It’s a special month for Norwegians in Southern California and around the world. Norway’s national day, known as 17. mai or Syttende mai, falls on Sunday, May 17. The holiday commemorates the signing of Norway’s constitution in 1814 and is celebrated with flags, children’s parades, traditional costumes, ice cream, and more. Read more here about the history of Norway’s constitution and the country’s unique traditions for the day. Once again, Norway’s national TV station, NRK, will broadcast live on the big day, in case you want a glimpse of how it’s done in the homeland.
Norwegians in Southern California can celebrate in person on Sunday, May 17, at the Norwegian Church’s 17. mai Celebration in San Pedro. All the traditional food and festivities will be there—the national song, speeches, music, entertainment, and even a parade around the block with music and flags. The day starts with a family friendly festive worship service in the garden at 12:00 p.m. The celebration then continues with a program from the stage at 1:00 p.m. and the parade around the block at 2:00 p.m., led by the church’s own band and majorettes. For details on admission and parking, visit the church’s event page.
Looking to kick off the festivities early? Join Peer Gynt LA in Hawthorne on Saturday, May 16, for the very first Nordic Gateway LA, a one-day cultural experience showcasing the most exciting of today’s Nordic art, music, entertainment, and food in Los Angeles. This new event promises a lively mix of Nordic art, music, entertainment, food, storytelling, family-friendly and competitive activities with a chance to win prizes making it a great outing whether you have Nordic roots or are simply curious about the culture. Enjoy special treats from Baked by Elizabeth and Vaffel & Venn and performances by a varied line-up of Nordic talent, including actor and storyteller Thor Knai; fine artist and DJ Harald Austad; singer-songwriters Aiida, Olivia Junholm, and Linn Holmes; fine artist and writer Oda Victoria Reitan; fine artist Marit Bakkan; alternative rock duo her fever; and finally, a very special music guest to be announced soon. All ages are welcome, and entrance is free. The event starts at 11:00 a.m., with the concert starting at 3:00 p.m.
VIRTUAL EVENTS in MAY
Nordic Book Club Meetings: May 2026
Online book clubs continue to meet and provide ideas for reading and opportunities to discuss. Visit Nordic Book Club Meetings: May 2026 to see details about book selections and meeting dates coming up.
Norwegian Language for Travelers (On-Demand)
Whether you’re planning a trip to the stunning fjords, the vibrant cityscapes of Oslo, or the charming coastal towns, learning Norwegian will enhance your experience and help you connect with the locals in a more meaningful way. Join Dr. Maren Anderson Johnson and learn Norwegian words and phrases. A kit of materials including workbook that supports the video instruction and a sweet treat from Vesterheim is included in the cost of registration. On-demand class content is available for 90 days from the time of purchase.
Sølje-Inspired Earrings with Liz Bucheit (On-Demand)
Ever wonder why sølje pins have those shiny dangles with silver disc drops? These discs are called “spoons” or “shells” in Norwegian. Silver has long been a protective element against evil and abduction by the hulder folk in Scandinavia. Legend has it that if you run into the devil wearing your sparkling sølje, he would see his own reflection and run away! Don’t run away from a chance to create your own silver- and gold-washed earrings in this short class designed to introduce you to the beauty of Scandinavian silverwork. You’ll receive a kit with the materials you need to create two pairs of earrings in a variety of combinations and instructions on how to access the online course materials. Content is available for 90 days from the time of purchase. Level of instruction is beginner friendly.
ASI Food Program: Nordic Cardamom Bread with Kristi Bissell (Thursday, 5/14)
Whether you call it pulla, kardemummabröd, or coffee bread, a classic Nordic bread combines floral cardamom, a crunchy sugar topping, and a beautiful braided presentation into a show-stopping yeasted loaf. Finland and Sweden’s answer to a challa, Cardamom Bread is commonly enjoyed as part of a fika or coffee hour, but is equally at home on the breakfast table—it makes especially stellar french toast! Since it’s hard to find in bakeries, your best bet is to tackle it at home, and luckily Kristi Bissell of the blog True North Kitchen is ready to walk through each step in this hourlong tutorial. From kneading to proofing, shaping, and baking, this demo will cover all steps for students to tackle this recipe at home.
Vesterheim FamilieTid: Nordic Pizza Family Night (Friday, 5/15, Free)
Get the family together for some surprising tastes and fun twists on Nordic pizzas. Join Patrice Johnson for this family cook-along and spend a Friday evening enjoying pizza with your family, maybe even watching a movie together afterwards.
Swedish American Museum Online Cooking Class: Swedish Food from the 80s (Monday, 5/18)
Participants are taught Swedish recipes in this online cooking class. Cook along with the group and ask questions throughout. In May, the class will make Swedish food from the 80s.
Vesterheim Family Book Adventure: Just in Case: Saving Seeds in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault (Enrollment Deadline 5/18)
Beginning June 1 and available all month, your family can participate anytime during the month when it works for your schedule! On the first of the month, you will receive an email with the links and information about how to access. The $35-per-family price covers the cost of a kit including a copy of the book, materials you’ll need for the fun hands-on activities, a fun craft, a scavenger-hunt-type adventure, and a special treat from Vesterheim.
Concert with Kristian Bugge and WB Reid (Tuesday, 5/19, Free)
Kristian Bugge and WB Reid’s live performance at Vesterheim will be livestreamed on Zoom for an online audience. The program will focus on tunes from the rich, Danish fiddle repertoire, spiced up with a few songs in Danish and English. Expect everything from wild polkas and groovy jigs to lyrical waltzes, fiery reels, and happy hopsas. Plus, they will play the exotic “Sønderhoning” dance tunes from the famous, Danish Island of Fanø.
Reporting from Greenland | Discussion with Jeffrey Gettleman (Tuesday, 5/19, Free)
Join Scandinavia House for a conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and global correspondent Jeffrey Gettleman on his experiences reporting in Greenland over the past year for The New York Times, including his on-the-ground impressions and insights into the complex dynamic between competing global interests.
Swedish American Museum Online CatalogIt Orientation (Wednesday, 5/27, Free)
Did you know that you can access and view selections from the Swedish American Museum’s Permanent Collection online? This orientation session will give you basic instructions on how to access the CatalogIt HUB platform that the Museum uses for hosting its collection catalog. Guests will also learn from members of the Museum team about the large-scale archival digitization project that they have been embarking on over the past year, leading to hundreds of exciting new scans that provide fascinating insights into Swedish-American experiences and narratives of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Beginning Swedish ABC, 123! with Jean Hanslin (Mondays, June 1, 8, 15)
Set off on your Swedish adventure with this fun class taught by Jean Hanslin. Expect lots of interaction and smiles! Over three weeks, the class will focus on letters, numbers, and greetings in dialogues, songs, and poems. This class is suitable for new beginners to Swedish (Beginning I level) of all ages, from 10 to 100. For more advanced classes with Jean Hanslin, see her upcoming classes here.
Sweden and Swedish for Travelers with Gregg White (Tuesdays & Thursdays, June 2-11)
Traveling to Sweden soon or just thinking about it? Want to know the essential phrases to use with your friends and relatives? Have some questions about what to see and where to go once you get there? This language and travel course, taught by Gregg White, will get the traveler to Sweden off to the right start. If you are not ready to commit to a full language course but want a brief introduction to Swedish and the lovely country where it is spoken, then this course is for you.
Sweden’s History: The Country, the Nation, the State with Gregg White (Tuesdays, June 2-July 7)
This course, taught by Gregg White, introduces the history of Sweden. In six weeks, this class will cover the geography (the country), the history (the nation), and the political system (the state) of Sweden. The class will learn how these three important factors shaped what we know as “Swedishness”, from the melting of the ice-age glaciers to the development of the “third way” of social democracy. Materials provided by the instructor; students will be given links to handouts they can print before each class.
Scandinavian Everyday Book Talk & Demo with Nichole Accettola (Thursday, 6/11)
Join San Francisco-based chef and author Nichole Accettola for an introduction to her newest cookbook, Scandinavian Everyday (Penguin Random House) in this virtual demo and book talk. With a repertoire of recipes rooted in traditional Scandinavian cooking, Scandinavian Everyday offers inspiration for year-round meals grounded in the seasonal, sustainable and healthy approach of the modern Nordic Diet. Nichole will demonstrate several recipes from the book while discussing how her years living in Denmark changed her approach to cooking every day at home and her San Francisco restaurant, Kantine.
ASI Food Program: Strawberries in the Nordic Kitchen Demo with Kristi Bissell (Thursday, 6/18)
If there was ever a fruit that defined summer in the Nordic kitchen, it would be the strawberry. In honor of this spectacular fruit’s seasonal arrival, join Kristi Bissell as she demonstrates a trio of Nordic-inspired recipes from her blog True North Kitchen, including a Finnish inspired almond-strawberry tart, a classic Danish pudding, and a versatile compote perfect for tucking away in the freezer.
ASI Food Program: Scandinavian Hot Dogs with Kristi Bissell (Thursday, 7/23)
What do mashed potatoes, shrimp salad, and curry remoulade sauce have in common? All are common hot dog toppings across Scandinavia! Whether for a quick weeknight supper or a fun summer entertaining spread, Scandinavia provides plenty of fun twists on the average hot dog. Join Kristi Bissell from the blog True North Kitchen for tips and tricks for Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish style hot dogs and get ready to find your next favorite hot dog topping!
Which events or experiences look interesting to you?
This second book tells the story of a Jewish couple from Oslo who were killed by the border guides whom they thought would lead them to safety in Sweden. At the same time, the reader learns about the author’s wife’s grandmother whose family did safely make it to Sweden but whose home and belongings were taken from them by the Nazis in Norway. Additionally, during the author’s research and writing process, he discovered unknown information about his own family’s involvement during this period as well. It was a dark and difficult period during Norway’s past. I am in awe of how the author was able to tell these painful stories in such an engaging and engrossing way. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Have you seen Norway’s 
Gnome Matter the Weather’s
Dr. Nancy Coleman joins Vesterheim for an online presentation in connection with the Vesterheim exhibit, 
Join Kristi Bissell for a crash course in incorporating tempting caramelized flavor into two classic Swedish baked goods. Kristi will demo a caramelized-almond-topped toscakaka (Tosca Cake) and kolasnittar, a delicious but straightforward caramel cookie, both approachable ways to incorporate caramel into baked goods at home. This class is presented as a demonstration, so students can watch the entire process and ask questions before tackling the dishes later. The recipe packet will be available for download one week in advance.
Join Swedish American Museum for an online book talk with Tina Harnesk Boström, a celebrated Sámi writer from Northern Sweden. Born and raised in Jokkmokk, she comes from a family rich in storytelling traditions, particularly on her mother’s side, which is Sami. Now living with her family in a village outside Arvidsjaur, Harnesk draws deeply on her upbringing and cultural heritage in her writing. Her latest novel, 
Join the Swedish American Museum for an engaging Zoom program focused on the importance of your family history for future generations. Learn how Marilyn Fettinger used AI to write the life story of her 4x great grandfather, Sven Magnus Ström and his family. We’ll begin by examining AI prompts to read, translate, and understand Swedish historical records followed by examples of how to use AI to transform the historical facts into captivating family narratives.
Create the cutest felted easter eggs in this afternoon-long virtual class. Led by instructor Laura Berlage, students will follow step-by-step instructions to transform hand-dyed wool from the instructor’s own sheep into a felted easter egg that will fit in the palm of your hand. Needle felting is fun, easy, and therapeutic–and as your woolly creation takes shape, enjoy conversation with other students and learning more about wool and the sheep who produced the kit materials! The finished egg will be perfect for displaying ahead of the easter holiday.
Celebrate spring, Finnish style, with two stand out dishes. Kristi will demonstrate a light but cozy salmon soup, perfect for cooler spring days. Then she’ll turn to tippaleipä, a classic funnel cake recipe made for May Day in Finland. These delicious desserts are fun to make at home and a worthwhile project to celebrate the return of spring! While Kristi demos making the funnel cake batter and her preferred approach to deep frying, she will discuss some of the traditions around May Day in Finland.
In other film news, Norway’s 
Gnome Matter the Weather’s
This adventure starts March 1 and will be available all month. Step into the world of kings, queens, palaces, and crowns! All Things Royal is a month-long, online language adventure designed especially for families. Learn about the Norwegian royal family while building vocabulary and exploring royal-themed crafts, games, and cultural activities right from home. Each family will receive a kit packed with fun supplies, creative activities, and everything you need to bring the royal experience to life. Instructor-led videos will guide families through royal vocabulary and cultural traditions—like learning how to say “king” in Norwegian and discovering what a “slott” is.
Now in its 8th year, the annual Sámi Film Festival celebrates the rich storytelling traditions of the Sámi, an Indigenous people of the northernmost parts of Finland, Norway, Sweden, and the Kola Peninsula of Russia. This year’s program is curated by acclaimed director, writer, artist, and composer Elle Márjá Eira, whose work in mediums from TV to classical opera has captivated audiences across the globe, and whose directorial debut Stolen reached the Top 10 list in 71 countries following its Netflix premiere in 2024. Virtual screenings will be available nationwide from February 6 through 13.
Join Vesterheim for an hour of traditional Norwegian stories, told by interdisciplinary artist and storyteller Laura Berlage! Tricksters abound in the old stories, and the tales of the Norse have a special one — Loki. Learn who Loki is and follow him on adventures of thievery, shapeshifting, and trickery, as he both helps and hinders the ancient gods of the north. Loki has a special way to make us laugh and cringe, and his adventures are tales to charm all ages.
Join Nichole Accettola, author of 
Beets may be a divisive ingredient, but beet lovers know they can provide great color, flavor, and nutrition in a range of recipes, and they become especially valuable in the colder months. Join Kristi Bissell as she demonstrates two Nordic-inspired recipes from her blog True North Kitchen, featuring both golden beets in a surprising soup and red beets in a tasty open faced sandwich. Students are sure to leave with new ideas and skills for putting this underutilized northern vegetable to good use!
Join the Swedish American Museum for an engaging Zoom program focused on the importance of archiving and preserving your family history for future generations. This online presentation will guide participants through practical ways to protect and organize family photographs, gather and record meaningful family stories, and safeguard treasured heirlooms such as wedding certificates, college diplomas, and birth or hospital records. Whether you are just beginning your family history journey or looking to better preserve materials you already have, this program offers valuable tools and inspiration. Sign up online to attend and take an important step in ensuring your family’s legacy is preserved and passed on.
Join Kristi Bissell of 
This experience starts February 1 and will be available all month. Join woodcarving instructor and Vesterheim Gold Medalist Rebecca Hanna in exploring the art of kroting, cutting lines into wood after it has been painted or stained. Inspired by work in the Vesterheim Folk Art School as well as the instructor’s personal work, students will be taught how to start kroting and given a simple design to try themselves. Note: This program has been designed for families to experience on their own schedules. There is no live Zoom event and no scheduled class time – your family can participate anytime during the month when it works for your schedule! Kit includes all folk art materials needed, some images as inspiration from the Vesterheim collection, and a treat.
Explore the traditional and beautiful Norwegian decorative painting known as rosemaling. In this beginner-friendly class, you will be introduced to and gain confidence in the essential strokes used in rosemaling. We’ll use a very limited color palette to keep the focus on clean, consistent linework and smooth brush control. Step-by-step practice will cover the basic C- and S-strokes and teardrops, tips for brush loading and pressure, and the chance to explore using both a flat, round, and detail brush. By the end, you’ll have a completed piece that highlights your growing skill and understanding of rosemaling fundamentals.
Create a sweet felted chickadee inspired by Minnesota’s Northwoods in this afternoon-long class. Led by instructor Laura Berlage, students will follow step-by-step instructions to transform hand-dyed wool from the instructor’s own sheep into a felted chickadee that will fit in the palm of your hand. The kit contains enough wool to make a second chickadee, perfect for continuing with this craft beyond class. Open to all skill levels. Suitable for ages 16+.
Enjoy the cold dark months by embracing hygge and making hyggelig (nice) moments by cozying up with some delicious hot beverages. Hyggelig is a Danish word that suggests a sense of coziness and comfortable contentment or well-being. We will explore some flavorful hot toddies, glögg, and a spiked hot chocolate. So grab a drink and your warmest blanket and enjoy yourself during the winter.
Join textile artist Kayla Ann for an evening of creativity and hands-on fun while learning the art of needle felting a 2-D felted folk flower bouquet. Using a piece of felt as the canvas and wool roving as the paint, Kayla will guide students through the fundamentals of this relaxing craft, teaching how to “paint” with wool and sculpt beautiful blooms from fiber. Whether you’re new to needle felting or looking to expand your skills, students will leave with the skills, tools, and inspiration to keep needle felting beyond the online workshop. Open to all skill levels. Suitable for ages 16+.
Begin your day with breakfast smørbrød, pyttipanne, and cardamom coffee bread in this New Nordic Brunch class. Menu also includes a signature cocktail called the Salty Hund and a signature coffee mocktail. This Vesterheim cooking class is designed as a small-group cook-along, and we invite exchange between the instructor and students in order to build community around food traditions. Enrollment deadline is January 17. Class is sold out but you may request to be added to the waitlist.
Collect a new set of go-to recipes with Kristi Bissell from the blog 
Celebrate the light during the darkest time of year with a cozy and festive baking class featuring St. Lucia Buns (lussekatter), the golden, saffron-scented pastries traditionally served on December 13 for St. Lucia Day. In this online hands-on class with Kristi Bissell from the blog 
Himmeli-making is a Nordic tradition brought to the U.S. by immigrants from Nordic and European countries. Traditionally hung above a table or dining area, these geometric straw mobiles are a Christmas tradition with a link to old folk farming beliefs for ensuring a bountiful harvest. You will gain experience working with natural material (straw) as you construct a medium sized himmeli mobile. Focus will also be on the cultural and historic significance of this craft found in Finland, Norway, Sweden, the Baltic countries, and beyond. Enrollment Deadline: 11/22
Spend an evening exploring Scandinavian silver work through the creation of your own silver and gold-washed earrings. Ever wonder why sølje pins have those shiny dangles with silver disc drops? These discs are called “spoons” or “shells” in Norwegian. Historically, silver has long been seen as a protective element against evil and abduction by the hulder folk (hidden folk) in Scandinavian folklore. Legend has it that should you run into the devil wearing your sparkling sølje, he would see his own reflection and run away! Don’t run away from a chance to create your own earrings in this short class designed to introduce you to the beauty of Scandinavian silver work. Students will assemble up to two pairs of earrings using multiple disc elements suspended from sterling silver French hook ear wires.
Make a cozy and cute heart embroidered with wool yarn and stitched onto a piece of curly sheepskin from the instructor’s flock. Learn how to work satin and stem stitch “in the hand” on washed wool fabric, as well as how to assemble the finished ornament. The finished piece is approximately 3.5 inches wide. This class includes a kit shipped to your home with wool fabric, stitch guide, hand-dyed wool embroidery yarn, red ribbon, white roving for stuffing, sheepskin heart for the back, embroidery needle, glover’s needles, and faux sinew for stitching, plus a PDF photo essay for additional instructions (a $70 value). Enrollment Deadline: 11/26
Create a festive ornament using needle felting techniques alongside teaching artist Kayla Ann. This fun project utilizes cookie cutters you may already have at home to create a felted ornament and/or gift topper with clean lines, even shape, and adorable details. This class is ideal for beginners looking to learn more about needle felting and Nordic culture. These delightful ornaments and gift toppers are the perfect way to step up your gift-giving or decorate your home. You will leave with both a finished project and the knowledge to continue needle felting outside of class. Registration for this kit-based class closes on 11/24.
The holidays aren’t just about meatballs, lutefisk, and lefse! In this class, you’ll prep for the season with a beautiful and scrumptious variety of holiday-inspired open-faced sandwiches. A signature cocktail and non-alcoholic beverage will also be included in the menu. This Vesterheim cooking class is designed as a small-group cook-along, and we invite exchange between the instructor and students in order to build community around food traditions. Enrollment Deadline: 11/29
In a twist on Vesterheim’s monthly bokprat discussions, join Vesterheim in December for a discussion of the Norwegian television series The Commoner, 
Plan now for this family experience that starts February 1 and will be available all month. Join woodcarving instructor and Vesterheim Gold Medalist Rebecca Hanna in exploring the art of kroting, cutting lines into wood after it has been painted or stained. Inspired by work in the Vesterheim Folk Art School as well as the instructor’s personal work, students will be taught how to start kroting and given a simple design to try themselves. Note: This program has been designed for families to experience on their own schedules. There is no live Zoom event and no scheduled class time – your family can participate anytime during the month when it works for your schedule! On the first of the month, you will receive an email with the links and information about how to access. Kit includes all folk art materials needed, some images as inspiration from the Vesterheim collection, and a treat.