celebrate together. We hope to see you all there!

Happy Yule!