Explore Denmark

Seasonal Events & Festivals in Denmark

Plan your visit around the top seasonal festivals and annual events in Denmark — from music and art to midsummer bonfires and Christmas markets.

Roskilde Festival

If you're wondering when is the best time to visit Denmark for local experiences, festivals, or seasonal celebrations — you're not alone. Denmark may be a small country, but it hosts some of Northern Europe’s most iconic events throughout the year.

From massive music festivals and cozy Christmas markets to traditional Viking celebrations and national holidays, planning your trip around Denmark’s top events is a great way to experience Danish culture beyond the guidebook.

Here are some of the best annual festivals and seasonal events in Denmark to consider building your trip around.

Roskilde Festival

📍 Location: Roskilde (30 minutes from Copenhagen)
🗓️ When: Late June to early July (usually the last weekend of June into the first week of July)
🎯 Best for: Music lovers, festival culture, camping experience

The Roskilde Festival is one of the largest music festivals in Europe, and the biggest in Northern Europe. It started in 1971 and has since grown into a week-long celebration of music, art, activism, and community.

Expect everything from rock and indie to hip-hop and electronic, with past headliners like Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, Dua Lipa, and The Rolling Stones. The atmosphere is wild, with massive campgrounds and a strong youth-driven vibe.

Good to Know:

Tickets sell out fast — usually released in the fall
Full festival lasts 8 days, but the main music lineup is 4 days
Camping is part of the culture, but hotels in Roskilde book early

Aarhus Festuge (Aarhus Festival Week)

Ariel view of the Aarhus Festival at night.

📍 Location: Aarhus
🗓️ When: Late August to early September (10 days, starting on the last Friday in August)
🎯 Best for: Art, design, food, local culture

Aarhus Festuge is a multi-disciplinary arts and culture festival that takes over Denmark’s second-largest city for ten days. It features live music, theater, street art, film, food events, and public installations.

Each year has a theme that shapes the programming, and events pop up in both expected and unexpected places — from concert halls to parking garages. It's one of the best ways to experience the creative spirit of Aarhus.

Good to Know:

Many events are free and family-friendly
Ideal time to explore Aarhus' museums, cafés, and harborfront
Weather is still pleasant in early September

Copenhagen Jazz Festival

📍 Location: Copenhagen
🗓️ When: Early to mid-July (typically starts first Friday in July and runs 10 days)
🎯 Best for: Live music fans, summer nights in the city

The Copenhagen Jazz Festival has been a summer tradition since 1979, turning the city into a massive jazz venue. Over 100 venues participate, from outdoor stages in parks to historic theaters and intimate bars.

The atmosphere is laid-back but lively, with performances happening all day and into the night. While the focus is on jazz, you’ll also hear soul, funk, fusion, and experimental music.

Good to Know:

Events are spread citywide — check schedule for venue types
Many concerts are free and outdoors
Book hotels early, as it’s a peak travel time

Christmas Markets in Denmark

Christmas markets at night in Copenhagen Denmark.

📍 Locations: Copenhagen (Tivoli Gardens), Aarhus, Odense, Aalborg
🗓️ When: Mid-November through December (typically open from mid-November until Dec 23–26 depending on the city)
🎯 Best for: Holiday atmosphere, traditional Danish crafts, food

Christmas in Denmark is magical, and the Christmas markets are one of the best reasons to visit in winter. Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market in Copenhagen is the most famous, transforming the amusement park into a winter wonderland with lights, rides, and stalls.

Other great markets include the Aarhus Christmas Market, which is set inside a historic open-air museum, and Odense’s Hans Christian Andersen-themed market, complete with carolers and horse-drawn carriages.

Good to Know:

Most markets open by the second or third weekend of November
Dress warmly — outdoor markets can be cold and snowy
Great time to try gløgg (mulled wine) and æbleskiver (Danish donut holes)

Midsummer’s Eve (Sankt Hans Aften)

📍 Location: Nationwide — celebrated in towns, parks, and beaches
🗓️ When: June 23rd every year
🎯 Best for: Traditional bonfires, folklore, local experience

Sankt Hans Aften (St. John’s Eve), held on June 23, is Denmark’s take on Midsummer — a long-standing cultural tradition that celebrates the summer solstice and the light-filled days of the season. The celebration is deeply rooted in folklore and old customs, where Danes gather to mark the occasion with music, bonfires, speeches, and traditional songs.

The bonfires, often topped with a symbolic “witch” made of straw or fabric, represent the old legend of driving away evil spirits. These fires are usually lit around 9 to 10 PM, and the event takes place across the country — on beaches, in public parks, and town squares. There’s no single central event; instead, Sankt Hans is celebrated simultaneously in hundreds of locations, making it feel very local, warm, and communal.

While families and locals enjoy low-key traditions, travelers and backpackers in cities like Copenhagen or Aarhus often experience a livelier side of Sankt Hans Aften. Many hostels, student bars, and beach clubs throw social events with DJs, communal grills, themed cocktails like schnapps, and international crowds. In popular spots, the party atmosphere blends seamlessly with the traditional bonfires — and can stretch all the way to 4 or 5 AM.

Whether you're watching the firelight reflect off the Baltic Sea or sharing a drink around the flames at a hostel courtyard, Sankt Hans Aften is one of the most unique nights to be in Denmark — offering a perfect mix of cultural tradition and relaxed social energy.

Good to Know:

Bonfires begin around 9–10 PM on June 23
Copenhagen, Aarhus, and small towns all host public events
Bring a blanket and snacks — it’s very casual and social
Some hostels and local gathering spots keep the fire going until 4–5 AM, especially in popular areas. If you are looking for a party, there will options.

Other Events Worth Noting

You can expand your trip around these lesser-known but still amazing events:

Distortion Festival – Copenhagen (early June): A street party turned electronic music fest
Tønder Festival (late August): Denmark’s leading folk and roots music festival
Copenhagen Light Festival (February): Illuminated art installations around the city

Seasonal Event Summary

If you’re planning your visit around festivals and cultural events, here’s a rough guide:

Season	What to Expect
Summer	Music festivals (Roskilde, Jazz, Distortion), Midsummer
Fall	Aarhus Festuge, Tønder Festival, fewer crowds
Winter	Christmas markets, Copenhagen Light Festival
Spring	Fewer events, but good for sightseeing and museums

Planning a Trip Around Danish Festivals?

Explore the Ultimate Denmark Travel Guide to get advice on what to pack, where to stay, and how to build the perfect itinerary based on what’s happening when you visit.