ELK HORN — Join in a “hyggelig julestuer,” or a “cozy Christmas room,” on Friday and Saturday for Julefest in the Danish villages of Elk Horn and Kimballton.
“Hygge” refers to a pleasant and valued sense of safety, equality, personal wholeness — a cozy, everyday togetherness and those warm, cozy feelings are important around the holidays. Elk Horn and Kimballton are celebrating the arrival of the Christmas season with the 45th annual Julefest.
At the Museum of Danish America, you can enjoy current exhibitions, live piano music, cookies and seasonal drinks, crafts and decorations in the “hyggelig julestuer” on Friday and Saturday.
On Nov. 24, a new exhibition opened in the Main Floor Gallery entitled Fabric of a Nation: Art Quilts & Immigration Stories. The new exhibit seeks brings together quilts that represent three different immigration stories, and serve as a reminder of the common humanity of those who have come to the United States. This exhibition will feature quilts from the museum’s collection, pieces from the Migrant Quilt Project, and examples of Hmong Story Cloths. Exhibition labels will be written in both English and Spanish! This exhibit will be open through May 12, 2024.
There are unique gifts to choose from in the Design Store, including jewelry, decor, Danish spreads and treats, and the annual Keepsake Ornament and Christmas cards.
You can also get a glimpse into another time at Bedstemor’s House, located at 2105 College Street in Elk Horn. The home, built in 1908 by a Danish immigrant and businessman. The home is decorated as a Danish grandmother’s house, all decked out for the holidays. It is open from 1-4 p.m.
Learn about family history resources at the Genealogy and Education Center, which has helped families finding links to their Danish immigrant past and help with translations is also available.
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Genealogy and Education Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday and admission is free during Julefest.
On Friday morning. the Elk Horn Fire Station will be serving aebelskiver for a free will donation, and kids can have brunch with Santa from 8-11 a.m.
If you are an early riser, and like to take what might be a chilly run, you can participate in the 11th annual Naughty or Nisse 5K Polar Run on Saturday morning. It runs from the Mermaid to the Mill, starting with registration at 9 a.m. There will be prizes for costumes, and you can register in advance at www.danishwindmill.com.
If you want to have a little lunch after watching or running in the 5K, you can find scratch made pizza, pasta, salads and even craft made cocktails at Grace on Main at 2105 Broadway Avenue from 11 a.m. tp 8 p.m.
The Norse Horse Tavern is open Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m, with 16 taps, craft beer, a full bar along with burgers and sandwiches. The Norse Horse is located at 4224 Main Street in Elk Horn.
If you are interested in tasting some local Iowa made, award winning wines, head east out of Elk Horn on F58 to the Danish Countryside Wines open noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
You can enjoy the music of the season at the annual Julefest Concert on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church, with piano music by local musicians, as well as pipe organ, vocal and other instruments.
And last of all, if you haven’t started your holiday shopping — or just haven’t finished it, there will be a wide variety of gift shopping locations.
The Danish Windmill offers Danish gifts, including Gnomes, with a theme of “I’ll Be Gnome For Christmas.” Check out the Dance Julemarket, a Danish Christmas market; the Danish Christmas Tree and sample some Hot Glogg, all at the Danish Windmill.
The Kringleman will have Danish Kringle and Pastries, on Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There will be places to look for gifts, something for yourself, or decor for your home. Check out A Hometown Christmas at the Kimballton Town Hall, where you’ll find candies and cookies on Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Egg Krate Antiques is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. It offers shopping from 50 vendors, with antiques and more.
Check out the Scandinavian Treasures at the Egg Krate Antique Mall, with genuine Danish antiques, mid-century and retro items as well as items direct from Denmark like glassware, decor, art, Royal & Bing, Grondahl, linens, old toys and more every day during Mall hours.
The 27th annual Main Street Country Boutique will be at the Elk Horn Town Hall, with repurposed and hand-made wooden furniture, signs, quilts, jewelry, snowmen, wooden trays, shelves, crocheted hats and baked goods from the kitchens of Eileen and Jenny. There will be refreshments and door prizes.
Looking for toys that came straight from an old workshop — no, not Santas, a variety of bird houses, crosses, wooden toy cars, trucks and airplanes, squirrels, doll furniture and many other gifts can be found at the Old Danish Workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
In Kimballton, the Rustic Rooster and Some Old Hens is a vintage shopping experience, with collectibles, decor and goodies. Warm up with some hot cider while you shop. It’s located at 2578 Yellowwood, Kimballton one mile west on Highway 44 and 1/4 mile north. They are open Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to noon.