JORVIK Viking Festival make changes to venues to avoid Storm Dennis

The week-long event, organised by charity York Archaeological Trust, is a celebration of all things Norse and takes place in York from February 15 to 23.

Festival manager, Gareth Henry of York Archaeological Trust said: “We breathed a sigh of relief when Storm Ciara missed us, but it seems that Thor has taken a leaf out of his trickster brother’s repertoire and is throwing Dennis our way for our opening weekend."

“Thankfully, the Vikings are a hardy and adaptable bunch, so we’ve managed to rearrange most of the most exposed parts of the festival to alternative, sheltered and indoor locations for the first few days of the Festival, and we hope to have everything back to normal from Tuesday or Wednesday, weather permitting.”

The biggest changes will be to the Viking encampment, which normally takes place in Parliament Street. From Saturday to Monday, this will be relocated to the Undercroft at the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall where there will be free entry on all three days – usual admission applies to other parts of Merchant Adventurers’ Hall.

Many of the events due to take place on the St Sampson’s Square stage and Parliament Street marquee will temporarily relocated to Spark: York – the venue for Viking Crafting for Kids –on Piccadilly on Saturday and Sunday, including Saga Storytelling and the festival’s newest event, the Viking Costume Competition on Saturday at 3pm.

Have-a-go Sword Workshops will take place in DIG: An Archaeological Adventure on St Saviourgate from Saturday to Monday, hopefully returning to St Sampson’s Square on Tuesday February 18 for the rest of the festival.

The Nine Realms Bar will operate as normal in Parliament Street within the Parliament Street Tent that will also host Viking Crafting for Kids during the weekdays. The Festival Information Stand can also be found in the Parliament Street Tent from Saturday to Monday, but should move outdoors to St Sampson’s Square on Tuesday.

At this stage, the only events that have been cancelled are the City Tours, taking place on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, starting instead on Tuesday.

“We’re confident that visitors can still enjoy an amazing Viking experience despite these changes, but hope that the good people of York will consider offering a poem or two to Thor – as Norse explorer Thorhall did in the Saga of Erik the Red – to bring this weather chaos to an end ahead of our second Festival weekend, when hordes of warriors will once again descend on the city and march through our historic streets,” added Gareth.

Visitors are advised to watch social media and the JORVIK Viking Festival website for the latest news and any other scheduling changes.