Christmas at the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde
Discover Christmas traditions from the Viking Age as the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark, invites visitors to enjoy festive activities from 19 to 31 December 2026. Explore the original Viking ships, hear stories about Viking midwinter celebrations and take part in Christmas holiday activities for children and adults alike. Christmas has deep roots in Nordic history. At the Viking Ship Museum, visitors can discover how the Vikings celebrated jól, their traditional midwinter festival, with feasts, gatherings and wishes for peace and prosperity. Museum guides bring ancient festive customs to life, while the five original Viking ships provide a unique historical setting for a Christmas experience.
Christmas activities for the whole family
In the Viking Ship Hall, visitors can take part in Finds and Stories - Christmas in the Viking Age, where artefacts and stories offer an insight into Viking food, trade, gifts and festive traditions.
There are also daily guided tours in English among the five original Skuldelev ships, revealing the history of Viking seafaring and shipbuilding.
In BørneBygden, the museum's children's activity area, children can write New Year greetings using runes and colour in Viking patterns. The museum's digital audio guide allows the whole family to explore Viking history, while younger visitors can also take on the Museum Mystery challenge.
A toast to a prosperous and peaceful year
Each day, the Christmas programme ends with the traditional Old Norse New Year greeting Til árs ok friðar – a wish for prosperity and peace in the year ahead. Visitors can join in a communal toast with mead for adults and apple juice for children, while museum guides explain the significance of this tradition in the Viking Age.
On the Museum Island, visitors can also enjoy æbleskiver, traditional Danish pancake balls, and warm apple punch at Café Knarr, or browse the museum shop for Christmas gifts.
Practical information
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Dates: 19–31 December 2026
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Location: Viking Ship Museum, Roskilde, Denmark
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Suitable for: Children and adults
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Programme: Daily storytelling, guided tours, family activities and a festive communal toast.
See the full Christmas programme on the Viking Ship Museum's website.
Contact information
Last updated by:VisitFjordlandetmail@visitfjordlandet.dk