Largs Viking Festival entertainment guide for 2024

This year's full Viking Festival schedule has been revealed and includes a larger Viking Village, the return of the Håkon Håkonsson lecture, and the spectacular Festival of Fire.

It is the 44th year of the Norse extravaganza, which was opened by former Mastermind presenter Magnus Magnusson who was the original patron of the festival in 1980.

The Norse celebration is still going strong, and indeed featured in The Guardian's top 20 international cultural festivals around Europe over recent years.

It has been a big draw for visitors, attracting tens of thousands to the Clyde Coast. This year it is running from August 31 until September 8 and has something for everyone.

Unfortunately this year there will be no air displays or longship trips, after the festival missed out on funding, but to make up for this there will be a larger Viking Village on the esplanade, and, as we revealed last week, there are plans afoot for the festival to bring a new longship for future years in tandem with the Scottish Maritime Museum.

The opening parade begins at 1pm on Saturday August 31 at Morrisons Supermarket.

The Festival of Fire takes place at the Vikingar! putting green at 7.30pm on Saturday September 7, with gates opening at 7pm.

Visitors with tickets can get access to the Battle re-enactment, torchlit procession, closer access to the burning of the Longboat, and fireworks display. Get your tickets for the Festival of Fire, and the Viking Village, at ticketsource.co.uk/largs-viking-festival/

Viking Festival chairman Douglas Blair (Image: Newsquest)

Festival chairman Douglas Blair said: "While it is a great shame that we do not have the air display or the longship this year, we are very much looking forward to a new larger Viking Village, and there will be all the other favourites including the market, entertainment stage, Hakon Hakkonson Lecture, and of course, the Festival of Fire.

"We have lots of support from local businesses and the public who have made donations, to make it all happen, and it is through these monies, we have been able to host a number of events in this year's festival, so we are very grateful, and every penny counts.

"At a time of austerity, we are managing to host a lot of events which are free of charge so everyone can come along and enjoy."

The patron of the Viking Festival is Madame Pauline Natalie Hunter of Hunterston, Chief of the Name and Arms of Hunter and 30th Laird of Hunterston.

Madam Pauline Hunter is Viking Festival patron (Image: Newsquest) The itinerary is as follows:

Saturday August 31

• 9am - 6pm Scottish food and craft market (free entry)

• 10am - 5pm (last entry 4.30pm) Viking Village. N.B. Viking village will close at 12pm for the opening parade, reopen at approx 1.45pm).

1pm Opening ceremony leaving from Morrison's Supermarket through town centre.

• 1.30pm. Opening ceremony at the entertainment stage.

Viking fun: It was a thumbs up from these visitors at last year's extravaganza (Image: Newsquest)

• 2pm. Dark horse stunt team display in Viking Village. (Ticket required)

Entertainment stage (free)

• 2.15pm Largs BB pipe band

• 3pm Strathclyde Jazz Orchestra

• 4.30 Elemental Forces

The Fingal Living History Society will represent the invading forces at this year's Largs Viking Festival. (Image: Newsquest)

Sunday September 1

• 9am - 6pm Scottish food and craft market (free entry)

• 10am - 5pm (last entry 4.30pm) Viking Village.

Viking warriors at last year's Festival of Fire (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

Entertainment stage (free)

• 12pm Corda

• 12.45pm Country dancers

• 1.30pm James O'Brien

• 2pm Carol and Dee

• 3.15pm Kevin Groove

• 4.30pm Miss Lady Gaga

Monday September 2