By Molly Given

‘Dancing Queen’ turns 50 this year, and the American Swedish Historical Museum is celebrating with a party fit for royalty.

As a venue dedicated to preserving and sharing Swedish culture — including the global pop legacy of ABBA — the museum is marking the occasion with an “ExtrABBAganza Dance Party” this Saturday, March 21, from 7 to 10 p.m. The evening comes at a time when the ASHM is marking its own 100th anniversary and aims to blend history and pop magic under one roof.

The party will feature dancing and costume contests, a drag queen homage to ABBA (performed by Summer St. Cartier, Miss Troy, Amerie Jameson and Morgan Morgan Morgan), raffle prizes, a Swedish-inspired retro food buffet and a cash bar with themed cocktails and mocktails. Tickets come out to be $35 for members and $40 non-members.

All the fun also helps celebrate the impact of this venue during its anniversary year.

Celebrating a century of Swedish heritage

Originally built in 1926 for the Sesquicentennial Exposition, the ASHM features a unique interior organized into a series of galleries, each highlighting different facets of Scandinavian impact in America. From the early days of the New Sweden Colony to explorations of women’s history, scientific achievements, and traditional Swedish craft arts, the exhibits offer an extensive look at culture and innovation. Today, the museum continues to be a cultural hub, hosting everything from Swedish holiday celebrations to informative lectures and hands-on family programs.

It’s the oldest Swedish museum in the United States, and it sits on land that was once part of a 17th-century Swedish colony—long before Philadelphia even existed. The building itself is a blend of worlds: modeled after a Swedish manor house but with architectural touches inspired by George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Inside, visitors will find highlights like a gold-leaf “Golden Map Room,” and a hands-on Pippi Longstocking exhibit. There is also a series of intricate murals telling the story of Swedish settlers arriving in the Delaware Valley.

A Swedish sauna adventure

Locals can see all that and more during their visit — and for those who can’t make it to the party this Saturday night, the American Swedish Historical Museum also has the Ebba Sparre Sauna Collective pop-up on site.

Open now through March 29, three saunas have been installed on the terrace of the museum. An ode to Nordic sauna culture, Philadelphians can book sessions for up to 4 people in a sauna for 45 minutes ($120) or 30 minutes ($100).

Guests are provided with complimentary towels, compostable swimsuit bags, and storage lockers, but some extra goodies like sauna hats, socks, long-sleeve t-shirts, and sheet masks are also available for purchase. The best part?  Each reservation comes with free admission to the museum.  Scout is donating 10% of all revenue back to the ASHM, and bookings can be made on Ebba Sparre’s official site.

To find out more information on any of the upcoming events at the American Swedish Historical Museum (1900 Pattison Ave.), visit americanswedish.org