Nyckelharpa Events
Below are links to various events in North America and Europe that have nyckelharpa workshops or nyckelharpa players in attendance. The North American events are first. The European events are further down the page. If you are aware of an event that includes nyckelharpas that is not listed below, please contact us so we can add it.
North America
Here are links to events in the United States and Canada that have nyckelharpa players attending or workshops. We are providing this for the benefit of the nyckelharpa community. We are not getting any benefit from providing these links. In most cases, the link is to the main orgainzation's site instead of the event itself. This way, the links will not expire.
Ashokan Northern Week (New York):
https://ashokancenter.org/camps/
Nordic Fiddles & Feet (New Hampshire):
http://www.nordicfiddlesandfeet.org/
Folklore Village Swedish weekend (Ridgeway, WI) in the fall:
Twin Cities Nyckelharpa lag (Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN) hosts twice monthly jam sessions:
Nordia House (Portland, OR) hosts weekly jam sessions:
https://www.nordicnorthwest.org/nordia-house
Boxwood Festival (Nova Scocia) in July:
Europe
World Nyckelharpa Day:
On the Sunday closest to the birthday of the legendary nyckelharpa player Byss-Calle, Vicki Swan coordinates events around the nyckelharpa. A tune is chosen and at noon England time, everyone in the world can play the same tune. Upload a video of you playing the tune to join a mosaic of players. There are many options of what can be done and posted for this day of the nyckelharpa! https://worldnyckelharpaday.com/
European nyckelharpa Training (ENT):
In Europe outside of Sweden, the Nyckelharpa has become recognized as a great sounding and very versatile instrument that works well for a number of types of music. There are ongoing workshops that are designed to develop skills and techniques. These are set up to be done as a one to two year series of workshops. The workshop planners have decided to open up some of these to players who have not committed to the multi-workshop training. You will need to ask if you can participate.
A full list of workshops is maintained on European nyckelharpa training web site: http://training.nyckelharpa.eu/
One-Year Nyckelharpa and Fiddle Course at Eric Sahlström Institute (Tobo, Sweden) August to May:
From August until May every year (with a small Christmas break) the long-term training at Eric Sahlström Institute in Tobo is offered. Tobo is located in the region of Uppland, the Swedish home of the nyckelharpa. The Eric Sahlström Institute is the Swedish National Centre for Folk music and dance – and a first address with best teachers when it comes to Swedish music. Many months full-time nyckelharpa playing – more is not possible. In addition to the one-year course, there are also distance courses and summer courses at the Eric Sahlström Institute.
https://esitobo.org/kurser/
Harpas at Halsway, Great Britain in Spring and Fall:
In the South West of England, nyckelharpa workshops happen annually in the National Centre for Folk Arts at Halsway Manor. Workshops with various nyckelharpa teachers are offered.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/whats-on?page=2
International Days of the Nyckelharpa at castle BURG FÜRSTENECK (Germany), early October:
This is a Thursday to Sunday workshop. The facility has a limited number of beds available that are needed for workshop participants.
If you have a partner who wants to travel with you, they should find something else to do while you attend the workshop. The site is adjacent to a small town that does not have much for tourists.
https://nyckelharpa.burg-fuersteneck.de/nyckelharpa_eng.html
There is a periodic European Nyckelharpa newsletter. If you would like to receive it, contact Karsten Evers at: evers[at]burg-fuersteneck.de
(Page last updated on 2/12/2026)