Today, Stoughton’s Norwegian memories focus on a unique and exciting yearly celebration. But Syttende Mai is not just a glorification of the Norwegian heritage. It is a large-scale reminder of the richness of our pasts, of the immense value of all ethnic and national backgrounds to the history of our community, state, and nation

Stoughton's Syttende Mai festival is a weekend-long celebration of Norwegian heritage featuring fun activities and cultural experiences for the whole family. Come join us for three days of parades, amazing food and drink, arts and music, athletic competitions, and kids’ activities steeped in centuries of Norwegian culture.

The city-wide festival takes place every year on the weekend closest to Norway’s May 17th Constitution Day, also known as Syttende Mai. From the late 1800s to the early 1900s, Stoughton enjoyed an influx of Norwegians, and at one time, as many as 75 percent of its residents spoke Norwegian. These immigrants celebrated Syttende Mai unofficially, but it became an annual, city-wide tradition in the 1950s. The Syttende Mai Festival has been organized by the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce since 1953.

Schedule of Events:

May 16, 2025

9 am - 4 pm - Rosemaling Exhibit and Sale
United Methodist Church - 525 Lincoln Ave basement Entrance

9 am - 4 pm -Quilt Show and Hardanger Embroidery Exhibit
Chorus Public House - 154 W. Main Street

9 am - 4 pm - Norwegian Genealogy Assistance
Stoughton Public Library - 304 S Fourth Street

10 am - Food Stands Open
Various Locations

10:30 am - Gruppen (Norwegian Folk Singing Group)
Stoughton Area Senior Center - 248 W. Main Street

11 am - 6 pm - Norwegian Heritage Center - Livsreise
277 W. Main Street

1 pm - 5 pm - Stoughton Historical Museum
324 S. Page Street - Five new displays for the 2025 season! Welcome all!

5 pm - 9 pm - Syttende Mai Entertainment Tent
Entrance - S. Division near W. Jefferson Street

4 pm - 6 pm - Chamber Bucks Matching Bucks!
One Community Bank Plaza - Forrest and Main Streets

6 pm - 9 pm - The Lounge Lizards
Syttende Mai Entertainment Tent - S. Division near W. Jefferson Street

6 pm - 6:30 pm -Opening Ceremony
Syttende Mai Festival Tent - S. Division and Main Streets

6:30 pm - Canoe Race Start
Yahara River - Next to 2714 Yahara Road

6:30 pm - Stoughton City Band
Division Street Park - N. Division and Forton Streets

7 pm - Canoe Race Portage
Division Street Park - N. Division and Forton Streets

7 pm and 8:30 pm - Stoughton Village Players Presents: Monarchy Anarchy, or My Kingdom For A Norse
(Den Er Ikke Oversettelse)
Stoughton Village Players Theater - 255 E. Main Street

May 17, 2025

7:30 am - Half-Marathon Run Start
Anderson Complex - 600 Lincoln Ave

7:40 am - Half-Marathon Walk Start
Anderson Complex - 600 Lincoln Ave

7:40 am - 5K Run Start
Anderson Complex - 600 Lincoln Ave

8 am - Lil’ 2-Mile Community Run Start
Anderson Complex - 600 Lincoln Ave

9 am - Food Stands Open
Various Locations

9 am - 4 pm - Friends of the Stoughton Library Pie Sale
Stoughton High School - 600 Lincoln Ave

9 am - 6 pm - Norwegian Dancer Parents Nordic Food and Bake Sale
Stoughton High School - 600 Lincoln Ave

9 am - 4 pm - Rosemaling Exhibit and Sale
United Methodist Church - 525 Lincoln Ave *Basement Entrance

9 am - 5 pm - Quilt Show and Hardanger Embroidery Exhibit
Chorus Public House - 154 W. Main Street

9 am - 4:30 pm - Stoughton Opera House Tours
381 E. Main Street (except during performances)

9 am - 4 pm - Norwegian Genealogy Assistance
Stoughton Public Library - 304 S Fourth Street

9 am - 4 pm - Scandinavian Skills Demonstration
Stoughton Public Library - 304 S Fourth Street

9 am - 4 pm - Rosemåling Demonstration
Stoughton Public Library - 304 S Fourth Street

9 am - 4 pm Chip Carving - Demonstration
Stoughton Public Library - 304 S Fourth Street

9 am - 4 pm Flat Plane - Carving Demonstration
Stoughton Public Library - 304 S Fourth Street

9 am - 4 pm - Krokbragd Weaving Demonstration
Stoughton Public Library - 304 S Fourth Street

9 am - 4 pm - Sami Bracelet Making Demonstration
Stoughton Public Library - 304 S Fourth Street

9:30 am - 5 pm - Norwegian Heritage Center – Livsreise
277 W. Main Street

9:30 am - 10:30 am - Nordic Fiddles
Stoughton Opera House - 381 E. Main Street

9:30 am - 6 pm - Shuttle Bus Service
Parking at Stoughton High School - 600 Lincoln Ave

10 am - Syttende Mai Story Time
Stoughton Public Library - 304 S Fourth Street

10 am - 3 pm - Kids Passport & Stamp Activity
Innovation Center Stoughton - 421 E. Main Street

10 am - 1:30 pm - Stamp Cancellation
Stoughton Post Office - 246 East Main Street

10 am - 4 pm - Syttende Mai Bake Sale and Sit-Down Meals
Sons of Norway Lodge - 317 S. Page Street

10 am - 6 pm - Arts & Crafts Fair
High School Field House - 600 Lincoln Ave (Door #1 and #24)

10 am - 3 pm - Viking Games Strongman Competition
Syttende Mai Entertainment Tent - *End time my vary

10 am - 3 pm - Stoughton Historical Railroad Depot Museum
532 E Main Street

10 am - 5 pm - Stoughton Historical Museum
324 S. Page Street

11 am - 8 pm - Syttende Mai Entertainment Tent
Entrance at S. Division near W. Jefferson Street.

11:30 am - 12:30 pm - Edvard Grieg Chorus
Stoughton Opera House - 381 E. Main Street

2 pm - Norwegian Dancers Street Performance
Syttende Mai Festival Tent - S. Division and W. Washington Streets

2 pm - 2:30 pm - Scandinavian Old Time Dance Music Ensemble
Stoughton Opera House - 381 E. Main Street

2 pm - 5 pm - The Woodland Spring
Syttende Mai Entertainment Tent *Following Viking Games

2:30 pm - Bunad Style Show
First Lutheran Church - 310 E. Washington Street

2:30 pm, 4 pm, 7 pm - Stoughton Village Players Presents Monarchy Anarchy, or My Kingdom For A Norse
(Den Er Ikke Oversettelse)
Stoughton Village Players Theater - 255 E. Main Street

3:45 pm - Norwegian Dancers Performance
High School Gymnasium (Door #1 and #24) - 600 Lincoln Ave

6 pm - 8 pm - State Line Play Boys
Syttende Mai Entertainment Tent - S. Division and Main Streets

5:30 pm - Norwegian Dancers Alumni Performance
High School Gymnasium (Door #1 and #24) - 600 Lincoln Ave

6 pm - Norwegian Bingo
Sons of Norway Lodge - 317 S. Page Street - Food served at 5pm

May 18, 2025

9 am - 12 pm - Rosemaling Exhibit & Sale
United Methodist Church - 525 Lincoln Ave Basement Entrance

9 am - 12 pm - Quilt Show and Hardanger Embroidery Exhibit
Chorus Public House - 154 W. Main Street

9 am - Food Stands Open
Various Locations

10 am - 12 pm - Norwegian Heritage Center - Livsreise
277 W. Main Street

10:30 am - Norwegian Church Service feat. Edvard Grieg Chorus
Christ Lutheran Church, 700 County Hwy. B

10:30 - 5pm - Shuttle Bus Service
Parking at Stoughton High School - 600 Lincoln Ave - Note: Shuttle Bus Service will not run during the Parade

11 am - 1 pm - Stoughton Historical Museum
324 S. Page Street

11 am - 2 pm - Syttende Mai Bake Sale and Sit-Down Meals
Sons of Norway Lodge - 317 S. Page Street While supplies last

11 am - 3 pm - Norwegian Dancer Parents Bake Sale
Stoughton High School - 600 Lincoln Ave While supplies last

1:30 pm - Norwegian Parade
Starts at S. Fourth Street Westbound on Main Street

3 pm - 5 pm - Stoughton Historical Museum
324 S. Page Street

3:45 pm - Norwegian Dancer Final Performance
High School Gymnasium (Door #1 and #24) - 600 Lincoln Ave

Date: May 16 - 18, 2025

Time:
May 16, 2025 from 9:00am to 10:00pm
May 17, 2025 from 7:30am to 9:00pm
May 18, 2025 from 9:00am to 5:00pm

Location: Various Venues in Stoughton, WI

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