Roskilde Festival: Scandinavia's big non-profit music week

Roskilde Festival is one of Europe's largest music festivals, held just west of Copenhagen. It combines big international names with art, activism and a huge campsite that comes alive days before the main stages open.

Fun facts

• The first festival took place in 1971.
• Roskilde is non-profit, and its surplus goes to humanitarian and cultural causes.
• Tens of thousands of volunteers help run the festival each year.

What to see

• The Orange Scene, the festival's famous main stage.
• Roskilde Cathedral, burial place of Danish kings and queens and a UNESCO site.
• The Viking Ship Museum with five original Viking ships.

What to taste

• Smørrebrød, Danish open sandwiches on rye bread.
• A Danish hot dog (pølse) with crispy onions and pickles.
• Wienerbrød, flaky Danish pastry for breakfast.

What to do

• Arrive early for the warm-up days in the campsite.
• Take a dip in Roskilde Fjord.
• Spend a day exploring Copenhagen.

💡 Tip: Trains from Copenhagen Airport reach Roskilde in about 30 minutes. Pack for all weather, since Danish summer can be wet and windy.