Denmark Events and Festivals
January
New Years Day
Concerts are performed at various venues throughout the greater Copenhagen area.
March/April
Copenhagen Fashion & Design Festival
Held at the end of March or early April, this festival focuses on Danish design and the latest fashions. There are special displays in many shops and exhibits at Nikolaj Kirke on Stroget shopping street in Copenhagen.
NatFilm Festival
This evening film festival is held at various Copenhagen cinemas. It features more than 100 films by Danish and international directors, shown in original languages, over 10 days beginning in late March. www.natfilm.dk
Queen Margrethe II Birthday
Celebrated on 16 April at Amalienborg Slot Palace, the queen waves from the balcony at noon while the royal guards perform in front of the palace, dressed in full ceremonial attire.
May
 Aalborg Carnival
Each May in Aalborg thousands of people fill the streets for what has become known as Northern Europe's largest Carnival parade. The weekend kicks off on a Friday night with the Battle of Carnival Bands. The streets in Aalborg come to life in a samba soaked procession of colour weaving along from the harbour via C.W. Obels Plads to the Kildeparken. Saturday sees a major street parade and water parade featuring decorated boats sailing the channel that passes through town. Finally, the street parade meets the water parade at the harbour where the King of Carnival is crowned. The King then leads the entire parade to Kildeparken in the centre of town, where festivities continue well on into the night. www.karnevaliaalborg.dk/english/jetcom.htm
 Copenhagen Carnival
This three day event in the heart of the capital takes place on Whit Sunday weekend (7th Sunday after Easter) and sees the Danes trying to go Brazilian. Highlights include a parade and dancing in the streets. There are special events for children too. www.karneval.dk
Copenhagen Marathon
This 42km race through the streets of Copenhagen is held on a Sunday in mid-May and is open to both amateur and professional runners. www.copenhagenmarathon.dk
Labour Day
Celebrated on 1 May, although not an official public holiday, many people take the day off to join the big spontaneous party in Copenhagen’s Faelledparken.
June
Midsummer Eve
Held on 23 June and also called Sankt Hans eve, this is a time for evening bonfires at beaches all around Denmark. Copenhagen’s Faelledparken is the site of a big bonfire, and there are special activities at Tivoli and Bakken.
Danish Derby
Denmark’s most important horse race is held in late June at Klampenborg.
July
Arhus Jazz Festival
July is the month of jazz festivals in Denmark and Arhus is not left out of the musical loop. Over the course of ten days beginning in mid-July, a variety of local and international jazz performers entertain the masses in various venues throughout the city. www.jazzfest.dk/
 Copenhagen Jazz Festival
This is one of the great musical celebrations on Copenhagen's calendar, taking place in early July. Shifting freely from upbeat New Orleans jazz to cutting-edge jazz-electronica, the ten day event offers nearly 100 concerts a day, taking place just about everywhere from small venues to spacious parks, pedestrian areas, boats and jazz-institutions, featuring anything from local hard-core experimentalists to international legends. www.festival.jazz.dk/start.asp?l=2
 Carillon Festival (Klokkespilskoncerter I Vor Frelsers Kirke)
A carillon is a musical instrument composed of at least 23 bronze bells. Free carillon concerts are held each Saturday during July at the atmospheric Vor Frelsers Kirke in Chirsianshavn.
August/September
 Copenhagen International Ballet Festival
Held from the first week to the third week in August, this graceful festival features top solo dancers from the Royal Danish Ballet as well as visiting dancers from international ballet companies, with an emphasis on modern choreography. See www.copenhageninternationalballet.com for more information.
Copenhagen Golden Days
Held over two weeks in late August and early September, the festival features concerts, theatre, ballet, art exhibits and poetry readings that focus on Denmark’s Golden Age (1800-50 AD).
Copenhagen Film Festival
Highlighting Danish and international film, it is held in the second half of September. www.copenhagenfilmfestival.com
Cultural Harbour
Held on and around Copenhagen’s harbour during the first week of August, this festival hosts a range of free cultural events for all to enjoy. www.kulturhavn.dk
October
Cultural Night in Copenhagen
Held on the first night of the autumn school holidays (typically the second Friday in October), museums, galleries, theatres and Rosenborg Slot Palace open their doors for free. There is also free bus transportation between the various venues. www.cglff.dk
November
Copenhagen Autumn Jazz Festival
Featuring top jazz musicians performing at clubs around the city, this festival takes place for four days in early November.
Great Christmas Parade
Held on the last Saturday in November, Father Christmas parades through the cities followed by jazz musicians, costumed fairytale characters and hoards of children, all lighting Christmas trees in public squares.
December
Christmas Fairs
Held throughout December and featuring arts and crafts stalls, food booths and often parades throughout the country. Check with the local tourist office for current venues.
National Public Holidays
New Year’s Day: 1 January
Maundy Thursday: March/April
Good Friday: March/April
Easter Monday: March/April
Common Prayer Day: April/May
Ascension Day: May
Whit Monday: 7th Monday after Easter
Constitution Day: 5 June
Christmas: 24-25 December
Boxing Day: 26 December
New Year’s Eve: 31 December
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