Whether you have celebrated Fastelavn for years, or this is your first time, now is the time to immerse yourself in the Danish Fastelavn experience!

Date: Sunday, March 1

Time: 10:00 am - 12:30 pm

Masks, candy, and "fastelavnsboller"!

Fastelavn is a beloved family-friendly Danish tradition that starts the preparations for Easter. Immerse yourself in this fun, festive experience where children come dressed up in costumes, they hit a decorated barrel to release candy (a Danish piñata), make arts and crafts and everyone will enjoy delicious fastelavnsboller (delicious cream-filled buns). It’s a lively event filled with music, laughter, and of course, plenty of activities for children and adults.

During the event, the participants can:

• participate in costume contest

• make their own Fastelavn masks

• decorate fastelavnsris - branches adorned with decorations

• experience Danish piñata - in a traditional slå katten af tønden (smash the barrel), where children take turns trying to break open a barrel filled with goodies. The person getting the candy out of the barrel will be crowned as kattekonge (cat king) and the one smashing the last board of the barrel out will receive the title and the crown of kattedronning (cat queen). Who will win these titles this year?

• Enjoy some fastelavnsboller & coffee/tea/juice!

Please note that this is not a drop-off event. Activities are planned for children between 1 to 11 years of age, but fun for all!

For further questions; please contact Aliisa Lampinen at alampinen@scandinavianschool.org

Act fast - early bird discounts are available until Feb 15! And ticket sales end on Feb 26. Tickets are not sold at the door!

Having trouble viewing the sign-up form below? You can register directly here.

Saami Jewelry Workshop

Experience the traditional Nordic craft of Saami pewter thread embroidery! In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn the authentic techniques of creating beautiful bracelets that blend rustic Nordic tradition with modern simplicity.

Your instructor Erika Honig grew up in Northern Sweden, where she mastered the traditional handcraft of pewter thread embroidery. Since moving to California in 1995, she has built a reputation for her distinctive Saami jewelry, with her pieces being featured in stores and galleries nationwide. Erika's work beautifully merges traditional Nordic craftsmanship with contemporary design, creating pieces that are both authentic and wearable.

In this 3,5 hours hands-on workshop, you will:

• Learn the fundamentals of working with pewter thread and leather

• Create your own Saami-inspired bracelet using traditional techniques

• Master the essential skills needed to continue crafting at home

• Learn about the cultural significance and history of Saami jewelry making

You will receive:

• All materials needed to create your bracelet

• Detailed instructions with technique and patterns

• Resources for acquiring authentic materials for future projects

• Light refreshments during our "fika" break (a Swedish word meaning taking a break with a cup of coffee and something to eat, often something sweet)

We will be working with specialized tools and materials. No prior jewelry-making experience is required.

The workshop will be conducted in English and is for adults 18+ only. A ticket can be purchased for youth 12-17 years of age when they attend together with a ticket holding adult.

Classes are non-refundable. If you cannot make it they can be transferred to another family member or friend. No exceptions.

For any questions, contact Aliisa Lampinen at alampinen@scandinavianschool.org

Scandinavian School & Cultural Center is bringing their beloved Nordic Christmas Arts & Crafts event to the SWEA Christmas Fair. Join us for activities, arts & crafts and dancing round the Christmas Tree.

More information about the event here.

Fall Fest - Family Potluck and SSCC Brännboll Games

Bring a picnic blanket and something to share for the communal potluck table and join this family friendly afternoon filled with fun activities at Golden Gate Park, with Brännboll, volleyball, soccer, cornhole, kubb & more. Welcome!

REGISTER BELOW!

Last day to sign up is Friday, September 26.

Fall Fest - Cocktail Hour

Socialize with great people under the stars, lounge by the fire pit with a glass in hand, enjoy the soothing tunes of live music. There's no better way to kick off a new season.

This event is for audiences of 21+ years.

REGISTER BELOW!

Last day to sign up is Wednesday, September 24.

Following last year’s success, Europe In the Park is back! And European Union Delegation together with European consulates are going bigger in 2025 — with more performances, more food, more activities, and first-ever beer garden.

A full afternoon of live music, delicious European bites, interactive games, and cultural experiences from across the EU awaits. Visit Swedish, Danish, Norwegian and Finnish. And SSCC will be there to support more interactive and fun Nordic experience!

More information about the event here.

This workshop will equip you with the knowledge and resources on how to create a multilingual environment that your child can benefit from. 

REGISTER BELOW!

Last day to sign up is Saturday, September 13.

An Adventurous Race & Fair Day for All Ages

Enjoy a 5K and 2K fun races as well as kids’ dashes for ages 2 and up, followed by
- a vibrant outdoor fair,
- activities for kids,
- live entertainment,
- food, and more.

More information here.

Celebrate Easter the Nordic Way!

Join us for a cozy, creative morning filled with Nordic Easter traditions:
🎨 Crafts like painted eggs & seed planting
🥚 Egg hunt & sweet treats
🧙‍♀️ A visit from a Nordic Easter Witch!

🌿 Plus: Earth Week Clothing Swap – bring kids' items to trade or donate!

📅 Family fun for ages 1–11 (caregivers stay too!)

More information here.

Whether you have celebrated Fastelavn for years, or this is your first time, now is the time to immerse yourself in the Danish Fastelavn experience!

Masks, candy, and "fastelavnsboller"!

Fastelavn is a beloved family-friendly Danish tradition that starts the preparations for Easter. Immerse yourself in this fun, festive experience where children come dressed up in costumes, they hit a decorated barrel to release candy (a Danish piñata), make arts and crafts and everyone will enjoy delicious fastelavnsboller (delicious cream-filled buns). It’s a lively event filled with music, laughter, and of course, plenty of activities for children and adults.

For more information about this event and to purchase tickets, visit here.

Experience the traditional Nordic craft of Saami pewter thread embroidery! In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn the authentic techniques of creating beautiful bracelets that blend rustic Nordic tradition with modern simplicity.

More information & sign up here.

Holiday season is here and so is holiday baking. Learn to make Swedish Lucia buns from scratch.

More information about this event here.

This year´s Holiday Arts & Crafts is happening as part of the SWEA Christmas Fair. Come purchase your Christmas Treats and visit Santa´s Elves´ Workshop full of activities and arts and crafts projects for children and families.

More information about this event here.

Cinnamon Bun Baking Workshop

Nordic cinnamon buns are not as sweet and sticky as the typical American cinnamon rolls. Another key difference is that cardamon is added to the dough. US buns are served with icing on top while the Nordic version is often topped with pearl sugar. Come and learn how these delicious buns are made!

This workshop is 100 % hands-on and you will be mixing, kneading, making the filling, hand-shaping, and proofing your yeasted dough.

You will get

- A box to bring home your 4 hand-shaped sweet dough cinnamon buns so you can bake them at home after the dough has risen (it takes a long time for yeasted dough to rise)

- The recipe and the knowledge on how to recreate the buns at home

- Best expert tricks regarding how to make a sweet cardamom/cinnamon bun dough

- A " fika" break with pre-made cinnamon buns and coffee/tea

Fika is an important part of Swedish culture. It means making time for friends and colleagues and to share a cup of coffee or tea and a sweet little something to eat. Many Swedes consider it almost essential to make time for fika every day!

More about this event here.

Bring a picnic blanket and something to share for the communal potluck table and join this family friendly afternoon filled with fun activities at Golden Gate Park's Pioneer Log Cabin.

New for this year, we also invite you to join our first annual SSCC Brännboll Games! Brännboll, a nordic version of baseball, is played by people of all ages in all the nordic countries, by children in school, families in the park, at work temabuilding events etc. We will have a game for everyone, from toddlers to grandmas.

In addition there will be a bouncy house, and a chance to play volleyball, soccer, cornhole, kubb and more.

More information about this event & sign ups here.

Socialize with great people under the stars, lounge by the fire pit with a glass in hand, enjoy the soothing tunes of live music. There's no better way to kick off a new season.

Join our second annual fall fest cocktail hour. Whether it's your first time visiting SSCC or if you come to school daily, just happen to live in the neigborhood, or maybe you're an alumni family, the doors are open for you.

Sign up and more about the event here.

Join us in person for the first event in our Nordic Noir series featuring renowned Finnish crime novelist Leena Lehtolainen. As one of Finland's most successful and beloved authors, Lehtolainen has captivated readers worldwide with her gripping tales of suspense, complex characters, and vivid portrayals of Finnish society.

More information about this event here.

We are hosting a Nordic Booth at International Kids Fun Festival in Cupertino. Come meet us there!

More information about this event here.

Sign up here

In Finland, the 1st of May (known as "Vappu") is widely celebrated. On this day, fragile and curvy funnel cakes ("tippaleipä") are served alongside with donuts ("munkki"), mead ("sima"), and sparkling wine. The celebration of Vappu starts already on the last day of April, and typically ends with a picnic the day after, if the Finnish spring weather allows it.

Funnel cakes are deep fried pastries topped with confectionary sugar. They are very crispy and fragile. Our tippaleipä is made of multiple layers, which are easier to eat and share. The cake is about 6.5cm (2.5 inches) tall and has diameter of 10cm (3.9 inches).

The class will be taught in English by Aleksandra Wojtas, the owner of Lapland Bakery, which has been bringing Nordic flavors to Bay Area residents for over 6 years.

• Early bird ticket price is $90 (*purchase must be made by April 16, 11:59pm)

• If you purchase your ticket on April 17 or later, ticket price is $105

You will get

- A box to bring home your baked goods

- The recipe and the knowledge on how to recreate the baked goods at home

- Best expert tricks regarding how to bake

- A coffee break with something sweet to eat and coffee/tea

Nordic Family Easter Arts & Crafts

Date: Sunday March 24, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm

• Early bird ticket price is $13/person (*purchase must be made by March 21, 11:59pm)

• If you purchase your ticket on March 22 or later, ticket price is $18

• Buy your ticket here

  Feathers, chicks and hand painted eggs! Well, it must be Easter then!

Join us at the SSCC for some traditional Nordic Easter arts & crafts. Children, together with their caregivers, make their own arts and crafts, "påskpyssel", to bring home.

There will also be an egghunt, fika, and as usual Påskgumman will be traveling all the way from Blåkulla to join us...!

Please note that this is not a drop-off event. Activities are planned so that there is something for all ages, focusing on children between 1 to 11 years of age.

For further questions; please contact Cultural Programs Youth Manager Monika Stahler at mstahler@scandinavianschool.org