Spelmansstämman
August 15 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
- FreeCome to Gammelgården Museum for a free family-friendly event featuring Swedish/Nordic and Japanese folk music, dance, and visual arts. There will also be arts and crafts for children and adults; historic building tours; an artists, crafters, and vendors fair; and artist demonstrations. Both American and Japanese food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Spelmansstämman was recognized as one of the best ten summer festivals in Minnesota by TravelMag.com. Read about it HERE.
NOTE: The schedule, including the performers and artists, is being developed for 2026. Below is the information that is current as of April 15, 2026.

MUSIC PERFORMANCES
Spelmansstämman is a long-standing Swedish folk music tradition based on outdoor gatherings (stämma) of Swedish musicians (spelman) to share music, friendship, and playing. At a traditional stämma, a small group of musicians share tunes they love and have in common.
Gammelgården’s 36th annual Spelmansstämman will feature multiple musicians performing throughout the day.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Come for the full day – or part of the day. Following is the general schedule of events:
10-12:
- Cross-Cultural Art
- Swedish Craft Project: TBD – Welcome House
- Japanese Craft Project: Origami and painting – Welcome House
- Swedish and Japanese Weaving Comparison – SAORI weaving and Bengala Dyeing with COMPAS Teaching Artist Chaiki O’Brien – Welcome House and Museum Grounds
10-4:
- Historic Building Tours – Docents in Buildings (10-4). Tours for those who are Hearing Impaired (with headphones) or Deaf (ASL interpreter) – Meet at the Reception Desk at the Welcome House
- Artists, Crafters, and Vendors Fair – Museum Grounds
- Apothecary’s Daughter
- Borage and Bumblebee
- Carol’s Glass Creations
- Chickadee Forest
- Cynthia DeMar Arts (also demonstrating metalsmithing)
- Fleming Petersen & Company
- J & K Legacy Jewelry
- Scandia Sister City Committee
- Shaped by Water
- Swedish Genealogical Society of Minnesota
- Washington County Master Gardeners – Milkweed, Monarchs, and Pollinators Team (also doing hands-on activities with children and adults)
Scandia Butik Gift Shop – Welcome House
- Do a Scavenger Hunt and Get a Prize – Historic Buildings/Museum Grounds
- Exhibits – Welcome House
- Outdoor Games – Museum Grounds
Food for Sale – 10-4
- Food Trucks (Deep Roots Concessions and Samurai Teppanyaki) Serving American and Japanese Food – Front of Welcome House
Barn Stage 2 – 12:15-3:30
12:00-12:10 – Introduction of performers and ensembles for the event
12:15-3:00 – During short breaks between performances, be entertained by Ross Sutter
12:15 – 1:15 – TaikoArts
1:15 – 2:15 – Brian Wicklund
2:15-3:15 – Duo Mythos
3:20 – Closing Allspel and Nordic Closing Tune: Hälsa Dem Därhemma (led by Ross Sutter)
Old Church Stage – 1:00-2:30
1:00 – Oliver Hunter and Vårvindar
1:30 –
2:00 –
2:30 – Building opens again for self-guided tours. A Gammelgården Museum tour guide is available to provide information and answer questions.
Vendor Fair Stage – 1:00-3:15
1:00 –
1:30 –
2:00 –
2:30 –
3:00 –
Hearing-Assisted Listening Devices Available
This event is co-sponsored by Gammelgården Museum and Scandia Heritage Alliance.
This event is made possible by the generous support of the Valley Arts Initiative – St. Croix Valley Foundation
and Gammelgården Museum donors.




