Celebrate the last Yulefest at the ‘old’ Nordic Heritage Museum this weekend

Now in its 40th year, Yulefest at the Nordic Heritage Museum is one of our favorite annual Ballard events, kicking off the holiday season. This year has special significance: it will be the last Yulefest in the “old museum” on NW 67th St. before the move to the new facility next year.

This weekend’s celebration has all the trappings of a traditional Nordic Christmas: Scandinavian food and drinks, live music and dancing, vendors selling handcrafted items, kids’ crafts — and a visit from Santa himself. The museum will also raffle off a weekend getaway at the Browns Point Lighthouse Cottage, a working museum where the winners will get to act as honorary light keepers.

There are 21 music and dance performances scheduled, including the fan favorites Norwegian Male Chorus and Norwegian Ladies Chorus of Seattle. Here’s the schedule.

Yulefest runs this Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Adult admission is $5 per person. Kids 12 and under are admitted for free. Admission is complimentary for Nordic Heritage Museum Members.