Julefest Christmas market returns to Ballard this weekend

Meghan Walker Ballard

The 44th annual Julefest is coming back to Ballard this weekend, with two days of an outdoor Christmas market at the National Nordic Museum.

This year’s Julefest will be on Nov. 20 and 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be free-of-charge thanks to a grant from the City of Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods. The museum will also be free to tour that day with live music and a Santa appearance.

Skål Beer Hall will be hosting the Valhalla Beer Hall in the Osberg Great Hall serving gløgg make from Sjoeblom Winery and Norden Aquavit, beer, and other treats. Skål will also host an after-party at their beer hall, with plans to serve some rare aquavits and other “holiday spiced favorites”.

Live music will be happening all weekend long from Solje Sisters, Nordic Reeds, Winter Band (below), Skandia Kapell, Heart of Herring, Sprida Ut, Troika, Bjarne Jacobsen, Metro Gnomes, Duet Friends, and Allspice.

The outdoor Christmas market will have the usual Nordic holiday gifts and food, with plenty of local businesses and artists planning to sell their goods. Vendors planning to attend include the following:Aviv Jewelry, Ballard Alliance, Best Coast Canvas, Birgit Moenig Designs, Elentari Handverk, Fern and Fjord, FinnPeaks, Freddy’s Real Leaf Gifts, Holberg Glass, Horseshoe Boutique, Hovden Wear, Ice Ame Norskwear, Iceland Air, Judy’s Painted Treasures, Kos Candles, Larson Craft Co., Maddy’s Crafts, Manic Meatballs, Monster Dogs, Natural By Design, Norden Aquavit, Norwegian Rosemalers, NW Fish Basket, Paper Cut Kim, Rainy Day Bees, Renewal by Andersen, Scandinavian Design Studio, Scandinavian Hearts, Seattle Times, SIGIL, Sjoeblom Winery Glogg, Sky River Mead, Swede Hill Distilling, Swedish Dream, TwiggyPop Ranch, and Vulpine Espresso.

New this year will be Rainbow Bingo (21+ only) at JulefestAfterDark from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday night, hosted bySylvia O’Stayformore. Bingo will include 10 rounds of bingo with prizes and a few musical numbers. Pre-registration is required for bingo; reserve a ticket here.