The Roskilde Festival is an annual Danish music festival held south of Roskilde. It is one of Europe's largest music festivals, as well as the largest in the Nordics. Two high school students and a promoter founded it in 1971. The festival was taken over by the Roskilde Foundation in 1972, and it has since been run as a non-profit organization for the development and support of music, culture, and humanism. In 2014, the Roskilde Foundation gave festivalgoers the opportunity to nominate and vote on which organizations should receive festival funds.

The Roskilde Festival was Denmark's first music-oriented festival, created for hippies, and it now attracts a wider range of young people from Scandinavia and the rest of Europe. The majority of festival attendees are Danes, but there are also many visitors from other countries, particularly other Scandinavian countries and Germany.

Roskilde Festival's bands are typically a well-balanced mix of large, well-known artists, cutting-edge artists from all contemporary genres, popular crowd-pleasing acts, as well as local Scandinavian headliners and up-and-coming names. Rock, Hip Hop, Metal, Urban, Electronica, and Third World Contemporary Music are among the genres represented. On the first day of the festival, it has become customary to have a Danish act open the Orange Stage. There are frequently unexpected performances by classical acts, film music, opera, and so on.

The festival campsite spans nearly 80 hectares (200 acres) and is included in the ticket price. It usually opens on Sunday morning, just before the festival. Aside from the small and distinct Camping South, it is divided into two areas, East and West, each with a service center and establishments ranging from food stalls to a cinema. The campsite is further subdivided into 'agoras,' which offer toilets, phone charging, and luggage storage. They also host events based on the theme of each agora.

A new gate system was installed in 2018. This means that the first seven rows of the gate system are occupied by all guests who arrive first (1000 people in each). A large field behind this holds all of the remaining guests. The gates open at 16:00 on the first Saturday, one row at a time at approximately 90-second intervals. When this is finished, the remaining guests in the back area will be able to enter the camping area. The concert venues do not open until the following day.

Roskilde Festival Radio has organized a naked run in a fenced-in track around the campsite every year since 1999, on the Saturday of the festival (held on a Thursday in 2015, 2016, and 2017). One male and one female winner will each receive a ticket to the festival the following year. As a result, the run has become a very popular and "legendary" part of the festival.

Where: Roskilde, Denmark

When: Four days, starting from first Wednesday in July, or last Wednesday in June with a 4-day warm-up

Continuing the list of the 12 most famous festivals in Denmark, Toplist will introduce you to Copenhagen Jazz Festival. Copenhagen Jazz Festival is a jazz festival held in Copenhagen, Denmark's capital, every July. The Copenhagen Jazz Festival was founded in 1979, but Tivoli Gardens began hosting a series of concerts under the name Copenhagen Jazz Festival in 1964, featuring Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, and others. According to reports, the total attendance at the 2004 Copenhagen Jazz Festival was 240,000 people. The number of concerts increased to 850 in 2006, and today the Copenhagen Jazz Festival has over 100 venues, 1100 concerts, and approximately 260,000 visitors,, making it one of Europe's largest music events.

Sonny Rollins, Oscar Peterson, Ray Charles, Michel Petrucciani, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Keith Jarrett, Wayne Shorter, Dizzy Gillespie, John Scofield, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Michel Camilo, Ornette Coleman, Annette Peacock, Svend Asmussen Quartet, Richard Bona, Tony Allen, Chick Corea, and Daniel Puente Encina have all performed at the Copenhagen Jazz Festival.

The 1979 establishment of the Copenhagen Jazz Festival is inextricably linked to the jazz scene that developed in Copenhagen in the 1960s, when the city served as a European home for American jazz musicians such as Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster, and Kenny Drew. An inspired music scene attracted even more American musicians while also educating and inspiring the entire Danish scene.

Throughout the 1970s, jazz music expanded in terms of genres and audiences, and by 1978, lawyer and project manager Poul Bjørnholt (from Copenhagen City Center) had taken the initiative to create the Copenhagen Jazz Festival, realizing how local jazz clubs, public spaces, theaters, and large venues could all contribute to this collaborative event.

From 1979 to the 1990s, the festival grew steadily, making room for both international artists and local bands, and today the Copenhagen Jazz Festival is the largest it has ever been, with over 100 venues in Copenhagen and over 1000 concerts. As a result, the Copenhagen Jazz Festival is one of the city's most important public festivals, attracting a diverse international audience.

Where: Copenhagen, Denmark

When: First Friday of July

Smukfest (also known as the Skanderborg Festival) is a music festival held annually in Denmark during the second weekend of August. Its setting in a beech forest near Skanderborg has given rise to the slogan "Denmarks' Most Beautiful Festival" (Danish: Danmarks Smukkeste Festival).

The festival features a wide range of musical genres, including rock, pop, folk, heavy metal, hip-hop, and electronic. The festival focuses primarily on Danish music, but also features some big names from other countries, such as Britney Spears, Eric Clapton, Prince, Pet Shop Boys, Ozzy Osbourne, Tom Jones, Fat Boy Slim, Blood Hound Gang, Rihanna, and many others.

The first festival, held in 1980, was a one-day event with seven bands and approximately 600 spectators. The festival has a mascot named "Waltidur Festismuk Kærligkys Ølimund Rockilund Trold" (Waltidur Party-beauty Loving-kiss Beer-in-mouth Rock-in-grove Troll), who was born in 1579, making the festival the 400th anniversary of Waltidur's birth.

Skanderborg Festival celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2009, and it is now Denmark's second largest festival, after the Roskilde Festival. The festival drew over 50,000 people to the concerts, including 8,500 workers, the majority of whom were volunteers, and has filled the current site to capacity.

Where: Skanderborg, Denmark

When: August

Aarhus Festuge (Aarhus Festival) is a ten-day arts and culture festival held in the Danish city of Aarhus. Every year, from late August to early September (in weeks 35-36), it takes place. The first Aarhus Festival took place in 1965, after it had been established the previous year as an experiment to activate the city's institutions and associations. The goal was to introduce the outside world to Aarhus' cultural profile and potential. It was a huge success, and the Festival has since become an annual tradition. Thus, the Festival arose from a deep political conviction that art, culture, and community are essential for a thriving city.

Since its inception in 1965, the Festival has evolved into more than just a local event. It now has an international focus, and artists from all over the world have participated in the Festival over the years. For the past 55 years, the Aarhus Festival has enthralled, inspired, and challenged its audience.

Aarhus Festival now consists of around 1000 events over 10 wonderful days each year, with international artists, local artists, and experiences for both children and adults. This makes it one of Northern Europe's largest cultural events. When the entire city is buzzing with music, theater, architecture, gastronomy, art, talks, and everything in between, you'll experience art and culture at its pinnacle. Therefore, it is definitely among the 12 most famous festivals in Denmark.

The Festival head office plans cultural festivals that help us grow as people – and as a city – throughout the year. The headquarters organizes one-third of the events. The final two-thirds are planned by outside actors in the city. As a result, Aarhus Festival fosters creativity, development, and collaboration among the city's cultural actors, businesses, restaurants, venues, and associations.

Where: Aarhus, Denmark

When: late August to early September

The Night of Culture in Denmark's capital, Copenhagen, is a wonderful evening in mid-October for any intellectual colossus or historian. This occasion provides you with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit places you would not otherwise be able to visit. Night Of Culture has been one of Copenhagen's most popular cultural events for over 27 years. When the schools close for the autumn break, the association Kulturnatten organizes a festive evening in which the entire cultural life of the city collaborates to bring joy and inspiration to all of us.

During Copenhagen's largest annual one-day event, more than 250 museums, theaters, libraries, churches, ministries, and parks throughout the city welcome the public, and the exciting events demonstrate that the city embraces many aspects of its cultural life.

Guests will be able to experience the city in a new way with special events held only on this special night, from the inner city to Valby, Carlsberg, Sydhavn, Frederiksberg, sterbro, Vesterbro, Kdbyen, Nrrebro, Nordvest, Nordhavn, Islands Brygge, Amagerbro, Christianshavn, and Holmen.

Where: Copenhagen, Denmark

When: mid-October

New Year’s Eve Copenhagen is the sixth one of the 12 most famous festivals in Denmark. The main New Year's Eve attraction in Copenhagen is held in City Hall Square. Thousands of Copenhageners flock to the square to ring in the New Year with the rest of the city, and those who aren't there are most likely live-streaming the festivities from the comfort of their own homes. Everyone's attention is focused on the City Hall Tower Clock, and when the clock hands reach midnight, fireworks light up the sky.

Every Copenhagener's celebration of the start of a new year includes a New Year's Eve dinner. And so is the party that follows the delectable dinner. Many Copenhagen restaurants are open on New Year's Eve with special menus and late hours, allowing you to end the year on a high note and start the new decade in style. Furthermore, New Year's Eve is a big deal in Copenhagen. Simply walking through the streets can feel like you're at a party, with fireworks and champagne exploding all around you.

The most popular New Year's Eve tradition in Copenhagen may be the fireworks extravaganza. Get out in the streets and feel the celebratory vibes at these three firework hotspots in Copenhagen, but make sure to wear safety glasses just in case. These are available at the majority of the city's supermarkets.

• The City Hall Square: The City Hall Square is one of Copenhagen's main squares. Strøget, the famous shopping street, begins here. It also serves as a venue for a variety of events ranging from sports to music.
• Dronning Louises Bro: Dronning Louise's Bro (Queen Louise's Bridge) connects inner Copenhagen and Nørrebro and is one of Copenhagen's busiest bike routes. The bridge, on the other hand, has become a popular hangout for locals.
• The Lakes of Copenhagen: The vast area around the lakes fills up with strolling couples, panting joggers, brunch devotees, kids feeding the ducks, and best friends sipping thermos coffee while taking in the best views of the city as soon as the sun comes out.

Where: Copenhagen, Denmark

When: 31 December

Participating in the Winter Jazz Event will liven up a dreary winter vacation in Denmark. More than four dozen locations host the event, which has become so popular in many Scandinavian countries and is one of the most interesting Denmark festivals, over ten days from January to February. Winter Jazz is a nationwide jazz celebration with over 600 concerts at venues throughout Denmark. In Copenhagen's historic jazz district, you can attend a variety of jazz concerts featuring both national and international musicians.

There are numerous concerts to choose from, whether you want a full-fledged orchestra at one of Copenhagen's largest venues or an intimate concert at a cozy wine bar. Check out the schedule to find your favorite act in one of the impressively diverse concert venues. Some concerts are free to attend, while others require a ticket purchase. This is possible through the festival's website.

Where: Throughout Denmark–from Aalborg, Aarhus, Odense and Esbjerg to Copenhagen, the historic jazz hub

When: ten days from January to February

The Aarhus Food Festival, one of the most famous festivals in Denmark, is a must-see. This Food Festival is a social gathering place for all foodies, a place to be charmed and challenged. The Food Festival brings together the best Danish and Nordic breeders, farmers, and chefs who want to produce high-quality food while remaining environmentally conscious. The Food Festival satisfies your stomach, your mind, and your spirit.

Aarhus Food Festival is an annual food festival held in the beautiful bay of Aarhus, Denmark, on the first weekend of September. From seaweed safaris, sausage-making and cabbage workshops, to gourmet picnics along the shore, the festival offers a wide range of events and tastings with a special focus on Nordic food culture. Visitors can learn about new plants in "The Kingdom of Plants," catch their own fish in "The Ocean," or simply relax with a cold Nordic beer in "Nordic Sips."

Where: Aarhus, Denmark

When: the first weekend of September

Copenhagen Pride is the largest annual Human Rights festival in Denmark, focusing on LGBT issues. It takes place in August and involves the entire city of Copenhagen. It is a vibrant and festive event that combines political issues with concerts, films, and a parade. The City Hall Square in the city center serves as the focal point. Since around 2012, the festival has typically begun on the Wednesday of Pride Week and concludes with a parade on the Saturday. In 2017, approximately 25,000 people participated in the parade with floats and flags, and over 300,000 people lined the streets to witness it.

Copenhagen Pride will be held over nine days in 2022, from Saturday, August 13 to Sunday, August 21. Except for when the city hosted EuroPride (1996) and WorldPride (1998), this is the longest Copenhagen Pride (2021). Aside from Copenhagen Pride, there is a smaller annual pride festival in Aarhus, as well as the MIX Copenhagen LGBT film festival.

Copenhagen Pride began in 1996, when the city was designated as the European Capital of Culture and hosted the EuroPride event. From 1998 to 2004, the festival was known as Mermaid Pride, and from 2004 to 2004, it was known as Copenhagen Pride. The festival was originally held in June, but in 1999 it was moved to August. The city's pride festival has been held every year since 1996, and it was one of the outstanding events associated with the World Outgames in 2009. Aside from the summer festival, the first Copenhagen Winter Pride took place in February 2015. Copenhagen Pride won the bid to host WorldPride in 2021, an 11-day celebration of love, equality, and human rights, in 2017. WorldPride 2021 was combined with the EuroGames, which were hosted by Pan Idræt, an LGBT sports organization.

Where: Copanhagen, Denmark

When: August

Aarhus Pride is a gay pride parade in Aarhus, Denmark, and the largest LGBT event in Denmark outside of Copenhagen. The first event took place in 2012, and it has been held every year since. It is managed and controlled by private members of the LGBT community and is funded by the city of Aarhus. In 2017, approximately 6,000 people marched in the 3.5-kilometer-long (2.2-mile) parade with floats and flags.

The parade takes place every year on the first Saturday in June and lasts from early morning until late at night. The first event is the parade, which travels through the historic Latin Quarter before concluding at Vester Allés Kaserne, where a festival is held until the evening. The festival includes sports such as volleyball, badminton, and foosball on the green areas in front of the Concert Hall next to Officers Square, as well as a children's area with a bouncy castle and playground. Local and national LGBT associations, organizations, businesses, and political parties staff informational and food and beverage booths. A variety of activities take place on the small stage, which is centrally located next to the Aarhus Concert Hall. Music is played by DJs.

Where: Aarhus, Denmark

When: June

The Moesgård Viking Moot is an annual historical reenactment event held in Aarhus, Denmark, that includes a week-long viking market and mock battles. It is Denmark's largest Viking Age reenactment event, taking place on and near the beaches of Moesgård Museum. Because there are no permanent structures in the area, a temporary tent camp with markets, blacksmiths, and kitchens is established in the style of the Great Heathen Army. Tiding tournaments, single combat contests, and mock battles are held on the final two days of the event, with up to 1000 participants and an Icelandic horse cavalry.

The first edition of Moesgård Viking Moot took place in 1977. Moesgård Museum, which had previously held a weekend of lectures and crafts for children, founded the reenactment. It was expanded to a week-long event in 1977, with a market for jewelry, clothing, and weapons. Since then, the market has expanded to become the largest of its kind in Scandinavia. In 2015, the event drew 1400 participants from a dozen different countries, as well as 23,000 visitors and spectators.

Where: Aarhus, Denmark

When: Last week of July

Tønder Festival is a folk music festival held each year in Tønder, Denmark. It takes place on the last weekend in August. It was established in 1974. The first festival was held in 1975. The festival is one of Europe's most prestigious celebrations of traditional and contemporary folk music. Every year, approximately 2500 volunteers assist in the production of the festival. The program features international artists from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, the United States, England, and Scandinavia. Irish and Scottish folk music, Nordic folk music, Americana, country music, and world music are among the genres represented. The entire town is influenced by music during the festival, and famous and lesser-known artists form a community with the audience on streets and squares.

The festival is held in the festival area, which can accommodate up to 15.000 people. You can purchase a 4-day wristband or single-day tickets.

Among the artists who have performed at Tønder Festival are John Prine, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, Colter Wall, Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Runrig, Lukas Graham, Great Big Sea, The Chieftains, Altan, Eivør Pálsdóttir, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Donovan, Natalie MacMaster, Wolfstone, Mary Black, Margo Price, Capercaillie, Karan Casey, Jacob Dinesen, The Lone Bellow, Darlingside, The Avett Brothers, Red Hot Chili Pipers, Marck Cohn, The Mavericks and so on.

Where: Tønder, Denmark

When: last weekend in August