Julefest: A Nordic Holiday Celebration
Visitors can explore an outdoor Christmas market featuring over 40 local vendors selling handcrafted gifts, Scandinavian apparel, and traditional holiday goods. Guests can sample homemade holiday baked goods, such as krumkake and rosettes, alongside fluffy Danish æbleskiver topped with lingonberry sauce. An all-day beer garden serves glögg, mead, and beer accompanied by live music from local Nordic performers.
What to Expect
Nordic holiday market with craft vendors, authentic treats, and live entertainment.
Event Details
Ages
All ages (Beer Garden is 21+)
Neighborhood
Ballard
Organizer
National Nordic Museum
Food & Drink
Try homemade holiday baked goods such as krumkake, rosettes, and princess gems; æbleskiver with lingonberry sauce, powdered sugar, and whipped cream are served Saturday and Sunday only, while the 21+ beer garden offers glögg, mead, and beer.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and nordic holiday-market shoppers
Vibe
Festive and lively
Energy Level
Moderate
Budget
$
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
High
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: Friday 21+ Night Market: adult $20 ($25 onsite); members $15 ($20 onsite), and the ticket includes full weekend access. Saturday & Sunday: adult $12 ($16 onsite); youth $5; children under 12 free; members free. – Get tickets
- Hours: Friday: 5:00 pm–9:00 pm; Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 am–5:00 pm.
- Parking: Use the paid museum lot on the south side of the building, street parking on NW Market Street, or the Ballard Locks lot five minutes away.
- Accessibility: The museum meets ADA-certified accessibility standards and offers wheelchair loans and magnifiers for low-vision guests.
- Pets: Only service animals are allowed inside the museum.
Tips & Advice
- Get to the Goodies2Go table early in the day, because the homemade krumkake, rosettes and princess gems regularly sell out by mid-afternoon.
- Buy tickets online ahead of time, since adult tickets cost more if you buy them onsite on the day.
- Adults who want both experiences should buy the Friday Night Market ticket, since it also includes full weekend access on Saturday and Sunday.
- Come on Saturday or Sunday if you want æbleskiver with lingonberry sauce, since they aren't served at the Friday Night Market.
- If the museum lot is full, park at the Ballard Locks lot, which is just a five-minute walk from the museum.
Special Events & Promotions
- 21+ Friday Night Market on November 20. The ticket also includes full weekend access.
- Æbleskiver are served Saturday and Sunday only.
- Valhalla Mug Club pre-order for guests 21+, with this year's new mug design, two beers and two museum passes. Admission is separate.
- Museum members get in free on Saturday and Sunday.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Julefest good for families?
Yes, the whole family is welcome on Saturday and Sunday, and children under 12 get in free. The Friday Night Market is 21+.
What food is there?
Æbleskiver, the fluffy Danish pancake balls, come with lingonberry sauce, powdered sugar and whipped cream on Saturday and Sunday only. Volunteer bakers make krumkake, rosettes and princess gems for the Goodies2Go table. Market stalls sell traditional foods too.
What's in the beer garden?
The 21+ Beer Garden is open all day for glögg, mead and beer. Local Nordic performers play live music in Valhalla Beer Hall.
What is the Valhalla Mug Club?
Guests 21+ can pre-order a limited-edition 20 oz. glass Valhalla Mug. It comes with your first two beers and two tickets to visit the museum after Julefest. Julefest admission is sold separately.
Where can I park?
The museum lot is on the south side of the building. Enter from NW Market St and 28th Ave NW, and pay at the kiosks or online. You can also park along NW Market Street, on nearby residential streets, or at the Ballard Locks lot, five minutes' walk away. Metro buses 17, 40, 44 and the D Line serve Ballard.
More Christmas Events Near Seattle
More Christmas Events near Seattle
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.