Embrace hygge and spend autumn in Denmark

Photo: Daniel Rasmussen - Copenhagen Media Center

When September rolls around it is always bittersweet. We've waved goodbye to summer and the nights are definitely drawing in. But nothing beats that crackle of an open fire, cocoa by candlelight and a crisp walk through the forest on an autumn day. Now that's hygge!

Why you should visit Denmark in autumn

Autumn is the perfect time to visit Denmark. It is still mild enough to enjoy being outside but there is a freshness in the air, particularly welcome after the long hot spell we've just enjoyed, it was a blast bathing in the sun, but seasons change and so do we. Let's embrace it!

Hearty food to nourish your soul, exciting activities to invigorate your mind and vibrant nature to stimulate your senses, that's why we love this time of year.

These are just a few of our favourite things to see and do in Denmark in autumn. 

Step outside

In September we hit the ground running with a wealth of outside activities that are perfect for catching the last breath of the Summer. 

Kite festival on Rømø

One of our best-kept secrets (until now anyway) is The Kite Festival held on the beach at Lakolk, which can be found on the tiny island of Rømø, off the south west coast of Jutland. It truly is a spectacular show, when thousands of kites in all sizes and colours rise into the air. It's so simple but so beautiful and imaginative.

Surfing in Cold Hawaii

Surfing is not the first thing that springs to mind when thinking of Denmark, but if you're a fan, September is the perfect time to visit Klitmøller, on the north coast of Jutland. This surfing community has proved so popular a place to ride the waves it is also known as Cold Hawaii.

World-class food in Aarhus

If it's an all-round cultural experience you're after then look no further than the Aarhus Festival, a ten-day extravaganza that culminates in the first weekend of September with the Food Festival. With 30,000 people visiting each year, Food Festival is one of the biggest gastro-related events in the Nordic countries.

The festival focuses on all aspects of Nordic food culture – from seaweed safaris to sausage-making and cabbage workshops, to gourmet picnics along the shore. Here you can meet some of the most influential Nordic breeders, chefs and crazy weird food scientists talking about food. If that's your thing - and who doesn't love food -  it's the perfect way to see in the autumn months.

Photo: Mette Johnsen
Aarhus Festival
Photo: Martin Dam Kristensen/Aarhus Festuge

Autumn culture in Copenhagen

Denmark's vibrant capital city has much to offer you in September. Well. It has much to offer you all year round, but we're talking about Autumn here, so let's try stay focused.

Every year Copenhagen celebrates its rich history with the Golden Days Festival. From 2nd to the 18th of September, various locations and institutions open their doors to share knowledge, history and culture. This year's theme is 'QUEENS' and it promises to be a fascinating, immersive experience and is the perfect way to get inside our capital city while you're there.

Photo:Daniel Rasmussen - Copenhagen Media Center

Halloween: Things that go bump in the night

As October rolls on, Halloween in Denmark is always a ton of fun. Fancy dress, pumpkins, haunted castles and spooky lightshows...if you're going to do it, better do it right.

City frights in Tivoli

Copenhagen’s iconic Tivoli Gardens will be dressed up for Halloween this autumn, with spiders, scarecrows, magical creatures, pumpkins galore and thousands of iridescent lights. At night, music, lights, smoke, fire and lasers illuminate Tivoli Lake for a show like no other. Can scary also be stunning? Damn straight.

Brick or treat at LEGOLAND®

The original LEGOLAND® will be transformed for Halloween from 6 October until 3 November. Join the ‘Brick or Treat’ (see what they did there?) tour round the park and encounter load of freaky Halloween creatures on your way. If you're feeling especially brave, you can creep into the giant pumpkin made of more than 100,000 LEGO® bricks. With special extended opening hours, it's a truly unique Halloween experience from Denmark's most famous gift to the world.

Haunted castles

Of course, Denmark is an ancient country and is filled with creepy haunted castles. Well. We can't prove they are haunted, but with all the dark, bloody history that took place within their walls, something must be lingering in the air. And what better time to do a bit of ghost hunting than at Halloween?

Photo:Martin Heiberg - Copenhagen Media Center

Countdown to Christmas

OK, we know it's a little early to be talking about Christmas. We get it. But that's just how it is these days. Like it or not, Christmas lights go up in preparation for the festive season in early November and Denmark is no different.

So for now we'll wind up our autumn review by saying that there is a wealth of Christmas events and activities to enjoy throughout Copenhagen and the rest of Denmark. But that is a whole other story!

Come back later in the year as we'll bring you all you need to know about how to spend winter in Denmark. Now that is maximum hygge!

Christmas market at Højbro Plads, Copenhagen

Photo:© Rolands Varsbergs