Five alternatives to Roskilde and Smukfest

Here’s a small selection to get you started

There is no Danish summer without hundreds of thousands of people attending music festivals nationwide.

From northern Europe's largest gathering, the Roskilde Festival, to Tinderbox in Odense, Northside in Aarhus and Smukfest in Skanderborg, guests enjoy summer days and nights attending concerts, dancing with friends and having fun in the camps.

But besides these large festivals, which mainly cater to fans of hip-hop, rock and pop, there are so many others to choose from, offering a wide variety of different genres.

Each offers its own special vibe, underlining Denmark’s status as a premier festival country.

Jelling Festival

When: May 25-28

Where: Jelling

This non-profit festival was established in 1989 by a fundraiser organised by a local football club. The first festival invited 1,000 guests to enjoy just one day of music – last year’s edition encompassed four days, entertaining 35,000 revellers in the company of 5,000 volunteers. Headliners include Westlife, Lewis Capaldi, Lukas Graham, Nik & Jay and Medina.

More info: jellingmusikfestival.dk

Copenhagen Jazz Festival

When: June 30-July 9

Where: Copenhagen

When the Copenhagen Jazz Festival rolls out across the city, the capital is transformed. There is, literally speaking, music everywhere: on the squares and in the city's parks, in the jazz clubs and on new temporary stages, in theatres and museums, and – not least –in the city's largest and most beautiful concert halls.

More info: jazz.dk

By Leticia Bossi and Uffe Jørgensen

Tønder Festival

When: August 24-27

Where: Tønder

Tønder Festival, which began in 1974, is now one of northern Europe’s major international festivals for folk and roots music. The ambiance on the festival site is relaxed, friendly and warm. Besides the music, which includes plenty of country and blues, the festival offers art, events, artist talks, food stalls, restaurants, bars and so much more. Headliners include Jim Lauderdaleone, Twang, Kristian Bach, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Roo Panes!

More info: tf.dk

Copenhell

When: June 14-17

Where: Refshaleøen, Copenhagen

Looking for a place to head-bang and wear your favourite black t-shirt?

Copenhell is the place to be … The festival offers metal fans a unique, total experience from the second they enter the gates of hell. The parties in the Biergarten beer tent have achieved legendary status, but if you get time, you must traverse the festival site for all the evil art, demonic hangouts and twisted metal on offer. Last year Metallica embraced the festival, and this year is no less prestigious with Guns N’Roses, Mötley Crüe, Slipknot and Def Leppard among the headliners.

More info: copenhell.dk

Heartland

When: June 8-10

Where: Egeskov Slot, Kværndrup

Festival life is often associated with tents in a field, but the Heartland Festival is held at Egeskov Castle on Funen, which lends the occasion a very special atmosphere. Each year the contemporary culture festival presents an international line-up of music, art, talks and food – so it’s fair to say that the festival, first held in 2016, is one of a kind.Look forward to, among others, The Minds of 99, Robbie Williams, MØ and Sting.

More info: heartlandfestival.dk