Month by Month
Top Events
Roskilde Festival, July
Copenhagen Jazz Festival, July
Aarhus Festival, August
Kulturnatten, October
Christmas, December
February
Midwinter in Denmark can be scenic under snow and in sunshine, but more likely grey and gloomy, with a few events to brighten the mood. A midterm school holiday sees many locals head north to ski.
3Vinterjazz
Danes love their summer jazz festivals; in February, those suffering from jazz withdrawal can get their fix from this smaller-scale event (www.jazz.dk) held at cosy venues countrywide.
zWinter in Tivoli
New in 2018, Copenhagen's Tivoli (www.tivoligardens.com) will get its winter sparkle on, opening for three weeks and covering the local school break, plus Valentine's Day. Visit for hyggelig charm, ice-skating and fairy lights.
April
Spring has sprung! Warmer, drier days bring out the blossoms, and attractions that were closed for the winter reopen (including Legoland at the start of the month).
2Sort Sol
The marshlands of the west-coast Wadden Sea provide food and rest for millions of migratory birds, and in late March and April (and again in September/October) huge formations of starlings put on a brilliant natural show known as the ‘Sort Sol’ (Black Sun).
May
The sun comes out on a semi-permanent basis, more warm-weather attractions open, and the events calendar starts filling as Danes throw off winter’s gloom. Tourists have yet to arrive in great numbers.
z3 Days of Design
Copenhagen's design fest (www.3daysofdesign.dk) celebrates the country's uncanny knack for producing clever, functional, easy-on-the-eye pieces. There are special events, exhibitions and product launches, plus access to design studios and showrooms.
zAalborg Carnival
In late May, Aalborg kicks up its heels hosting the biggest carnival celebrations in northern Europe (www.aalborgkarneval.dk), when up to 100,000 participants and spectators shake their maracas and paint the town red.
6Ølfestival
Specialist beer and microbrewing are booming in Denmark. This is the country’s largest beer festival (http://beerfestival.dk), held over three days in mid-May in the capital and drawing thousands of thirsty attendees.
June
Hello summer! Denmark’s festival pace quickens alongside a rising temperature gauge and longer daylight hours. The main tourist season begins in earnest in late June, when schools break for a seven-week vacation.
zDistortion
Known to get a little crazy, Distortion (www.cphdistortion.dk) is a celebration of the capital’s nightlife, with the emphasis on clubs and DJs. It’s a five-day mobile street party, rolling through a different Copenhagen neighbourhood each day.
2Fanø Kite-Flying
In mid-June, the beaches of windy Fanø host a super-photogenic festival attracting kite-fliers from all over the world (www.kitefliersmeetingfanoe.de).
zMidsummer Eve
The Danes let rip on the longest day of the year (23 June), known as Sankt Hans Aften (St Hans Evening), with bonfires in parks, gardens and, most popular of all, on the beaches. They burn an effigy of a witch on the pyre, sing songs and get merry.
zNorthSide
A three-day midmonth music event (www.northside.dk) in Aarhus that’s building a big reputation – line-ups rival the legendary Roskilde Festival.
zRiverboat Jazz Festival
Jutland’s bucolic Lake District, centred on Silkeborg, comes alive with five days of jazz (www.riverboat.dk). It’s not quite New Orleans but you can buy a ticket and take a cruise down the river, or stroll the streets and enjoy the free performances.
5Sol over Gudhjem
Bornholm is home to Denmark’s biggest one-day cook-off (the name translates as ‘Sun over Gudhjem’; www.sogk.dk). It sees some of the country’s best chefs battle it out using fine local produce. It’s a growing hit with visitors and is broadcast on TV.
3Tinderbox
Not to be outdone by Copenhagen and Aarhus, Odense now hosts its own three-day music fest (www.tinderbox.dk), bringing big-name international acts to 35,000 fans in a woodland venue on the town's outskirts.
1Esrum Fair
At the end of June, the grounds of Esrum Kloster (www.esrum.dk), once one of Denmark's greatest monasteries, hosts a major medieval fair full of activities and costumed players.
July
Many Danes take their main work holiday during the first three weeks of July, so expect busy seaside resorts, chock-a-block camping grounds and near-full coastal hotels – book ahead to join in on the beachy summer-holiday vibe.
3Copenhagen Jazz Festival
This swingin’ party (www.jazz.dk) is the biggest annual entertainment event in the capital. For your sensory pleasure there are 10 days of Danish and international jazz, blues and fusion music. In 2017, 1400 concerts were staged at more than 120 venues.
zRebild Festival
One for the Americans, the Rebild Festival (www.rebildfesten.dk) is an annual July 4th celebration (held since 1912) that is among the biggest outside the USA. It's held in the forested hills of Rebild Bakker and features musicians and high-profile guest speakers (Danish and American).
zRoskilde Festival
Roskilde is rocked by Scandinavia’s largest music festival for a week in early July, with major international acts and some 130,000 music fans (many camping on-site). It’s renowned for its relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
zSkagen Festival
Skagen acts as a magnet in summer, drawing well-heeled holidaymakers to Jutland’s far-northern tip. Held over four days in early July, this festival (www.skagenfestival.dk) entertains with quality folk and world music.
1Viking Moot
You can unleash your inner pillager at a Viking-style market (www.moesgaardmuseum.dk) outside Aarhus in late July. There are crafts, food and equestrian events, plus Vikings of all nationalities competing to outfight each other.
August
Summer continues unabated, with beaches and theme parks packed to the gills, and the populace determined to wring every last ray of sunshine out of the season. School resumes around midmonth.
zAarhus Festival
Denmark’s second city dons its shiniest party gear at the end of August, when this festival (www.aarhusfestival.com) transforms the town for 10 days, celebrating music, food, short film, theatre, visual arts and outdoor events for all ages (many of which are free).
5Copenhagen Cooking & Food Festival
The world’s foodie lens seems trained on Copenhagen of late, and this 10-day food festival (Scandinavia’s largest) focuses on the gourmet end of the food spectrum and is held in venues and restaurants throughout the city. See www.copenhagencooking.dk.
zCopenhagen Pride
Out and proud since 1996, this week-long festival (www.copenhagenpride.dk) brings Carnival-like colour to the capital, culminating in a gay-pride march. Needless to say, there’s lots of dancing and flirting.
zHC Andersen Festivals
Of course Odense honours its home-grown literary hero – this week-long program (www.hcafestivals.com) in mid-August features plenty of Hans Christian Andersen performances and lectures, plus concerts, comedy and family-friendly events.
3Shakespeare Festival
Helsingør’s grand Kronborg Slot was made famous as the Elsinore Castle of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Every summer it hosts outdoor productions – the festival does more than just perform Hamlet, with different plays by the Bard each year (www.hamletscenen.dk).
zSkanderborg Festival
This midmonth music marvel in Skanderborg bills itself as Denmark’s most beautiful festival (www.smukfest.dk), and is second only to Roskilde in terms of scale. It takes place in lush parkland in the scenic Lake District.
3Strøm
Copenhagen’s four-day electronic music festival (www.stromcph.dk) is considered the best of its kind in Scandinavia. Events include workshops and masterclasses, concerts, raves and parties across the city.
3Tønder Festival
Regarded as one of Europe’s best folk-music festivals, this south Jutland shindig (www.tf.dk) draws some 20,000 attendees to its celebration of folk and roots music, and is renowned for its friendly, fun atmosphere.
September
The summer madness drops off as abruptly as it began, and crowds have largely disappeared. Good weather is still a possibility, but by month’s end many big outdoor attractions have wrapped things up for another year.
3CPH PIX
Held over two weeks from late September, this is Copenhagen’s feature-film festival (www.cphpix.dk). Expect flicks from Denmark and abroad, as well as a busy program of film-related events.
1Code Art Fair
This major art fair (www.codeartfair.dk) in Copenhagen sees the participation of around 60 leading international art galleries, and showcases a number of contemporary artists from Nordic Europe.
October
Summer is a distant memory, with the weather crisp and cool and the countryside taking on a golden tinge. Business travellers outnumber those travelling for pleasure.
3Copenhagen Blues Festival
If the shorter days have you feeling blue, this five-day international event (www.copenhagenbluesfestival.dk) should suit, with dozens of toe-tapping concerts staged at venues around the capital.
3Kulturnatten (Culture Night)
Usually held on the second Friday in October, this wonderful, atmospheric event (www.kulturnatten.dk) sees Copenhagen’s museums, theatres, galleries, libraries, churches and even palaces throw open their doors through the night with a wide range of special events.
November
Winter is coming, daylight hours are shorter, but to offset the gloom, Christmas festivities are under way by the end of the month.
5Tivoli
Copenhagen’s Tivoli reopens for Christmas (in mid-November) with a large market and buckets of schmaltz. Attractions include special Christmas tableaus, costumed staff and theatre shows. Fewer rides are operational but the traditional gløgg (mulled wine) and æbleskiver (spherical pancakes) ought to be ample compensation.
December
Sure, the weather is cold and damp, but Denmark cranks up the hygge (cosiness) and celebrates Christmas in style: twinkling lights, ice-skating rinks and gallons of warming gløgg (mulled wine).
5Christmas Fairs
Fairs are held countrywide throughout December, with booths selling sometimes-kitschy arts and crafts, and traditional Yuletide foodie treats. For an idyllic, olden-days atmosphere, visit somewhere with a strong connection to the past: Den Gamle By in Aarhus, or historic Ribe in southern Jutland.