reak out your horned helmet, comedy beard and longboat, because the Vikings are once again invading York. But, unlike 1,000 years-or-so ago, there will be no pillaging and looting because it’s all in the name of entertainment and education with the emphasis firmly on entertainment.

It’s the 25th annual Jorvik Viking Festival from February 13 to 21, when the city of York is once again taken over by all things Nordic.

More than 10,000 visitors turn up for the annual festival to watch Norse warriors fight to the (mock) death with their enemies, the Saxons.

This international celebration of York’s heritage welcomes Vikings from all over the world, not only for ferocious and bloody battles, but also to enjoy dozens of specially-organised arts, music, drama and action events throughout the city and get some hands-on experience of what it was like to be a Viking Hundreds of Vikings will 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 and crafts, encampments, river events, saga-telling and full-scale battle re-enactments.

From children’s have-a-go sword combat to a living history and Viking craft fair, there will be something for all ages to enjoy.

Between 866AD and 952AD York was ruled by Viking kings as Jorvik, and the dramatic reconstruction of a bloody battle for power will form the finale to the festival on Saturday, February 20, at York Racecourse, which will end in the ceremonial burning of the ‘bodies’ of three slain kings.

The battle shows the aftermath of the Battle of Woden’s Field (910AD), when three Viking kings left their stronghold in York and raided deep into the Midlands and the South West.

As they returned from their raid, the king of Wessex, Edward the Elder, caught up with the Vikings at Wednesfield near Wolverhampton, taking them by surprise and slaying them in their thousands The story will be told in a film which will be shown on a big screen immediately before the festival battle.

The clash itself will be fought between the forces of the Anglo-Saxon noble Ealdred who has risen to power in the north of England, thanks to the power vacuum in York brought about by the deaths of the kings, and the Norse-Gael leaders Ragnall and Sihtric, Viking warriors from Ireland who have set their sights on the throne of York.

With fire jugglers, warrior skirmishes, special effects and fireworks, this is the single most ambitious re-enactment event ever attempted in York, and a great evening out for all the family. Hot food and drinks will be available to buy on site, but the advice is to attend dressed for cold weather and wear suitable footwear.

Any lull between proceedings can easily be filled because there is so much to see and do. You can visit the Minster, Barley Hall, take a walk around The Shambles or drink in the atmosphere at York Museum or the National Railway Museum.

York is full of beautiful buildings and museums. Some are less well-known, but just as deserving of a visit, such as Holy Trinity Church. One of York’s finest medieval churches, the ghost of Percy Thomas, Earl of Northumberland, is said to wander, searching for his head in the secret garden of tranquillity.

Micklegate Bar Museum is described as one of York’s best-kept secrets, and is a great starting point for a walk along the city walls.

The Richard III Museum in Goodramgate is in the imposing gateway of Monks Bar, the only one of the four bars or gateways whose wooden portcullis is still in working order.