Things to do
August Events: Ramping it up this summer with stunning range of culture
This article is more than 6 years old.
Wakeboarding Championship
Aug 1-4; Kraftværksvej 24, Cph K; free adm
The country’s finest wakeboarders are coming together to compete for the bragging rights and title of Danish champion. So drop by and enjoy some (hopefully) good weather and high-level water sports. (OR)
Stella Polaris
Aug 4; Frederiksberg Have, Egernvej 4; free adm; stella-polaris.dk
Frederiksberg’s biggest park will again be transformed into one large outdoor chill-out zone, with relaxed electronic music played throughout the day. Bring a picnic or fine dine on a four-course menu for just 200 kroner. (TW)
Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix
Aug 4-5; Hulgårdsvej 72, Bellahøj; 300kr, under-18s: free adm; chgp.dk
The ‘flagship of Danish Motorsports’ will once again take place in Bellahøj this year, offering the thrills and spills of the track, a splendid range of vintage cars, and fun for the youngsters. (TW)
Copenhagen Fashion Week
Aug 7-10; various venues; copenhagenfashionweek.com
Scandinavia’s largest fashion week mainly consists of industry events. But running alongside the runway and trade shows, there are a number of events geared towards fashion lovers, from free goodie bag promotions to the fabulous events on Strøget. (TW)
Strøm Festival
Aug 8-11; various venues in Cph; stromcph.dk
Strøm’s 12th edition will once again offer electronic music fans a wide choice of events featuring big names from Denmark and the US at a number of eclectic venues, from nightclubs to churches. Most are free entry. (TW)
Crafts And Design Fair
Aug 9-11; Bredgade 66, Cph K; free adm; dkod.dk
This crafts and design fair is now in its 35th year and showing no sign of slowing down. Professionals and amateurs from all over Scandinavia will be there to showcase their pieces, including jewellery pieces and graphic design. (TW)
Malmö Festival
Aug 10-18; malmofestivalen.se
If you’re looking for a getaway from Copenhagen life, head across the Øresund to a festival that bridges music, art, food and culture. With over 1.4 million visitors a year, it is the largest culture festival in Scandinavia. (OR)
CPH Philharmonic Orchestra
Aug 10 & 12, 10:30; Bakkehuset Museum, Rahbeks Alle, Frederiksberg; admission included in museum entry; copenhagenphil.dk
The first concert promises to be an intimate affair as a soprano takes on sophisticated pieces by Vivaldi and Handel. The second couldn’t be more different: brass, loud, Danish! (TW)
Danish Derby
Aug 12, doors open 12:00; Klampenborg Galopbane, Klampenborgvej 52; 110kr; galopbane.dk
They’re under starter orders for the 108th running of the Danish ‘classic’. Held just north of Copenhagen near the deer park, this is a great event for the whole family to attend. (TW)
Copenhagen World Music Festival
Aug 13-Sep 5; multiple locations; tickets available from locations; cphworld.dk
Copenhagen World Music Festival is back with a stellar line-up of world music at locations all over the city. (TW)
Copenhagen Pride
Aug 14-19; various venues; copenhagenpride.dk
The largest human rights festival in Denmark is mostly held at Pride Square and Rådhuspladsen, offering a week of free concerts and shows that accumulate in a huge parade on Saturday the 18th. (TW)
Arabian Nights Festival
Aug 18-Sep 10; Cinemateket, Gothersgade 55, Cph K; 80kr; dfi.dk
For the fourth consecutive year, this festival will be celebrating good storytelling, acting and scenery through the medium of film. Alongside the viewings, there will be lectures, debates, music and more! (TW)
KMD Ironman Copenhagen
Aug 19; Amager Strandparken, Cph S; 4300kr at eu.ironman.com
Watch some of the country’s fittest athletes push themselves to the limit in this world championship qualifier on a route that takes in some of Zealand’s most picturesque tourist spots. (TW)
Louisiana Literature
Aug 23-26; Gl Strandvej 13, Humlebæk; louisiana.dk
Louisiana Lit is returning to celebrate the best in contemporary literature from around the world. Various authors will be positioned around the museum in different settings, taking part in readings, songs and discussions. (OR)
Copenhagen Cooking
Aug 24-Sep 2; multiple venues in Copenhagen; copenhagencooking.dk
Definitely one for the foodies, this festival includes hundreds of events, classes and tours – you could say it has an emphasis on learning as you eat. Many of the events are already sold out, so book your tickets now. (TW)
Cocktails and Cakes
Aug 24-Sep 9, 13:00-17:00; Skt Petri, Krystalgade 22, Cph K; 150kr
Enjoy organic cocktails paired with Danish petit fours during the Copenhagen Cooking festival. Danish berries, chocolates and pies are unmissable, especially when paired with artfully crafted cocktails. (AJ)
Copenhagen Yoga Festival
Aug 24-26; Tiøren, Amager Strand, Cph S; 595-795kr; copenhagenyogafestival.dk
Running over three days, the festival is the perfect time to either try yoga for the first time or enhance your ongoing practice. This is a festival to share the joy of yoga across all levels and nationalities. (AJ)
Copenhagen Harbour Festival
Aug 24-26; kulturhavn.kk.dk
With its long coastline and checkered history at sea, waterborne activities come second nature to the Danes. This festival will shine a light on the best that the city’s harbour areas have to offer with activities, games, music, dancing and water sports galore. (OR)
Swoop Freestyle World Champs
Aug 24-25; Dronning Louises Bro, Cph N; free adm
The Copenhagen Lakes will once again serve as the setting for this freestyle parachuting competition. Competitors from around the world will fly in and show off their skills to prove who is the best in the world. (OR)
Magnificent Crayfish Party
Aug 24, 18:00, Aug 25, 12:00, 15:00 & 18:00; Hav2GO at Torvehallerne, Frederiksborggade 21, Cph K; 250kr
Sisse & Co from Hav2Go invite you to enjoy a Scandinavian crayfish dinner, where you can indulge in fresh crayfish cooked right in front of you. Eat at long, decorated tables while conversing with a diverse group of people, all united by their love of crayfish. (AJ)
Læsk Brewery Open House
Aug 25, 12:00-18:00; Læsk Brewery, Holmetoften 17, Hørsholm; free adm
Peak inside the Læsk Brewery, where guests can see how the latest health food fad, kombucha tea, is made. Participate in tastings, try the many creations from the bar, and buy Kombucha at an extreme discount. (AJ)
Finders Keepers Design Market
Aug 25-26; Øksnehallen, Cph V; finderskeepers.dk
This huge indoor market brings together designers and traders in one place with an emphasis on design. The vendors are carefully selected by a panel of experts. It’s a great place to find furniture, jewellery, photography and more. (TW)
Make your own schnapps
Aug 28-31, 16:30-17:30; Torvehallerne, Frederiksborggade 21, Cph; 250kr
Learn how to make your own schnapps while exploring Danish history. From this event, you will take home your own handmade bottle of seasoned schnapps. (AJ)
Copenhagen Songwriters Festival
Aug 29-Sep 2; Onkel Dannys Plads, Cph V; csf.dk
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this festival focuses on the craft of songwriting, both in Denmark and abroad. Cited as Denmark’s ‘most hyggelig event’, this is one for music lovers looking for something different. (TW)
Presenting Joaquin Palmares
Aug 29, 19:30; Julius Thomsen Gade 1, Cph N; free adm; copenhagenphil.dk
Great things are expected of this Royal Danish Academy of Music graduate, the violinist Joaquin Palomares, who has arranged this two-hour concert himself, including works by Bach and Mendelssohn. (TW)
Copenhagen Soul Weekender
Aug 30-Sep 2; various locations; for tickets email cphsoul@gmail.com
This year marks the second ever Copenhagen Soul Weekender. Spread over four days at four different venues, Copenhagen is treated to an international line-up of gifted DJs playing music late into the night. (AJ)
Zulu Comedy Gala
Aug 30-Sep 9; multiple locations; ticketmaster.dk
Now in its ninth year, Copenhagen’s funniest week is back with more shows than ever. Choose your favourite comedian or go with a ‘comedy surprise’ – either way you’ll be laughing. (TW)
Young academy talents
Aug 31, 19:30; Rosenørns Allé 22, Cph N; free adm, limited seats; dkdm.dk
A showcase for young talents from the Royal Danish Academy of Music – don’t miss the marimba player and cellist take on Schnittke and Scarlatti. (TW)
Trodheim Soloists
Sep 4, 20:00; Black Diamond, Søren Kierkegaards Plads 1, Cph K; kb.dk
Alisa Weilerstein, an award-winning cellist backed by an orchesta, will be play music by Haydn and Schønberg. Given the setting, this one will be hard to resist. (TW)
Golden Days
Sep 8-23; multiple venues in Cph; goldendays.dk
Every year the Golden Days Festival takes us on an exploration through history to look at forgotten oddities. This year’s focus is history’s ‘B-sides’, which it will examine through music, film, literature, theatre and architecture amongst many others. (OR)