The Pirkkala Viking Fair

Authentic Viking spirit in an ancient setting

The Pirkkala Viking Fair is held in 9–10 July 2022.
Sat 10:00–17:00, Sun 10:00–16:00

Reippi (Museotie 9, 33980 Pirkkala) and Suupantori Square (Suupantori, 33960 Pirkkala)

Free entry, no age restrictions.

The Pirkkala Viking Fair is organised in the Reippi area and Suupantori Square.

Map of the event area of Reippi.

The Reippi area is located about 6 kilometres from downtown Pirkkala. The paths in Reippi are mainly gravel roads and uneven grass. Some of the event area is located in a field. The event area in Reippi is not fully accessible.

Food and drink

In Reippi, we offer iron-age delicacies for various tastes and different diets. There are full dining portions and sweet and savoury pastries available.

Toilets

The event area has two outhouses, portable toilets and an accessible portable toilet.

First aid

The Pirkkala branch of the Finnish Red Cross will be on duty at the event.

Payment methods

Reippi does not have an ATM. Some of the market stands offer an opportunity to pay by card, but we recommend that you also have some cash at hand.

Animals

It is not allowed to bring dogs or other animals to the area.

Smoking

Smoking is only allowed at designated sites.

Clothing

We hope to see plenty of visitors dressed in historical outfits!

Information desk

There is an information desk in a tent where you can find information about the event and local history.

The Viking Market is in Suupantori Square in downtown Pirkkala. The Suupantori event area is an accessible paved market square.

Food and drink

The food stands in the square and restaurants in the town are available to visitors.

Toilets

The area does not have public toilets.

Payment methods

Some of the market stands offer an opportunity to pay by card, but we recommend that you also have some cash at hand. There is an ATM in downtown Pirkkala.

Smoking

Smoking is only permitted in designated smoking sites.

Info desk

The information desk is in the ‘Akvaario’ container in the area.

Arrival

Suupantori Square is in the centre of Pirkkala. Suupantori Square is accessible from the City of Tampere on the normally operating local buses. There are some parking spaces around Suupantori, also for persons with disabilities. The free visitor transport to Reippi also stops at Suupantori.

By bicycle

There is a cycling path from downtown Pirkkala to Reippi. The event area has a designated bicycle parking area.

By car

The area has limited parking space, which is why we recommend that visitors arriving by car park in the more remote parking area next to Pirkkala Ice Rink (Takamaantie 1)

Parking in Reippi

There is a limited number of parking spaces available. Parking is forbidden on the right side of the Anian rantatie road from the Kierukantie junction to Leukuntie junction. Parking spaces for persons with disabilities are available in the parking area of Reippi Museum.

When you show your parking ID at the Museotie junction to the traffic controllers, they will show you the way to the correct parking area.

The path from the parking area to the event goes slightly uphill. The event area is not accessible by car.

Free visitor transport

Free transport is available for visitors to Reippi from the Pirkkala Ice Rink (Takamaantie 1) remote parking and Suupantori Square in downtown Pirkkala. The transport operates at 20-minute intervals on Sat 9:30–17:15 and on Sun 9:30–16:15.

Public transport

Suupantori Square in downtown Pirkkala is accessible from the City of Tampere on the normally operating local buses. See the bus timetables on the website nysse.fi/en.

In Reippi

10:00 Opening ceremony: Chair of the Council Taru Tolvanen opens the event, museum yard

10:00-17:00
Viking Village open
Viking Camp open
Crafts market and work demonstrations Reippi area
Guidance on historical outfits, the ‘From a discovery to a historical outfit’ project Reippi area
Children’s area Museum yard
Archery Field by the Smithy

10:30 Theatre group Taiga-Matto: Viking adventure, the Yurt

10:30 Guided walking tour of Tursiannotko,  departure from the information desk

11:00-16:00 Guidance at Neulakaivo, Hiidenmäki, Pirkkalankylä Neulakaivo

11:00-17:00 Varpa throwing, field by the Smithy

11:15 The Mystic and the Conjurer, the Black Tent

11:45 Writer Mervi Pasanen: Woven belts from the Finnish Iron Age, the Yurt

12:00 Battle show: Birckalan Kaarti, gates of the Viking Village

12:30 Nostra&Damus – The great flea circus, field by the Smithy

13:00 Children’s Viking tor, departure from the gates of the Viking Village

14:00 Forging demonstration: arrowheads, Smithy

14:00 Historical instrument workshop,  the Yurt

14:30 The Mystic and the Conjurer,  the Black Tent

15:00 Battle show: Birckalan Kaarti, field by Reippi Farm

15:00 Guided walking tour of Tursiannotko, departure from the information desk

16:00 Nostra&Damus – The great flea circus, field by the Smithy

16:00 Postdoctoral researcher Ulla Moilanen: Historical enactment and issues with authenticity, the Yurt

In Suupantori

10:00-17:00 Viking Market

We reserve the right to any changes.

In Reippi

10:00 The fair host Mystic Alexander opens the event day

10:00-16:00
Viking Village open
Viking Camp open
Crafts market and work demonstrations Reippi area
Guidance on historical outfits, the ‘From a discovery to a historical outfit’ project Reippi area
Children’s area Museum yard
Archery Field by the Smithy

10:15 Guided walking tour of Tursiannotko, departure from the information desk

10:30 Theatre group Taiga-Matto: Looking for Mother Earth – an arctic fairytale, the Yurt

11:00-15:00 Guidance at Neulakaivo, Hiidenmäki, Pirkkalankylä Neulakaivo

11:00-16:00 Varpa throwing, field by the Smithy

11:00 The Mystic and the Conjurer, the Black Tent

11:30 Children’s Viking tour, departure from the gates of the Viking Village

12:00 Historical instrument workshop, the Yurt

12:00 Introduction and send-off of carrier pigeons,  Reippi area.

12:30 Nostra&Damus – The great flea circus, field by the Smithy

12:30 Guided walking tour of Tursiannotko, departure from the information desk

13:00 Battle show: Birckalan Kaarti, gates of the Viking Village

13:45 Archaeologist Sami Raninen: Viking times in the Pirkanmaa region, the Yurt

14:00 Children’s Viking tour, departure from the gates of the Viking Village

14:00 Forging demonstration: horseshoe buckles, Smithy

14:30 The Mystic and the Conjurer, the Black Tent

15:00 Concert: Pekko Käppi, Reippi area

In Suupantori

10:00-16:00 Viking Market

We reserve the right to any changes.

Reippi offers a craft market and various types of entertainment.

Ragnarök: Archery

Sat 10:00–17:00 and Sun 10:00–16:00, field by the Smithy
Are your archery skills a little rusty? Come and learn this noble skill with the Vikings of Ragnarök!

Varpa throwing

Sat 11:00–17:00, Sun 11:00–16:00, field by the Smithy
Vikings loved to play games and compete, just like us. In the Viking Market, we get to try a Swedish Viking game, Varpa. Varpa is a fun game that needs precision and that all ages can play. The purpose of the game is to throw a stone or metal disc as close to a goal stick as possible. Come and try it!

Viking Camp

Sat 10:00–17:00, Sun 10:00–16:00
The Viking Market will also include a Viking Camp created by historical reenactors where visitors can see a lively camp life.

Guidance by Neulakaivo in Hiidenmäki

Sat 11:00–16:00, Sun 11:00–15:00
Guides from the Taivaannaula association share information about sacred natural places in the Pirkkalankylä area.

Battle show: Birckalan Kaarti

Sat 12:00 noon, gates of the Viking Village, 15:00, field by Reippi Farm
Sun 13:00, field by Reippi Farm
Duration: about 45 minutes.

Concert: Pekko Käppi

Sun 15:00, Reippi area
At the solo concert by Pekko Käppi, the best-known jouhikko player in Finland, you get to hear the jouhikko, one of the most fascinating historical instruments in Europe. Duration: about 45 minutes.

The Viking Village

Sat 10:00–17:00, Sun 10:00–16:00
The historical association Pirkkalan Muinaisaikayhdistys Birckalaiset is constructing a Viking-age village in Reippi using traditional construction methods and materials. Come and see life in the Viking Village!

Historical instrument workshop

Sat 14:00 and Sun 12:00 noon, the Yurt
At the workshop, we learn about the historical instruments played in the Baltic Sea region and the songs played on them. The workshop is suitable for all ages. There, all participants get to try various historical Finnish instruments. Duration: about 30 minutes.

The Mystic and the Conjurer

Sat 11:15 and 14:30, Sun 11:00 and 14:30, the Black Tent
A pair of friends from the ancient times, the Mystic and the Conjurer, take visitors on a magical journey. Duration: about 20 minutes.

Historical instrument workshop

Sat 14:00 and Sun 12:00 noon, the Yurt
At the workshop, we learn about the historical instruments played in the Baltic Sea region and the songs played on them. The workshop is suitable for all ages. There, all participants get to try various historical Finnish instruments. Duration: about 30 minutes.

Forging demonstration

Sat 14:00 Forging iron-age and medieval arrowheads, the Smithy
Sun 14:00 horseshoe buckles, the Smithy
Takomo Hukkarauta forging shop, Viking smith J. Peltoniemi. The duration of the demonstration is about 45 minutes. The smith will also be working by the forge outside the demonstrations, when possible.


We reserve the right to any changes.

Reippi offers entertainment and activities also for children.

Theatre group Taiga-Matto: Viking adventure – the saga of little Viking Audun

Sat 10:30, the Yurt
Recommended audience age: 4–12 years and the whole family. Duration: about 35 minutes.

Theatre group Taiga-Matto: Looking for Mother Earth – an arctic fairytale

Sun 10:30, the Yurt
Recommended audience age: 2–12 years and the whole family. The performance also features live music. Duration: about 30 minutes. 

Children’s Viking tour

Sat 13:00, and Sun 11:30 and 14:00, departure from the gates of the Viking Village
A Viking-themed drama tour for children and everyone else. Join us to solve the mystery of the seer! Duration: about 30 minutes. The tour is not fully accessible. 

CHILDREN`S AREA

Sat 10:00–17:00 and Sun 10:00–16:00, yard of Reippi Museum
Programme of the children’s area:

Children’s sword and shield workshop

At the workshop, you can make your own sword and shield to play at being a Viking.

Children’s play archaeological site

Here, children get to play at being an archaeologist. Young archaeologists can even find a runestone in their own dig spot. Everyone can take one item with them from the site.

The materials are free of charge. Children under 7 can attend when accompanied by an adult.

We reserve the right to any changes.

The Pirkkala Viking Fair is held in the naturally beautiful and historical landscape by Lake Pyhäjärvi in the Reippi area. The area offers diverse services and plenty to see and experience even outside the market season.

Pirkkalankylä culture trail

In the beautiful and culturally significant scenery, there is a culture trail that you can walk independently. Points 1–8 on the trail are located in the event area in Reipinniemi. Link to Pirkkalankylän culture trail (in Finnish).

Reippi nature reserve

The Reippi juniper meadow and the adjacent meadows and small woods form a valuable heritage environment that has been created through long-term cutting and grazing.

Reippi Museum

In the Reippi Museum, you can time travel to the past of Pirkkala. Link to Reippi Museum.

Reippi beach

On a sunny day, the market visitors can swim in the waves of Lake Pyhäjärvi at the public beach owned by the Municipality of Pirkkala. The area also has a children’s playground.

Reippi sauna

The Reippi public sauna is not open during the event weekend.

Archaeological site of Tursiannotko

Tursiannotko, located by the coastal route Anian rantatie, is a site where remnants of a late iron-age settlement have been discovered. The area also includes Hiidenmäki, where Neulakaivo, a naturally formed cleft, is located. According to local folklore, it was used as a sacrificial site. During the Viking Market, you can tour the area led by guides from Nokia and Pirkkala and the Taivaannaula association.