Jorvik Viking Festival

Have to give this 5 because for a week in mid feb. York is invaded by Vikings. You see them sat on the pavement eating chips, pushing trolley in the supermarket and downing a pint in the pub.
The Festival sees hundreds of Vikings descend on the city and demonstrate battle-​drills and training routines. The city is also treated to a range of public events including lectures, arts & crafts, encampments, river events, saga-​telling, and full-​scale battle re-​enactments.
There are British Viking re-​enactment groups (I am an honorary Vikeskill in battle. sword/​longbow) and Scandinavians.
By Cliffords Tower battles are fought once more. There are longboat races on the River Ouse and it all culminates on the last night in a brilliant firework display that follows an umganger (forgive my spelling if it is wrong) a ceremony for the dead by torchlight procession and the burning of a Viking ship (of the dead). The battles at Cliffords Tower grounds attract too thick a crowd to see if you are not there first.
Last time I went it was incredibly windy. The Viking chief stood atop a tower and fired a flaming arrow at the ship. The wind took it. several more failed. One hit the sail. a cheer went up then it fell into the river. wahhhhhhhhhhh from the audience.
Suddenly a war cry went up from maybe 50 warriors. They ran through the crowd to the river bank. 50 flaming arrows went off and the ship began to burn! Riotous cheering!
Wrap up warm, especially kiddies, as it can be very cold at night.