Throughout the year we provide our members with many cultural events and activities.
Put these dates in your calendar!
- May 18: Orienteering & BBQ Hamilton Island Do you enjoy beautiful scenery and great weather? Do you like picnics while being surrounded by that beautiful scenery and great weather? How about in the Columbia Gorge? Come out to Hamilton Island on Sunday, May 18th, and enjoy a day of orienteering with other New Sweden members. After your hard work through the courses, you can enjoy a picnic provided by New Sweden and the Swedish School.
- All skill levels are encouraged to enjoy this classic CROC event. For more information about orienteering, click this link: Hamilton Island Classic — Columbia River Orienteering Club. If you would like to sign up for orienteering, please contact Tanaka Axberg at tanakaaxberg@gmail.com or (714) 656-7837. Registration ends on Friday, May 16.
- Info about the BBQ: the picnic is free to New Sweden and Swedish School members whether or not they participate in the Orienteering! Additional friends/family members are asked to pay $7 for the BBQ. We’ll serve grilled hamburgers, chips, cookies and pop. Attendees should bring their own water, adult beverage and preferred pop, lawn chairs and dress appropriately for weather (possibly rain and sunshine). We’ll have some kubb games going and a challenge to last years winners – the daughters! To attend the BBQ please register with Kristi Gustafson, kristigus@aol.com.
- June 14: League of Swedish Societies 98th Portland Midsummer Festival: Oaks Amusement Park, 7805 SE Oaks Park Way, Portland, Saturday, June 14th, 11am-4pm. Admission is a $2 donation and parking is $5 per car. Midsummer is one of the most important Swedish festivities, a celebration of the summer solstice. Families and friends get together to raise the Maypole (majstång or midsommarstång) and dance around it, sing, enjoy food and other treats, and celebrate summer at its height.
- August 9: Kräftskiva’ (crayfish) Party: Fogelbo, 8740 SW Oleson Road, Portland, time not set yet. Kräftskiva is an annual seafood fest with lots of side dishes, drinks and joyous songs – a summertime celebration dear to Swedes of all ages. Learn more at Experience a Swedish crayfish party | Visit Sweden
- November 29: Scandinavian Christmas Goat Market: Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th Ave, Portland, Saturday, November 29th, 10am-4pm. Will feature many local Scandinavian organizations serving food and cheer. All are welcome! https://www.christmasgoatmarket.com/ Guests will get in the holiday spirit (julstämning) as they:
- WANDER through 30+ vendors selling an array of Nordic goods.
- TASTE the Nordic foods they cherish.
- CREATE Jule goat crafts in the free kids area.
- LISTEN to live entertainment.
- EXPLORE the huge LEGO Christmas display.
- December 13: Lucia Fest: Moreland Presbyterian Church, 1814 SE Bybee Blvd, Portland, Saturday, December 13th, 3pm-5pm. You are invited to enjoy a beautiful traditional pageant and music of the season by local Swedish chorus’, soloists, and dancers (details will be released as we get closer to the event). Following the program there will be the customary singing and dancing around the Christmas tree, a visit by Tomten, glögg, coffee and traditional baked goods.
- Check back for more 2025 events.
Past Events
Thank you for your support at our 2025 functions!
April 30: Valborg Celebration: Over 40 people came out to enjoy a lovely evening with a bonfire, singing, live music, and Swedish-style hot dogs. We happily celebrated Valborg on the actual day of the event, even if it was a Wednesday, and look forward to arrival of warmer weather (as officially ushered in by the event).
March 30: Annual Membership Meeting: We held our annual meeting at the West Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. After a short business meeting, we held a simple celebration in anticipation of Swedish Easter, which falls on Sunday, April 20. The celebration was followed by a wonderful reading of Secrets, Lies, and Sneaky Spies by author Rayna Flye. You may read about Rayna at Rayna Flye | Cozy Spy Mystery Writer. The meeting was a wonderful, relaxed opportunity which allowed us to meet other members.
Thank you for your support of our 2024 functions!
December 14: We enjoyed a beautiful Scandinavian traditional pageant and the joyous music of the season by celebrating Lucia Fest at Moreland Presbyterian Church. There was music and performances by the children of The Swedish School of Portland, the Portland Scandinavian Choir, Vocal soloists, and Oregon’s 2024 Lucia Court. Following the program there was the customary singing and dancing around the Christmas tree “Ringlekar Runt Julgranen”, a visit from Tomten, glögg, coffee, and traditional baked goods.
November 30: We proudly hosted the 3rd Annual Scandinavian Christmas Goat Market at the historic Norse Hall in Portland, Oregon. Guests got their holiday spirit by wandering through over 30 Nordic themed booths, tasting Nordic foods, creating Jule goat crafts, listening to live entertainment, and exploring a huge LEGO Christmas display.
October 27: We offered a cookie baking class for the holidays. We made two very different kinds of cookies- the Drömmar (Swedish Dream Cookies) that melt in your mouth, and the more complicated, special occasion Sara Bernhardt cookies. Our instructor Richard Freimark came from a family of bakers. His grandfather was a chocolatier in Austria, and his father started the largest retail bakery in upstate New York.
August 17: We celebrated Kraftskiva, a cherished Swedish tradition. Our celebration included crayfish and good company. We had a delightful spread of fresh crayfish, tasty sides, and refreshing drinks.
June 15: We had an event with the League of Swedish Societies. The 97th Annual Portland Midsummer Festival at Oak’s Park! This was one of the oldest official Oregon Heritage Traditions! There was music and of course the Majstång.
May 25: We had a special celebration for the 25th anniversary of Swedish Roots in Oregon. There was an informative program and refreshments provided. Thank you to the West Hills Unitarian Fellowship Hall.
May 17 – We had a birthday party for the one and only Ross Fogelquist! This celebration had cake and drinks. It was also Norwegian Constitution Day! Thank you to the Oslo Lounge at Norse Hall!
May 5 – Valborg was a fun success! We partnered with the local Finnish groups, where guests enjoyed music and korv! Well, the Finns call it “Makkara” 😉
March 24 – We held our Annual Member’s Meeting in Lake Oswego and celebrated a Swedish Easter with brunch and good company. Our President gave a speech recapping 2023 and looking forward to 2024. Ross gave a speech about our 35th anniversary. Wow, 35 years of sharing Swedish culture. Then Jimmy showed a video of the 15 Best Places to Visit in Sweden. Thank you to everyone who attended, and to the Lundin family for hosting.
