| Where: | Butser Ancient Farm near Petersfield, Hants |
| When: | A Saturday near 23rd September |
| Time: | 1pm - 8.30 pm with Lighting of the Boat at 7pm |
The turning off the seasons is marked each September at Butser Ancient Farm by a Viking Equinox Festival. The farm is a living history museum and archaeological research centre which uses experimental techniques to explore how our ancestors lived, farmed, built and survived, and it’s open to visitors all year round, with a series of annual special events at key points of the year. While it’s unknown how (or even if!) Vikings celebrated the Autumn Equinox, it’s a fitting time for a fire ceremony as the nights lengthen to equal the daylight. The site opens early in the afternoon, with living history encampments, a series of themed talks, storytelling sessions and craft workshops, sport and combat displays, and morris dancers and live on-stage music. I learned how to make a corn dolly, which I’ve always wanted to try. Money raised by the festival goes back into the pot to keep the site running, which is a not-for-profit educational foundation. The climax of the event is the re-creation of a Viking chieftain’s burial in the evening, with a procession, solemn rites at the replica longship and the burning of the boat. Archers fire blazing arrows at the ship, which soon explodes into an awe-inspiring fiery conflagration to the delight of the crowd.
Helpful Hints
In 2026 it was on Saturday 19th September- 2027 date is yet to be announced. It’s held on a Saturday near to the Autumn Equinox, which falls on 22nd or 23rd September each year depending on the calendar.
It’s a ticketed event suitable for all ages with prices in 2026 at around £40 per adult, plus parking, and it’s always a sell-out. Tickets go on sale in the summer and there’s a mailing list for those wanting plenty of notice; members of Butser Plus, which supports the farm, have priority booking opportunities. Full details appear on the links below.
There’s plenty to keep you busy all through to the boat burning, and food & drink are readily available on site. It’s well worth also visiting the site on a normal opening day to explore the farm and buildings.
Buy a raffle ticket- when we went I won first prize and was given a choice of either a finely crafted sword or a role in the burning ceremony with re-enactors Herigeas Hundas. I chose the latter- it’s something that money just can’t buy and was a fantastic experience!
Click here for Butser’s website: https://www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/
and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/butserancientfarm
and here for Herigeas Hundas: https://www.facebook.com/Herigeashundas
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