Vesterheim invites everyone to celebrate Syttende Mai, Norway’s Constitution Day! In 2025, Vesterheim is celebrating a day early on May 16!

Syttende Mai (May 17th) is the day Norway ratified its constitution in 1814 at Eidsvoll and Norwegians celebrate with excited crowds—especially children—marching through the streets, waving flags, and singing songs.

Vesterheim’s celebration includes free admission all day with a Children’s Parade throughout Vesterheim Heritage Park, a performance by Decorah’s Nordic Dancers, live music, ice cream, and more.

In addition, there will be a concert with Norwegian fiddler Vidar Skrede, both live in Vesterheim Commons and livestreamed!

Schedule of Events

10:30 am-12:00 pm: Book Signing by Amy Shaw in Museum Store 

10:45-11:45 am: Guided Heritage Park Tour

12:00-12:30 pm: Concert by Fiddler Vidar Skrede

1:00-1:30 pm: Parade through Heritage Park

1:45- 2:30 pm: Performance by Decorah’s Nordic Dancers on Mill St. by Museum Building

In case of inclement weather, the parade and Nordic Dancers will be canceled. All other activities will continue as planned.

Vesterheim’s Syttende Mai activities are supported by a generous gift to the Vesterheim Annual Fund from Craig Trygstad and Lynne Coleman. The ice cream is donated by Culvers in Decorah.

There will also be a ribbon cutting and opening reception at 9:00 a.m. for the new Vesterheim Forging Studio! Find out more here.

Commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the first organized emigration of Norwegians to the United States with Vesterheim in 2025! The single-masted sloop,Restauration, left Stavanger on July 4, 1825, with 52 people on board and landed in New York Harbor on October 9, 1825.

Vesterheim joins Crossings, a group of Norwegian-American organizations, to commemorate this anniversary with programming inspired by the strong connections between the people of Norway and the United States. Whether you have Norwegian roots or an interest in Scandinavian traditions, we invite you to join Vesterheim’s special programs, exhibitions, and classes to share the history and traditions of Norwegian Americans.