Scandinavian Heritage Passport in Fargo-Moorhead

Immerse yourself in Scandinavian Heritage and navigate the various experiences available in Fargo. Receive special offers or discounts at multiple featured locations.

Over fifty percent of the Red River Valley trace their heritage back to the Scandinavian immigration movement of the 1800’s when almost half of all the immigrants in Minnesota and North Dakota were Scandinavian. And almost 50 percent of those Scandinavian immigrants were Norwegians; they found Minnesota and North Dakota an excellent place to farm and raise a family.

The Fargo, ND/Moorhead, MN “Sister Cities” or the “Twin Cities of the North”  have long celebrated their Scandinavian heritage and culture particularly during the decade after Norway received its independence from Sweden on May 17, 1905.  Five Norwegian monuments were erected in Fargo, ND/Moorhead, MN following Norway’s independence, part of a resurgence in Norwegian ethnic pride.

Since January 16, 1895, many Norwegians have connected to their roots through an organization called the “Sons of Norway,” which has members throughout the United States. The Sons of Norway Kringen Lodge in Fargo, ND/Moorhead, MN holds the distinction of being the lodge with the second highest number of members, and maintains an active event calendar promoting Scandinavian heritage and cultural events.

The Nordic Culture Clubs continue to thrive in Fargo, ND-Moorhead, MN and will be presenting the annual Scandinavian Festival at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, MN on June 23-24, 2023.

The largest Scandinavian festival in North America, the Norsk Høstfest, is held every fall in Minot, ND.  Fargo, ND/Moorhead, MN is a logical way stop for tour groups and tourists making their way north to Høstfest.All of these elements combine to make the Fargo, ND/Moorhead, MN “Sister Cities” a mecca for Scandinavian Tourism for both locals and out-of-town visitors to spend time discovering their Scandinavian heritage and culture.  These “Twin Cities of the North” offer historical landmarks, buildings and museums as well as an abundance of food, beverages, and shopping to help Scandinavian Americans celebrate their culture and heritage.