ELK HORN — Celebrate Danish heritage during Elk Horn's 46th Annual Tivoli Fest Friday, May 22, through Sunday, May 24, with food, music, history, Viking demonstrations and family activities across the Danish Villages.
This year's celebration also marks the 50th anniversary of the Danish Windmill's arrival in Elk Horn. The authentic Danish windmill was moved from Denmark to Iowa in 1976 and has since become a symbol of the community's Dan-ish roots.
Thousands of visitors are expected to attend the annual Memorial Day weekend festival, which features traditional Danish foods, live entertainment, cultural demonstrations, shopping, exhibits and fireworks.
Festivalgoers can enjoy Dan-ish favorites including aebleskiver, medisterpølse, smørrebrød, kringle and Danish hotdogs. Food trucks, local restaurants and a Tivoli Beer Garden at the Elk Horn Fire Station also will be open throughout the festival. A special Danish-American lager called “Dane Country,†brewed in honor of the windmill's 50th anniversary by brewmaster Steve Rold, will be available during the celebration.
Live music begins Friday with performances by Kristian Bugge and WB Reid at the Museum of Dan-ish America, followed by Tivoli Troubadours and Murphy's Law. Danish folk music performances continue Saturday.
Traditional Danish folk dancing demonstrations will be held Saturday afternoon near the windmill, featuring local children's and adult dance troupes along with the Scandinavian Folk Dancers of Omaha.
One of the festival's major attractions is the Danish Windmill, which will offer free admission Friday through Sunday. Visitors can climb through the historic mill, watch grinding demonstrations and explore new exhibits highlighting Dan-ish history and culture. Guided tours will be offered every 15 minutes.
Viking reenactors also will return to Tivoli Fest with a live encampment near the windmill. Demonstrations will include blacksmithing, coin minting, lectures on Viking culture and live battle reenactments scheduled for 1:30 and 4 p.m. Saturday.
The Museum of Danish America will offer free admission through-out the weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featured exhibits include “Vikingmania!,†“Wunderkammer: Curiosities from the Collection,†and “A Century of Blues: A History of Dan-ish Jazz.†The museum's Genealogy and Education Center also will be open during the festival.
Visitors can browse antiques, crafts, baked goods and food vendors during the Strøget open street market near the Egg Krate Antique Mall. Family-friendly activities throughout the weekend include a Lego contest and joke contest at the Elk Horn Public Library, caricature art, axe throwing and rides on the Hansen House Electric Train.
Additional Saturday events include the Mill to Mermaid 5K beginning at 8:15 a.m. at the windmill, the Tivoli Parade at 11 a.m. on Main Street, and two historical presentations by Warren Watson at the Kulturhus Event Center.
Tivoli Fest concludes Saturday night with a fireworks display in downtown Elk Horn presented by the Waymire Brothers.
New for 2026, organizers are extending the celebration with “Encore! Tivoli Sunday.†Events include the return of the Tour de Tivoli 26-mile bike ride, a fundraising breakfast buffet at Hygge Inn & Suites, an outdoor worship service at Morning Star Chapel and additional Viking demonstrations. The windmill will remain open with free admission Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shuttle service will operate throughout the festival between the Danish Windmill, Elk Horn Fire Station and the Museum of Danish America. Festival T-shirts also will be available during the event, with proceeds supporting future Tivoli Fest celebrations.
