Oregon Midsummer Festival

Oregon Midsummer Festival

Embrace the magic of Midsummer: Twirl around the Midsummer pole, craft floral crowns, savor Nordic food, and revel in this 2-day festival!

By Nordic Northwest

Location

Nordic Northwest Campus

8800 SW Oleson Rd Portland, OR 97223

Refund Policy

No Refunds

About this event

Immerse Yourself in a 2-Day Midsummer Extravaganza at the Nordic Northwest Campus in SW Portland! Tickets grant access to both Friday evening and Saturday festivities.

Friday, June 28th: 5pm - 9pm (beat the crowds on this dance filled Saint John's Eve with a bonfire)

Saturday, June 29th: 10am - 5pm (pole raising and more traditional entertainment)

Location: Nordic Northwest, 8800 SW Oleson Rd, Portland, OR 97223

Tickets may sell out. If tickets are still available at the door, they will be available at a higher price than online.

Bask in the warmth of the midnight sun as we commemorate the end of the cold winter months with the Oregon Midsummer Festival - a delightful fusion of friendship, food, and drinks, transcending the boundaries of Scandinavian ancestry. This family-friendly celebration, steeped in centuries-old traditions, extends a warm welcome to all!

Thank you to our sponsors, EquiptmentShare, Chiro One Wellness Centers, and DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Portland-Tigard!

Immerse in Captivating Live Performances

Revel in the eclectic mix of entertainment, featuring traditional dances and lively music that capture the spirit of Scandinavian culture across the Pacific Northwest. Friday evening sets the stage for music and dancing near a bonfire (weather permitting), while Saturday showcases the traditional Midsummer pole raising.

Tickets are valid for both days!

Friday Schedule

  • 5:00 PM - Doors
  • 5:30 PM - Hapsala & dance lesson
  • 7:00 PM - Dan Schelsinger euphonium and more
  • 8:00 PM - Joey Linahon Viking ballads
  • 9:00 PM - End

Saturday Schedule

  • 10:00 AM - Vasa Rosebuds dance group
  • 11:00 AM - Portland Nordic Chorus
  • 12:00PM - Tulehoidjad "Torch Bearers" Estonian dance
  • 1:00 PM - Midsummer Pole Ceremony, Dancing, Tug of War with David Elliker-Vagsberg and Vasa Rosebuds
  • 2:00 PM - Fossegrimen traditional music
  • 3:00 PM - Jimmy Granstrom Swedish songs
  • 4:00 PM - Nye Algen traditional Norweigan and Swedish folk music
  • 5:00 PM - End

Savor Delectable Nordic Fare & Beverages

Satisfy your cravings with delectable Nordic cuisine and refreshing beverages from our beer & wine garden. Tempt your taste buds with offerings from Broder Söder, grilled cheese from Easy to Please, Swedish pancakes from Harmoni Lodge (Saturday), and Karelian Dogs from Finlandia's "Helsinki Cafe" (Day TBD)!

Explore sweets from Carina's Bakery, Jamie’s Kafferep (Saturday), Portland Nordic Chorus, Nico's Ice Cream, and Hygge Chocolates.

Experience Nordic beer on tap from Ridgewalker Brewing, savor exquisite mead from Oran Mor Artisan Mead, coffee from Elevated Grounds, and relish drinks served by Nordic Northwest and Broder Söder.

Discover Treasures at Unique Nordic Booths

Stroll through the venue and discover an array of Nordic vendors from across the Pacific Northwest. Explore vintage treasures, artisan crafts, and Nordic gear, while also learning about non-profit organizations that promote Nordic programming in the region. With a plethora of unique items and gifts on offer, you're sure to find something special!

Nordic Northwest will be selling merchandise, and members get 10% off! Join and become a member today by selecting the ticket at checkout.

Vendors include:

  • Äiti Workshop
  • Artistic Expression
  • Carina's Bakery
  • Chiro One Wellness Center
  • Clara's Pearl
  • Darkmoon Faire
  • Easy to Please Grilled Cheese
  • Elevated Grounds
  • EquipmentShare
  • Finlandia Foundation Columbia-Pacific Chapter
  • Full Moon Trademan
  • Gifts & Crafts Intl.
  • Gnome Werks Toys
  • Harmoni Lodge
  • Heart Song Arts Pottery
  • Hygge Chocolates
  • Jamie's Kafferep
  • Magical, Fairy Hair
  • Ms Piggy Creativities
  • Nico's Ice Cream
  • Norskwear
  • Oran Mor Artisan Mead
  • Portland Nordic Choir
  • Purrfect For You
  • Scandinavian Soapery
  • Secret Dragon Collectibles
  • Shooting Star Design
  • Skogsbarn
  • Swedish Dream
  • The Aimsir Distilling Co.
  • Timid Wolf
  • Tokerud Designs

Craft Enchanting Floral Crowns

The fresh summer greenery of nature is said to contain magic. Embrace the enchantment of nature by crafting your own floral Midsummer crown, a centuries-old Scandinavian tradition believed to harness the magic of summer greenery and ensure good health. Create a stunning crown using vibrant flowers, verdant leaves, and delicate birch branches. Legend says that girls who pick seven flowers and put them under their pillow will dream of the person they will marry. Please consider making a $5 suggested donation when making flower crowns, or bring some of your own flowers! Flowers crowns are available to make Saturday only until supplies run out.

Revel in the Time-Honored Midsummer Pole Raising

Engage in the jubilant dance around the Midsummer Pole when the sun reaches its zenith, heralding the arrival of the summer season. Adorned with blossoms and birch, the majstång stands as a symbol of the festivities. Don't miss the parade and gathering, the highlight of Saturday's celebration – let summer begin!

Delight in Whimsical Lawn Games & Crafts

Unleash your inner child on Saturday with fun-filled lawn games and crafts for all ages. Test your strength in a friendly tug-of-war (Saturday around 1:30), or try your hand at the traditional game of Kubb. Enjoy arts and crafts, face painting (Saturday 11am - 3pm with a break for the pole raising), and more!

There is a fun gnome scavenger hunt on the campus! 10 gnomes are hidden, take a picture of 5 of them to get a prize at the NNW table.

Encounter the Thrilling World of Vikings

Experience combat and history come alive with the Timberhaven Vikings. Travel back in time with historical and craft demonstrations of how Vikings lived. Marvel at the impressive 20-foot replica of a Viking ship featured in the Starlight Parade.

Experience the Charm of Fogelbo, a National Historic Treasure

Travel back in time as you explore Fogelbo, around the grounds of the log house adorned with walking trails and structures reminiscent of a charming Swedish village. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in July 2020, Fogelbo was built by Henry Steiner and his son, with Steiner known as one of the chief carpenters behind Timberline Lodge. Feel free to wander and discover the enchanting grounds and trails.

Join us in celebrating the festival that attracts audiences and vendors from across the Pacific Northwest. The Oregon Midsummer Festival is an important event for the entire Portland Community regardless of heritage. See the traditions of the region that make up 10% of the population of Oregon’s ancestry. This two day event is one of the many ways Nordic Northwest, along with the Nordic organizations that make up our community, demonstrate and celebrate their Nordic heritage.

More information is available at oregonmidsummer.com

To volunteer for the festival please email sassac [at] nordicnorthwest [dot] org

To sponsor the event please email shawnm [at] nordicnorthwest [dot] org

Staying overnight? Our partner DoubleTree by Hilton, has exclusive rates for Nordic Northwest event attendees.

Organized by

Nordic Northwest is the catalyst in the Northwest for preserving authentic traditions and culture while celebrating modern Nordic life, culture and business. Acting on that vision, NNW:

- Enriches the cultural fabric of the region through regular programs of Nordic visual, performing and culinary arts

- Promotes travel, trade and business between Nordic nations and the US

- Explores Nordic heritage and values

- Increases awareness of the current and historical contributions made by Nordic Americans to the region and the nation

- Supports Nordic language and literature classes at Portland State University

- Presents educational outreach programs for kids of all ages

Nordia House, NNW’s Nordic cultural & community center, has seen a constant stream of visitors since opening in the summer of 2015. It is a beautifully designed and conceived building and an experience of modern Nordic craftsmanship. It is the venue for much of NNW’s growing list of programs and cultural events, as well as a center for Nordic organizations throughout the Northwest

$0 – $19