Festival Entertainment
As you savor the sights and flavors of Syttende Mai, don't miss the vibrant music, dance, and theater performances. Experience the charm of Scandinavian folk dancing with the Norwegian Dancers, enjoy the wit and talent of local actors in a Stoughton Village Players production, and marvel at the beauty and sound of the Hardanger fiddle up close.
Syttende Mai Entertainment Tent
On S. Division Street, south of Main Street
Friday, May 16th
The Lounge Lizards ∙ 6 - 9 pm
Based in southern Wisconsin, The Lounge Lizards bring the best of classic rock, country, and blues to life with their high-energy covers of top 40 hits. Get ready to sing along and hit the dance floor!
Saturday, May 17th
The Woodland Spring ∙ 2* - 5 pm (*following The Viking Games)
High energy alt-bluegrass from Eau Claire makes its way to the Syttende Mai music stage for some afternoon entertainment.
State Line Play Boys ∙ 6 - 8 pm
With tunes ranging from the ‘50s to today, there’s sure to be something for everybody, and are sure to keep you dancing all night!
Stoughton Norwegian Dancers
Since 1952, the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers have been a local treasure. Clad in traditional Norwegian costumes, or bunad, and dancing to music from the fjords, the troupe’s colorful and captivating performances are in demand nationwide. The Dancers perform during the festival weekend in their bunad, or traditional Norwegian costumes, while they dance to Scandinavian folk songs.
Saturday Performances
Division and Main Street ∙ 2pm
Stoughton High School Gym ∙ 3:45pm
Stoughton High School Gym ∙ 5:30pm (with Alumni)
Sunday Peformance
Stoughton High School Gym ∙ 3:45pm (Final Show)
Stoughton City Band Concert
Enjoy the sound of the Stoughton City Band in Division Street Park during the canoe race portage.
Friday 6:30pm
Stoughton Opera House
381 E. Main Street
The Opera House is open for tours on Saturday, May 17 from 9am to 5pm except during performances.
Opera House Performances
Nordic Fiddles
Saturday ∙ 9:30
Celebrate your Norwegian heritage listening to folk tunes played on the Hardanger Fiddle, often called Norway’s National Instrument. Nordic Fiddles is a group of talented local students, taught by Carlyce Skjervem, who enjoy playing this very special music from Norway.
Edvard Grieg Chorus
Saturday ∙ 11:30am
The Edvard Grieg Chorus of Madison, Wisconsin, takes its name from the famous Norwegian composer, and many Grieg’s compositions are included in the Chorus’ repertoire. The Chorus was founded on Jan. 26, 1925 and was originally known as the Grieg Mannskor, or Grieg Men’s Chorus.
While Norwegian songs are the primary focus of the Chorus, sacred and secular songs are included in its repertoire.
Scandinavian-American Old Time Dance Music Ensemble
Saturday ∙ 2 pm
Enjoy folk music by this group of local string musicians that study and play Scandinavian dance music from the Upper Midwest. This group was organized by the Sustaining Scandinavian Folk Arts in the Upper Midwest at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with residency direction from Beth Hoven Rotto (Decorah, IA), this group continues to play, entertain, and educate the art of Scandinavian folk music.
Stoughton Village Players Theater
Located at 255 E. Main Street
Join them for the 2025 Syttende Mai Show!
Monarchy Anarchy, or
My Kingdom For A Norse
(Den Er Ikke Oversettelse)
Show Dates:
Thursday • 7pm & 8:30pm
Friday • 7pm & 8:30pm
Saturday • 2:30pm, 4pm and 7pm
Tickets are $20, available online at stoughtonvillageplayers.org, or at the door if available.