HIGHLIGHTS have been announced for next year’s Jorvik Viking Festival, which takes place in the build-up to the Jorvik Viking Centre’s re-opening.

The centre re-opens on April 8, and the 2017 Jorvik Viking Festival from February 20 to 26.

As the timeline for the newly re-imagined visitor attraction is set in AD960, the festival programmers have taken inspiration from one of the key events of that time – the end of King Eric Bloodaxe’s reign.

Sarah Maltby, director of attractions, said: “Eric’s face has been used as the logo for the Jorvik Viking Festival for decades, but this year we’ll be bidding a fond farewell to the famous king – and sending him on his way in fiery style.”

Eric’s death will be memorialised with a flaming funeral pyre at the festival’s finale, and festival visitors will be able to join Bloodaxe on his final campaign, whether at the Strongest Viking Competition, or the Battle Feast in the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall.

All week long, Viking troops will be stationed in the Coppergate Centre, and the traditional march will go through the city streets on Saturday, February 25, although some events have been relocated.

The festival’s coordinator Nicola Harkess said: “We’re bringing the Strongman competition back to Coppergate, the home of the Vikings for this year’s festival, and it will be a free event so more people than ever can enjoy it.

“We’ll also stage the tremendously popular ‘best beard’ competition in the square outside Jorvik.

“Having sold out the finale for the last three years, and with work planned for Clifford’s Tower which would further restrict space at the Eye of York, we’ll be relocating the spectacular finale to Rawcliffe Country Park.

“This larger space will help us to create more of a festival feel to the event, offering almost double the capacity without spoiling views, with hot food and Viking displays to prepare visitors for the epic battle ahead!”

Alongside two Viking trading ships, a 50ft wide Yurt will go up in Parliament Street for an exhibition trailing the new Jorvik Viking Centre and hands-on workshops, whilst a second marquee on St Sampson’s Square will host archery and sword fighting sessions for children, and Viking traders.

For more details of next year’s festival or to buy tickets visit www.jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk.