The Kabelvåg market

30 June 2025

On the weekend of 26-28 June, the annual, traditional Kabelvåg market took place. Museum Nord was present with information about SKREI and Museum Nord’s other museums.

Historic market in a new guise

The Kabelvåg Market is an annual event in Kabelvåg. It resumes the market tradition that dates back to the 1800s. The first market is said to have been held in 1882 and was a resumption of the old Vågast course from the Middle Ages. At that time, it was stockfish that was the most important trade, in recent times the Kabelvåg market was more characterized by amusements. People came here to buy, sell, entertain or be entertained. The last traditional market in Kabelvåg was held in 1939. In recent years, the market tradition has been resumed by the Kabelvåg Residents’ Association and the market has been arranged most years since the 1989s/-90s.

Every summer, the Vestfjord Regatta is arranged from Nordskot in Steigen with arrival in the sheltered harbor in Kabelvåg, and this takes place at the same time as a market is organized on the square in Kabelvåg. In line with the tradition of the former Kabelvåg market (1882 -1939), this takes place in the last week of June each year (sources: lofoten.com, wikipedia)

What is happening in the market?

During the Kabelvåg market, you can experience stalls, activities and entertainment. This year there were many sales stalls with everything from beautiful, home-knitted goods, woven mats in happy colors, beautiful glassware from Glasshytta, handmade lures from Hooked, beautiful pictures, beautiful turned bowls and wooden vessels. Fine leather goods, woodwork and jewellery – and much more was also to be found at the market. And of course, cotton candy, cured sausages, ice cream, waffles, cakes, barbecues and goodies!

Many, both children, adults, tourists and locals found their way to the nice, traditional market.

Many who are excited about SKREI

Many also found their way to Museum Nord’s stall. Here we told about all the museums that we run, and not least – the new SKREI. SKREI opens next summer and there are many who are interested in what it will be, what it will entail, what it will look like, if there will be new jobs – and more. It’s nice that so many people came by and were curious and excited about what SKREI will become.

Photos: Hege from Museum Nord met the audience and talked about SKREI and all the other fine museums in Lofoten, Vesterålen and Narvik. Other pictures: glimpses from the market. Lots of entertainment all day, happy exhibitors/market traders and the audience in a good mood.

We thank you for this year and for the opportunity to participate! Read more about SKREI, the new building Otolitten and all our museums here.