A Taste of Scandinavia in the Heart of Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis is getting a taste of Nordic culture this Saturday with its first-ever Scandinavian Fest at Lille Bønne, a cafe and community space housed in a historic Danish church built by immigrants in 1872.

The Fletcher Place venue represents a remarkable transformation — Abby and her family, along with other local families, renovated the 19th-century church into a gathering place that preserves its architectural heritage while serving as a modern cafe and art space.

For Anita, a performer of Danish descent and former church singer, the venue holds special meaning. “It’s just like feeling home when I go to Lille Bønne because it’s this old historic Danish church,” she said. “So it’s so special to get to share our culture, our heritage of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway here.”

The festival marks the first collaboration between Indianapolis’s Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian community organizations — a milestone for the city’s Nordic communities, which include around 100 Danes along with larger Swedish and Norwegian populations.

Festival-goers can sample authentic Nordic treats including hindbærsnitter, described as a fancy Pop-Tart filled with raspberry and freeze-dried strawberry, along with Swedish saffron buns and traditional brunkager cookies.

The celebration also features live entertainment from Scandalosity performing Nordic dance music, Anita singing traditional Danish songs, and Jim Nielsen on accordion. Lille Bønne operates Wednesday through Sunday, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus coffee, pastries, beer, wine, and low-ABV cocktails.