| Where: | Flamborough, Yorkshire at the Mereside and New Festival Arena at the Village Green |
| When: | 31st December |
| Time: | From 8pm at the Mereside, until approx. 10 pm |
This new event literally blazed into the festival firmament in 2015 but draws on a host of ancient traditions. Before the Vikings invaded York (where there is a Viking Festival in February- see separate article), they took over at Flamborough and much of the festival draws on Viking heritage and customs. Expect swinging fireballs, Viking-themed fancy dress including competitions for all age groups, a longship parade, lots of noise, fireworks and more. The special events are set at intervals through the evening from a new family-friendly starting time of 8pm so there’s plenty to keep everyone amused before the firework finale, and as the festival continues to grow there are new displays each year- the information below came directly from the organisers for the 2022 event:
“The Flamborough Fire Festival is back this year on New Year’s Eve with a new start time of 8pm!
This year’s Festival promises to be one of the most spectacular ever following the covid19 pandemic!The organisers are planning a number of new ideas at this year’s Festival including a1200 Viking Torchlight Procession, World’s Strongest Viking Competition, pulling of a Viking Longship around the village green, over thirty Fireballs and Fire torches, and a huge Fireworks spectacular to end the event”.
Helpful Hints
The event is moving date to summer 2024 (details yet to be announced) and didn’t happen on New Year’s Eve 2023.
All are welcome, and in 2022 tickets cost £10 (with no torch) or £15 (including torch for taking part in the Procession) and there was free entry for those under 15 years old. Only 1200 torches were available in total, and tickets could be purchased in advance via the event website. Funds raised at the event are donated to local good causes.
Viking dress is encouraged for visitors as well as participants – costume hints are on their website. There is no official car park for the event, so make sure that you don’t park on the procession route if you arrive by car (details on website link below) and allow plenty of time. Check out the very thorough event website for all the details!
Click here for the event website: http://flamboroughfirefestival.org
Thanks to Doc Rowe and the Festival team for sharing info about this event and some of their photos!
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