Living History & Reenactment

Living History Village & Reenactment

@ Valhalla Viking Festival 2026

Magnus Viking Association supported by other Viking Reenactment Groups from Ireland, Wodens Hearth and Bjarni Thorvaldrson will be bringing history to life in the Viking Encampment.

You'll be able to learn more about how the Vikings lived, crafts, the science behind their weapons, see demonstrations and take part in activities such as fighting the Vikings in the arena, enjoy ad hoc music performances from Olaf the Skald and dress up for photos in the Magnus Encampment. Suitable for adults and children alike.

The Living History Village features 80 reenactors in their settlements and opens at 10:00 every day and is open until the festival closes. Please see below for arena schedule. Other battles and performances will be happening ad hoc throughout the day so keep an eye on the arena outside of the scheduled battle times too. You can even join the Vikings in the arena to learn how to come together to form battle formations too!

The Encampment

Living History

Living History

Open all day long Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

You'll be able to interact with Reenactors and find out more about the Viking way of life showcased by various groups coming together to bring history to life for the weekend

Magnus Viking Association

Magnus Viking Association

Magnus Viking Association will be travelling from Ireland toghether with other close groups to bring you living history and battles in the main arena.

Hirtir Aett ᚻᛁᚱᛏᛁᚱ ᚨᛖᛏᛏ

Hirtir Aett

Hirtir Aett is a family living in the Danelaw period. They are a family who have come to settle in England after The Great Heathen Army invaded in 865.

Drop by their encamoment as they demonstrate crafts, sewing, cooking, grinding flour on Quern Stones to make bread, butter & cheese making and the like and of course interact with everyone, explaining their history.

Wodens Hearth

Wodens Hearth

Find out more about the Vikings' way of life in the Viking Encampment of Wodens Hearth

Blodorn Cornovii

Blodorn Cornovii

Brederedh Cornovii is a fighting group dedicated to competitive 10th-11th century (Viking Era) combat re-enactment and the recreation of many aspects of Viking era life, particularly Viking era warrior culture.

Officially Brederedh Cornovii are a re-enactment society (unincorporated association) who portray a Viking era mercenary company from Anglo-Saxon, Norse/Viking, Norman, Rus and Slavic backgrounds

Valgrind

Valgrind

Living history and fighting Viking reenactment group

Kytes of Wessex

Basingstoke based living history and fighting Viking group.

Jotunns Wrath

Jotunns Wrath will be joining us in the Living History Village, helping bring the Viking Age to life throughout the weekend.

They'll be bringing a Viking ship for people to see up close, making it a fantastic photo opportunity and one of the highlights of the Living History Village.

Olaf The Skald

Olaf The Skald

This photo was taken in Iceland. Olaf is sitting on the Logberg, the law rock where all matters of law were discussed for 800 years. Chieftains from all over Iceland met there from the year 1031.

Olaf will be performing ad hoc throughout the day in the Viking Encampment but you can enjoy his music on stage as well as during the boat burning.

Demonstrations & Arena Activities

The Science Viking

The Science Viking

Meet Bjarni Thorvaldrson, the Science Viking. Learn all about the science and technology of the Vikings.

The Science of Viking Weapons

The Science of Viking Weapons

Find out about the physics of Viking weaponry and witness the slaying of the mythical Viking Battle Cabbage with very sharp Viking weapons.

Kids vs. Vikings

Kids vs Vikings

Let you little ones defeat the Vikings in the main arena! There will be a battle each day so your little ones can defeat them over and over and over again. They'll be provided with child safe swords/axes and shields and be taught how to attack in a shield wall to take on the Vikings.

Adult Battle Training in the Arena

Adult Battle Training

Not only the little ones can learn some battle skills in the arena from our Vikings this year. Every evening, adults can join the Vikings in the arena too! You'll learn some battle formations and we'll see who does better, the little ones or the adults!

Battles, Viking games and squirmishes will be performed ad hoc by the reenactors in the arena & sparring arena all day long so keep an eye on the 2 arenas. You can find them on the festival map.

2026 Arena Schedule

Main Arena and Sparring Arena schedules are shown by day below.

Friday

Main Arena

  • 12:00Battle
  • 13:15Birds of Prey Flying Demonstration
  • 15:45Battle
  • 16:30Kids VS. Vikings
  • 18:00Horse Riding Birds of Prey Flying Demonstration

Sparring Arena

  • 10:00Battle Training Ad Hoc suitable for all ages until 19:00. Visit The Old Wyvern for more details next to the Sparring Arena.
  • 13:45Terry The Science Viking Weapons Demonstration
  • 17:00Strongman Demonstration
  • 17:45Adult Formations

Saturday

Main Arena

  • 11:30Battle
  • 13:45Horse Riding Birds of Prey Flying Demonstration
  • 15:15Battle
  • 16:00Kids VS. Vikings
  • 18:15Birds of Prey Flying Demonstration
  • 21:15Firedancing
  • 21:45Viking Boat Burning until 23:00, weather permitting

Sparring Arena

  • 10:00Battle Training Ad Hoc suitable for all ages until 19:00. Visit The Old Wyvern for more details next to the Sparring Arena.
  • 14:00Terry The Science Viking Weapons Demonstration
  • 16:45Strongman Demonstration
  • 17:45Adult Formations

Sunday

Main Arena

  • 10:30Viking Tournament (for you to join!)
  • 13:15Battle
  • 14:15Birds of Prey Flying Demonstration
  • 15:15Battle
  • 15:45Kids vs. Vikings
  • 18:00Horse Riding Birds of Prey Flying Demonstration
  • 21:00Closing Blot start

Sparring Arena

  • 10:00Battle Training Ad Hoc suitable for all ages until 19:00. Visit The Old Wyvern for more details next to the Sparring Arena.
  • 11:30SURUNA Drumming Circle with Chaka of Heilung
  • 16:30Terry The Science Viking Weapons Demonstration

Gallery

A closer look at the Living History Village, reenactment camps and arena moments.

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