Summer in Denmark is a time of long days spent relaxing, sipping a beer, and enjoying the many live music festivals that take place across the country. Denmark hosts three major music festivals during the summer, as well several smaller festivals, so no music lover is left behind whether they be headbangers or cultured lovers of jazz.
For the seasoned festival goer who is ready to brave sunburn, mud or torrential rains, here is a guide to the most popular music festivals going on this summer in Denmark.
Roskilde Festival, Denmark’s Biggest Rock Festival
The mother of all Danish music festivals is the legendary Roskilde Festival. Roskilde is the largest music and cultural festival in Northern Europe and has become a tradition for mud-loving rock-n-rollers since 1971.
The festival features a total of seven stages and has featured major acts such as Bob Marley, The Talking Heads, Metallica and Radiohead in the past. The town of Roskilde is located on the western edge of Zealand on the Roskilde Fjord. The concert venue is easily reached by train or bus and there are plenty of areas to camp out for the four days it takes place.
This year’s Roskilde festival takes place from 30 June to 3 July and features the Arctic Monkeys, Iron Maiden, Kings of Leon, P.J. Harvey and The Strokes along with hundreds of other bands. Four day camping tickets are available, as well as one-day tickets. Roskilde Festival tends to sell out very quickly.
Langelands Festival, Denmark’s Family Friendly Music Festival
If you’re of a certain age and looking for an event where you can take the kids along, Denmark’s Langelands Festival should fit the bill. Featuring a cute cartoon giraffe as its mascot, Langelands Festival has been entertaining children and their parents for many years. The week-long festival takes place on a small island off the island Fyn, near the beach, and is around a two and half hour drive from Copenhagen.
Langelands Festival has many attraction for the kids, including a children’s land, magicians, clowns and art workshops. While the kids are occupied having fun, parents can indulge in some rock-n-roll favourites, including Danish rock bands DAD (Disneyland After Dark), Sort Sol and Kim Larsen.
This year’s festival takes place from 23-30 July. Seven day camping tickets are available for 1,650 kroner for adults and 825 kroner for children. One day tickets cost 550 kroner for adults and 275 kroner for children.
Smukfest, Denmark’s Most Beautiful Festival
Taking place over four days in August, Smukfest (meaning Beautiful Festival) is Denmark’s second largest music festival. Smukfest is easily identifiable by its rock-n-roll Viking mascot who starts appearing around the nation on billboards in the springtime.
Smukfest is so called because it is set in a lush green park area near the town of Skanderborg in Jutland. It has been taking place in that spot since 1980 and each year, thousands of people flock to camp and enjoy the music and beautiful surroundings. Smukfest, as well as being an excuse to party, prides itself on its stance on global warming and environmental issues.
Smukfest takes place from 10-14 August 2011. Headliners this year include top Scandinavian bands such as The Floor Is Made of Lava, Burhan G, The Rumour Said Fire, and pop-icon Robyn. In addition to this local talent, rock god Ozzy Osbourne is set to play Smukfest this year, as is the legendary Billy Joel. Smukfest can be reached by train and bus, but because it is set in parklands, cars are not allowed. There are many campsites in the area, as well as accommodation in the nearby town of Skanderborg.
Other Music Festivals Around Denmark
- The Tønder Festival, taking place from 25-28 August in Jutland is a great place to hear jazz, blues and folk music.
- The Samsø Festival is a friendly festival taking place from 20-23 July on the Jutland island of Samsø. Featured acts this year are the Savage Rose for adults and Alphabeat and Sarah (winner of Denmark’s X-Factor) for the kids.
- Bork Havn Festival in Jutland takes place from 3-6 August and features Danish pop music and easy listening rock, perfect for the family.
With plenty of music festivals to choose from, summer in Denmark should be very enjoyable, weather permitting, of course.
Sources
- Roskilde Festival Official Website, accessed 28 June 2011
- Langelands Festival 2011, accessed 28 June 2011
- Smukfest 2011, accessed 28 June 2011
- The Copenhagen Post Online, accessed 28 June 2011
Beth MacMillan - Beth MacMillan fulfilled her dream of living and traveling in Europe when she, her husband and their two dogs moved to Denmark in 2001 for ...
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