Medeltidsveckan (Medieval Week) runs from the Sunday of ISO week 31 to the Sunday of week 32 every year, eight days in total. The 2026 edition ran 2–9 August under the theme “Kärlek” (Love) and listed more than 800 programme items at over 40 venues inside and just outside Visby’s 13th-century town wall.
The core of the week is the medieval market and the tournaments. Jousting (tornerspel) takes place on the Strandgärdet field below the wall, while the church ruins host concerts and theatre. Other fixed venues include the camps at Nordergravar and Galgberget and the Paviljongsplan stage. Lectures, guided walks with Gotlands Museum, craft courses, archery and a large children’s programme fill the days; evenings bring music, fire shows and a lot of people in costume.
The festival began in 1984 and is run by Medeltidsveckan AB, which is owned by a non-profit foundation whose founders include Gotlands Museum, Region Gotland and the local medieval guild. Costume is optional but common; the organisers say everyone is welcome as they are.
Walking around the town, the market and the camps is free. Tournaments, concerts, courses and some shows are ticketed, and the organisers note that many programme points sell out before the opening day, so book online in advance. Ferries from Nynäshamn and Oskarshamn (Destination Gotland) and accommodation on the island fill up months ahead; the festival offers its own camping. The same organisation also runs a smaller Medieval Christmas (Medeltida Jul) in Visby in early December (4–6 December 2026).
