Roskilde Festival

The Roskilde Festival is a vibrant annual music celebration held in Roskilde, Denmark, just south of the town itself. It first commenced in 1971, thanks to a group of high school students and a promoter with a vision. Today, the festival is organized by the Roskilde Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting music, culture, and humanism.

What began as a gathering for hippies has transformed into a colossal event that attracts a diverse crowd of young people from across Scandinavia and Europe. By 2013, the festival had grown to feature over 180 bands and draw approximately 130,000 attendees. It is no longer merely a local affair; people from around the globe come to experience the magic of Roskilde.

In the 1990s, the festival broadened its musical horizons by incorporating electronic music. Now, it boasts various stages showcasing a wide array of genres, from rock and hip hop to metal and beyond.

The festival's campsite is almost a festival in itself, sprawling over nearly 80 hectares. It opens before the main event and offers a host of amenities and activities to entertain attendees. Roskilde is also famous for its quirky traditions, like the naked run. However, it has not been without its challenges. In 2000, a tragic incident occurred during a Pearl Jam concert, where nine people lost their lives in a crowd crush.

Over the years, Roskilde has hosted performances by some of the biggest names in music, including Metallica, Muse, Foo Fighters, and Kanye West. The festival has experienced its fair share of weather extremes, with some years marked by heavy rainfall. Like many other events, Roskilde was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite these ups and downs, each year brings a fresh lineup of artists, making Roskilde one of the largest and most beloved music festivals in Europe.