ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Kalundborg Medieval Festival is a historical festival which is held in and around Højbyen in Kalundborg. The first festival was held in 2015 and has only grown bigger. The last festival was held in 2019, where nearly 5000 happy and eager-to-buy guests made their way past the Kalundborg Medieval Festival.
In 2023, it will be the fifth time that we hold the Kalundborg Medieval Festival in Højbyen. The festival is a medieval festival as you know it, with stalls, theatre, medieval music, clown and fire shows, food and drink, but we can also do something else that most other medieval festivals cannot. The festival takes place right where major important events took place in the Middle Ages in and near Højbyen in Kalundborg.
That is why Kalundborg Medieval Festival has had a historical event as the main theme of the event every year - and this year is no exception. This year we celebrate the founding of Kalundborg in 1167 and the building of Højbyen.
Kalundborg Medieval Festival is a collaboration between Museum Vestsjælland, Kalundborg Municipality, clergy group and parish council at Our Lady's Church, local associations, local businesses, local volunteers and charitable institutions and the local press.
YOU CAN EXPERIENCE THAT AT THE KALUNDBORG MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL
VALDEMARS WORKSHOP
In Valdemar's Workshop, there are several activities for children, where you can have fun with different activities such as:
- braid ribbons
- make pearl necklaces or bracelets
- make medieval purses
- paint your own shield
- make your own sword
- have a pillow fight against each other on the boom
FAMILY EXPERIENCES
The festival is a medieval festival as you know it with stalls selling jewellery, mead, skins and much more.
Take a walk around the actors' camps and get a feel for how people lived and lived in the Middle Ages. If you dream of trying to shoot with a bow and arrow, there is also an archery range and you can learn something about using weapons when you are in battle.
Also experience:
- theater performances in many ways
- clown shows
- medieval music
- amazing fire shows
- storytelling and much more.
FOOD AND DRINKS
At the market place you can supply yourself with both food and drink.
In our drinking booth on the square and in the historic beer cellar, you can buy local beer on tap. We also serve lovely mead and applesauce. A bottle of water is also an option, but we do not serve coffee.
When hunger strikes, visit the food stall, which serves delicious barbecue food. Eg. grilled neck fillet with side dishes of pea mash, cabbage salad and bread or the wonderful simmered with meat and herbs. It is also possible to grab a sausage menu. The food is prepared on a grill and over a fire.
DO YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THE FESTIVAL?
THE STORY OF THE FOUNDATION OF KALUNDBORG
Kalundborg was founded in 1167 by Esbern Snare. He was the first person to lay the foundation stones for what we today call Højbyen in Kalundborg, where the medieval festival takes place. Esbern Snare was the brother of Bishop Absalon and foster brother of Valdemar the Great. At this point in history, all three brothers build castles in different cities in Denmark – Absalon in Copenhagen, Valdemar the Great in Vordingborg and Esbern Snare in Kalundborg. At the Kalundborg Medieval Festival we celebrate Esbern Snare's founding of Kalundborg with theatre, music and clowning on the ruins and the old Kalundborg. Take city walks in the area and learn more about Højbyen's history and watch our fantastic play that tells the story of Esbern Snare and the founding of Kalundborg exactly where it took place in 1167.
THE PRACTICAL
Opening hours:
Friday 18 August at 16.00-21.00 / Saturday 19 August at 10.00-21.00 / Sunday 20 August at 10.00-16.00
Price: it costs nothing to enter the festival grounds and you can experience most performances completely free of charge.
Parking: the car parks at Kalundborg Museum and Our Lady's Church will be closed off during the festival. We refer to the other car parks in Kalundborg Midtby.
Public transport: Højbyen is 800 meters from Kalundborg station, approx. 10 minutes walk.
CONTACT US
Museum West Zealand, Kalundborg Museum
Adelgade 23, 4400 Kalundborg