Largs Viking Festival: Festival of fire schedule 2023

The Norse extravaganza draws tens of thousands of visitors to Largs and is eagerly anticipated, with the final weekend bringing the cultural and educational event to an exciting and dramatic finish.

Look out for the spectacular dual Spitfire flypast, which will be happening on both September 9 and 10 at approximately 1pm. 

Spitfire spectacular this weekend (Image: Newsquest)

The Festival of Fire on Saturday, September 9 has a new location, different layout, and is ticket only this year.

It starts at 7.15pm at the putting green in front of the Vikingar, followed by a torchlight procession to the Viking Village, burning of the longboat, and ending in a spectacular fireworks display at Largs Bay, with special guests The Black Wolves Viking re-enactment.

Tickets are available online via www.largsvikingfestival.co.uk and the Viking Festival facebook page.

A limited number of tickets will be available on the day for purchase at the Village gate.

Your wristband will entitle you to admission into the battle re-enactment area, participation of the torch lit procession and a closer view of the burning of the longboat.

Starting at the putting green in front of the Vikingar, entry to the event will open at 6.45pm.

The schedule is as follows:

7.15-8.15pm: Battle re-enactment
8.30-9pm: Torchlit procession, Leaving from Vikingar. Ticket holders only. Bring your own torch or purchase a torch from the merchandise stall or Village gate when collecting your wristband.
9pm: Longboat burning and firework display.

The remaining schedule for Viking Festival events taking place are as follows:

Saturday, September 9

Reely Jiggered (Image: Reely Jiggered)

10am Horseshoe pitching

10.45am Kubb (Viking Game)

11.30am Drum Circle

12.30pm Skirmish

1pm Music: Corda - Stage

2pm Common Thyme - Stage

3pm: Kingy Bats

3pm Music: Reely Jiggered - Stage

3.45pm Kids mini axe throwing

4pm Music: Filthy White Suit - Stage

Filthy White Suit will be ramping things up! (Image: Newsquest)

4.30pm: Stone stacking on the beach

6pm Music: Reely Jiggered - Stage

7.30pm: Festival of Fire, ticket only, for more details read here

9.15-10pm Music: Christine MacMurdie

Also going on is the Round Cumbraes Kayak Challenge.

Sunday, September 10

10am: Horseshoe pitching

10.45am: Kubb (Viking game)

11.30am: Viking skirmish

12pm: Viking v Kids battle

12.15pm: Music: Elemental Forces - two piece jazz act

1pm: Kingy Bats (Viking game)

1.30pm Music: Kirsty Mac - stage

2.30pm Music: Miss Lady Gaga - stage

2.30pm: Stone stacking on beach

3.30pm Music: State blues band - Stage

4.30pm Churches together: Stage

* All the above events take place on the outdoor area at the prom, unless otherwise stated.

Fringe events

September 8 - Music: Christine MacMurdie, main stage.

Scots and Viking Village

Open every day from 10am until 5pm, tickets are available online and at Viking gate.

This year the Viking Village is extending the timeline to include 'Scandinavian Scotland' (8th-15th century), and will also include a Scottish element in the form of The Strathleven Artizans, who will be representing King Alexander III of Scotland.

Viking workshops

Free workshops and activities are taking place in the village. Sign up at the village gate. This will be first come, first served, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Workshops last between 30 and 50 minutes.

Saturday, September 9

All day: Willow crafting

10.30am: Shield painting

11.30am: Pouch making

12.30pm: Beeswax candle making

1.30pm: Rune writing and rubbings

2.30pm: Rock art

3.30pm: Warrior face painting and hair styling

Sunday September 10

All day: Willow crafting

10.30am: Shield painting

11.30am: Warrior face painting and hair styling

12.30pm: Beeswax candle making

1.30pm: Runa writing and rubbings

2.30pm: Rock art

Scottish Food and Craft Market

9am-6pm on the Prom, and late opening until 10pm on Saturday, September 9; Celebrating delicious regional fare and supporting local producers and crafters.

Viking Fair

Although run independently of the festival, the Viking fair will be based at Largs seafront car park throughout the duration of festival with a variation of stalls and thrilling rides which always prove to be a popular attraction.

Sea Dragon Vikings

Trips will leave Largs Pier on Saturday September 9th and Sunday 10th S

All trips are weather permitting and subject to cancellation.

Millport Vikings - at Garrison Grounds.

September 9-10

10am-4pm

Forging, woodwork and games, food smoing, chacoal making, spinning and naalbinding, food, language and hand sewing. Fun for children of all ages.