Roskilde Festival - Northern Europe’s largest
Roskilde Festival is Northern Europe’s largest music and cultural event, held every year in the city of Roskilde, Denmark. Founded in 1971, the festival now attracts up to 130,000 participants from around the world.
In 2026, the festival will take place from 27 June to 4 July. Over eight days, guests can enjoy more than 170 concerts, featuring international stars and emerging talents across multiple stages.
More than just music
The festival is known for its special atmosphere and strong sense of community. People of all ages come together to celebrate music, art, culture and volunteering. All profits from the festival are donated to humanitarian and cultural causes, with a particular focus on children and young people.
The Orange Stage – an icon
The iconic Orange Stage is the festival’s main stage and its most recognisable symbol. Since 1978, it has hosted some of Roskilde’s most legendary performances and is now one of Europe’s most renowned concert venues. Performing on the Orange Stage is seen as a career milestone for many artists.
A focus on sustainability
Roskilde Festival is committed to a greener future. The aim is to become CO₂e-neutral by 2028. Food stalls increasingly offer organic and plant-based meals, single-use items are being phased out, and the festival runs on green electricity. The festival also collaborates with researchers and companies to develop new sustainable solutions that can inspire other events worldwide.
Practical information
Dates: 27 June – 4 July 2026
Location: Dyrskuepladsen, Roskilde
Tickets: Ticket sales for Roskilde Festival 2026 begin in autumn 2025 at roskilde-festival.dk
10 Facts about Roskilde Festival
Started in 1971 – by two high school students
The festival began as a small experiment with only 1,000 attendees. It was taken over by a non-profit organisation in 1972 and grew rapidly.Northern Europe’s largest festival
More than 130,000 people attend each year – including around 30,000 volunteers – making Roskilde one of Europe’s largest cultural events.Over DKK 420 million donated to charity
All profits go to social, cultural and environmental causes worldwide.Legendary names on the Orange Stage
From Bob Marley (1978) and Nirvana (1992) to Kendrick Lamar (2023), the Orange Stage has hosted some of music’s most iconic performances.An icon since 1978
Originally built for a Rolling Stones tour, the Orange Stage was purchased second-hand by Roskilde and has since become a symbol of the festival.Camp life – a festival within the festival
Creative camps, theme parties and DIY culture have made Roskilde’s campsite a cultural phenomenon in its own right.A festival city – with its own infrastructure
The festival site operates like a temporary city with its own water supply, recycling stations and supermarkets.Climate neutrality by 2040
Roskilde works actively with social and environmental sustainability, including circular systems, recycling and green energy.Volunteers at the heart
The festival is powered by over 30,000 volunteers – from bartenders to engineers – making it one of the world’s largest volunteer-driven events.A cultural movement
Roskilde is more than a festival – it’s a platform for activism, artistic expression and youth culture in motion.