Calendar of Events - 2026

Meany Performing Center for the Arts

2655 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107

7:30 PM

On this very speciial evening, the SBSCA joined forces with Norske kvinner to welcome world-famous virtuoso pianist Leif Ove Andsnes to Seattle and to enjoy a magnificent concert.

Read about this amazing evening on on our blog.

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National Nordic Museum

2655 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107

2 – 3:30 PM

We convened for our annual meeting, where we reviewed our activities in 2025, presented our work plan for 2026, and elected a new board of officers. We also presented the exclusive Crossings jewelry collection from our partners at Sylvsmidja in Voss, Norway, .Afterward, we enjoyed coffee with members and friends at the Freya Café and toured the  exhibit "New Nordic: Cuisine, Aesthetics and Place" from the National Museum in Oslo and admired the beautiful collage artworks by local artist Eva Isaksen with her exhibition "Shapes for Fall."

Learn about our new board of officers on our blog.

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National Nordic Museum

2655 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107

2 – 4 PM

Ten of Seattle's sister cities presented soup representative of their cultures.. The SBSCA served traditional yellow pea soup, as everyone celebrated International Women's Day with some life-giving sustenance. The SBSCA also sponsored a toe-tapping performance by the Skandia Kapell with traditional Nordic folk music. All attendees received a 50% discount to the Museum, and many took in the culinary exhibition "New Nordic: Cuisine, Aesthetics and Place" from Norway's National Museum.

Enjoy highlights from the event on our blog.

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Leif Erikson Plaza

7001 Seaview Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117

3 – 4:30 PM

SBSCA members gathered together with the  Leif Erikson International Foundation (LEIF) to commemorate our Nordic ancestors who came before us with the addition of 53+ new names in commemoration of the 2025 bicentennial of 200 years of organized Norwegian immigration.

Read about the event's highlights on our blog.

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The Statsraad Lehmkuhl, the world's most beautiful tall ship, returns to Bergen for the One Ocean Week Conference. The SBSCA, Seattle Councilmember Dan Strauss, and Washington Maritime Blue were there to learn about our oceans and represent our city during a full week of activities.  

More info: oneoceanweek.no/en

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Ballard First Lutheran Church

2006 NW 65th St., Seattle, WA 98117

2 PM

The SBSCA joined the Northwest Edvard Grieg Society for a  concert with Bergen pianist Oda Voltersvik, as she presented piano works by Edvard Grieg to other composers of his era who took inspiration from him.

Read more on our blog.

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Bergen Place Park, Ballard

5450 22nd Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107

12 noon – 4:30 PM

Parade starts at 6 PM

Once again, the SBSCA put together the entertainment lineup and hosted the program for a day of music and family fun.

Read more on our blog

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Obec Brewing

1144 NW 52nd St.

Seattle, WA 98107

11:30 AM – 3 PM

The SBSCA joined the Seattle-Nantes Sister City Association at Obec Brewing in Ballard for the Norway-France match broadcast from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA.

Learn more on our blog.

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Washington, D.C.

Sister Cities International’s 70th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration united global leaders, citizen diplomats, and community partners to honor seven decades of international cooperation and cultural exchange.

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Lake Union Park

860 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

The Seattle Sister Cities Association celebrated the signpost for Seattle's 20 sister cities. With distinguished guests, international food, music, dance, and a variety of activities, it was a day for the entire family to enjoy.

Learn more and preregister at Eventbrite

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2655 NW Market St,

Seattle, WA 98107

Members and friends of the SBSCA are invited to the two-day 2026 Nordic Innovation Summit "Arctic 360. The Summit will bring together high-profile speakers from the US and Nordics, as well as Arctic experts and media specialists for dynamic and interactive conversation.in the Nordics and the entire Arctic region. SBSCA members may register with a 50% discount. Email us at info@seattle-bergen.org to receive a discount registrationcode.

Learn more about the Summit at the Museum's website
 

Ever wondered about the amazing artist who created our website homepage image? You may now look forward to a flurry of activities around her colorful heritage paintings, filled with Norwegian motifs, together with her beautiful Nordic-inspired jewelry. During her visit to Seattle you will have several opportunities to meet and interact with the artist:

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• Wed., Oct 14: 5:30 – 7:30PM: Artist talk "Painting Your Heritage" & pop-up exhibition, Leif Erikson Lodge Dinner Meeting, co-sponsored by Leif Erikson Lodge (Lodge business meeting follows)  Register at Eventbrite

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• Fri., Oct 16, 3 – 5:30 PM: Paint 'n' Sip workshop, "Whispering Woods," Leif Erikson Lodge Kaffestua  Register at Eventbrite

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• Sun., Oct 18, 3 - 5:30 PM:  Paint 'n' Sip workshop "Bryggen in Bergen," Leif Erikson Lodge Kaffestua  Register at Eventbrite

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• Sat., Oct 24, 10AM – 4PM : Nordic Market, Leif Erikson Lodge

• Sun., Oct. 25, 11AM – 4PM: Nordic Market, Leif Erikson Lodge​​  (see below)​​​​

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Preview Jana's artworks 

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Members and friends of the SBSCA are invited to the Swedish Club for the Fall 2026 Nordic Mixer, hosted by the Northwest Danish Association. Enjoy a Danish dinner, drinks, music, Nordic connections, and Beserkerkaraoke. 

The Swedish Club

1920 Dexter Ave. N.

Seattle, WA 98109

5 – 10 PM

Learn more and register at Eventbrite
 

Every October, Seattle becomes the world’s meeting point for the Blue Economy, and members and friends of the SBSCA are invited. One Ocean Week Seattle brings together ocean leaders, innovators, investors, policymakers, artists, and communities from around the globe for seven days of summits, showcases, and celebrations all in service of one goal: a sustainable, inclusive maritime future.
Learn more at the Washington Maritime Blue website

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Leif Erikson Lodge

2245 NW 57th St, Seattle, WA 98107 

Saturday: 10AM – 4PM

Sunday:  11AM – 4PM

Visit our booth at Leif Erikson Lodge's popular holiday marketplace, featuring the art and jewelry of Jana Peterson and information about the Sister Cities program. Meet the artist and experience her creativity in action.

Learn more at the Leif Erikson Lodge website

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Ballard First Lutheran Church

2006 NW 65th St., Seattle, WA 98117

2 PM

The Northwest Edvard Grieg Society invites SBSCA members and friends to an afternoon of Norwegian and Pacific Northwest musical selections performed by flutist Cassie Lear and pianist Steven Luksan. Free with suggested donation.

More information on the Northwest Edvard Grieg Society website.

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The SBSCA is delighted to welcome back and offer support to our friends from Sylvsmidja of Voss, who will feature their silver jewelry at this year's Julefest at the National Nordic Museum.
Learn more about Julefest at the National Nordic Museum website.
 

Meydenbauer Center Theater

11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue, WA 98004

7:30 PM

The Northwest Edvard Grieg Society invites SBSCA members and friends to an evening with Bergen-based pianist Oda Voltersvik and the Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra, Jonathan Spatola-Knoll, conductor. Free with suggested donation.​

More info at the Northwest Edvard Grieg Society website.

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Leif Erikson Lodge

2245 NW 57th St, Seattle, WA 98107 

3 – 5 PM

It's a traditional party for the children, complete with Norwegian sandwiches and cookies, dancing around the Christmas tree, Norwegian Christmas songs, prizes, and a visit from the Julenisse. Cosponsored by Leif Erikson Lodge, Karmøy Club, and the SBSCA.

Enjoy highlights from the 2025 party on our blog.

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