Roskilde Festival

When: Late June - early July annually; the main festival runs four days (usually Wednesday - Saturday).

Where: On the festival grounds just outside Roskilde, Denmark, roughly 30 km west of Copenhagen.

Cost: Tickets are paid and typically sell out - general admission with camping is the common option, with extras for day passes and services.

Don’t miss: Headline nights on the Orange Stage plus the volunteer-run tents and the unique communal camping culture.

Roskilde’s festival began in 1971 and has grown into a major non-profit event in Denmark, with proceeds supporting humanitarian and cultural initiatives. It was started by local music fans and students and retains a strong volunteer ethic: volunteers help run bars, stages and services in return for tickets and community.

The site is a patchwork of big stages (the Orange Stage is the flagship), smaller tents and themed areas for electronic, folk and alternative music, alongside art installations, talks and activism projects. Most activity happens on the festival fields just outside the town, with camping forming the social heart of the experience.

The festival takes place in late June into early July each year; exact dates vary but organisers publish the schedule well in advance rather than using a movable religious calendar. The core programme is concentrated into four main festival days with headline acts in the evenings.

Camping and onsite services usually open a few days before the main programme, so many visitors arrive early to set up camp and catch warm-up shows and DJ sets before the big nights.

Fly into Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup), the nearest major international hub, then take regional trains to Roskilde (about 25 - 35 minutes from Copenhagen Central). During the festival there are frequent special train and bus services from Copenhagen and direct shuttle buses from Roskilde station to the festival site; arrive at least a day early to avoid the busiest transfer times and book train tickets and accommodation months ahead.

• Plan to arrive in Roskilde, Denmark at least a day early to set up camping and avoid peak travel congestion.
• Pack layers, a warm sleeping bag, a waterproof jacket and sturdy shoes - Danish weather in late June can be sunny one hour and rainy the next.
• Bring ear protection for close-up sets and a reusable water bottle; hydration points are available but queues can form.
• Carry a contactless bank card or credit card; mobile coverage and on-site payment systems can be slow, so top up any festival accounts early.
• Respect campsite rules and volunteers: the event runs on a volunteer culture and strict safety and waste guidelines.
• Book tickets, camping passes and any travel well in advance; volunteering is a reliable way to get access if tickets sell out.