Holidays, Hofborg (Lore)

In addition to the main Nord holidays and the Tamriel wide festivals, the town of Hofborg has a few additional special days on their calendar. (Many of the events are Fanon adaptations of other holiday's in Tamriel.)

Morning Star (January)

New Life Walk;

Morning Star 2nd

Hofborg has a tradition whose origins are lost, and is perhaps a conglomeration of other traditions. But on the Second of Morning Star, the priests/esses, clever men, and villagers all set out from the spirit wood where they gather fallen wood, leave offerings for the spirit of the land, and make their way around the entire boundary of the town lighting bonfires and reaffirming the wards and oaths to the land. During this event, the priests/esses and clever practitioners take their auguries of what the new year will bring. (Fanon)

Sun's Dawn (February)

Feast of the Dead

13th of Sun’s Dawn

A feast exclusively held in the city of Windhelm. The day is traditionally thought to be the anniversary of Ysgramor’s death, and is celebrated by reading the names of all 500 Companions, as well as reciting tales of Ysgramor and his exploits. Additionally, families will often leave out a lit candle on the graves of their ancestors in the city cemetery. (Project Tamriel)

Heart's Day

16th of Sun’s Dawn

The famous holiday of love is likewise celebrated by the Nords, though its popularity mostly lies in the more cosmopolitan holds of Skyrim. The holiday is a popular date amongst young Nords seeking to be wed, as those who marry on this day are said to be blessed with long, fruitful marriages. Priestesses of Dibella often direct the celebrations during this holiday, and celebrate the goddess with feasts, music, and more…intimate acts. (Project Tamriel)

Festival of Lights

20th of Sun’s Dawn

A local festival observed by the people of Dawnstar and surrounding villages. It is celebrated by crafting tiny boats out of wood or bone, placing candles in them, then releasing them into the Sea of Ghosts. The lights are thought to serve as a beacon for the restless spirits of sailors wandering the sea, and offering them a chance to find their way home through the fog. Additionally, small treats of candies and sweets are given out to the youth of Dawnstar who participate in the day’s activities. (Project Tamriel)

First Seed (March)

Day of Jhunal's Wisdom

7th of First Seed

A rather new holiday to the Nords, primarily centered around the city of Winterhold, the days activities are sponsored by the Hermetic Order of the Owl, an ancient cadre of clever-men that have become more committed to spreading the teachings of Jhunal in recent years (In fact, they were the ones who petitioned the king to make it a holiday in the first place). The Order offers free services of enchanting and potion making during this day, provided the customer first listens to the tenants and teachings of Jhunal. Other than this, most residents of the city care little for the holiday, much to the chagrin of the members of the order. (Project Tamriel)

Rain's Hand (April)

Day of the Return

5th of Rain’s Hand

A holiday marking the anniversary of when Ysgramor and his companions landed on Skyrim’s shore to avenge the fallen of Saarthal, and retake the lands from the Snow Elves. Elves living in Skyrim’s cities ought to be wary on this day, for anti-elvish sentiments will reach a fever pitch, and the youth of Skyrim have been known to play pranks, or even harass elven citizens during this holiday. (Project Tamriel)

Second Seed (May)

King Harald's Day

14th of Second Seed

A holiday dedicated to the former high king of Skyrim, King Harald. The day marks the anniversary when Harald relinquished all holdings in Atmora and established Skyrim as its own independent Kingdom. The day is especially popular in the area of Riften, where festivities are held honoring the king at the ancient ruin of Forelhost, where Harald subdued the last of the Dragon Cult. (Project Tamriel)

Midyear (June)

Kyne's Week

Summer Solstice

A week of celebration, feasting, and prayer dedicated to the goddess Kyne beginning on the summer solstice. The festival is celebrated in a variety of ways throughout the various holds, but common practices include feasts, bonfires, reduced prices at shops, and other forms of merrymaking. Children who are born during this week are said to be especially blessed. (Project Tamriel)

Sun's Height (July)

Week of Strength

23rd-29th of Sun’s Height

One of the most ancient and revered festivals of the Nords traditionally held at the city of Whiterun, the event occurs every five years and includes contenders from every hold in Skyrim. According to legend, the festival was started by the first King of Whiterun, who sought to bring the squabbling kingdoms of Skyrim together in an event symbolizing peace and goodwill. The festival includes a large array of athletic competitions such as horse riding, wrestling, sword fighting, running, and more. The winners of said events are awarded an ebony torc, carved by the master craftsmen who work at Whiterun’s skyforge. Though foreigners are barred from entering these events, those who gain the favor of a hold can be allowed to compete in the festival. (Project Tamriel)

Last Seed (August)

Fire Festival

18th of Last Seed

A traditional holiday celebrated in Haafingar Hold. A great bonfire is lit and the village skalds gather to tell tales around the fire. In past times, it was rumored that the warriors of Hofborg would "kidnap" local skalds. Such skalds would be always well rewarded for their time and most played along in the spirit of the event. (Fanon)

Hearthfire (September)

Day of Dizzy Heads

9th of Hearthfire

A very popular holiday amongst the Nords, it marks the anniversary when Dibella (supposedly) taught them the art of making mead. The day is, unsurprisingly, spent drinking copius amounts of mead. Mead tastings and drinking competitions are popular activities, and large suppliers such as the Black-Briars or the Honningbrew Company are often the major financiers behind these events. (Project Tamriel)

Frostfall (October)

Orkey's Walk

8th of Frostfall

A Day of superstition and loathing amongst many Nords, this day is seen as a time when Orkey is free to walk the land of Skyrim, causing havoc and mischief wherever he roams. Most merchants refuse to do business on this day, and many Nords choose to stay inside their homes, using it as a time of quiet contemplation and prayer to the gods. Any misfortune that befalls a person on this day is usually attributed to Orkey’s mischief. (this holiday correlates with Malacath’s summoning day) (Project Tamriel)

Sun's Dusk (November)

Moon Blessing

Sun's Dusk 8th

On the 8th at Sun's Dusk, the villagers of Hofborg attend an event known as Útiseta, or outsitting. This tradition comes from earlier days when the gift of magical ability was considered rare or difficult to attain. It was believed that a person might gain the power to become a shaman or clever practitioner if they would sit out all night in the woods engaged in meditative reflection and vision questing. This holiday is attended by all of the villagers during a dark-of-night picnic-style dinner around the Vard tree. As the night continues those who interested in the vision quest, wish to gain additional magicaka, earn the skill of prophecy or young people who wish to become clever practitioners themselves remain. (Fanon)

As more Breton's are drawn to Hofborg they will comment on how similar the practice is to the Moon Festival held in on the Glenumbra Moors, where the Bretons honor Secunda, goddess of the moon. Although the goddess has no active worshippers, even in Glenumbra, the Hofborg Bretons have take the similarities of the event as the good will inclusion of other beliefs and thus the celebration often includes prayers, poems and offerings in Secunda's name. (Canon)

Warrior's Repose

Sun's Dusk 20th

On the 20th at Sun's Dusk the people of Hofborg celebrate Warrior's Repose. A time of joy and sorrow as the warriors of the village prepare to set aside their weapons of war for the coming winter and recount tales of victories and loss. Young person's often receive their first sword at this time, and older warriors take advantage of the discounted price on weapons and armor to upgrade their equipment for next year.

The event is traditionally hosted in the hot springs of the Spirit Woods where the warriors relax in the sacred springs and are brought small offerings of drink or food as an indication of gratitude for the warrior's devotion to keeping the village safe. One of the temple priests will evoke blessing over the warrior's heads for wisdom and hands for strength, and upon weapons which have finally earned a name in battle. As tired muscles soak in the warm water, strong fingers help massage away the physical and spiritual wounds of war. When the event winds down the villagers will dress in new clean clothes and make their way to the nearest hall to drink, feast, tell tall tales and to sleep one last time together as a band. By morning, each warrior will be gone away to home or bunk. The leftover food being burned in a ceremonial brazier as an offering to the deceased god. (Fanon)

Evening Star

Alduin's Day

Evening Star 21st (winter solstice)

An important holiday falling on the winter solstice dedicated to the dragon god Alduin, ceremonies are held at the ancient Dragon Cult temples to keep the god asleep for another year. Offerings of strong mead are preferred, as it is thought to keep the dragon asleep for a longer period of time. Superstition holds that Nords are to keep as quiet as they possibly can on this day, so as to not rouse Alduin from his slumber. (Project Tamriel)

Old/New Life Festivals;

30th of Evening Star and 1st of Morning Star

Imperial holidays that have managed to make their way into Skyrim, the twin celebrations have generally been accepted well by the Nords,(although many Nords see the Old Life Festival as unnecessary, considering it to be an unneeded addition to Alduin's Day) who have weaved their own traditions and customs into the holidays.

Common celebrations include the polar bear plunge, feasts, games, hunts and in Hofborg the New Life Walk which happens on the 2nd of Morning Star. (Scroll up to the top for details.)

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