Copenhagen Carnival
Copenhagen, Denmark
Your Essential Guide to the Copenhagen Carnival 2025
The Copenhagen Carnival brings the vibrant spirit of Brazil to Europe with an unforgettable celebration. This is one event you definitely don’t want to miss!
Information
When is the Copenhagen Carnival 2025?
The Copenhagen Carnival is held in the spring when the weather is warmer and the nights are longer. The carnival lasts for three days, from Friday to Sunday, during the Pentecost holidays. The dates for the Copenhagen Carnival 2025 are from Friday, June 6, to Sunday, June 8.
What is the Copenhagen Carnival?
The Copenhagen Carnival takes place annually during the Whitsun holidays in the city of Copenhagen, Denmark. It is celebrated on the streets of Copenhagen and in Fælledparken. Although a relatively new addition to the carnival scene, with its first celebration in 1982, it has grown to become Denmark’s largest carnival, attracting 100,000 spectators and 2,000 dancers. The carnival is heavily influenced by Brazil, especially samba, and features three days packed with parades and events centered around world music and samba.
The carnival has also become one of Denmark’s largest music festivals, with more than 120 music groups performing.
The History of the Copenhagen Carnival
The Copenhagen Carnival is a “newcomer” compared to some of its European counterparts. The first carnival was held in 1982 with the theme “the street is the stage, and you are the guru!” The carnival brought 500 dancers to the streets, attracting over 60,000 spectators.
The first Copenhagen Carnival was organized by the association “Carnival in May.” Its founder had recently traveled to the West Indies Carnival and was so impressed by the joy and imagination of that spectacular event that he decided to bring it to his homeland.
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How is the Copenhagen Carnival Celebrated?
The Copenhagen Carnival has everything a carnival needs: parades, colorful costumes, carnival groups, musicians, floats, and live music. It’s an explosion of color, glitter, samba, and fun.
Inspired by the Brazilian Carnival, Copenhagen also boasts samba schools, samba drummers, samba music, samba dance performances, and many other activities and events related to Brazilian samba.
There’s also a Copenhagen Children’s Carnival with plenty of entertainment for the little ones, including clowns, face painting, and contests.
Samba in Denmark
Brazilian samba culture entered Denmark in 1982, and something magical happened. Since the first celebration, samba culture has taken on a life of its own and has become something uniquely Danish. Across Copenhagen, several samba schools perform in the parades.
Copenhagen International Carnival Music Festival
Over the years, the Copenhagen Carnival has become Denmark’s largest music celebration. The main parade is on Saturday, followed by spectacular musical performances in Fælledparken on Sunday.
Today, more than 120 groups and 2,000 artists perform at the Copenhagen Carnival. It’s a unique spectacle with varied music from around the world, where you can hear everything from samba to salsa and steelpan music.
Fælledparken
Fælledparken is the main venue for the Copenhagen Carnival. It features eight different stages, all dedicated to different genres of world music. There’s also a stage dedicated to electronic music.
Along with live music performances, there are many fun workshops, market stalls, and exhibitions. Plenty of activities are also organized for the whole family.
Copenhagen Carnival Parade
The Copenhagen Carnival Parade takes place on Saturday morning. It starts at Kongens Nytorv and goes to City Hall Square, passing through Stroget Road. Parades are a key part of the carnival celebration, attracting 100,000 spectators, making this a day you won’t want to miss.
This colorful parade is filled with costumes, floats, musicians, and hundreds of dancers. It’s a mix of amateur carnival groups and professional samba groups. You’ll also see some steelpan bands and plenty of samba music.
Copenhagen Carnival After Party
The Copenhagen Carnival After Party is a wild celebration held at Teglværket. It’s an event packed with artists, stunning costumes, bars, food stalls, drinks, private parties, and dancing until morning. Brazil is brought directly to Copenhagen in this festive event.
Copenhagen Children’s Carnival
There’s also a carnival for the little ones in Copenhagen. Here, children have the opportunity to participate in the festivities and be the stars of the show. Fælledparken also hosts many fun activities and entertainment for children and families, such as clowns, face painting, and contests.
How Much Does the Copenhagen Carnival Cost?
The Copenhagen Carnival is completely free. However, you’ll need to purchase a ticket to attend the pre-party and after-party. The pre-party and after-party tickets cost DKK 100 if purchased before the event and DKK 150 at the door.
How to Get to Copenhagen?
Denmark is located in Northern Europe, and Copenhagen has a major airport that schedules hundreds of international and domestic flights. Denmark also has an excellent and well-connected network of buses and trains, and if you’re coming from a nearby location, you can always drive.
Where to Stay During the Copenhagen Carnival?
Copenhagen has no shortage of places to stay, ranging from 1 to 5-star hotels to suit all levels of comfort and budget. We recommend staying near Fælledparken if you want to be close to the celebration.
Now it’s your turn to experience the excitement of the Copenhagen Carnival in 2025!
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