The National Nordic Museum has a variety of bright, modern spaces that will bring your event to life.
Our Spaces

Osberg Great Hall
4,238 sq. ft.
Showcasing floor-to-ceiling hemlock paneling, hanging pendant lights, and 40-foot ceilings, the elegant Osberg Great Hall evokes the natural grandeur of a forest in a cathedral-like setting. This acoustically tuned multipurpose space features a built-in 16:9 rear projection screen and is wired for high-quality sound. Accordion doors open onto the Fisherman’s Sun Terrace, allowing you to extend outside for large events, or to enjoy the beautiful Seattle summers.
Image credit: Captured by Candace.
Spotlights
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Ideal For
Weddings, galas, concerts, corporate all-hands meetings, celebrations of life, parties, lectures, large cocktail parties, and more!
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Capacity
- 400 people standing
- 300 people theater
- 232 people for seated dining
- 100 classroom
- 60 conference/open square
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Availability
Monday-Sunday
All day, 9am – 12am -
Image credit: Karen Dohr.
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Image credit: Jim Bennett / Photo Bakery.
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Image credit: Kami LaLonde.
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Image credit: Molly Moormeier.

Fjord Hall
3,500 sq. ft.
A stunning example of modern architecture, Fjord Hall evokes the grandeur of the breathtaking natural structures for which it is named. Light-filled and featuring complementary art pieces to enhance its features, Fjord Hall is a truly unique venue option for a range of events.
Image credit: Molly Moormeier.
Spotlights
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Ideal For
Cocktail parties, mid-sized formal dinners, marriage ceremonies, silent auctions, and as an addition to larger events in Osberg Great Hall.
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Capacity
- 200 people standing
- 100 people theater
- 72 people for seated dining
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Availability
Friday - Wednesday
Evening rental only, 5pm – 12am -
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Image credit: Jim Bennett / Photo Bakery.

Fisherman’s Sun Terrace
3,000 sq. ft.
The spacious Fisherman’s Sun Terrace is the perfect blank-slate for summertime events. Featuring bistro lighting and etched with our own mini labyrinth, the Sun Terrace works well as a stand-alone rental or as patio space for an event in Osberg Great Hall.
Image credit: Jim Bennett / Photo Bakery.
Spotlights
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Ideal For
Cocktail parties, marriage ceremonies, and as an addition to larger events in Osberg Great Hall.
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Capacity
- 300 people standing
- 160 people theater
- 120 people for seated dining
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Availability
Friday - Wednesday
Evening rental only, 5pm – 12am -
Image credit: Jim Bennett / Photo Bakery.
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Image credit: Tern Creative.

East Garden
1,480 sq. ft.
A garden oasis tucked in the middle of bustling Ballard, the East Garden is a unique outdoor venue space for small to medium gatherings. Featuring a variety of plants from the Nordic countries and select artifacts, the East Garden’s hardscape terrace is the ideal location for summer gatherings of any type.
Image credit: Bradley Hanson Photography.
Spotlights
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Ideal For
Cocktail parties, marriage ceremonies, family reunions, rehearsal dinners, and intimate dinner parties.
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Capacity
- 140 people standing
- 120 people theater style
- 72 people for seated dining
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Availability
Friday - Wednesday
Evening rental only, 5pm – 12am -
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Jens & Erna Nielsen Lounge
1,400 sq. ft.
Perfect for intimate gatherings, the Nielsen Lounge boasts stunning 180-degree panoramic views of Ballard’s working waterfront, Mt. Rainier, and the Olympic Mountains. The covered Ecklund Terrace adds protected outdoor space for your guests’ enjoyment.
Image credit: Kami LaLonde.
Spotlights
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Ideal For
Cocktail parties, family reunions, birthday parties, small celebrations of life, and intimate dinner parties.
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Capacity
- 60 people standing
- 30 people classroom
- 18 people open square or U-shape
- 48 people for seated dining
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Availability
Monday - Friday
Evening rental only, 4pm - 12amSaturday-Sunday
All day, 9am –12am.
Spotlights
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Meeting Rooms
531-627 sq. ft.
Tucked away along Fjord Hall, our meeting rooms are private and light-filled, with large windows facing NW Market Street. Both rooms are equipped with large, wall-mounted screens that connect to a laptop via HDMI cable and video conferencing technology. Food and beverages are allowed in both meeting rooms, making them perfect for smaller, day-long events.
IDEAL FOR: Small lectures and trainings; team or board retreats; short meetings; and as green-room style additions to larger events for couples, volunteers, performers, and more!
CAPACITY: 40-people theater-style; 30-people classroom style; 32-people at rounds; or 18-people in a U-shape or open square.
AVAILABILITY: Monday-Sunday, 9am – 8am. -
Craft Room
630 sq. ft.
Located off the Sun Terrace, this industrial-style multipurpose space features concrete floors, windows looking out on Ballard’s working waterfront, and a large utility sink. The National Nordic Museum can provide a mobile screen with HDMI connection for renters upon request. Food and beverages are allowed in the Craft Room.
IDEAL FOR: Events featuring a craft or similar creative component; breakout room or support space for large events; and as an alternative to our more conventional meeting rooms.
CAPACITY: 50-people theater style; 30-people classroom style; and 16-people in a U-shape or open square.
AVAILABILITY: Monday-Sunday, 9am – 8pm. -
Library
668 sq. ft.
Perched above Fjord Hall on the second floor of the Museum, the Library is a welcoming, sunlit space. The National Nordic Museum can provide a mobile screen with HDMI connection for renters upon request. No food or beverages are allowed in the Library.
IDEAL FOR: Small lecture-style events, short daytime meetings, or breakout space for large events.
CAPACITY: 50-people theater style; 30-people classroom style; and 20-people in a U-shape or open square.
AVAILABILITY: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am – 5pm.Image credit: Jim Bennett / Photo Bakery.
Pricing
Rental costs for small events start at $1,250; for large events, pricing starts at $3,500 on weekdays, and $6,000 on weekends. Saturday weddings typically range from $6,000-8,100 for an expected guest count of 100-232 people.
Things to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
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Events in Osberg Great Hall, the Nielsen Lounge, and our small spaces have flexible start times, though additional fees may apply. Many of our rental spaces are also part of our working Museum, and full set-up access starts at 5:00 PM. If you are planning a very large event or need extended access, our Venue Services team can discuss your options in more detail.
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The National Nordic Museum recommends using one of our high-quality local preferred catering vendors to ensure the best event experience for you and your guests. While we occasionally allow renters to choose another caterer, additional fees, restrictions, and a refundable cleaning deposit will apply.
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Since the Museum displays delicate and irreplaceable items, we do have limitations on décor. Restrictions include but are not limited to: no flames; no confetti, glitter, or organic petals; no adhering items to walls or surfaces without express permission; no helium balloons; and no plants or organic matter in the galleries or gallery-adjacent areas of Fjord Hall. Additional restrictions are listed in your contract.
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As part of your rental, you may use our tables, chairs, A/V systems, carts, power cords, and easels. Stage rental, pipe and drape rental, and bistro light rental are available for an additional fee. For more information about the items we have available, please fill out our Rental Inquiry Form.
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For evening events, you may add our onsite parking lot to your rental agreement for your guests’ convenience. If you choose not to prepay the parking fees, your guests may still use the parking lot and will pay at the kiosks located in the lot. Paid and free street parking is also available in the neighborhoods surrounding the Museum.
For daytime events we cannot reserve the full parking lot and encourage you to discuss parking options with the Venue Services team.
Get in Touch
Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a blowout celebration, the National Nordic Museum's versatile rental spaces will provide a unique and memorable backdrop for your event. Please take a moment to answer a few questions, and our Venue Services team will respond within about 48-hours.
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Who Are We?
Learn Who We AreLocated along Seattle’s working waterfront in an iconic building that embodies Nordic design, the National Nordic Museum is both a museum and a community gathering place.
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Mission, Vision & Values
Learn About Our ValuesThe National Nordic Museum inspires people of all backgrounds to create a more vibrant, just, and sustainable world.
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What's in the Neighborhood?
Explore BallardThe National Nordic Museum is located in Ballard, a Seattle neighborhood with a rich history of Nordic immigration. Today, it's a vibrant, diverse neighborhood on Seattle’s working waterfront with plenty to explore — restaurants, shops, nightlife, breweries, and the Hiram Chittenden Locks.