The Jorvik Viking Festival, which opened Monday and runs through Tuesday, Feb. 23, is a fam­ily-friendly festival made up of battle re-enactments, historic walks and lectures that trace Viking connections to the pres­ent day. It’s timed to coincide with England’s half-term school vacation period.

Highlights of the festival, which wears the city’s name in Norse, include a historical encampment that is free to visit; battle re-enactments at the Combat Arena at York Guildhall (tickets begin at 3.50 pounds for adults; 2.50 pounds for children); and walking tours of the city (4.50 adults; 3.50 children). The final weekend includes a war­rior’s march, best beard contest and a sound and light show at the Eye of York, replete with battles, pyrotechnics and music.

From Feb. 15 through 21, the millennial anniversary of King Canute, a Viking warrior who rose to become king of England and leader of a vast North Sea empire, is celebrated through historical encampments and dramatic combat performances. For additional information or to book tickets, see www.jorvik-viking-festival.co.uk.
 

Top chocolate producers from throughout Italy will offer plenty of sweet stuff to try and buy. Lectures and workshops on the program are conducted in Italian. Running simultaneously this year is a new, smaller-scale fair highlighting coffee, tea and fruit or herb-infused drinks. The chance to smell, taste and learn more about the preparation of such beverages is offered at Piazza Strozzi.

The chocolate fair runs through Feb. 21. It’s open daily at 10 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. weekdays and 10 p.m. weekends. (An exception is Feb. 15, when it closes at 8 p.m.) Admission is free. Piazza Santa Maria Novella is just 50 meters from the city’s main train station. Learn more at fieradelcioccolato.it (Italian only).

Feb. 17 could prove a particu­larly lively day in Florence, as it’s also the date of the sporting match known as the Calcio Stori­co Fiorentino, best described as a medieval brand of football. The re-enactment recalls a match that took place on this day in 1530, during the siege of Flor­ence by Emperor Carlo V.

Festivities will start with a historical parade departing from Palagio di Parte Guelfa at 2 p.m., followed by a performance by flag wavers at 3 p.m. and the match at 3:45 p.m. at Piazza Santa Croce. Entry is free. Find details at http://tinyurl.com/jt­2meeh.
 

One of Europe’s “Big Three” film festivals along with Venice and Cannes, this important event for the international film industry also offers ordinary folks the chance to watch about 400 films, among them many international or European premieres.

Films of varying genres, lengths and formats are found across the many sections of the program. While films included in the Competition vie for the prestigious Golden and Silver Bears, fans of independent, experimental, avant-garde, shorts and classics will find much to their tastes too. “Berlinale Goes Kiez” sees selected films from the festival appear at art house cinemas throughout the city; the “NATIVe” section is devoted to telling the stories of the world’s indigenous peoples; and “Culinary Cinema” pairs screenings with top chefs serving up menus inspired by the films.

There’s also a chance of spotting a star from afar. American actress and three-time Academy Award winner Meryl Streep will serve as Jury President of the 66th edition of Berlinale, her first time ever to take on the role of a juror at a film festival.

Screenings, unless otherwise specified, will generally cost 11 euros, or $11.92, to attend. Tickets can be purchased online, at one of four central sales points, or at cinema box offices on show days. Viewers must be at least 18 years of age. See the program and buy tickets at berlinale.de.