City of Scandia, MN

Seasonal Events – for specific dates and plans for each year, check out the Scandia Community Calendar or the website links given.

Vinterfest - January

Typically held the the last Saturday in January, Vinterfest is Scandia’s celebration of Winter. Events vary from year to year, but have included a Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the Scandia Marine Lions Club, a snow sculpture contest, the Pleasant Valley Cloggers, a Kubb Tournament, kid friendly food and crafts sponsored by Gammelgården, the Minnesotan Cup Hockey Tournament, a chili cook-off sponsored by Elim Church, and Fireworks. www.cityofscandia.com/Vinterfest

Immigrant for a Day - May
Visitors can experience a FREE day at Gammelgården Museum of Scandia as an immigrant making a new life on a small farm in the town of Scandia in the late 1800’s. Visit each of the five historic and fully furnished buildings to participate in the work and play of residents of this small farm. Visitors may be hauling water, packing a trunk for America, doing laundry by hand, and playing games at “recess” in the new schoolyard. Visitors are invited to come dressed in period costume to add to their experience. Visit the Gammelgården website for specific details.

Farmers Market - June - September

The mission of the Scandia Farmers Market is to provide a venue where local farmers, producers, crafters and artisans come together to provide a variety of fresh produce and related products directly to the consumers. The market began in 2011 and encourages direct communication between consumers and growers and foster social gathering and community building. It is typically held on Wednesday afternoons.

Midsommerdagen - June

Midsommardagen is one of the most important holidays in Sweden and one of the most uniquely Swedish in the way it is celebrated. The Majstång (the Swedish version of a Maypole) is decorated with greens and flowers, and then raised in the center of town. Traditional Swedish music and dances celebrate the long days of summer. In Scandia, the celebration includes the raising of the Majstång on the Gammelgården museum grounds followed by a program of music and folk dances. Also to be enjoyed are children’s Swedish activities, games, and crafts; a performance by the Scandia Band; an arts & craft fair; artisan demonstrations; and self-guided tours of the historic buildings. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic to enjoy on the grounds. Limited food and beverage options are available at the museum.

Spelmansstämma - August

This Immigrant Fiddle Fest is a long held Swedish tradition where fiddlers gather on a lovely day, play tunes and teach each other new music. The music has never been written; it is always shared by playing only! This annual festival held on the Gammelgården Museum grounds is a great activity for families. Spelman = Fiddler / Stämma = Gathering Celebrate the immigrant fiddle with musical entertainment, dancing and food!
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Taco Daze - September

Presented by the Scandia/Marine Lions Club, Taco Daze in Scandia is a day-long event that includes Scandia famous tacos, arts and crafts vendors, children’s games, food, a pickleball tournament, an antique car and tractor show, a parade, and more. You Tube Video Link - Taco Daze 2021

Annie's Swedish Coffee Parties – October, November, and December
Held on select dates in October, November, and December, Gammelgården Museum of Scandia hosts Annie’s Swedish Coffee Parties. Annie, Gammelgården’s longest resident, is the inspiration behind this traditional Swedish three-course coffee party. The coffee parties are a perfect way to celebrate birthdays, a family get-together, or as a special treat for yourself and a friend. Afterward, visit the Butik gift shop to find wonderful Scandinavian gifts.In 2023, the October dates include an artist talk about the current art exhibit, Swedish Folk Painting - Tradition and Innovation. The November and December dates do not include a tour, rather they include a Swedish Jul (Christmas) program.
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Lutfisk & Swedish Meatball Dinner (and Silent Auction) - November
Enjoy a traditional holiday Swedish Smörgåsbord starring the famous Swedish Lutfisk served with cream sauce and melted butter accompanied by glorious Swedish meatballs, parsley buttered potatoes, Swedish beans, pickled beets, Scandinavian coleslaw, rye bread, lefse, krispbread and Swedish almond cake with lingonberry compote. Before or after dinner, stop and place a bid or two at the Gammelgården Museum’s Silent Auction and head to the Butik Gift Shop at the Museum to take advantage of its annual sale: 15% discount on ALL items in addition to the regular member discount of 10%! Visit Gammelgården’s website for event details.
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Vinterlights! - November

On the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend, at dusk, the holiday lights turn on throughout the Scandia Village Center. Sponsored by the City of Scandia, the Scandia-Marine Lions, Gammelgården Museum, and Elim Lutheran Church, Vinterlights! is Scandia’s way of kicking off the holiday season for celebrating and shopping local. The community comes together at the Community Center to enjoy the turning on of the lights. The celebration has included hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies indoors at the Scandia Community Center, a bonfire outdoors for people to enjoy, and caroling.

Luciadagen - December

Welcome the holiday season with the celebration of Lucia. On the Gammelgården Museum of Scandia grounds, follow the candlelit pathway to the Gammelkyrkan (Minnesota’s oldest Lutheran church) for a brief Swedish prayer service. (Dress warmly—this church dates back to 1856 and has no heat.) Afterward, walk to the Valkommen Hus for a Lucia Jul Fest Breakfast. Gammelgården’s large exhibit of Lucia artifacts is on display at the museum during the month of December. Luciadagen is a family tradition for all ages. Visit Gammelgården's website for event details.
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Breakfast with Santa - December

A morning full of holiday cheer at the annual Breakfast with Santa! The Lions serve scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausages, fruit cups, and more! Activities include pictures with Santa with an accompanying button, face painting; live holiday music and singing! The Boy Scouts sell wreaths and the Lions sell community Super Saver Books. People are asked to bring non-perishable food for the Scandia-Marine food shelf to help alleviate hunger during the holiday season, eyeglasses for the Lions Recycle for Sight Program and hearing aids for the Lions Affordable Hearing Aid Project. Visit the Scandia Marine Lions' website for event details.