Hands in the Air: The Best Scandinavian Music Festivals in 2020

Please note: Most of these music festivals have been cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19. Please see the individual festival websites for more details.

Music festivals in Scandinavia are an important part of the region’s music scene. As summer gets going, there’s a huge range of options across the Nordics, from house raves to large pop and rock music festivals. Not sure which tickets to buy (and you’ll need to buy them in advance!)? We’ve got the full list so you can find the festival that’s right for you.

Here’s the ultimate guide of the best Scandinavian music festivals in 2020:

Denmark

Distortion

Distortion Festival began in 2007 as a few small street parties and has grown over the years to include Distortion Ø (dance & rave concerts on Rafshaleøen) and Distortion Club (night concerts around the city).

Northside Festival

This Aarhus-based festival is known for having a solid line-up as well as excellent food, drink, and side-events like art shows. It’s typically a smaller, cleaner version of Roskilde Festival, but it’s been growing every year since it began in 2010. NorthSide is one of the most popular pop/rock music festivals in Denmark and continues to attract both a local and international crowd.

CopenHell

Into metal? Then CopenHell is for you! This three day festival takes place right in Copenhagen and it gets loud. With both small and major acts such as Ironmaiden, the festival is known as the place to be for those into a heavier sound. Lest you feel intimidated, don’t worry; this festival attracts people of all ages and fandom-levels, so don’t feel like you can’t attend if you’re not an expert on Norwegian death metal of the 90s.

Tinderbox

Located in Tusindaarsskoven in Odense, Tinderbox Festival is relatively new on the scene, but has already proven itself as a serous festival for pop music lovers. In addition to the festival, there is extensive camping available that can be purchased along with your tickets.

Roskilde Festival

Roskilde Festival is THE summer music festival of Denmark, and arguably of northern Europe. It includes numerous stages, art exhibitions, events, and some of the best food in the country is represented. The festival is also known as being extremely sustainable, with their green initiatives growing year-by-year. Roskilde caters to people of all ages, and you’re as likely to see people with young kids as you are to see 18 year olds running the grounds. Camping is taken pretty seriously, with the camping starting well before the actual shows – those only take place over the weekend. For down-and-dirty fun, plus the top acts from both the Nordics and around the world, Roskilde Festival is the place to be.

Sweden

Way Out West

Taking place in Gothenburg, this three day festival is a combination of pop. rock, electronic, and hip-hop music. It’s a popular festival for those all over Sweden and the rest of the Nordics. In addition to the festival grounds, Way Out West is complemented by Stay Out West, the after-hours gigs that take place across the city.

Lollapalooza


First launched in 1991, Lollapalooza was originally an US-based touring event that eventually settled in a permanent festival in Chicago in 2005. It has become a major international music festival, with 12 locations around the world. Bringing together both pop music and non-musical acts, Lollapalooza is three days of fun and great music.

Norway

Øyafestivalen


Held in Tøyen Park, Oslo, Øyafestivalen has exploded since its launch in 1999. It is now one of Norway’s largest and most important music festivals and hosts an impressive pop and rock music line-up.

Bergenfest


Called OleBlues when the festival began in 1999, BergenFest was originally all about Americana and blues music. The festival has evolved over the years to become a more mainstream rock and pop music festival – one of the biggest in the country. It is held outdoors at the beautiful Bergenhus Fortress.

Pstereo


This festival in Marinen, Trondheim, focuses on two things: music and environmental awareness. It’s fairly big, with around 25,000 guests expected for 2020. The music scene is mostly electronic and pop music, with a handful of well-known headliners as well as beloved local acts. The festival launched in 2007 and has been growing ever since. There is a free family concert on the Saturday that’s a wonderful events for kids.

Iceland

Secret Solstice


Ever wondered what it’s like when the sun doesn’t go down? Head to Secret Solstice for three never-ending days of summer raving. The line-up is mostly local artists, but also includes a handful of top-notch international acts that bring in people from around the world. This one is a lot of fun!

Iceland Airwaves

Heading to Reykjavik in November probably isn’t what comes to mind when you think of Scandinavian music festivals, but Iceland Airwaves is out to prove that festivals aren’t just for summer. This event takes place over four days in locations around Reykjavik and it has become the country’s largest music festival. With a line-up that includes both international and local acts, Iceland Airwaves is a unique music festival experience that the local community really gets into.

Finland

Ruisrock

The second oldest music festival in Europe (right behind PINKPOP in the Netherlands), Ruisrock was the Woodstock of its day in Finland. Held on the Finnish island of Ruissalo in Turku, it opened in 1970 with an enormous crowd – estimated to be about 100,000 people – and it hasn’t slowed down much since then, although attendance has fluctuated over the years. Now, the festival has both local and international acts, and is divided up into the meadow area (Niittyalue) and beach area (Ranta-alue).

Flow Festival

Considered the biggest and most important music festival in Finland, Flow is well known for both its music and arts scene. Taking place in Suvilahti power plant as well as some other industrial locations in the city, Flow has a stellar line-up that includes both international acts as well as local ones. The genres are varied, from pop and rock to jazz, soul, and hip-hop. Flow launched in 2004 and has become more and more popular with festival-goers outside of Finland who want a unique summer festival experience.

Tuska Open Air

A heavy metal festival that takes place in the open air, right in the centre of the city? We knew we liked Helsinki’s vibe. Tuska launched in 1998 and continues to grow, with its great location at Kaisaniemi park and impressive line-up. Those into metal and hard rock will love this one.

 
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