The Fredikssund Viking Festival is here once again to celebrate ancient Nordic culture and folklore. A series of events will be held in the Danish town of Frederikssund to commemorate Viking culture and traditions and its glorious ancient past. During these two-week celebrations, people from across the continent visit the town to participate and dress up in traditional Viking attire to take a journey back in time. 

So here is a precious chance to relive the glorious lives of the Vikings, both the farmers and artisans, as well as the fearsome explorers. 

Viking Days – Various locations in Frederikssund; starts Sat, ends July 8; www.vikingespillet.dk

Viking Market – There are actually two markets. The northern one, which is at the entrance to the Vikings Game Area, is a great place to buy exotic jewellery, bone and horn work, woollen and knitted items, felted hats and shoes, smoked and fried herrings, salted by the produce of its own mine. And venture inside the Valhalla indoor hall for entertainment and banquet dining. Try the especially customised mjødøl – a mixture of beer and mead. The southern market, meanwhile, is a “historically accurate” Viking settlement where traditional Viking groups will be showcasing their handicraft skills and stalls will be selling homemade products.

Kalvø island; starts Sat, ends Mon; open Fri 17:30-20:00, Sat 10:00-20:00, Sun 10:00-16:00; free adm; free parking

Viking Plays – As a grand tribute to Denmark’s historic past, the sun will rise once again when over 150 adults and kids don their Viking costumes and deliver this year’s much awaited play: Holger Harehjerte. So get ready to enjoy some fearsome Viking fights, romance and drama. This annual open-air event ends each night with a dazzling torchlight parade.  

Vikingebopladsen Havnegade 5A, Frederikssund; starts Sat, ends July 8, Tue-Sat 20:00-22:15, Sun 16:00-18:15; Tickets: over-12s 165kr, under-12s 50kr, under-fives free adm, 4296 9596; www.vikingespillet.dk

Sailing on a Viking ship – For the first time in the history of this festival, this year’s programme includes a fascinating retracing of the Viking sea routes aboard stunning replicas of the original Viking ships. So get ready to explore and relive the 1,000 years of Viking history –  the adrenaline rush. Each sailing trips lasts around two and a half hours. 

Roskilde Fjord; starts Sat, ends July 1; voyages at Sat 10:30, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00 & 20:30, Sun 10:00, 12:00 & 14:00, Tue 17:00 & 20:30, Wed 17:00 & 20:30, Thu 17:00 & 20:30, Fri 17:00 & 20:30; Tickets at www.vikingespillet.dk; 4296 9596