Copenhagen Events

Copenhagen Marathon

Runners from across the world travel to Copenhagen to participate in the city's annual marathon race. The race begins and ends at Islands Brygge, but the most popular viewing point is The Royal Library (The Black Diamond, as it's known locally). Runners race on a traffic-free course with each circuit passing some of Copenhagen's best-loved landmarks where bands and street entertainers amuse the crowds whilst participants get on with the serious business of the race.

Date: 14 May 2023 - 14 May 2023
Venue: City course.
Website: https://copenhagenmarathon.dk/en
Cost:

Free to spectate.

Copenhagen Distortion

A celebration of the city's club culture and alternative nightlife, the annual Copenhagen Distortion is a five-day music and arts festival that celebrates its vibrant urban identity. Events take place in the city's coolest nightspots as well as a host of surprise parties in secret locations on converted buses, canal boats and on the streets. Music of all guises finds a home at this cool festival ranging from hip hop and techno to the more traditional sounds of rock, folk and jazz. The event also showcases the city's less mainstream art with exhibitions, shows and internet presentations which adds to the festival's ambience of creativity and youthful energy. This popular event was first held in 1998.

Date: 31 May 2023 - 04 June 2023
Venue: Various venues across Copenhagen.
Website: https://www.cphdistortion.dk/
Cost:

Various.

Midsummer Eve (Sankt Hans)

Taking place on Midsummer Day, this is a fun event for all the family. Sankt Hans, as it is known locally, is the night before the birthday of John the Baptist and is celebrated every year with bonfires, barbecues and entertainment across the country. A wooden figure, said to resemble a witch, is usually placed on the bonfires across Copenhagen and burnt.

Date: 23 June 2023 - 23 June 2023
Venue: Throughout the city
Cost:

Free.

Roskilde Festival

Roskilde Festival is one of the biggest music festivals in northern Europe, attracting hundreds of thousands of revellers and a host of huge international stars. What began as a hippy gathering in the 1970s has snowballed into a party that welcomes the best in rock, pop and hip-hop. The event also focuses on sustainability, social responsibility and charity.

Date: 24 June 2023 - 01 July 2023
Venue: Roskilde, Festivalpladsen
Website: https://www.roskilde-festival.dk/en/
Cost:

Various.

Copenhagen Jazz Festival

The Copenhagen Jazz Festival is a world-renowned event that hosts over 1200 performances by artists from all over the world. Many performances are given in the city's most historic streets and squares and along the banks of the canals. Copenhagen's clubs and cafes join the party spirit, hosting a varied programme ranging from traditional New Orleans jazz and swing to more contemporary, experimental styles.

Date: 30 June 2023 - 09 July 2023
Venue: Various venues across Copenhagen.
Website: https://jazz.dk/copenhagen-jazz-festival-2023/forside/
Cost:

Various.

Kulturhavn Festival

Held each summer in the area around Copenhagen's pretty harbour, this fun cultural and leisure festival offers tourists and locals the chance to learn more about the city through a programme of dance, music, theatre and sports. A selection of the city's many sports and leisure clubs are on hand to promote their services with a series of free trials and demonstrations. As well as a variety of activities on dry land such as climbing and abseiling, events also take place in the water with sailing, swimming and kayaking organisations being particularly popular during the three-day event.

Date: 26 August 2023 - 27 August 2023
Venue: Around Islands Brygge
Website: https://kulturhavn.kk.dk/en
Cost:

Free.

Tivoli Christmas Market

Enjoy the run-up to Christmas in Tivoli, Copenhagen's world-famous amusement park, by taking in its famous festive market. A huge Russian basilica and massive Christmas tree both go up as Tivoli Gardens comes to life with stalls selling presents, decorations, food and drinks. Keep an eye out for Father Christmas and his reindeers.

Date: 13 November 2023 - 06 January 2024
(Date to be confirmed)
Venue: Tivoli Gardens
Website: http://www.tivoli.dk
Cost:

Various.