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Tivoli Fest is the Danish Villages at Their Best
Each Memorial Day weekend, thousands gather in Elk Horn and Kimballton to celebrate Danish heritage with food, music, and a full lineup of events that bring the whole town to life.
It is a two-day festival packed with energy, capped off by a Saturday night fireworks show.
Come for the tradition, stay for everything happening around you.
FESTIVAL NEWS
Join us Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23 for Elk Horn’s 46th Annual Tivoli Fest. The windmill is open, the town is full, and everything that makes the Danish Villages special is happening all weekend.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the windmill’s arrival and the first festival that became Tivoli Fest. It is a big one.
Check back for updates or follow along on Facebook.
TIVOLI SHIRTS ARE HERE
Grab your 2026 Tivoli Fest shirt online or at the windmill during the festival. Proceeds support Tivoli Fest and help keep it going for years to come.
When
Saturday & Sunday May 22 – 23 10am - Dark
Where
Multiple locations in and around Elk Horn and Kimbleton
Cost
Totally Free!
Parking
Danish Windmill Lot, SE Lot
Program
Program
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Mad Delicious
FOOD & DRINK
From aebleskiver and medisterpølse to wood-fired pizza, Tivoli Fest delivers. Enjoy Danish favorites like smørrebrød, fresh kringle, and classic røde pølser, plus a cold pint of Carlsberg.
The Tivoli Beer Garden at the Elk Horn Fire Station will be pouring beer, hard seltzer, and more throughout the festival. More details coming soon.
In addition to food trucks and local restaurants, special Danish food opportunities will be available:
Aebleskiver & Medisterpølse: Saturday, 7:00 - 3:00 (Fire Station)
Danish Hotdogs: Friday, 6:00 - sold out (Fire Station)
Open-faced Sandwiches: Saturday, 12:00 - 4:00 (Elk Horn Town Hall)
Turn it up!
LIVE MUSIC
Tivoli Fest features great live music from local performers and rising stars to renowned musicians. This year's schedule will be available soon.
Thank you to Danish Mutual Insurance for sponsoring this year's entertainment!
Friday:
2:00 - 4:00:
5:30 - 7:30:
8:00 - 11:00: Murphy's Law
Saturday (Live Danish Folk Music)
12 - 1; 2 - 3; 4 - 5: Kristian Bugge & WB Reid
Art, Expression & History
CULTURE
Folk Dancing
Saturday, 12pm - 4pm
It wouldn't be a proper Tivoli without our folk dancing demonstrations! We have two local Danish dancing troupes, kids and adults, that will perform on the outdoor stage in view of the windmill. Additional performances are given by the Scandinavian Folk Dancers of Omaha.
Museum of Danish America
Free Admission, 10am - 4pm
Explore the creative exhibits and beautiful grounds of the Museum of Danish America from 10am to 4pm all weekend with free admission. Featured exhibits include Vikingmania!, Wunderkammer: Curiosities from the Collection, and A Century of Blues: A History of Danish Jazz, each offering a unique look at Danish history, culture, and influence.
Heavy Metal
VIKINGS
The Vikings are coming! Witness our live Viking demonstrations downtown and around the windmill. Tour our authentic Vikinghjem and take in demonstrations from the blacksmith forge including coin minting. Our demonstrators will be onsite to give lectures and demonstrations on various aspects of Viking culture including battles and one-to-one combat in the field.
Viking Battles
Saturday, 12pm - 4pm
At Tivoli Fest, Viking battle reenactors bring the sights and sounds of the Viking Age to life with staged combat demonstrations, authentic gear, and historical storytelling. Visitors can watch warriors clash with swords, shields, and spears while learning about Norse culture, tactics, and daily life. These crowd-favorite performances combine education and entertainment, offering a glimpse into the world of the Vikings who once sailed, traded, explored, and fought across northern Europe.
Live Blacksmithing
All Weekend, various times
Watch a live blacksmith mint coins by hand using traditional tools and techniques.
Stroll The Strøget
SHOPPING
Inspired by Denmark’s famous shopping streets, the Strøget at Tivoli Fest is filled with vendors, crafts, and authentic goods. It’s a great place to explore and take a little piece of the festival home.
Something for Everyone
Family Fun
Mill to Mermaid 5K
Saturday, 8:15 AM
Donation ($5 suggested)
Start at Windmill. Registration table in parking lot near windmill. Race finishes at the Little Mermaid fountain in Kimballton. T-shirts given to winners by age-group.
Tivoli Parade
Saturday, 11:00
Start at EEHK School on Madison St., runs North to South down Main St. Free to participate, no registration. Line up on Madison St. in front of the school. Parade winners announced at fire station at 3:00.
Tivoli Fireworks
Saturday, After Dark
Downtown Elk Horn.
Presented by the Waymire Brothers
Flash Tattoos
By Appointment
Danish hand-poked flash tattoos
Friday by appointment
Saturday walk-ins: 12:00 - 4:00
Book your appointment today: handpokedbyashley@gmail.com
Lego Contest, Bookmobile and More!
Be sure to check out the Kids' Lego Contest held at the Elk Horn Public Library.
Contestants can submit one creation per class. Limit of 2 people per group. The classes are:
1. Read - Renew - Repeat
2. Danish
3. Book Theme
Bring your creations to the Elk Horn Public Library between Wed. May 21nd and Friday May 23th, 12:30 - 4:30PM. Entries will be displayed from 12:00 - 3:00 on Saturday. Entries available for pickup 3:00PM Saturday or following week during regular hours. Winners receive free Tivoli t-shirts!
Saturday activities at the library include indoor games, a car race challenge, a canvas painting contest, and Iowa PBS's STEAM trailer! Visit the library's website for more information.
Free During The Fest!
The Windmill
The Danish Windmill is an authentic gristmill moved from Denmark to Iowa in 1976. It was originally built in 1848 and stands as a monument to the Danish heritage of the immigrants who settled our Iowa community. Our nonprofit museum includes the windmill, outdoor exhibits, and an expansive giftshop loaded with Danish imports and other Scandinavian heritage items and souvenirs.
Walk back in time through our historic windmill! Climb all the way up the windmill and see how the gears turn as the sails spin in the wind. Grinding demonstrations held throughout on Friday and Saturday. The windmill is packed with new exhibits for everyone to learn about the windmill and its rich Danish history.
We will be offering FREE ADMISSION into the windmill Friday-Sunday. The windmill will be open to enter at any time, but we will also have guided tours running every 15 minutes for those interested in a more interactive experience.