August in Copenhagen: the time of golden fields and ripe berries is upon us. Swim in the canals, picnic in the warm evening light, and party under the open sky like there is no tomorrow. Meteorologically, summer ends with August, so let’s make the most of this last month of the season. As always, there is plenty to do in Copenhagen.
Here are the best events happening in Copenhagen throughout August:
Thursday 1st – Saturday 10th August
Copenhagen Opera Festival
This special festival brings the opera out on the streets, canals, and even the homes of Copenhagen. There are so many wonderful concerts, with many of them free, making opera accessible to everyone. Get inspired and check out the full program on the festival website.
Friday 2nd August
Beachbox Blowout
Celebrate summer before it’s over in Sydhavnen’s container oasis. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey will be providing refreshing drinks, so make sure to register on the guest list to secure entrance and two free drink tickets the first hour! The party goes from 6 pm – midnight.
Clothing Club: Swap Event for Teenagers
Have you fallen out of love with that black cardigan, the red summer dress, or the striped bathing shorts? Boost your wardrobe by swapping or up-cycling some clothes at Containerbyen BOXLAND. Two designers will give style advice and there will be a photo booth to take some cool shots with your new favorites. This event is recommended for teens ages 12 – 17. Free tickets are available via Eventbrite. From 1 – 5 pm.
Saturday 3rd – Sunday 4th August
Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix
The Danish motor sports flagship, the Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix, invites you to a weekend full of drama, action, speed, and entertainment for the whole family. From 8 am – 7 pm. Tickets are available via the event website.
Saturday 3rd August
Stella Polaris Frederiksberg
Bring your friends and dance in the sun (or rain, who knows – it’s Danish summer after all). Frederiksberg Have transforms into a festival venue for Stella Polaris, with great musical acts, food, and a wonderful atmosphere. Admission is free and the fun goes from 12 noon – 9 pm.
Our Copenhagen – This is Vesterbro Street party
Vesterbro is throwing a party and you are invited! Try some afternoon yoga, enjoy good food, have a dance with your summer flirt or chat with your neighbors. When the sun sets, Absalon opens its doors for an afterparty. The event is free for everyone and goes from 3 – 10:30 pm.
IG60 – Back with vengeance
IG60 is back from the summer break and ready to roll. Full of inspiration and with some ideas and tricks up their sleeve, deep electronic love dome KPH Volume is returning with a bang. From 11 pm until breakfast time.
Sunday 4th August
Morning yoga with classical music at Reffen
Start your day with morning yoga accompanied by classical music. Cellist Toke Møldrup is serving some meditative melodies while you greet the sun. Just bring your yoga mat and join this free event as part of the Copenhagen Opera Festival. The yoga session goes from 10 – 11 am. If you miss it, don’t worry; there’s another one on 10th August.
Open Air Cinema: Lille Virgil og Orla Frøsnapper in Huset KBH’s courtyard
The boy Lille Virgil lives alone in a henhouse with his one-legged rooster named Sigurd and goes on adventures with his best friend Oskar. The film is from 1980 and directed by Gert Fredholm. The open air cinema is free of charge and there is no seat reservation, so come early and bring blankets! The screening starts at 9:30 pm.
Asian Food & Cocktails – Will at the Bridge feat. Kyros & Co.
Chinese food and cocktails? Ja tak. Kyros & Co. has invited Will Smith, formerly of Restaurant Geranium and now owner-operator of Will at the Bridge, for a special night. Together they will treat you to seven courses of Chinese specialities accompanied by seven specifically paired drinks, tea, and petit four. Do you want to experience these folks do their magic? Get your ticket via rsvp-popup. The event goes from 7pm – 1am and tickets are 870 DKK.
Monday 5th August
Blood Orange at Store Vega
New York-based Blood Orange, the man behind hits by stars like Solange, Sky Ferreira, FKA twigs, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Kylie Minogue, is coming to Store Vega. There is currently a waiting list for his concert but it’s worth a try. From 8 – 11 pm.
Tuesday 6th – Friday 9th August
Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2020
The summer edition of Copenhagen Fashion Week, along with the two trade shows CIFF and Revolver, brings industry people and fashion enthusiasts to the city. Scandinavia’s only major fashion week promises four days of runway shows, presentations, talks, exhibitions, and parties, as well as a good number of free events. There will be plenty of well-dressed people in town, so keep an eye out for some sartorial inspiration.
Tuesday 6th – Sunday 11th August
Vildskud Festival
Vildskud Festival is taking over Christianshavn Beboerhus with performances, open mic, and the possibility to network. The festival pass costs 250 DKK and day tickets are 100 DKK.
Tuesday 6th August
Soccer Mommy at Lille Vega
When 22-year old Sophie Allison strums her guitar and sings about teenage love, she’ll hit you right in your emotions (even if you’ve left your teen years behind). Think early 2000s Avril Lavigne transported into 2019. Tickets are 195 DKK and the doors open at 7 pm.
Strøm Festival
Every August, Strøm Festival brings electronic music to a variety of urban spaces all over Copenhagen. From dark nightclubs and warehouses over open and public spaces, to monumental churches and moving transportation, the locations are as diverse as they are cool. The full program and tickets can be found on the festival website.
Thursday 8th August
Paté Paté turns 10
Mediterranean-meets-New Nordic restaurant Paté Paté celebrates its 10th birthday with a DJ and an all you can eat barbecue. Tickets are 225 DKK and include Moritz beer and cava. The DJ plays from 4 pm – 2 am so whether you prefer dancing before, during, or after dinner, they’ve got you covered. Swing by early; the first 50 guests are treated to two oysters and a glass of cava (from 4-5 pm).
Friday 9th – Sunday 11th August
Copenhagen Summer Dance
Enjoy modern dance under the open sky at Ofelia Plads. This year’s program includes the duet Daybreak, performed by Ida Praetorius (Den Kgl Ballet) and Ulrik Birkkjær (San Francisco Ballet), and an entirely new piece performed by the dancers of Dansk Danseteater. Tickets can be reserved for 80 DKK and there will be an additional 156 tickets in the last row handed out for free on a first-come-first-serve basis. The performances take place every day from 4:30 – 5:30 pm and from 8:30 – 9:30 pm.
Street Food on the Lakes – A Food Festival
Discover Copenhagen’s exciting food scene under the open sky when street food stalls, small restaurants, and many other food lovers dish out around the lakes. For those of you who want to try as many different things as possible, there will be tasting dishes for 40 DKK each.
Friday 9th August
Anarkistisk Bogmesse
The Anarchist Bookfair will be an open space for anarchists and people interested in Anarchism. This year the focus will be on anarchist views on current struggles as well as suggestions for solutions based on both theory and praxis. Get inspired, share knowledge, and meet old as well as new friends. Find the program on the festival website.
Fredagsrock i Tivoli: Ms. Lauryn Hill
R’n’B and hiphop queen Ms. Lauryn Hill is performing at Tivoli. Sing along to classics like Doo Wop (That Thing), Ex-Factor, Superstar and Everything Is Everything. From 10 pm – midnight.
Saturday 10th August
Provstevej Gadefest
A loppemarked, Brazilian theater, DJs and much more await you at this year’s Provstevej Gadefest. This cool residential street in Nordvest is worth checking out whether you’re a local or want to get to know the area. From 2 pm.
Guided tour of “Jesper Just – Servitudes” at Kunsthal Charlottenborg
Take this last chance to see “Jesper Just – Servitudes” and join a guided tour by curator Irene Campolmi from 2 – 4 pm. Just’s spatial installation deals with ideas of agency and passivity related to social interactions in contemporary society. The guided tour is in English and included in the regular museum ticket. The exhibition is on display until 11th August.
Sunday 11th August
Lyse Nætter 2019 – Litterær gadefest
Lyse Nætter is a street party dedicated to all things literature, organized by the three literary institutions in Møllegade: LiteraturHaus, ark books and Møllegades Boghandel. The event starts at 12 noon and admission is free. There will be a second round on 30th August.
Onkel Dannys Loppemarked
Onkel Dannys Loppemarked is back from the summer break. Go on treasure hunt for art, kitsch, clothes, and much more in Vesterbro. If you prefer to free up some space in your wardrobe or cellar, buy a ticket to put up a stall via Billetto. The loppemarked is open from 10 am – 4 pm.
Tuesday 13th – Sunday 18th August
Copenhagen Pride Week
It’s time for Copenhagen Pride Week! Celebrate love and diversity while remembering those who struggled before and those who continue to struggle. Learn at free debates, workshops, concerts, and parties. Copenhagen City Hall Square turns into Pride Square from Tuesday to Saturday, and will be open every day from 12 noon. Highlights include the Drag Night with VIVACIOUS from RuPaul’s Drag race, drag kings Georgeous Michael and Zayn Phallic, as well as almost 30 of the finest Danish drag performers on Friday 16th. It all culminates with the pride parade on Saturday 17th August. The full program is as fun and serious as life itself and can be found on the website. Bring your friends and lovers to celebrate under the rainbow!
Wednesday 14th – Saturday 17th August
Lost Lands Festival
The team behind Lost Lands Festival describes it as the filthiest three days of bass music that you have ever experienced. Sounds great? Join the fun! Day tickets are available from 70 DKK and the all access festival pass costs 200 DKK.
Wednesday 14th August
Book Club: The Design of Everyday Things
Are you an aspiring designer, book lover, user of anything created by another human or have you just always been wanting to join a book club? Then this is for you. Dive into “The Design of Everyday Things” and learn about both good and bad design. The book is divided in three parts with the first event being dedicated to chapters 1-3. The next two sessions take place on August 28th and September 11th and will cover the remaining chapters. From 6-8 pm. Tickets cost 75 DKK and are available via Eventbrite.
Thursday 15th – Sunday 18th August
Egmont Festival
Denmark’s biggest university festival serves you three days of music and fun. Celebrate with all Egmont residents, ex residents and friends! The festival ticket costs 275 DKK.
Thursday 15th August
Felix Rothstein: Danske bogomslag 1960-1980
Andersen’s Contemporary art gallery is collaborating with Danish book collector Felix Rothstein to present a journey into the history of Danish Graphic Design through book covers. Together with Danish author Olga Ravn, Felix Rothstein will talk through his impressive collection of 282 books from 1960’s to 1980’s. The exhibition is currently on display from Tuesday to Friday from 11 am – 5 pm until 15th August.
Queering the Museum at Glyptoteket
Up your culture game during Copenhagen Pride, when the Glyptotek transforms into a laboratory for liberating our conceptions of sexuality, gender, and for generating new readings of the art of Antiquity. The conversation in the Central Hall is in English, and the queer tours in Danish. The event is free for museum ticket holders.
Friday 16th August
Tech & Tonic at Talent Garden Rainmaking: Back To Work
It’s time to get back to work. So bring your tanned face and your favorite colleague, and network with Copenhagen’s startup scene. From 4 – 8 pm.
TTO & release: Central Waters, Frost Beer Works and Foley Brothers
Beer enthusiasts, this one goes out to you. Rbabarrab and Kihoskh are doing a tap takeover and release with the three American breweries Central Waters, Frost Beer Works, and Foley Brothers.
Saturday 17th August
Mainstream Queer Rave Pride 2019
Not ready to go home after the pride parade? Who is? Mainstream is throwing a rave on Reffen from 10 pm until the morning hours. Go dance your face off. The entrance is free until 11 pm and costs 100 DKK after that. The minimum age is 18 years.
Nørrebro pride 2019 afterparty by Bibimbatty
Bibimbatty is a fabulous Copenhagen-based collective of, for and by queer, trans, intersex, black/indigenous/people of color (cutiebipocs). Following the motto of “owning the dancefloor while leading the revolution on solidarity,” the collective invites you to a Copenhagen Pride afterparty. From 9 pm – 4 am.
Grandmaster Flash at Amager Bio
The father of modern DJing, this year’s Polar Music Prize winner, and star of the Netflix series “The Get Down,” Grandmaster Flash, is coming to Copenhagen. With archival master recordings, images, and videos from the vaults of the major record labels, his live show is a celebration of Hip Hop’s most formative moments. As Blondie sang in 1981: “Flash is fast, Flash is cool” – don’t miss out!
Veras gratis tøjbytte- & upcyclingworkshop på Naturhistorisk
Kickstart your sustainable wardrobe in a beautiful setting at Geological Museum when Veras invites you to a vintage and clothes swap market with huge upcycling station. Just bring up to five pieces of clothes and join the fun. For more information visit Vera Vintage’s website. From 10 am – 4 pm. If you are feeling for some culture, make sure to check out the exhibition “Fashioned from Nature” about the relationship between fashion and nature at the Geological Museum.
Sunday 18th August
The Negroni turns 100 at Gaarden & Gaden
1919 in Florence. A man walks into a bar. The rest is history. Gaarden & Gaden is celebrating the legendary drink with a birthday party. How? That’s a surprise. From 4 pm.
Rita Blå’s Lopper Kulturhuset Indre By
Rita Blå is filling the square in front of Kulturhuset Indre By with clothes, furniture, and bric-a-brac from 12 noon – 5 pm. Browse for bargains, have some coffee, and enjoy Moroccan food. Admission is free for.
Monday 19th August
What We Left Unfinished – Film and talk about Afghanistan’s film history
On the 100th day of Afghanistan’s independence, Cinemateket invites you to an evening dedicated to the country’s film history. There will be an introduction the the film What We Left Unfinished, followed by the screening and a debate. The event starts at 4:45 pm and tickets cost 80 DKK.
Wednesday 21st August
Film, Tapas & Cocktails: Betty Blue at Cinemateket
Jealousy and addiction are the key themes of French 80s classic Betty Blue. The movie boasts summer colors and the soundtrack is incredible. Throw in some tapas and cocktails and you have the perfect midweek summer treat. Tickets including food and drink are 210 DKK. The event starts at 5 pm.
Thursday 22nd – Sunday 25th August
Louisiana Literature Festival
During Louisiana Literature Festival writers from all around the world working with a broad range of genres and expressions will appear on indoor and outdoor stages around the museum and in the Sculpture Park. Admission to the festival is free for museum ticket holders but the general interest is high, so come early if you want to hear your favorite author. This year’s confirmed authors include Roxane Gay, Rachel Cusk, Ben Okri, and Elif Shafak, plus many more. What a line up!
Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th August
The Gathering
Nordic Wake Girls is an initiative that has been created to strengthen the existing female wakeboarding community and to inspire more women and girls to start riding. With “The Gathering” they invite everyone who identifies as female or non-binary to a weekend full of wakeboarding and hygge. Tickets are 1,375 DKK and include unlimited access to the cable, rental equipment, a camping spot, and six vegetarian meals.
Saturday 24th – Sunday 25th
FindersKeepers Market
One of Copenhagen’s best and biggest craft, design, and art markets, FindersKeepers will take place in Øksnehallen from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm both days. There will be food and drink to buy as well as tons of booths to browse. To see some of the most talented markers working in the city today, this is the place for you.
Saturday 24th August
The Sunshine: Book Launch
Now-closed wine bar and gallery space Peryton staged some wonderful exhibitions, and their upcoming book The Sunshine looks at the best of these from 2017-2019. Come on down to Rosforth + Rosforth under Knippelsbro to celebrate the book, toast the halcyon days of Peryton, and have a few glasses of something tasty (of course).
BOBE Talks x Brunch
Black Owned Business and Entrepreneurs is hosting their first brunch and networking event. There will be a buffet breakfast, time to network and meet participants, and two talks with Paul Henckel and Faizal Luttamaguzi. The first ten people to register even get time to present themselves and their work at an open mic! Entry is free, but you do need to book a ticket.
Nansensgadefest
Swing by when Nansensgade fills with a classic loppemarked, delicious food, and hygge. The galleries will be open and live music makes dance with your neighbors, friends, and family. From 10 am – 10 pm.
Sunday 25th August
Bianca Del Rio’s “It’s Jester Joke” at Det Kongelige Operaen
The self-proclaimed “Clown in a Gown” will tell tales of her world travels and the outrageous circus that is her life on her brand-new comedy show. Get ready for a laugh. The show goes from 7 – 11 pm and is a 16 + event.
Monday 26th August – Sunday 8th September
ZULU Comedy Festival
ZULU Comedy Festival brings more than 100 shows to Copenhagen and Aarhus. Venues include Huset KBH, Bremen, and Islandsbrygge Kulturhus. If you’re into stand up comedy, this is for you! Find the full program on the festival website.
Tuesday 27th August
Folk intimate concert with Shackleton Trip at Vores Marked
Combining fiddle, mandolin, guitar and vocals, the Shackleton Trio is prepared to move you to tears and your feet to dance. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the concert starts at 7:30 pm. Tickets cost 200 DKK.
Wednesday 28th – Thursday 29th August
Bite Copenhagen
Bite Copenhagen is setting tomorrow’s table and explores the food of the future at Bella Center. It is a unique platform to showcase and manifest the latest trends within food, technology, and innovation. Professionals from the food industry can visit Bite Copenhagen for free.
Thursday 29th August
Slow. En aften om erindring at Glyptoteket
What do you remember? This is probably one of the biggest questions in life. Glyptoteket invites you to examine the importance of memory from ancient times to the present, and how it is expressed in art. There will be a guided tour of the exhibition “Pierre Bonnard: The Colour of Memory! as well as talks with art historian Anna Kærsgaard Gregersen and much more. From 7 – 9 pm. Admission costs 115 DKK for adults and is free for everyone under 18 years.
Thursday 29th August – Sunday 1st September
Enter Art Fair powered by Artland
Enter Art Fair is a new and ambitious international art fair taking place on Refshaleøen. The first of its kind, it combines the art fair format with a digital art fair experience powered by Artland. Artland is a dedicated platform for contemporary art that connects galleries with collectors on a global scale. Find the program on the festival website.
Friday 30th – Saturday 31st August
Karrusel Festival
Karrusel Festival is moving from Odense to Copenhagen. After a one year break, the open air electronic music festival is back and promises two days of dance tunes. Three stages and a classic old-fashioned theme park will be set up in a secluded forest on Refshaleøen, so get ready to wave good bye to August in style. Get your ticket or sign up as a volunteer on the Karrusel website.
Friday 30th August – Sunday 1st September
CHART Art Fair
It’s that time of the year again – CHART art fair is back in town! CHART is the leading event of its kind in the Nordics and has been named as one of the “top 5 destinations for art and design lovers in August“ by Architectural Digest. Celebrate art, design, and architecture while exploring new frontiers in the space between these practices. Besides the exhibitions, there will be film screenings, concerts, performances, and festivities. Most events will take place at Kunsthal Charlottenborg.
Friday 30th August
Fredagsrock i Tivoli: MØ
Danish superstar MØ is performing in Tivoli and this means you are in for party. Since she has had her break through with “Lean On” in 2015, she has toured the world and performed in Jimmy Fallon’s „The Tonight Show”. Now the singer from Odense is back in her home country and ready to make this summer night a special one. From 10 pm – midnight.
Saturday 31st August – Sunday 1st September
Free Akroyoga Festival
Akroyoga combines elements from acrobatics, yoga, and Thai massage. It is a playful activity that evokes a strong feeling of community. At the Free Akroyoga Festival, ten teachers offer a series of free workshops where everyone can come by and learn.
Saturday 31st August
Chef Daniel Campos Sánchez Pop-Up at Aster
Recently-reopened vegan cafe Aster will host a one day pop-up with Peruvian chef Daniel Campos Sánchez and, trust us, you’ll want to be there. They’ll be serving two special dishes, including the “tastiest avo toast you’ve ever tried,” featuring sourdough bread from Hart Bageri. Come by from 9 am – 4 pm for delicious vegan food, great company, and a really fun vibe.
Slowburn Opening Party
Slowburn is opening its brewery and you are invited! A short bike ride from Copenhagen in the countryside of Hvidovre, surrounded by vineyards and farms, there will be a barbecue, live music, and freshly brewed beer to taste. Does this sound like your cup of tea (or pint of beer)? Then grab your friends and enjoy this late summer day outside. From 3 – 10 pm.
Ongoing
What are you looking at? At Louisina Museum of Modern Art
The exhibition “What are you looking at?” reflects on the art’s view on the world and features works by artists such as Wolfgang Tillmans and David Hockney from the Louisiana collection. From 24th May until 18th August 2019. From 2nd July until 16th August, Louisina Museum of Modern Art offers guided tours in English every Tuesday – Friday from 12 – 12.30 noon. The tours are free for museum visitors.
There I Belong: Hammersøi by Elmgreen & Dragset at SMK
A safe and friendly space? In this art project, artists Elmgreen and Dragset challenge our ideas about “home.” Enjoy masterpieces by the Danish painter Vilhelm Hammershøi presented in unconventional company, juxtaposed with international contemporary art. The exhibition runs until 1st September.
The Vitality of Colour at Kunstforeningen GL Strand
Having been declared a “degenerate” artist by the National Socialist regime and a close friend of Matisse, Hans Purrmann was one of Germany’s most significant modernist artists. Kunstforeningen GL Strand is showing a retrospective of his works, along with a selection of the artists with whom he collaborated or by whom he was inspired. These include Max Liebermann, Henrio Matisse, and Mathilde Vollmoeller, as well as writer Hermann Hesse. The exhibition is on display until 15th September.
Richard Mosse: Incoming at Kunstforeningen GL Strand
Richard Mosse is a multidisciplinary artist utilzing both documentary and art to challenge our perspectives on conflict and disaster around the world. His latest video installation “Incoming“ focuses on the flow of refugees towards Europe using military camera technology. The exhibition is on until 15th September.
Pierre Bonnard: The Colour of Memory at Glyptoteket
In June, Glyptoteket brings the work of French artist Pierre Bonnard to Copenhagen. Bonnard was, along with Matisse, one of the greatest colourists of the early 20th century. He preferred to work from memory, capturing the spirit of a moment through his unique handling of color and innovative sense of composition. The exhibition is a collaboration with the Tate Modern in London where it was on display until May. On until 22nd September.
Homeless Souls at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
This exhibition is a conversation about exile and expatriation as a political and existential reality. It presents a number of international artists, many of whom work from their own experiences and stories. The art is both topical and timeless, universal and highly personal. As part of the exhibition, Ai Weiwei’s film, The Rest, about the European refugee crisis will be shown daily in Louisiana’s cinema at 11:30 am as well as 6:30 pm on weekdays. The exhibition os on display until 22nd September.
Åbn min lysning (Open My Glade) at Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Swiss artist Pipilotti Rist has worked with video technology since the middle of the 1980s. She has continuously explored, challenged, and exploded its potentials, rules, conventions, and limitations. “Åbn min lysning” is her first major presentation in Scandinavia. The exhibition is on display until 22nd September.
“Bauhaus – #itsalldesign” at Designmuseum Danmark
Designmuseum Danmark takes part in the international celebration of 100 years Bauhaus with the research based exhibition “Bauhaus – #itsalldesign.” Developed by Vitra Designmuseum and Bundeskunsthalle Bonn, the exhibition explores all aspects of this design school’s activities and how contemporary design builds on the heritage of Bauhaus. On until 1st December.
Danish Golden Age – World-class art between disasters
Statens Museum for Kunst presents the largest exhibition ever staged about the Golden Age of Danish art. Learn how the artists of one of the most creative artistic periods in Denmark have created the image of the Danish landscape and culture that we still celebrate today. The exhibition is produced in collaboration with Nationalmuseum Stockholm and Petit Palais Paris. It will be on display from 24th August – 8th December.
If you’re a business or organisation that would like us to add your event to next month’s calendar, please contact us at hello [@] scandinaviastandard [dot] com. Thank you!
Get new articles, interesting links and upcoming events delivered to your inbox every month. No spam. Unsubscribe whenever you want.
