This Friday 13 June, the Museum will host the second of its curated after-dark events – Wine, Weaving and Leatherworking – as part of the month-long Viking Festival.
Running from 5pm to 8pm in the Museum’s striking foyer, the evening is inspired by the acclaimed Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard exhibition.
Visitors are invited to enjoy a glass of premium South Australian wine while discovering the artistry and heritage behind traditional Viking-age crafts. The evening features live demonstrations by local makers reviving ancient skills.
Among the evening’s artisans is Victoria Benndorf of Stahlfäden, who will showcase the historic technique of tablet weaving, once used to create intricate belts, bands, and decorative trims. She will be joined by Doug Hazel of LHOH Leather Craft, who will demonstrate the meticulous craft of leatherworking, with a selection of handcrafted pieces available for purchase. As Doug explains, “I want people to see that this is not just craft – it’s tradition, passed down through time.”
The Museum’s Café and Gift Shop will also be open, offering refreshments and unique finds, while the World Mammals Gallery on the ground floor will be accessible for those wishing to explore further.
This atmospheric evening is a prelude to the highly anticipated VikingFest weekend, taking place 28–29 June on the Museum’s grounds. Expect a lively Viking-age market, local artisans, combat displays, axe-throwing, a licensed tavern – and even a full-size Viking longship. For those with a playful spirit, there will be photo opportunities in an authentic replica of medieval wooden stocks – the kind once used to punish petty criminals.
The final Friday evening event before VikingFest is the Galloway Jewellery Jam, in collaboration with JamFactory jewellers, scheduled for Friday 20 June.
Entry to VikingFest events is free, thanks to the support of the Adelaide Economic Development Agency. Tickets to the Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard exhibition are $25, with concessions available. As demand for Friday night entry is expected to be high, guests are encouraged to book tickets online in advance.
To delve deeper into the story behind the hoard or to book tickets, visit the South Australian Museum’s website here.
