January 30- February 1, 2026
The Stoughton Norwegian Summit Group, an informal group of Norwegian themed businesses, groups and organizations, builds a weekend of Norse opportunities around a signature event. The group was organized in 2011 under the leadership of Sons of Norway- Mandt Lodge to bring “all those things Norwegian” together to help promote each other’s events, activities, businesses, and organizations. The group helps promote two Destination Weekends each year (Norse Afternoon Weekend and the Wisconsin Rosemalers’ Nordic Market) and of course, all are busy Syttende Mai Weekend! For more information, contact Darlene Arneson, Sons of Norway, at [email protected].
Our “featured” event: The Stoughton Norwegian Dancers- Norse Afternoon of Fun 2026
As winter settles over Wisconsin, the world-renowned Stoughton Norwegian Dancers are preparing to bring a burst of color, music, and high-energy tradition to the community. The group will host its annual “Norse Afternoon of Fun” on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. in the Stoughton High School Gymnasium.
More than just a performance, the Norse Afternoon of Fun is a local tradition designed to cure “cabin fever.” The event showcases a vibrant display of authentic bunads (hand-crafted, traditional Norwegian folk costumes), rousing folk music, and the exuberant athleticism that has made the ensemble famous worldwide. “The combination of music, rhythm, and tradition creates an energy that is hard to find anywhere else,” says Wendy Furseth, director. “It’s the perfect way for our community to come together during the long winter months, celebrate our heritage, and get excited for Syttende Mai.”
Attendees can expect a family-friendly program that bridges generations, featuring:
- Gravity-Defying Tradition: A mix of humorous, acrobatic, and traditional folk dances performed by 25 elite Stoughton High School students.
- The Next Generation: A special guest appearance by 20 Stoughton elementary students, who will join the high schoolers for select dances.
- Interactive Fun: Opportunities for audience participation that appeal to guests of all ages.
In addition to dancing, there will be a bake sale featuring authentic Norwegian pastries and baked goods, including Lefse, which the Stoughton Norwegian Dancer parent group prepares. There will also be a raffle drawing that includes the following fantastic prizes plus many more:
- 1st Prize: $1,000 Cash – (donated by Hamacher Lawn Care, Evolve Insurance, SK Marketing LLC, Appliance Repair Experts)
- 2nd Prize: 4 Baskets and 4 Pints of Custard a Month for 1 year – Culver’s of Stoughton
- 3rd Prize: $500 Gift Card to Conant Automotive – Conant Automotive
- 4th Prize: Golf for 4 – Stoughton Country Club
- 5th Prize: Weber Tailgate Grill – Stoughton Lumber
- Multiple Cash prizes of $100, $200 & $250
All proceeds support the Stoughton High School Norwegian Dancers.
Event Details
- Date: Sunday, February 1, 2026
- Time: 1:30 p.m. (Doors open at 12:30 p.m.)
- Location: Stoughton High School Gymnasium, 600 Lincoln Avenue, Stoughton, WI
- Admission: Admission is $5 for adults if tickets are purchased in advance or $10 at the door. Admission is $1 for all children age 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased in advance through current Norwegian dancer families, the Nordic Nook in downtown Stoughton, or by emailing [email protected].
Other events and happenings in Stoughton that weekend
Friday and Saturday, January 30-31- Livsreise- 277 W. Main Street, Stoughton
Hours are 9:30 AM-12:00 PM, 12:30 PM-5:00 PM, Tuesdays through Saturdays. Special Exhibit- 200 years of Norwegians in America- On view until February 1, 2026. The ship Restauration set sail for America from Stavanger, Norway on July 4, 1825 with 52 Norwegians aboard. To commemorate this bicentennial, the
Vesterheim Museum in Decorah, Iowa has curated a special exhibition focusing on Norwegian immigration. It features twenty objects that tell important stories and themes for Norwegians in America. Themes include living traditions, migration of skills, the Sami, higher education, sports, citizenship, Native Americans and Norwegian Americans, World War I, and returned immigrants. Each theme tells an important story of travel, settlement, family, and friends, old and new. This exhibit is now open and will be at Livsreise through all of 2025.
Friday, January 30: Sons of Norway, 317 South Page Street, Stoughton
Free movie night at 7 PM – downstairs. “My Norwegian Holiday”- JJ, grieving the loss of her grandmother and seeking dissertation inspiration, stumbles upon an unexpected holiday destiny. Meeting Henrik, a Norwegian from Bergen, their connection deepens when he discovers she has a troll figurine from his hometown. To explore the troll’s history and her grandmother’s ties, JJ agrees to join Henrik on a journey to Norway. In Bergen, they’re drawn into Henrik’s family Christmas and wedding traditions, with his sister’s wedding the day before Christmas Eve. JJ embarks on a holiday adventure, uncovering the troll’s origins and finding her own path to healing, love and family. We will have refreshments and if you want to bring a snack to share, that is always welcome.
Sunday, February 1- Stoughton Opera House, 381 E. Main St., Stoughton
7:30 PM- The Infamous Stringdusters are a celebrated American progressive bluegrass band known for their virtuosic musicianship, innovative arrangements, and genre-blending style. The GRAMMY® Award-winning Americana quintet—Andy Falco [guitar], Chris Pandolfi [banjo], Andy Hall [dobro], Jeremy Garrett [fiddle], and Travis Book [double bass]—have musical influences that truly run the gamut, but their common denominator is certainly bluegrass— the sound that has in essence defined the course of their career. https://www.stoughtonoperahouse.com/events/2026/2/1/the-infamous-stringdusters
Visit our displays on Sunday at Norse Afternoon of Fun
- Norwegian American Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library in Madison – NAGC & NL serves a worldwide audience by building and sharing stellar research collections, publishing useful and popular genealogical materials, and reaching out to all those who seek to know and venerate their Norwegian roots. We have been teaching in-person and virtual classes, providing programs for Sons of Norway and other group meetings, and are open to have people come in for research.
- Sons of Norway-Mandt Lodge- Sons of Norway is a fraternal organization for all ages, genders, and ethnic backgrounds for those who have an interest in Norwegian heritage and culture. Visit with us about our events, membership, classes, and youth activities. • Stoughton Chamber and Visitor Services– Learn what is happening around Stoughton and Syttende Mai!
- Livsreise, the Norwegian Heritage Center- Will have a table with information about their facility and exhibits
Check out our other members of the Stoughton Norwegian Summit Group to learn more about them!
- Edvard Grieg Chorus- https://www.griegchorus.org/
- Hardanger Classes- At the Stoughton Senior Center. $50/12 weeks. Kits available for extra cost Wednesdays, 8:15 AM – 12 PM. Register at 608-873-8585
- Koshkonong Prairie Historical Society- https://koshkonongprairie.org/
- Nordic Nook- https://nordicnook.company.site/
- Stoughton Historical Society- https://stoughtonhistoricalsociety.org/
- Torskeklubben- https://madisontorskeklubben.com/
- Wisconsin Rosemalers- https://www.wisconsinrosemalers.org/
- Ygdrasil Literary Society- Contact Eileen Nelson, President, [email protected]