Your rainbow panorama, 2011, Olafur Eliasson ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum Photo Anders Trærup, Aarhus media center

Top 10 events worth travelling for in Aarhus

Photo: Your rainbow panorama, 2011, Olafur Eliasson ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum Photo Anders Trærup; Aarhus media center

If Aarhus has tickled your fancy and you’re wondering when to visit, our pick of the city’s biggest events throughout the year might help you decide! Aarhus’ cultural calendar is full of music events, cultural events and even Viking ones too! So which kind of culture vulture are you?

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Party with Danes in Aarhus at NorthSide

NorthSide music festival in the centre of Aarhus has grown over the last few years to become one of the most impressive music festivals in Scandinavia. Get up close to the biggest international names in music and enjoy the unique surroundings of cultural Aarhus in June each year. The festival also has a sustainability angle and from 2021, will be 100% powered by green electricity.

Aarhus Festival
Photo: Martin Dam Kristensen/Aarhus Festuge

Enjoy the historic Aarhus Festival

First held in 1965, the Aarhus Festival (Aarhus Festuge) is now one of the largest cultural events in Scandinavia. Fly to Aarhus in late August to take part and see a wealth of international and Danish art, exhibitions, dance and music performances throughout Aarhus city centre.

Release your inner Viking at Moesgaard Viking Moot

It’s not all violence and ale at the Moesgaard Viking Moot. But there might be a bit! Head to the beautiful beaches and woods by Aarhus on the last weekend in July, and you might find yourself caught up in a full-scale Viking battle or haggling with market traders for Viking goods!

Taste Denmark at Aarhus’ Food Festival

Aarhus has become a real foodie destination of late, with some of the best restaurants in Denmark. And if you head here in September, you can not only taste the best in Nordic and Danish products and food in one place at Food Festival, you can also try your hand at making it at Nordic cookery classes!

Zwei Frauen machen ein Selfie im Kunstmuseum ARoS im dänischen Aarhus
Photo: Your rainbow panorama, Olafur Eliasson, 2006 - 2011, ARoS Aarhus Art Museum. Photo: Robin Skjoldborg.

Everyone’s welcome under the rainbow at Aarhus Pride

In June each year, the streets of Aarhus come alive with all the colours under the sun for Aarhus Pride. This popular event is a celebration of diversity, respect and tolerance for LGBT life which kicks off with a parade through the city centre and finishes with events and parties.

Hear hot new Danish music at SPOT Festival

Find out what Danes are listening to! SPOT Festival is the place to head if you want to hear the best new Danish and Nordic Music. The concerts, talks and events (including a food market) are spread throughout Aarhus during May.

Aarhus festival light show
Photo: Martin Dam Kristensen

Let's come together

If you're a music lover, you're going to want to hear this. Aarhus is celebrating all year round with live musical events across every genre. The question is, which gig will you attend first?

Aarhus Jazz Festival
Photo: Jørgen Nielsen - Aarhus Jazz Festival

Time to jazz things up

Aarhus Jazz Festival has something for everyone, jazz fanatics can enjoy 8 days of free jazz concerts from the 9th to the 16th of July. With over 300 concerts across 30 different venues it's sure to be memorable. 

Christmas at the Old Town Open Air Museum

If you’re nostalgic about the Christmas of days gone by, then get yourself to Aarhus in November and December. At the Old Town Open Air Museum you can walk through 400 years of Christmas history, taste traditional foods and take a bit of Danish Christmas home with you.

Aarhus Botanical Garden
Photo: VisitAarhus

Stop and smell the roses

Inside Tivoli Friheden, right in the heart of Aarhus you'll be able to enjoy Denmark's largest flower festival. Throughout July you'll find fun, sustainable and most likely beautiful events just waiting to be enjoyed.