Heysham Viking Festival
Heysham Under Siege: A Viking Tale of Retaliation
Get ready to embrace the Viking experience once again as the Heysham Viking Festival returns in 2024!
This year, journey back to 1002 AD, a time of escalating conflict and revenge. The peaceful coastal village of Heysham finds itself caught in the crossfire of a brutal war between the English and the Danes.
Following the devastating English defeat at the Battle of Maldon in 991, King Æthelred the Unready was forced to pay tribute to the Danish King Sweyn Forkbeard. However, tensions continued to rise, culminating in the St. Brice’s Day massacre of 1002, a horrific act of violence against Danish settlers in England.
Enraged by the massacre, King Sweyn Forkbeard unleashed his fury upon the English coast, launching a series of retaliatory raids. Heysham, with its strategic location, became a prime target for the Viking wrath.
The Heysham Viking Festival 2024 will immerse you in this tumultuous period of history. Experience the terror and chaos of the Viking invasion through thrilling battle re-enactments, a captivating village encampment under siege, and an array of Viking-themed activities. Witness the clash of cultures, the heroism of the villagers, and the brutal reality of war as Heysham faces its darkest hour.
Join us for an exhilarating weekend on July 20 and 21, 2024, at Heysham, Lancashire, where we’ll bring back the magic that’s delighted thousands of visitors over 5 years of previous events. Don’t miss this unmissable event for all Viking enthusiasts!.
Unleash your inner Horace!
Put Heysham Viking Festival 2024 in your diary and get ready to be taken back in time to explore the life of Vikings how it used to be in the 9th-11th century.
The Vikings mostly lived in small villages near the coast, just like Heysham, making the seaside environment that much more special. At Heysham Viking Festival, visitors of all ages will be able to experience a Viking encampment and watch Viking family life as it used to be centuries ago. Marvel at Vikings cooking outdoors over open fires and watch as women and girls spin wool into thread and grind grains for flour. Not only that but you’ll also get to see demonstrations of traditional Viking skills such as sewing, weaving, jewellery making, woodworking and leather work.
So don’t miss out on the chance to unleash your inner Horace (our viking mascot) and celebrate viking life – Heysham Viking Festival is the place to be.
