I am so excited to be hosted again as a media guest at VikingFest KC in St. Joseph, MO a little north of Kansas City. I 100% would have attended this even if I wasn’t provided a free ticket.
2026: It’s year 3! I’m excited to be an affiliate partner for the second time! When you buy your tickets, if you put in code ADVENTURE you get 10% off, and I get $2/ticket purchased. Your support helps me keep this blog going.
When
VikingFest Event:
Loki Night (just Adults) New in 2026, Friday, November 13th from 6pm to midnight.
Saturday, November 14, 2026 from 11am to 11pm (all ages during the day).
Saturday: 4:45-5:45pm Pyre Lighting Ceremony / Longship Burn
What
Similar to a Renaissance Festival, VikingFest blends history with fantasy. Dress up like a Viking (no level of realism required). Eat festival foods and drink lots of mead (or not). Shop! Experience the historical reenactment village. Listen to music, watch a fire show, play games (like Dungeons and Dragons: sign up required) and foam sword fighting, test your strength, and watch armored fighters. Join with the Wolves (Go Wolves! We’re the best!), Dragons, Bears, or Ravens and compete for glory.
The event is family friendly during the day with a kids area. Check out the KIDGARD section for the littlest Vikings to play!
In the evening (going until 11pm), the event is geared towards adults with the burning of a Viking ship and live Viking Rock music. New in 2026 Friday night Loki night to kick off the event.
Theme
Year 3 theme: Mead and Mischief
“Peeved by the events of last year’s festival, Floki Liesmith returns during Sven’s name day with Jötnar and monsterkin allies. He plans to overthrow Jarl Alga of Hedeby.
You can stand with the Jarl and the Wolf, Dragon, Bear, and Raven clans, or side with the trouble headed for Hedeby. The story unfolds in scenes, contests, and encounters around the grounds.”
Entertainment
(Check the website for full list of performances and times.)
May include performers like:
- Music: Pictus (Saturday: Amazing Drum and Pipe Group), Tordenkor (Viking-rock), Mad Maudlyn and the Bedlam Boys (Viking duo), Maggie Moon (duo), Clearly Guilty (nerdy, musical comedy), Best of Nine (traditional), and Bard Eclectic (unique performance).
- KCAC Banished: armored combat.
- The Beauty, the Bard, and the Brute: combat show.
- Fire: Fire Flow.
Vendors
Buy all the things and become a Viking. Vendor list.
Weather
Vikings fear not a little weather. This event is rain or shine. That being said, in addition to many fun outdoor activities, the Asgard (Castlebridge Castle Event Space) includes a spacious and comfortable inside area should you prefer to be inside. Check out my tips section for how to prepare for a great time in any weather. (If you’ve gone to a football game, you can do this!)
Tickets
Buy advance tickets on eventbrite. (check website for current pricing)
When you buy any of your tickets, if you put in code ADVENTURE, you get 10% off, and I get $2/ticket purchased.
- Friday Night, General Admission Tickets (Karl) online are $25 ($2.50 off with code ADVENTURE).
- Saturday, General Admission Tickets (Karl) online are $35 ($3.50 off with code).
- Friday and Saturday Bundle $50 plus taxes and fees ($5 off, you get the picture).
- Kid Tickets (under age 13, Saturday daytime only) are $10.
- Shipload of Vikings 10 Weekend General Admission tickets for $300.
- Limited availability VIP (Very Important Viking “Huscarl”) $199 standard. Includes admission for both days, a feast, an engraved cup, early access, a cup of mead, access to the private bar / Jarls lounge, special entertainment during the feast, and free access to all “Skalds and Shields” VIP parties throughout the year.
- Valkyrie Club $499/ticket or $4,000/10 ticket bundle: The ultimate Viking Fest experience. Everything in the Huscarl ticket, plus admission for both days, Saturday’s feast, A engraved cup, Early access, A cup of mead, Access to the private bar, the Jarl’s Lounge, Special entertainment during the feast, Free access to all Skalds and Shields VIP parties throughout the year, Access to the Valkyrie Club Lounge with private service, A Friday steak and lobster feast, A full sized Viking Fest wooden shield, Special VIP seating at concerts, A bottle of mead, Private entertainment from the Valkyrie Experience.
- Freya’s Speed Dating Add-on $10
- Ragnarok D&D Adventure – The Ship of Nails 6:30 add on $5 (very limited tickets).
- Can we get a “Dungeon Crawler Jarl” edition next year?
All online tickets have additional taxes and fees on top of the prices above.
Several ticket options will likely sell out before the event, so if you are interested in a these special offerings, buy your ticket right away and get your 10% off with promo code ADVENTURE.
Tips
- Prepare similar to a Renaissance Festival or other fair.
- No real weapons allowed! Foam is great!
- Tips for rain/cold
- Pro tip is to double up on socks and put a plastic sandwich bag (no zipper) between the layers to keep your toes dry.
- Trash bags or grocery bags tucked up between a layer of clothing keeps the rain off and your heat in.
- Top everything off with something warm on your head/ears, hands, and neck.
- You might even bring hand/foot warmers for the evening chill.
- Wool and cloaks are encouraged.
- Dress in layers and bring a change of clothing. This is a long day, you might want to change if your outfit is elaborate or if rain falls.
- Dress up to maximize the fun! It’s not required, but I love to dress up. If you don’t have an outfit, you’ll most likely be able to buy costume pieces there.
- Bring cash. It’s only proper to tip performers at least a dollar when you watch their show (more is always welcome). While you can buy some things with cards, cash is easier for smaller vendors and is accepted everywhere.
- Be sure to check out the schedule of events for shows and fight times. Plan your shopping and eating around what you want to see and do.
- If you want to play Dungeons and Dragons read this for details
- Pick an animal clan and support your group with some friendly rivalry.
- Prepare to spend a day walking outside: comfortable shoes or boots, sunscreen, bug spray, and maybe even a parasol/umbrella are in order. Stay hydrated (even if it’s cold) especially if you are drinking. I like to bring a mug with a special belt clip to really get into the spirit (you can probably buy these onsite).
- Mead (strong, Viking honey wine) is very popular, buy it early in case it sells out.
- While there are a few paved areas the majority of the faire is set in open grassy fields in true festival style. Expect mud if there has been rain. Embrace the mud. Be one with the mud like when you were a kid.
- Dogs: “Well behaved dogs with up to date/current vaccinations are allowed at VikingFest if they are on a short leash.” Not allowed inside the building unless it is a service animal.
- Bring a reusable bag for your shopping finds because it’s a long walk back to the car.
- You can have a great time on your own, but it’s even more fun with friends or family.
- Use this great opportunity to buy unique gifts and treat yourself.
- Stick around for the evening party. If some of your group will want to leave early, drive separately.
- Make a weekend of it and come Friday night and Saturday.
Location
Castlebridge Event Center
8403 US-59, St Joseph, MO 64504
St. Joseph is located just over 40 minutes North of the Kansas City International Airport, 30 minutes North of Weston, and about 1 hour North of the River Market.
This is the same location as the wonderful Bluffwoods Renaissance Festival.
To find the entrance by car, keep an eye out for the Castlebridge Event Space sign and drive back past the Bargain Barn Antique Store.
Complimentary parking is located around the festival and is mostly on grass. (Try to avoid parking in any deep mud!) As with all festivals, be prepared to walk a distance from where you park.
Links
VikingFest Website and check out the Map and Schedule
VikingFest eventbrite Ticket Page When you buy your tickets, if you put in code ADVENTURE, you get 10% off, and I get $2/ticket purchased. Thank you for helping support my work!
VikingFest Community Facebook Group
St. Joseph, MO Official Travel and Tourism Website
Bluffwoods Renaissance Festival Website
Like this? You’ll love my related posts!
Renaissance Festival Posts: Bluffwoods Renfest (St. Joseph, MO), Topeka Renfest, Central Missouri Renfest (near Columbia, MO), Kansas City Renfest, Oklahoma Renfest (Muskogee)
Epic Nerd Camp, British Faire and Tea (KC), Treehouse on the Magic Land, Luxury Dome Glamping
