Tivoli Fest 2026
May 22 – May 23
Tivoli Fest is a proud celebration of Danish heritage in the heart of the Midwest. Held in the Danish Villages of Elk Horn and Kimballton, Iowa, this festival honors the deep roots and enduring traditions of Danish immigrants who helped shape our community.
Visitors are invited to experience the richness of Danish culture—taste authentic foods passed down through generations, enjoy traditional music and dance, explore heritage displays, and take part in time-honored customs. Set in the largest rural Danish settlement in the United States, Tivoli Fest is more than a festival—it’s a tribute to the legacy and spirit of Denmark in America.
Hours & Admission:
- Friday & Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm: Free Admission at the Museum of Danish America
- Friday & Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm: Free Admission at the Genealogy & Education Center & Bedstemor’s House
- Friday & Saturday, dawn to dusk: Jens Jensen Prairie Landscape Park
- Visit the Jens Jensen Prairie Landscape Park to find Fjord Færgemand, discover native plants, explore outdoor exhibits, play on innovative Danish-designed outdoor fitness equipment, gather around the council rings, and enjoy thirty acres of tallgrass prairie
MoDA’s Special Events:
- Friday, 1 – 2 pm: Viking battle re-enactment on the Museum’s ELIM property
- Friday, 2 – 4 pm: Danish folk music by Kristian Bugge & WB Reid at the Museum
- Friday, 3 – 5 pm: Troll Cookie Contest at the Elk Horn Fire Station
- Give in to troll-mania and bake up a little mischief for Tivoli Fest with MoDA’s Troll Cookie Contest. In this competition, bakers of all ages are invited to create their most imaginative troll-themed cookies!
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Deliver your creations to the Elk Horn Fire Station on Friday, May 22, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Judging begins at 5:30 p.m. by Museum of Danish America staff and volunteers.Winners will be chosen for three categories: best tasting, best decorated, and SCARIEST.
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Winners will be announced at the Fire Station at 7:30 p.m. Cookies submitted for best tasting will be partially consumed.
- Saturday, 11 am, 1 pm, & 3 pm: Behind-the-Scenes Visual Storage Tours
- Saturday, 1 – 3 pm: Main Vault Tours
More to do in the Danish Villages!
- Free tours of the Danish Windmill from Nørre Snede, Denmark
- Food trucks & beer garden
- Live music at the fire station on Friday & Saturday
- Traditional Danish food – æbleskiver and medisterpølse, smørrebrød, & rød pølse
- Live Viking demonstrations
- Danish folk dancing troupes
- Craft & antique booths
- A parade, fireworks, flash tattoos, a mill to mermaid 5k, tour de tivoli bike ride, and so much more!
There is so much to see and do in the Danish Villages during Tivoli Fest. Dare we say that it’s the perfect time to visit!?
Mark your calendars and participate in this cultural celebration held Memorial Weekend.
Find the schedule and updates on the Tivoli Fest website.