Yule Viking Festival 2026

The Yule Viking Festival returns to Gladewater, Texas, on December 4–6, 12–13 and 19–20, 2026. Hosted by Uppsala Events at New Uppsala, the festival combines Norse traditions, live performances, an artisan market and seasonal ceremonies.

Dates and Opening Hours

• Friday, December 4: 4:00–10:00 PM.
• Saturday, December 5: 11:00 AM–7:00 PM.
• Sunday, December 6: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM.
• Saturday, December 12: 11:00 AM–7:00 PM, followed by Loki Late Night until 10:00 PM for ages 21 and older.
• Sunday, December 13: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM.
• Saturday, December 19: 11:00 AM–9:00 PM, including the evening longship burning.
• Sunday, December 20: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM.

Location: 14200 County Road 3104, Gladewater, TX 75647. The festival operates rain or shine.

Special Events

December 4: Yule Ritual and Feast

Gates open at 4:00 PM. The Yule ritual begins at 6:30 PM, followed by the separately ticketed feast at 7:00 PM. General-admission guests may observe the ritual; feast ticket holders may participate.

The three-course dinner includes tomato bisque, filet tenderloin with potatoes and carrots, and spiced bread pudding with blackberry mead glaze. A beverage, souvenir horn cup and commemorative items are included. Celtica Nova provides entertainment. Only 50 feast tickets are offered, and menu substitutions are unavailable.

December 5, 12 and 19: Archery Competition

An archery competition takes place each Saturday.

December 12: Strongman Competition and Loki Late Night

The Strongman Competition takes place during the second Saturday. From 7:00–10:00 PM, Loki Late Night admits guests 21 and older and is included with that day’s general-admission ticket.

December 19: Burning of the Long Ship

The longship burning begins at sunset, with the festival remaining open until 9:00 PM.

Performers and Family Activities

The announced lineup includes Equestrian Chaos, Celtica Nova, Adamo Ignis Fire and Danger Show, Harmless Danger Show, Black Wolf Vikings, Pippsy Pinwheel and Story Time with Freya and Little Wolf.

Skuggaheimr appears during the first weekend, while The Rat Queen joins the final weekend.

Children can explore Skadi’s Forest, with Scandinavian Yule storytelling, traditional skill-building games and a bubble show with Ace Elardo. Stories and traditional games are free; the ornament-and-craft activity costs $20.

Tickets and Prices

The following online totals include the taxes and processing fees displayed by the ticket platform:

• Single day, ages 16+: $22.19 ($19 base).
• Saturday–Sunday pass, ages 16+: $41.74 ($36 base).
• Seven-day season pass, ages 16+: $121.12 ($105 base).
• Youth single day, ages 7–15: $8.38 ($7 base).
• Children 6 and under: Free.
• Military and first responders: $17.59 ($15 base), with valid identification.
• Feast Dinner: $230.40 ($200 base).
• Strongman competitors’ family and friends, December 12: $17.59 ($15 base).
• Archery competition and family ticket: $16.27 ($15 base).

Book through the festival’s Eventeny ticket page. Tickets are listed as nonrefundable and nontransferable.

Explore more Renaissance and medieval festivals in Texas and events in the December 2026 calendar.

Camping and Parking

Parking is free. Primitive tent and RV camping are available separately from festival admission:

• One tent, up to four people: $15 per night or $25 for Friday and Saturday nights.
• One RV, up to four people: $25 per night or $45 for Friday and Saturday nights.
• Additional campers: $10 per person beyond four.
• Refundable deposit: $50, returned after campsite inspection.

Camping requires a festival ticket and your own equipment. Check-in is after 2:00 PM. Portable toilets are provided, but there are no showers. Quiet hours run from 11:00 PM to 8:00 AM.

Visitor Policies

Outside food and drinks and firearms are prohibited. Other weapons must be secured at the gate. Pets and emotional-support animals are not admitted; service animals are permitted.

Approximate Road Distances to Gladewater

• Longview: 12 miles.
• Tyler: 26 miles.
• Marshall: approximately 36 miles via US 80.
• Nacogdoches: 72 miles.
• Shreveport, Louisiana: 82 miles.
• Dallas: 116 miles.

Discover additional Viking festivals throughout the year.