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A woman dressed as a valkyrie walks through the Vista Viking Festival. In Norse mythology, valkyries ride into battle to determine who survives, and guides the slain to the afterlife. Photo by Samantha Nelson
A woman dressed as a valkyrie walks through the Vista Viking Festival. In Norse mythology, valkyries ride into battle to determine who survives, and guides the slain to the afterlife. Photo by Samantha Nelson
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Nordic traditions come alive at Vista Viking Festival

by Samantha Nelson1

VISTA — Thousands of people flocked to the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum grounds over the weekend for the 24th annual Vista Viking Festival.

This year’s theme paid homage to the Nordic god Loki, the famous trickster known for creating chaos and mischief. According to festival organizers, the event embraced his mischievous spirit.

The two-day festival on Sept. 19 and 20 featured more than nine bands performing live music, flaming axe and fire exhibitions, more than 30 local mead and beer options, an interactive “viking village” with merchants and craftsmen, battle cry and bear competitions, youth athletic challenges, storytelling and more.

Each year, the festival also crowns America’s Strongest Stone Lifter, serving as the primary qualifier for the World’s Strongest Stone Lifter championship. The male and female winners of the Vista competition will travel to Power Week in Norway to compete against some of the world’s strongest people.

Festival proceeds support the Norway Hall Foundation, a nonprofit organization, as well as local schools, youth programs and other charitable organizations.

Photos from the 2026 Vista Viking Festival

A merchant entertains a group of onlookers at the Vista Viking Festival. Photo by Samantha Nelson
A merchant entertains a group of onlookers on Sept. 20 at the Vista Viking Festival. Photo by Samantha Nelson
A woman dressed in medieval clothing.
A blacksmith demonstrates the craft on Sept. 20 at the Vista Viking Festival. Photo by Samantha Nelson
Drinking horns.
The Vista Viking Festival wouldn’t be complete without drinking horns. Photo by Samantha Nelson
A festivalgoer sports a horned Viking helmet on Sept. 20 at the 24th annual Vista Viking Festival.
A festivalgoer sports a horned Viking helmet on Sept. 20 at the 24th annual Vista Viking Festival at the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum. Photo by Samantha Nelson
Storyteller Aunt Li-Anne weaves an exciting tale on Sept. 20 at the Vista Viking Festival.
Storyteller Aunt Li-Anne weaves an exciting tale on Sept. 20 at the Vista Viking Festival. Photo by Samantha Nelson
A craftsman works with wood.
A craftsman works with wood on Sept. 20 in the interactive Viking village. Photo by Samantha Nelson
An armored knight patrols the grounds of the Vista Viking Festival.
An armored knight patrols the grounds of the Vista Viking Festival on Sept. 20. Photo by Samantha Nelson
A woman lifts a 175-pound stone on Sept. 20 at the Vista Viking Festival, the primary qualifier for America's Strongest Stone Lifter.
A woman lifts a 175-pound stone on Sept. 20 at the Vista Viking Festival, the primary qualifier for America’s Strongest Stone Lifter. Photo by Samantha Nelson
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Samantha Nelson covers Oceanside, Camp Pendleton and the decommissioning San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. She earned her journalism degree from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University and has previously reported for The Athens Messenger in Athens, Ohio, and USA Today in McLean, Virginia. For story tips and ideas, contact her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @samm1son

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