Thousands watch Jorvik Viking Festival 2026’s climax

Vikings, Saxons, herbalists and others from the Viking era in England gathered in Deans Park next to York Minster.

They chanted Viking battle cries and shouted about Ragnorak and other Nordic God myths as they marched past the cathedral and past the Festival encampment to Coppergate and the Eye of York by Cliffords Tower.

Among the reenactors was one representing St Olaf of Norway with his Christian escort and cross bearer.

“St Olaf” (centre) with his cross-bearer and escort at the Jorvik Viking Festival (Image: Newsquest)

At the end of the march the march split into two sides to fight the Battle of York on the Eye of York in the big set piece climax of the 2026 festival.

Tickets for all the main events of the weeklong festival were sold out weeks in advance.

From late morning onwards the streets of York were full of companies of warriors going to the gathering place behind York Minster.

They had come from all over England, with some travelling from Somerset and Blackpool to take part in what is believed to be the biggest Viking festival in Europe.

As they mustered, the musicians who were to lead the march entertained crowds in Parliament Street.

Musicians entertain the crown before the March to Coppergate at the Jorvik Viking Festival (Image: Newsquest)

Watching the warrior horde assemble were Christine and Michael Platts of Wakefield, who had come to York to visit the Minster, noticed the Vikings and stopped to watch.

“It’s amazing,” said retired teacher Christine. “To see history come alive like this is what we need. It makes history more real.”

They are now planning to return next year specifically to see the 2027 festival.

Her teenage granddaughter Priya was so impressed by the standard of the costumes and what the re-enactors who formed the march were doing that she wanted to know how she could join in.

Viking and Saxon reenactors at the Jorvik Viking Festival (Image: Newsquest)

Among the reenactors were some dressed in Saxon costumes.

“At the end of it there is going to be a big fight. There needs to be two sides,” explained Saxon “Oswic” and “AEsc” who were in company with Viking “Gunnar Sigurdson”.

They were part of a Northumberland re-enactment group that draws its members from a wide area of Yorkshire and the North-east.

They included a group of three women specialising in Saxon and Viking herbs. Susan Davison, Kirstin Mclauchlin and Verity were there to help the wounded and injured following the battle and had a bit of spinning to do while the men fought.

Viking ladies ready to provide herbal first aid to the wounded and injured after the battle (Image: Newsquest)

Reenactors represented anyone from the Viking Era in England, roughly 793 to 1066, were among the marchers.

One young man arrived dressed as St Olaf (King of Norway 1015 to 1028) who died aged 35.

Shortly after 2.15pm, the hundreds in Viking and Saxon fighting gear left the park to the sound of horns and drums, marched through Minster Yard, round the Minster to Stonegate and passed the Viking encampment which has been in place all week.

Their route was lined with tourists, local people and visitors to the festival to see the spectacle.

From Parliament Street they marched past Jorvik Viking Centre, through Coppergate and past Clifford’s Tower to the Eye of York.